The present application claims priority of Chinese Utility Model Application Numbers CN 201420349197.5 filed Jun. 27, 2014 and CN 201420562771.5 filed Sep. 28, 2014, and Chinese Patent Application Numbers CN 201410506395.2 filed Sep. 28, 2014 and CN 201410615273.7 filed Nov. 5, 2014, the entire contents of which applications are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
The present invention relates to an outdoor product, in particular, to a high-ceiling tent frame.
As an outdoor leisure product, tents are widely used in various occasions. A common tent frame is formed by connecting a plurality of groups of vertical poles to top poles, wherein the top poles form a top support. The tents applying such frames have common drawbacks in that the structures thereof are generally more complex, a plurality of groups of poles are needed to support tent fabrics, the frames are difficult and time-consuming to establish and the manufacturing costs are increased.
Chinese invention patent ZL201310429420.7 discloses a foldable tent eave frame structure, which comprises a tent frame and an eave pole. The tent frame comprises vertical posts, tent poles and oblique supporting poles. Fixed bases are fixedly arranged at top ends of the vertical posts. Slidable bases, which can slide up and down along the vertical posts, are slidably connected onto the vertical posts. First ends of the tent poles are pivoted onto the fixed bases. First ends of the oblique supporting poles are pivoted onto the slidable bases and second ends of the oblique supporting poles are pivoted onto the tent poles. The slidable bases slide up and down along the vertical posts to fold or unfold the tent frame. The tent frame is provided with a sliding way. A first end of the eave pole is pivoted onto the oblique supporting poles. The eave pole can move relative to the sliding way to enable a second end of the eave pole to get far away from or close to the sliding way to realize the unfolding or folding of the eave pole. The unfolding or folding of the tent frame induces the unfolding or folding of the eave pole.
However, poles, which mainly play a role of folding, of the conventional tents are centralized between two vertical posts. Thus, the height of an entrance/exit of the tent is inherently reduced, causing inconvenience to users. In addition, since scissors-shaped connecting pole groups of the tent are arranged on the periphery of the tent and there are no similar poles inside, items cannot be hung inside.
Although one eave pole is added to the tent and applied to support the tent fabric, a probability that water is accumulated between the vertical poles and the center base on rainy days still exists. The problem of water accumulation on rainy days cannot be fully solved.
Given the above background, there is a need in the art for a tent frame that provides adequate space with a stable structure, capability of hanging items inside, and/or capability of preventing water from accumulating on rainy days.
The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
In various aspects, the present invention provides a high-ceiling tent frame with a stable structure, capability of hanging items inside and/or capability of preventing water from accumulating on rainy days.
In some aspects, a high-ceiling tent frame of the present invention comprises one or more frame units. Each frame unit comprises: three or more vertical poles; a center pole; a plurality of supporting pole groups for connecting the center pole with the vertical poles; vertical pole fixed connecting bases installed at top ends of the vertical poles; vertical pole slidable connecting bases installed on pole bodies of the vertical poles and slidable along the pole bodies of the vertical poles; a center fixed connecting base installed at a bottom end of the center pole; and a center slidable connecting base installed on a pole body of the center pole and slidable along the pole body of the center pole, wherein: each supporting top pole group comprises one or more first connecting pole units; the one or more first connecting pole units are pivotally connected to each other; each first connecting pole unit comprises two first connecting poles pivotally connected to each other and forms an X-shape when the tent frame is unfolded; and in each supporting top pole group, the first connecting pole unit adjacent the center pole has one of the two first connecting poles pivotally connected to the center slidable connecting base and the other one of the two first connecting poles pivotally connected to the center fixed connecting base, and the first connecting pole unit adjacent a corresponding vertical pole has one of the two first connecting poles pivotally connected to the vertical pole slidable connecting base and the other one of the two first connecting poles pivotally connected to the vertical pole fixed connecting base of the corresponding vertical pole.
In one aspect, the high-ceiling tent frame further comprises: side top pole groups each configured to connect two adjacent vertical poles; and oblique supporting poles each configured to connect a side top pole group to a corresponding vertical pole. Each side top pole group comprises two side top poles pivotally connected to each other and forms a substantially straight line when the tent frame is unfolded; one end of each side top pole is pivotally connected to the vertical pole fixed connecting base of a corresponding vertical pole in the two adjacent vertical poles; one end of each oblique supporting pole is pivotally connected to the vertical pole slidable connecting base of the corresponding vertical pole; and the other end of each oblique supporting pole is pivotally connected to the side top pole that is connected to the same corresponding vertical pole.
