Patent Application
20240141951
The present invention relates to a device for connecting frame members in a hinged relationship.
In one form, the invention relates to a joint for a frame that can be rapidly folded and unfolded. In one particular form, the invention relates to a device for connecting frame members of a self-supporting structure such as a tent, a marquee or an awning. In another form, the invention relates to a joint for a prop, such as a support for a shade umbrella.
It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to tent frames, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited and can be used in a wide range of applications.
It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor's knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.
A wide range of self-supporting structures include jointed frame members. For example, tents, marquees and awnings typically include a number of elongate frame members that are interconnected by various devices to form a structure for supporting a fabric.
Tents are self-supporting structures that are generally collapsed or dismantled prior to being stored or transported to a new site for re-assembly. Some tents have a dome shaped frame comprising a hub and spokes that is raised and collapsed in a similar fashion to an umbrella.
Some tents are dismantled by reducing the frame to individual elements or groups of elements that can be readily packed for storage or transport. This may involve joints connecting two or more frame members.
The frame may, for example, comprise multiple elongate members such as poles with multiple joints therebetween which work together to maintain the tent in an assembled, self-supporting condition. Joints of this type are typically self-locking, comprise many parts and are expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, locking joints generally require two hands to lock and unlock. This can make it slow and awkward for a user to raise or collapse these kinds of tents.
Hinged joints of this type need to be sufficiently robust to maintain the integrity of the frame during the time it is self-supporting. This includes being strong enough to hold elongate members together and contribute to supporting the tent fabric. Importantly during use the hinged joints need to be easily and securely locked so that they hold the elongate members in the desired position. During disassembly, they need to be readily unlocked and bent (‘cracked’) so that the elongate members can be folded together.
The cost of the various components employed in the tent construction is an important consideration. That is, both the initial cost for the parts themselves and their assembly must be reasonable in order to provide a realistic price point for a manufacturer, and the easy and cost-effective replacement of parts of the tent frame, which may become damaged in use.
There remains a need for improved light-weight components such as joints for self-supporting frame members for a collapsible shelter or tent. There is also a need for joints that are of simple construction and convenient to use when raising, collapsing and repackaging the frame into a compact shape and size for storage. There is also a need for a joint for a collapsible shelter which is relatively cost-effective to manufacture.
An object of the present invention is to provide a joint for elongate frame members that can be readily locked and unlocked.
A further object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one disadvantage associated with the related art.
It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems.
Broadly, the invention provides a hinged joint comprising an inner housing nestled within an outer housing and operatively connected by a hinge pin constrained in travel within a generally arc-shaped hinge pin guide.
In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a hinged joint for connecting an outer housing frame member to an inner housing frame member, the hinged joint comprising:
In another characterisation of embodiments described herein there is provided a hinged joint for connecting a first frame member to a second frame member, the hinged joint comprising:
The hinge pin is supported by each of the walls of the outer housing. Typically the outer housing is elongate, having a longitudinal axis, with one wall located to the right of the longitudinal axis and the other wall located to the left of the longitudinal axis. Other references to ‘left’ and ‘right’ also indicate positions relative to the longitudinal axis. Typically, one end of the hinge pin is received in an operably right pivot mounting in an operably right wall, and the other end of the hinge pin is received in an operably left pivot mounting in an operably left wall. When the hinge joint is assembled and the inner housing sits on the elongate seat of the outer housing, the hinge pin also passes through the hinge pin guide of the inner housing. In this manner the outer housing is operatively jointed to the inner housing.
The hinge pin guide comprises two guide parts. In a preferred embodiment the hinge pin guide comprises a locking guide part and an unlocking guide part which are joined at an angle. Typically, the hinge pin resides adjacent an end of the locking guide part when the hinge is in a locked condition, and adjacent an end of the unlocking guide part when the hinge joint is in a collapsed condition. Preferably the two hinge pin guides join to form an arc-shaped hinge pin guide, having a generally L-, V- or C-shape. The confluence of the two hinge pin guides (i.e. the apex of the L-, V- or C-shape) forms a pivot point during movement of the hinge joint. Specifically, when folding of the hinge joint is initiated the hinge pin is guided to the confluence of the two guides, which is effectively, an angled rest point about which the hinge pin pivots, allowing the joint to fold into the folded condition.
Preferably the inner housing is elongate, having a longitudinal axis and the hinge pin guide comprises an arc-shape recess or aperture formed transversely through the inner housing.
The outer housing has an elongate seat disposed between opposing side walls, and in a preferred embodiment has a shoulder integral with the seat. The shoulder is shaped to receive a hook on the inner housing.
Preferably the frame members are elongate frame members such as poles. Typically, a frame member is associated with a housing by being received in a channel in the housing and held by interference fit or any other convenient means.
Preferably the inner housing includes at least one locking lug, preferably two locking lugs, each lug disposed on either side of the inner housing and configured to be at least partially received in a corresponding locking recess of the outer housing. Typically, each locking recess of the inner housing is associated with a ramp. When the hinge is opened, the lug slides along the ramp inside the outer housing and drops into the locking recess. The ramp is profiled to aid a seamless movement without impairing the folding or unfolding sequence. The locking lugs longitudinally align the outer and inner housings to ensure the joint correctly drops into its locked condition.
