FOLDING CANOPY

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a folding tent support structure, comprising stakes and a canopy frame. The orthogonal projection of the canopy frame includes a quadrilateral and four triangular structures, each side of which is formed by linkages interconnected at two midpoints. The stake is further equipped with an expansion frame that can be linked to the canopy frame, expanding the support around the periphery of the canopy and significantly increasing the coverage area of the tent.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This utility model belongs to the field of outdoor equipment, specifically involving a folding canopy, particularly a support solution with outward expansion on all sides.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Tents are essential equipment for temporary shelter from wind, rain, and sun, satisfying the needs of outdoor construction projects, community activities, and camping enthusiasts. A tent comprises flexible fabric and a frame to support the fabric. The design of the frame emphasizes foldability and a large open area when expanded. Compact folding and lightweight after folding, facilitating easy carrying and storage, are crucial considerations.

For example, CN200610019596.5 discloses a folding canopy, including four telescopic stake poles standing at the four corners, a linkage component connecting the four poles, and protruding ears with hinged linkage rods fixed at the top of the poles. A sliding seat with a hinged linkage rod is also fitted over it. The linkage component's plan projection includes a quadrilateral and three triangles, with each side of the quadrilateral and each side of the triangles formed by two linkage rods hinged together in the middle. The edges of the quadrilateral are hinged together by upper and lower hinge components with adjacent edge linkage rod ends, while the linkage rod ends of the two waist edges of the triangle are hinged together by upper and lower hinge components. One end is hinged to the protruding ear at the top of the stake, and the other end is hinged to the sliding seat. The linkage components associated with the cross unit form a complete and interlinked expandable and collapsible canopy frame. However, due to factors such as the weight of the components, the area that can be expanded is limited.

If the coverage area could be further expanded on this basis, it becomes the subject of study in this utility model.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this utility model is to design a folding canopy with a linkage outward expansion angle frame set at the four stake poles.

The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: a folding canopy comprising stakes and a canopy frame. The plan projection of the canopy frame includes a quadrilateral and four triangular structures, with each side of the quadrilateral and each side of the triangles formed by two middle-crossing hinged linkage rods. The linkage rod ends of each side of the quadrilateral are hinged together by upper and lower bridging components with adjacent edge linkage rod ends, while the linkage rod ends of the two waist edges of the triangle are hinged together by upper and lower bridging components. One end is hinged to the corresponding upper and lower bridging components, and the other end is hinged to the fixed seat at the top of the stake and slidably fitted to the sliding seat on the stake. Additionally, an outward expansion angle frame, which can be linked to the canopy frame for expansion and folding, is also set between the fixed seat and the sliding seat of the stake. The outward expansion angle frame consists of a long rod component and a short rod component. One end of the long rod component is hinged to the fixed seat, while the other end is supported and inclined in a suspended manner by the short rod component. The short rod component is hinged at one end to the sliding seat, and the other end is hinged to the long rod component, providing support for the long rod component.

The outward expansion angle frame is hinged on the fixed seat and sliding seat in a direction parallel to the centerline of the triangle. The fixed seat is molded with a cylindrical sleeve for securing to the top of the stake, two 60-degree angle grooves for hinging the linkage rods of the triangle, and a groove for hinging the long rod component of the outward expansion angle frame. The hinging grooves are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical sleeve with a locking groove.

The sliding seat has a through-hole for the stake to pass through, and its surface is molded with hinging grooves corresponding to those on the fixed seat. Additionally, a self-locking latch is positioned in correspondence with the locking groove and, under the action of a torsion spring, maintains a tendency to hook the end of the latch into the locking groove.

The canopy frame also includes a conical top frame, composed of four conical top rod components hinged together at the upper ends, with the lower ends corresponding to hinging on the lower bridging components of the quadrilateral.

The upper ends of the four conical top rod components in the conical top frame are hinged on a plastic cap, and the bottom surface of the plastic cap is evenly distributed with four hinging plates or hinging grooves.

The grounded end of the stake is equipped with a foot pad, which has nail holes and a transverse hole. A crossbar is configured in the transverse hole.