In some aspects, within a respective frame unit: the three or more vertical poles comprises four vertical poles that form two vertical pole groups, wherein each vertical pole group comprises two adjacent vertical poles; the two adjacent vertical poles in each vertical pole group are connected by a side top pole group; the side top pole group comprises one or more second connecting pole units; the one or more second connecting pole units are pivotally connected to each other; each second connecting pole unit comprises two second connecting poles pivotally connected to each other and forms an X-shape when the tent frame is unfolded; one of the second connecting poles of each second connecting pole unit adjacent the corresponding vertical pole is pivotally connected to the vertical pole slidable connecting base of the corresponding vertical pole; and the other one of the second connecting poles of each second connecting pole unit adjacent the corresponding vertical pole is pivotally connected to the vertical pole fixed connecting base of the corresponding vertical pole.
In one aspect, the high-ceiling tent frame further comprises an inner horizontal pole group for connecting two of the supporting top pole groups that are connected to different vertical pole groups within the respective frame unit. The inner horizontal pole group comprises one of the following: (i) two short poles, one ends thereof are pivotally connected to each other, and the other ends thereof are pivotally connected to the first connecting pole units of the supporting top pole groups at hinging points adjacent to the center pole; (ii) two short poles, one ends thereof are pivotally connected to each other, and the other ends are pivotally connected to the first connecting pole units of the corresponding supporting top pole group at upper hinging points of the first connecting pole units; (iii) two short poles, one ends thereof are pivotally connected to each other, and the other ends are pivotally connected to the first connecting pole units of the corresponding supporting top pole group at the upper hinging points of the first connecting pole units, wherein each short pole is supported by an oblique supporting pole, wherein one end of the oblique supporting pole is pivotally connected to a pole body of the corresponding short pole and the other end is pivotally connected to a lower hinging point of a corresponding first connecting pole unit; or (iv) one or more third connecting pole units, wherein the one or more third connecting pole units are pivotally connected to each other, each third connecting pole unit comprises two third connecting poles pivotally connected to each other and forms an X-shape when the tent frame is unfolded, one of the third connecting poles of each third connecting pole unit adjacent the corresponding supporting top pole group is pivotally connected to a first connecting pole unit of the corresponding supporting top pole group at the upper hinging point of the first connecting pole unit and the other one of the third connecting poles of each third connecting pole unit adjacent the corresponding supporting top pole group is pivotally connected to the first connecting pole unit of the corresponding supporting top pole group at the lower hinging point of the first connecting pole unit.
In another aspect, the high-ceiling tent frame further comprises an inner horizontal pole group for connecting two adjacent vertical poles in the two vertical pole groups within the respective frame unit. The inner horizontal pole group comprises two short poles, one ends thereof are pivotally connected to each other, and the other ends are pivotally connected to the vertical pole fixed connecting bases of the corresponding vertical poles; and each short pole is supported by an oblique supporting pole, wherein one end of the oblique supporting pole is pivotally connected to a pole body of the corresponding short pole and the other end is pivotally connected to the vertical pole slidable connecting base of a corresponding vertical pole.
In an aspect, the high-ceiling tent frame further comprises a connecting pin and a spring disposed between the center pole and the center fixed connecting base. A first elongated slot or a first pin hole is formed at a bottom end portion of the center pole; the center fixed connecting base includes: (i) a connecting pole hinging part for receiving the first connecting poles, (ii) a blind hole for receiving the center pole, (iii) a second pin hole corresponding to the first elongated slot of the center pole and formed adjacent to a mouth part of the blind hole, or a second elongated slot corresponding to the first pin hole of the center pole and formed on a side wall of the blind hole; the connecting pin penetrates through the corresponding elongated slot and the corresponding pin hole, connecting the center pole with the center fixed connecting base; and the spring is placed in the blind hole, one end of the spring presses against a bottom end of the center pole and the other end presses against a bottom part of the blind hole.
In some aspects, the high-ceiling tent frame further comprises supporting pieces installed on the first connecting poles that are connected to the vertical pole fixed connecting bases. Each supporting piece comprises: a connecting part fixedly connected to a corresponding first connecting pole; and a horizontal pole for supporting a tent fabric, wherein the horizontal pole and the connecting part are fixedly connected to each other at a predetermined angle.