In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a hinged joint for connecting an outer housing frame member to an inner housing frame member, the hinged joint having:
In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a hinged joint for connecting a first frame member to a second frame member, the hinged joint having:
In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided;
In a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of moving the jointed hinge of the present invention between an open condition and a folded condition, the method comprising the steps of;
In yet a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of moving the jointed hinge of the present invention between a folded condition and an open condition, the method comprising the steps of;
In yet a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a kit comprising the jointed hinge of the present invention.
In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a kit comprising
Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.
In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that the operation of a hinge configuration can be improved by altering the path of the pivot using a face cam. Specifically, it has been realised that using a non-linear hinge pin guide having a locking guide part and an unlocking guide part and providing a pivot point can better facilitate movement between a folded and open condition.
Advantages provided by the present invention comprise the following:
Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” “longitudinal”, “transverse” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawing and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature or component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise specified.
The perspective view of
The cross-sectional view of
This is more clearly illustrated in
An operably right pivot mounting 28 and an operably left pivot mounting 27 are disposed on the operably right side wall 21 and the operably left side wall 22, respectively.
The hinge pin 30 may be any convenient fastener having an elongate body such as a rivet, a screw or a bolt. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hinge pin 30 is a rivet. In another preferred embodiment the hinge pin 30 is threaded at one or both ends for receiving a nut, such as a hex, cap or square nut. Alternatively, the hinge pin 30 may have an integral head, such as a flat, oval, round, pan, hex, hex washer, button or socket head. In the embodiment depicted in
As shown at least in
A hinge pin guide 42 in the form of a recess or aperture passes transversely, in the Z-direction through the body of the inner housing 32. The hinge pin guide 42 has a first guide part which in this embodiment is, a locking guide part 41 in communication with a second guide part, which in this embodiment is an unlocking guide part 43. As seen in
A left locking lug 45 and an operably right locking lug 46 are disposed on the outer surface 38 of the inner housing 32. The locking lugs 45, 46 are transversely disposed, projecting from either side of the inner housing 32. The locking lugs 45, 46 are configured to be at least partially received in corresponding locking recess 25, 26 of the outer housing 16.
When the hinged joint 10 is moved into the open condition, the locking lugs 45, 46 each slide along ramp (not shown) inside the outer housing 16 and drops into a corresponding locking recess 25, 26. The ramps are profiled to aid a seamless movement without impairing the movement of the hinged joint 10 between the folded and unfolded condition. The locking lugs 45,46 longitudinally align the outer housing 16 and inner housing 32 to ensure the hinged joint 10 correctly drops into its locked condition.
The longitudinal cross-section view of
The ends of the hinge pin 30 are received in the operably right pivot mounting 28, operably left pivot mounting and the hinge pin guide 42. The body of the hinge pin 30 is located in the locking guide part 41 of the hinge pin guide 42.
Specifically, the hinged joint 10 has been opened by the user applying manual pressure, such as thumb pressure, to the outer housing 16 at pressure point 17, applying pressure transversely toward the inner housing 32 to cause the hinge pin 30 to slide within the locking guide part 41 towards the unlocking guide part 42. This confluence of the locking guide part 41 and the unlocking guide part 42 is an angled rest point of the hinge pin guide 42. This position becomes the pivot point to enable the joint 10 to fold in the opposite direction towards the folded condition. The manual pressure causes some flexing in the structure to assist this movement.
Preferably the outer housing 16 and inner housing 32 comprise a resilient flexible material such as a polymer that flexes slightly under manual pressure.
The inner housing 32 is rotated about the hinge pin 30, disengaging the hook 40 from the hook receiving shoulder 24, and snapping locking lugs 45, 46 out of engagement with their corresponding locking recess 25, 26 and along the corresponding ramps. The motion of the hinge pin 30 within the hinge pin guide 42 is further illustrated in cross-sectional view in
Specifically, the hinged joint 10 has been fully closed by the user rotating the inner housing 32 about the hinge pin 30. The hinge pin 30 is now located in the unlocking guide part 43 of the hinge pin guide 42. The motion of the hinge pin 30 within the hinge pin guide 42 is further illustrated in cross-sectional view in
The hinged joint 10 may be readily moved opened again by rotation of the inner housing 32 in the opposite direction about the hinge pin 30, moving the hinge pin 30 from the unlocking guide part 43 of the pin guide 42 into the locking guide part 41 of the pin guide 42. In this arrangement, the hook 40 of the outer housing 16 can be received onto the shoulder 24 of the inner housing 32. The locking lugs 45, 46 can slide along their respective ramps on the inside of the outer housing 16 and be snapped into the corresponding locking recesses 25, 26, thus longitudinally aligning the outer housing 16 and inner housing 32 and ensuring that the hinge joint correctly drops into its locked condition.
While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.
As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.
Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.
Whenever a range is given in the specification, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure. It will be understood that any subranges or individual values in a range or subrange that are included in the description herein can be excluded from the claims herein.
As used herein, “comprising” is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. The broad term “comprising” is intended to encompass the narrower “consisting essentially of” and the even narrower “consisting of.” Thus, in any recitation herein of a phrase “comprising one or more claim element” (e.g., “comprising A), the phrase is intended to encompass the narrower, for example, “consisting essentially of A” and “consisting of A”. Thus, the broader word “comprising” is intended to provide specific support in each use herein for either “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of.” The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that materials and methods, other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods are intended to be included in this invention. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by examples, preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
Each reference cited herein is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such references may provide sources of materials; alternative materials, details of methods, as well as additional uses of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021900758 | Mar 2021 | AU | national |
| 2021900772 | Mar 2021 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2022/050165 | 3/2/2022 | WO |