The stake is a two-section detachable structure, comprising a small-diameter tube and a large-diameter tube. The small-diameter tube can be inserted into the large-diameter tube, and V-shaped spring beads are embedded on one side of the small-diameter tube in the insertion and mating segment, forming a locking relationship between the two tube components. A ring sleeve is fixed on the upper part of the small-diameter tube near the insertion segment, with an integral pressure plate corresponding to the position of the V-shaped spring bead, capable of pressing the V-shaped spring bead to release the lock.

This utility model has the characteristics of unique conception, simple structure, smooth operation, and a large shading area. By linking an outward expansion angle frame between the upper and lower bridging components of the four stakes, the support is expanded in a peripheral circle without increasing the original canopy frame specifications, significantly expanding the shading area of the tent. Additionally, the design of the conical top frame makes the support of the flexible fabric more rational and aesthetically pleasing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. Namely, in the drawings the following reference numbers refer to the following part:

FIG. 1: Schematic diagram of the folding canopy.

FIG. 2: Enlarged schematic diagram of part A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3: Enlarged schematic diagram of part B in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4: Enlarged schematic diagram of part C in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5: Side view schematic diagram of the folding canopy.

FIG. 6: Enlarged schematic diagram of part D in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7: Overhead schematic diagram of the folding canopy.

FIG. 8: Schematic diagram of the folding state of the canopy.

FIG. 9: Schematic diagram of the folding state of the quadrilateral and conical top frame in the canopy frame.

FIG. 10: Schematic diagram of the folded state of the canopy frame.

FIG. 11: Cross-sectional schematic diagram of the local relationship of the stake insertion segment.

FIG. 12: Local schematic diagram of the stake, fixed seat, and sliding seat.

FIG. 13: Schematic diagram of the fixed seat.

FIG. 14: Top view schematic diagram of the fixed seat.

FIG. 15: Schematic diagram of the sliding seat.

FIG. 16: Overhead schematic diagram of the sliding seat.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. Namely, in the drawings the following reference numbers refer to the following part:

• • 100—Stake;
  • 101—Small-diameter tube;
  • 102—Large-diameter tube;
  • 103—V-shaped spring bead;
  • 104—Ring sleeve;
  • 1041—Pressure plate;
  • 105—Foot pad;
  • 1051—Nail hole;
  • 1052—Through-hole;
  • 1053—Crossbar;
  • 200—Canopy frame;
  • 201—Quadrilateral;
  • 202—Triangle;
  • 300—Outward expansion angle frame;
  • 400—Conical top frame;
  • 1—Fixed seat;
  • 11—Cylindrical sleeve;
  • 12—Hinging groove;
  • 13—Locking groove;
  • 2—Sliding seat;
  • 21—Through-hole;
  • 22—Self-locking latch;
  • 23—Axial groove;
  • 3—Linkage rod;
  • 4—Upper bridging component;
  • 5—Lower bridging component;
  • 6—Long rod component;
  • 7—Short rod component;
  • 8—Conical top rod component; 81—Plastic cap; 82—Hinging plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 16, the folding canopy includes stakes 100 and canopy frame 200. There are four stakes, each with a fixed seat 1 securely attached at the top and a sliding seat 2 slidably fitted, which are used to hinge the canopy frame 200, allowing it to expand and fold.

Stakes 100 can be extendable or adopt a detachable structure. In this case, a two-section detachable structure is used, comprising a small-diameter tube 101 and a large-diameter tube 102. The small-diameter tube 101 can be inserted into the large-diameter tube 102 for height adjustment. Specifically, V-shaped spring beads 103 are embedded on one side of the small-diameter tube 101 in the insertion and mating segment, forming a locking relationship between the two tube components. To facilitate unlocking, a ring sleeve 104 is fixed on the upper part of the small-diameter tube 101 near the insertion segment. The ring sleeve 104 has an integral pressure plate 1041 corresponding to the position of the V-shaped spring bead 103. Manually pressing the pressure plate 1041 releases the lock. The pressure plate 1041 can reduce the localized force applied by fingers when unlocking, making it easier. FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 11 illustrate this configuration. The ring sleeve 104 also acts as a limit, restricting the depth of insertion of the small-diameter tube 101, aiding in aligning the V-shaped spring bead 103 with the positioning hole of the large-diameter tube 102.