In some aspects, the high-ceiling tent frame further comprises one or more water accumulation preventing pole groups. A water accumulation preventing pole group is connected to a corresponding first connecting pole unit and comprises: a slidable connecting piece pivotally connected to one connecting pole of the corresponding first connecting pole unit; and a fabric supporting pole, a pole body thereof is slidably connected to the slidable connecting piece and one end thereof is pivotally connected to the other connecting pole of the corresponding first connecting pole unit, such that the fabric supporting pole is disposed substantially vertically and upwardly when the tent frame is unfolded.
In an aspect, the slidable connecting piece is pivotally connected to the one connecting pole of the corresponding first connecting pole unit by a bracket, wherein the bracket is pivotally connected to the slidable connecting piece and fixedly connected to the one connecting pole of the corresponding first connecting pole unit.
In some aspects, the high-ceiling tent frame further comprises one or more water accumulation preventing pole groups. A water accumulation preventing pole group comprising: an eave supporting pole; an eave moving pole, one end thereof is pivotally connected to one end of the eave supporting pole, and the other end or a pole body of the eave moving pole is pivotally connected to the third or fourth one of the first connecting poles; and a connecting part, one end thereof is pivotally connected to the pole body of the eave pole and the other end thereof is pivotally connected to the fourth one of the first connecting poles.
In an aspect, the eave moving pole comprises: a first pole; a second pole, one end thereof is rotatably connected to one end of the first pole; and a stop block disposed at the connected ends of the first pole and the second pole and configured to limit a rotating angle of the first and second poles.
In some aspects, the vertical poles, the eave pole or both the vertical poles and the eave pole are retractable poles.
In some aspects, the high-ceiling tent frame comprise at least two frame units, wherein two adjacent frame units are connected to each other by sharing at least two vertical poles.
The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects.
By arranging the supporting top pole groups between the vertical poles and the center pole, pressure applied to the center pole can be dispersed to vertical poles and thus the structure is stable. Since each supporting top pole group is formed by a plurality of first connecting pole units, each of which includes two first connecting poles, the first connecting poles can support with each other and thus the tent frame is more stable. Since the first connecting poles form the X-shape when unfolded and a quadrilateral structure is formed between two groups of first connecting pole units, the first connecting pole units can be used for hanging items.
Since the elongated slot is formed in the center pole or the side wall of the blind hole, the spring is arranged between the center pole and the center fixed connecting base. The spring is in a compressed state when the tent frame is unfolded and applies an upward force to the center pole. The center pole is pushed upward, tightening the tent fabric and thus reducing formation of pits and preventing water accumulation.
By arranging the water accumulation preventing pole group(s), the tent fabric can be further tightened. The tent poles can also support the tent fabric, and thus reduce formation of pits and prevent water accumulation.
The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which 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 the present invention.
Partial hinging pins are omitted in the drawings and numeral references in the drawings correspond to the follows:
Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
A high-ceiling tent frame of the present invention in general comprises one or more frame units such as frame unit 1. The specific number of the frame units can be determined or adjusted according to the actually needed internal space of the tent or personal preference. In embodiments with two or more frame units, the adjacent frame units are connected to each other, for example by sharing vertical poles. By way of illustration and for describing structures of frame unit 1,
In some embodiments, the frame unit 1 comprises three or more vertical poles 2. The specific number of the vertical poles 2 can also be determined or adjusted according to the needed internal space of the tent or personal preference. As an example,
The center pole 3 is placed vertically or substantially vertically when the tent frame is unfolded. In some embodiments, a center fixed connecting base 7 is installed at a bottom end of the center pole 3. A center slidable connecting base 8 which can slide on the center pole 3 is installed on a pole body of the center pole 3. A supporting piece 9 used for supporting the tent fabric is installed at a top end of the center pole 3.
In some embodiments, the vertical poles 2 are placed vertically or substantially vertically when the tent frame is unfolded. In some embodiments, the vertical poles 2 is obliquely placed at a predetermined tilt angle relative to the ground. In some embodiments, bottom foot pieces 10 are installed at bottom ends of the vertical poles 2. Vertical pole fixed connecting bases 11 are installed at top ends of the vertical poles 2. Vertical pole slidable connecting bases 12 which can slide along the vertical poles 2 are installed on pole bodies of the vertical poles 2.
In some embodiments, the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 12 are provided with stop devices 12a for preventing the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 12 from falling downwards along the pole bodies of the vertical poles 2 when the tent frame is unfolded.
The center fixed connecting base 7, the center slidable connecting base 8, the supporting piece 9, the bottom foot pieces 10, the vertical pole fixed connecting bases 11, the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 12 and the stop devices 12a are the same or similar to those in the art and are thus not described herein in details.
In some embodiments, for example as shown in
In some embodiments, a slot structure 3a is formed at the center pole, at a position where the compression spring 13 is installed. The length of the slot structure 3a can be equal to or slightly smaller than the length of the compression spring 13. The slot structure 3a facilitates the observation of the working state of the compression spring 13, and the installation and replacement of the compression spring 13.
In some embodiments, each supporting top pole group 4 comprises one or more first connecting pole units 4a which are pivotally connected to each other. For example, each supporting top pole group 4 comprises two first connecting pole units 4a. Each first connecting pole unit 4a comprises two first connecting poles 4b which are pivotally connected to each other and form an X-shape when the tent frame is unfolded. In each supporting top pole group 4, as shown in
In some embodiments, a supporting piece 15 is additionally or optionally installed on this first connecting pole 4b. The supporting piece 15 comprises a connecting part 15a fixedly connected with the first connecting pole 4b and a horizontal pole 15b used for supporting the tent fabric. In one embodiment, the connecting part 15a is fixed on the first connecting pole 4b through a pin. The horizontal pole 15b and the connecting part 15a are fixedly connected according to a predetermined angle, and the specific angle can be determined according to the actual needs or personal preference as long as the horizontal pole 15b can support the tent fabric when the tent or tent frame is unfolded. By way of illustration,
In some embodiments, each side top pole group 5 comprises two side top poles 5a which are pivotally connected to each other and form a substantially straight line when the tent frame is unfolded. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, one end of each oblique supporting pole 6 is connected with the vertical pole 2 through the vertical pole slidable connecting base 12, and the other end is pivotally connected to the side top pole 5a pivotally connected to the same one vertical pole 2. When the tent frame is unfolded, the vertical pole 2, one section of the side top pole 5a and the oblique supporting pole 6 form a triangle. In one embodiment, two side top poles 5a and two oblique supporting poles 6 are pivotally connected to each vertical pole 2.
As shown in
As shown in
Referring to
In some embodiments, the two frame units 1 share two vertical poles 2 and a side top pole group 5. It should be understood that the number of the frame units 1 is readily adjustable. In some embodiments, the tent frame includes more than two frame units 1, in which two adjacent frame units are connected to each other by sharing two vertical poles 2 and one side top pole group 5. In some embodiments, the tent frame includes the supporting pieces 15. The supporting pieces 15 are optional, and in some embodiments, the tent frame does not include the supporting pieces 15.
The folding and folding process of the second exemplary high-ceiling tent frame is similar to that of the first exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, and thus is not described herein in details.
Referring to
In consideration of that the stress at a connecting position between the two frame units 1 is small, the third exemplary high-ceiling tent frame is configured such that except the vertical poles 2 shared by the two frame units 1, side top pole groups 5 are connected between every two adjacent vertical poles 2. That is, no side top pole group 5 is arranged between the two vertical poles 2 shared by the two frame units 1. Since the side top pole group 5 is not arranged, corresponding oblique top poles 6 are not arranged either. As a result, the assembling process is simplified and the cost is reduced.
It should be understood that the number of the frame units 1 is readily adjustable. In some embodiments, the tent frame includes more than two frame units 1, in which two adjacent frame units are connected to each other by sharing two vertical poles 2. In addition, it should be understood that the supporting pieces 15 are additional or optional components.
The folding and folding process of the third exemplary high-ceiling tent frame is similar to that of the first exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, and thus is not described herein in details.
Referring now to
The folding and folding process of the fourth exemplary high-ceiling tent frame is similar to that of the first exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, and thus is not described herein in details.
Referring to
The folding and folding process of the fifth exemplary high-ceiling tent frame is similar to that of the first exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, and thus is not described herein in details.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the frame unit 100 comprises four vertical poles 101 and a center pole 102. Top ends of the vertical poles 101 and the center pole 102 are in direct contact with and support a tent fabric. In some embodiments, the frame unit 100 comprises three, five or more than five of the vertical poles 101, or any number of the vertical poles 101 according to the actual needs, desire or preference. In some embodiments, the vertical poles 101 are retractable poles.