As shown in FIG. 8, during folding, the separated small-diameter tube 101 can be inserted into the gap of the folded canopy or placed close to the edge recess, as depicted in FIG. 10 showing the surrounding recess.

Additionally, to increase the force-bearing area at the ground, the grounded end of stake 100 is equipped with a foot pad 105, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The foot pad 105 is molded with nail holes 1051 and a transverse hole 1052. A crossbar 1053 is configured in the transverse hole. Nail holes 1051 accommodate ground stakes for wind resistance, while the crossbar 1053 can slide left and right in the hole, increasing the ground area and allowing adjustment to a harder side by utilizing its lateral movement.

As shown in FIG. 7, the plan projection of the canopy frame 200 includes a quadrilateral 201 and four triangular structures 202, with each side formed by two middle-crossing hinged linkage rods 3. The sides of the quadrilateral 201 are hinged to adjacent sides through upper bridging components 4 and lower bridging components 5. One end of the linkage rod 3 of the two waist sides of the triangle 202 is hinged to the corresponding upper bridging component 4 and lower bridging component 5, while the other end is hinged to the fixed seat 1 at the top of the stake and slidably fitted to the sliding seat 2 on the stake. The sliding seat 2 moves upwards during expansion and downwards during folding, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5.

Building upon the above, an outward expansion angle frame 300 is set between the fixed seat 1 and sliding seat 2 of stake 100 to allow the coordinated expansion and folding of the canopy frame 200, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The outward expansion angle frame 300 consists of a long rod component 6 and a short rod component 7. One end of the long rod component 6 is hinged to the fixed seat 1, and the other end is supported and inclined in a suspended manner by the short rod component 7, forming a support for the edge of the tent fabric. One end of the short rod component 7 is hinged to the sliding seat 2, and the other end is hinged to the long rod component 6, providing support for the long rod component 6. Specifically, the direction angle of the outward expansion angle frame 300 hinged on the fixed seat 1 and sliding seat 2 is parallel or coincident with the centerline of the triangle 202, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 7. This ensures balanced expansion, considering the fabric on both sides of the canopy frame 200. The outward expansion angle frame 300 is a simple combination that enables coordinated opening, extending the tent fabric edge by an additional circle, resembling the eaves of a house. This significantly increases the shading area, especially suitable for sunshade purposes. As indicated by the outer square dashed line in FIG. 7, and the inner dashed line represents the existing tent canopy range without the outward expansion angle frame. The expansion effect is evident, and it also balances the load on the stakes.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 12 to 14, the specific structure of the fixed seat 1 includes a cylindrical sleeve 11 for securing at the top of the stake, three hinging grooves 12, and a locking groove 13. The two hinging grooves 12 have an angle of 60 degrees, used to hinge the linkage rods 3 of the two waist sides of the triangle. The third hinging groove 12 is located in the parallel direction of the outer bisector of the 60-degree hinging grooves and is used to hinge the long rod component 6 of the outward expansion angle frame. Since each side of the triangle is formed by two crossing hinged linkage rods 3, the three hinging grooves 12 need to be staggered to accommodate the positions of the linkage rods 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 12, 15, and 16, the specific structure of the sliding seat 2 includes a through-hole 21 for the stake to pass through, a hinging groove 12 corresponding to the fixed seat, and a self-locking latch 22 corresponding to the locking groove 13. The self-locking latch 22 is axially positioned in the axial groove 23 on the surface of the sliding seat and, under the spring force of the enclosed spring, always maintains the tendency of the hook at the end to catch the locking groove 13. When the canopy frame 200 is fully open, the self-locking latch 22 automatically catches the locking groove 13, locking the position of the sliding seat 2 and ensuring the stability of the fully open state. When folding, the self-locking latch 22 needs to be manually released. It is positioned on the lower side of the sliding seat for ease of operation, but it can also be designed on the fixed seat.