In some embodiments, supporting top pole group 103 is connected between the center pole 102 and each vertical pole 101. Side top pole groups 104 are connected between every two adjacent vertical poles 101, and additional or optional oblique supporting poles 105 are connected between each vertical pole 101 and each side top pole group 104 connected with this vertical pole 101.
As shown in
In some embodiments, bottom foot pieces 109 are installed at bottom ends of the vertical poles 101. Vertical pole fixed connecting bases 110 are installed at top ends of the vertical poles 101. Vertical pole slidable connecting bases 111 which can slide along the vertical poles 101 are installed on pole bodies of the vertical poles 101. The vertical pole slidable connecting bases 111 are provided with stop devices 111a for preventing the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 111 from sliding downwards along the pole bodies of the vertical poles 101 when the tent frame is unfolded.
The center slidable connecting base 107, the bottom foot pieces 109, the vertical pole fixed connecting bases 110, the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 111 and the stop devices 111a are the same as or similar to those in the art and are not described herein in details.
As shown in
The arrangement positions of the first connecting poles 103b will be described below. In some embodiments, the first connecting pole hinging part 106a is pivotally connected to the first connecting poles 103b. An elongated slot 106c is formed in a side wall of the blind hole 106b, and a length direction of the elongated slot 106c is the same as a length direction of the center pole 102 and is also the same as a depth direction of the blind hole 106b. The connecting pin 112 penetrates through the elongated slot 106c and the pin hole 102a to connect the center pole 102 with the center fixed connecting base 106. The spring 113 is placed in the blind hole 106b. One end of the spring 113 presses against the bottom end of the center pole 102 and the other end presses against a bottom part of the blind hole 106b.
In some embodiments, the center pole 102 is hollow. In such embodiments, an inner plug 114 is preferably installed at the bottom end of the center pole 102 to prevent the spring 113 from being inserted into the center pole and ensure the spring work normally.
It should be understood that the elongated slot 106c and the pin hole 102a can be configured differently. For example, in one embodiment, the elongated slot is formed in the center pole 102 instead of on the side wall of the blind hole, and the pin hole is formed on the side wall of the blind hole 106b instead of in the center pole 102. However, in consideration of that the center pole 102 is generally hardware and the center fixed connecting base 106 in which the blind hole 106b is formed is generally a plastic piece, the cost of forming the elongated slot in the side wall of the blind hole 106b is much lower than that of forming the elongated slot in the center pole 102.
When the tent is unfolded, the tent applies downward pressure to the center pole 102 and the center pole 102 transfers the pressure to the spring 113, such that the spring 113 is enabled to be in a compressed state and thus provide an upward elastic force to the center pole 102. Consequently, the tent fabric supported by the center pole 102 is always in a tightened state when the tent is unfolded.
As shown in
In each supporting top pole group 103, one first connecting pole 103b of the first connecting pole unit 103a connected with the center pole 102 is pivotally connected to the center pole 102 through the center slidable connecting base 107, and the other first connecting pole 103b is pivotally connected to the center pole 102 through the first connecting pole hinging part 106a of the center fixed connecting base 106. One first connecting pole 103b of the first connecting pole unit 103a connected with the vertical poles 101 is pivotally connected to the vertical poles 101 through the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 111, and the other first connecting pole 103b is pivotally connected to the vertical poles 101 through the vertical pole fixed connecting bases 110.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the connecting part or sheet 117 is the same as or similar to that in the art. One end of the connecting sheet 117 is pivotally connected to the pole body of the eave supporting pole 115, and the other end is pivotally connected to the first connecting pole 103b pivotally connected to the vertical pole fixed connecting bases 110. Once connected, the connecting sheet 117 can rotate relative to the eave supporting pole 115 or the first connecting pole 103b around the hinging point.
As shown in
In some embodiments, one end of each oblique supporting pole 105 is connected to the vertical pole 101 through the vertical pole slidable connecting base 111, and the other end is pivotally connected to the side top pole 104a that is pivotally connected to the same one vertical pole 101. The vertical pole 101, the side top pole 104a and the oblique supporting pole 105 form a triangle when the tent frame is unfolded. In some embodiments, two side top poles 104a and two oblique supporting poles 105 are pivotally connected to each vertical pole 101.
To unfold the tent or tent frame, the vertical poles 101 of the folded tent frame are placed vertically or substantially vertically and are pulled open to predetermined positions. The vertical pole slidable connecting bases 111 are slid or simultaneously slid upwards to predetermined positions. The vertical pole slidable connecting bases 111 are fixed on the vertical poles 101 by the stop devices 111a. The bottom foot pieces 109 are fixed on the ground and thus the unfolding of the tent frame can be realized. The tent fabric is placed on the tent frame, prior to or subsequent to the unfolding of the tent frame. The tent fabric is supported by the supporting pieces 108, the top parts of the vertical poles 101 and the eave supporting poles. The tent fabric at the position of the center pole 102 is preferably pressed downwards as much as possible to enable the spring 113 have enough compression. In some embodiments, after the tent is unfolded, the eave supporting poles 115 is adjusted to proper positions by manually operating the eave moving poles 116. In some embodiments, manual operation is performed during folding.
The folding process of the tent frame is similar to that of a conventional tent frame, and thus is not described herein in details.
Referring to
As shown in
The other end, which is not connected with the second straight pole 118b, of the first straight pole 118a is pivotally connected to the first connecting pole unit 103a connected with the vertical poles 101, and preferably, is pivotally connected at a hinging position of the two first connecting poles 103b of the first connecting pole unit 103a. The other end, which is not connected with the first straight pole 118a, of the second straight pole 118b is pivotally connected to the eave supporting pole 115.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, a pin hole 106d is formed at a position, adjacent to a mouth part of the blind hole 106b, of the blind hole 106b. A connecting pin 112 penetrates through the elongated slot 102b and the pin hole 106d to connect the center pole 102 with the center fixed connecting base 106. A spring 113 is placed in the blind hole 106b. One end of the spring 113 presses against a bottom end of the center pole 102 and the other end presses against a bottom part of the blind hole 106b.
The unfolding and folding method of the seventh exemplary high-ceiling tent frame is the same as or similar to that of the sixth exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, and thus is not described herein in details.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the slidable connecting piece 120 is the same as or similar to that used in the tent field. In some embodiments, the slidable connecting piece 120 is pivotally connected to the first connecting pole 103b through a pin and can rotate by taking the pin as a central axis. The fabric supporting pole 119 is inserted into the slidable connecting piece 120, and thus the slidable connecting piece 120 can slide on a pole body of the fabric supporting pole 119 to form sliding connection.
One end, which faces upwards, of the fabric supporting pole 119 supports a tent fabric, preventing sinking or sagging of the tent fabric between the vertical poles 101 and the center poles 102. As a result, the tent frame of the present invention prevents water from being accumulated between the vertical poles 101 and the center poles 102. By way of illustration,
The unfolding and folding method of the tent frame with the exemplary water accumulation preventing pole group is similar to that of the sixth exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, and thus is not described herein in details.
Referring to
As shown in
The folding and unfolding method of the tent frame with the stepped metal sheet 121 is different from the sixth exemplary high-ceiling tent frame. With the stepped metal sheet 121, a rotating axis of relative rotation of the slidable connecting piece 120 and the stepped metal sheet 121 is staggered with a rotating axis of relative rotation of a fabric supporting pole 119 and the first connecting pole 103b. As a result, the fabric supporting pole 119 does not easily interfere with the first connecting pole 103b. In addition, the size is smaller when the tent frame is fully folded as shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
In some embodiments, the vertical poles 201 are placed vertically or substantially vertically after the tent frame is unfolded. In some embodiments, the vertical poles 201 are placed obliquely at a predetermined tilt angle relative to the ground according to the needs or personal preference. Vertical pole fixed connecting bases 210 are installed at top ends of the vertical poles 201. Vertical pole slidable connecting bases 211 which can slide along the vertical poles 201 are installed on pole bodies of the vertical poles 201. The vertical pole slidable connecting bases 211 are provided with stop devices 211a for preventing the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 211 from sliding downwards along the vertical poles 1 when the tent frame is unfolded. In some embodiments, the center slidable connecting base 207, the vertical pole fixed connecting bases 210, the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 211 and the stop devices 211a are parts similar to those in the art and thus are not described herein in details.
As shown in
In each supporting top pole group 203, one first connecting pole 2311 of the first connecting pole unit 231 connected with the center pole 202 is pivotally connected to the center pole 202 through the center slidable connecting base 207. The other first connecting pole 2311 is pivotally connected to the center pole 202 through the center fixed connecting base 206. One first connecting pole 2311 of the first connecting pole unit 231 connected with the vertical poles 201 is pivotally connected to the vertical poles 201 through the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 211. The other first connecting pole 2311 is pivotally connected to the vertical poles 201 through the vertical pole fixed connecting bases 210.