Furthermore, the canopy frame 200 includes a conical top frame 400, composed of four conical top rod components 8 hinged together at the upper ends. The lower ends of the conical top rod components 8 are hinged to the lower bridging components 5 of the quadrilateral, enabling the conical top frame 400 to open and fold in conjunction with the lower bridging components 5, as shown in FIG. 9. The conical top frame 400 lifts the center of the tent fabric, creating a pointed roof shape that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. It enhances the central space inside the tent, reducing a sense of oppression, and facilitates the shedding of rain and snow towards the surroundings, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7.

More specifically, the upper ends of the four conical top rod components 8 in the conical top frame 400 are hinged on a plastic cap 81, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The bottom surface of the plastic cap 81 is evenly distributed with four hinging plates 82 or hinging grooves around its circumference. This ensures that the four conical top rod components 81 have an equal length structure and provides protection for the tent fabric through the plastic cap.

Claims

1. A folding canopy, comprising 4 support rods and a canopy frame. The canopy includes a quadrilateral and four triangular structures, with each side of the quadrilateral and triangles formed by interconnecting linkages at two midpoints. The linkages on each side of the quadrilateral are respectively hinged together at the end portions through upper and lower bridging components, while the end portions of the linkages on the two sides of each triangular structure are hinged to the corresponding upper and lower bridging components, with the other end corresponding to being hinged on the fixed seat at the top of the support rod and sliding sleeve on the support rod's sliding seat. It is characterized in that: between the fixed seat and the sliding seat of the support rod, there is an expansion frame that can be linked to the canopy frame to expand and collapse. The expansion frame is composed of a long rod and a short rod, with one end of the long rod hinged on the fixed seat and the other end supported by the short rod at an inclined angle; the short rod is hinged on the sliding seat at one end and hinged on the long rod at the other end to support the long rod.

2. The folding canopy as claimed in claim 1, a folding tent support structure, characterized in that: the orientation angle of the expansion frame hinged on the fixed seat and sliding seat is parallel to the centerline of the triangle.

3. The folding canopy as claimed in claim 1 or 2, a folding tent support structure, characterized in that: the fixed seat is formed with a cylinder sleeve for securing to the top of the stake, two hinge slots with a 60-degree angle for hinging the linkages of the two sides of the triangle, and a hinge slot for hinging the long rod of the expansion frame; the hinge slots are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the cylinder sleeve, and the lower surface of the cylinder sleeve is formed with a locking groove; the sliding seat has a through-hole for the stake to pass through, and the surface is formed with hinge slots corresponding to the fixed seat, and at the corresponding position of the locking groove, there is a self-locking latch; the self-locking latch, under the action of the torsion spring force, always maintains the tendency of the hooked end to engage the locking groove.

4. The folding canopy as claimed in claim 1, a folding tent support structure, characterized in that: the canopy frame further includes a cone support frame, which is composed of four upper end-hinged cone support rod components, and the lower end of the cone support rod components is correspondingly hinged on the lower bridging components in the quadrilateral.

5. The folding canopy as claimed in claim 4, a folding tent support structure, characterized in that: the upper end of the four cone support rod components in the cone support frame is hinged on a plastic cap, and the bottom surface of the plastic cap is evenly distributed with four hinge plates or hinge slots.

6. The folding canopy as claimed in claim 1, a folding tent support structure, characterized in that: the ground end of the stake is provided with a foot pad, and the foot pad is formed with nail holes and a transverse hole, with a crossbar inserted in the transverse hole.

7. The folding canopy as claimed in claim 1 or 6, a folding tent support structure, characterized in that: the stake is of a double-section detachable structure, including a small-diameter pipe section and a large-diameter pipe section, with the small-diameter pipe inserted into the large-diameter pipe. The inner side of the small-diameter pipe on one side of the insertion and matching section is embedded with a V-shaped spring ball to form a locking relationship between the two pipe sections; and a ring sleeve is fixed on the small-diameter pipe near the insertion section, and the end of the ring sleeve is integrally connected to a pressure plate, the pressure plate corresponding to the position of the V-shaped spring ball, which can press the V-shaped spring ball to release the lock.