Also as shown in
To unfold the tent or tent frame, the vertical poles 201 are placed vertically or substantially vertically and are pulled open to predetermined positions. The vertical pole slidable connecting bases 211 are slid upwards to predetermined positions and are fixed on the vertical poles 201 by the stop devices 211a. Each first connecting pole 2311 of the supporting top pole group 203 is pulled open in a linked manner such that the two first connecting poles 2311 of each first connecting pole unit 231 form an X-shape. The two second connecting poles 2411 of the two second connecting pole units 241 of the side top pole group 204 also form an X-shape, and thus the unfolding of the tent frame can be realized. The tent fabric is placed on the tent frame, prior to or subsequent to the unfolding of the tent frame. The tent fabric is supported by supporting pieces and the top parts of the vertical poles 201.
To fold the tent or tent frame, the tent fabric is retrieved, the stop devices 211a are loosened, and the vertical poles 201 are retracted to a shorter or the shortest state. Then, the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 211 are slid downwards. The two first connecting poles 2311 of the first connecting pole units 231 of the supporting top pole group 203 are respectively clockwise and anticlockwise rotated. The four vertical poles 201 are driven to move towards the direction of the center pole 202. The two second connecting poles 2411 of the second connecting pole units 241 of the two side top pole groups 204 get close to each other. The center slidable connecting base 207 simultaneously slides upwards along the center pole 202 under the drive of the first connecting pole units 231. The center fixed connecting base 206 downwards moves together with the center pole 202 under the drive of the first connecting pole units 231. At the end, all poles are folded together.
As shown in
Methods or processes for folding and unfolding the ninth exemplary high-ceiling tent frame are similar to those disclosed herein. In folding, when all poles get close to the center pole 202, the two short poles 251 of each inner horizontal pole group 205 will act accordingly. Thus, the two short poles 251 are rotated to get close to each other, completing the folding of the tent frame.
In addition, in the eleventh exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, an additional or optional oblique supporting pole 252 is pivotally connected to each short pole 251. One end of the oblique supporting pole 252 is pivotally connected to a pole body of the short pole 251 and the other end is pivotally connected to a lower hinging point 231b of the first connecting pole unit 231 pivotally connected to the corresponding short pole 251. The inner horizontal pole groups 205 increase the overall supporting strength of the tent frame, enlarge the internal space of the tent and make the top part or ceiling of the assembled tent frame more stable and robust.
In addition, in the twelfth exemplary high-ceiling tent frame, an additional or optional oblique supporting pole 252 is pivotally connected to each short pole 251. One end of the oblique supporting pole 252 is pivotally connected to a pole body of the short pole 251 and the other end is pivotally connected to the vertical pole slidable connecting base 211 of the vertical pole 201 pivotally connected to the corresponding short pole 251. The inner horizontal pole groups 205 increase the overall supporting strength of the tent frame, enlarge the internal space of the tent and make the top part or ceiling of the assembled tent frame more stable and robust.
In some embodiments, one third connecting pole 2811 in the third connecting pole unit 281 connected with the supporting top pole group 203 is pivotally connected to an upper hinging point 231a of the first connecting pole units 231, which are pivotally connected to each other, of the supporting top pole group 203. The other third connecting pole 2811 is pivotally connected to a lower hinging point 231b of the first connecting pole units 231, which are pivotally connected to each other, of the supporting top pole group 203. The inner horizontal pole groups 208 increase the overall supporting strength of the tent frame, enlarge the internal space of the tent and make the top part or ceiling of the assembled tent frame more stable and robust.
It should be understood that fine structural adjustment may be needed to parts such as the center fixed connecting base 7, the center slidable connecting base 8, the supporting pieces 9, the bottom foot pieces 10, the vertical pole fixed connecting bases 11, the vertical pole slidable connecting bases 12 and the stop devices 12a in each above-mentioned embodiment according to the specific structure of the tent frame in each embodiment. These parts can be the same as or similar to those in the art. Adaptive modification can be made according to the actual needs based on the existing parts.
For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “top” or “bottom”, “upper” or “lower”, “vertical” or “horizontal”, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures.
The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, for example, changing the retractable vertical poles 2 to foldable two-section vertical poles, or disassembling and recombining the parts of each embodiment. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
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