The present application claims priority to PCT/CN2013/089918, filed Dec. 19, 2013, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN 2013-20066279.4 filed on Feb. 5, 2013, the entire contents of which applications are incorporated herein for all purpose by this reference.
The utility model relates to outdoor leisure products, and particularly to a shelter frame.
Collapsible shelters (e.g., tents or awnings) are among the leisure products which are ever prepared for outdoor use. However, as for a relatively large tent or awning, it is required for several persons to unfold the tent or awning successfully due to its bulky and heavy nature. Accordingly, various supporting structures have been designed to facilitate unfolding the tent or awning.
As outdoor equipment, the tent has currently become an essential item for people who enjoy outdoor and leisure activities like traveling, camping, or the like to experience nature. Currently there are various tents for outdoor applications. There are large and small tent sizes, and square, round, and hexagonal shapes. The tent primarily includes a tent cloth and a tent frame for supporting the tent cloth. The common tent frame generally includes several groups of supporting rods or poles that connect to a top rod. The top rod provides support for the top of the tent. However, the tent known in the art has the following drawbacks. Tents are usually complicated in structure. In some tents, a pivoting seat is arranged at the top of the tent to connect several tent top rods for the purpose of unfolding the tent and increasing its usable area. However, such a tent is relatively heavy and large area tents require many supporting rods. It is difficult and time consuming to support and put up such tents. Besides, the manufacturing cost is increased.
The utility model will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to specific embodiments to provide a further understanding of the technical solution of the utility model.
In one embodiment, frame 1 includes a straight, top transverse rod 11 having first and second ends at a top portion of frame 1. First and second auxiliary top rods 13 connect at a first (inner) end to the first end of top transverse rod 11 through a first three-way connector 12. The first ends of third and fourth auxiliary top rods 13 connect to the second end of top transverse rod 11 through a second three-way connector 12. Three-way connector 12 allows top transverse rod 11 and auxiliary top rods 13 to fold toward one another in a first direction to fold the frame into a folded state. A second (outer) end of the first, second, third, and fourth auxiliary rods 13 are connected respectively to a first end of first, second, third, and fourth vertical rods 15 respectively through first, second, third, and fourth connectors 14. Vertical rods 15 may be comprised of telescopic sleeves. In one embodiment, top transverse rod 11 includes multiple sections, (e.g., a multi-section rod) (
In this manner, the top transverse rod 11 of the frame is connected with two auxiliary top rods 13 that extend outward. Each auxiliary top rod 13 is connected with a vertical rod 15 through the connector 14 which allows auxiliary top rod 13 and vertical rod 15 to fold toward one another in a second direction to fold the frame into a folded state. Four vertical rods 15 support the top surface formed by auxiliary top rods 13 and top transverse rod 11. The shape of cloth 2 matches the shape of unfolded frame 1, and is supported by the unfolded frame using a plurality of sleeves 3. The cloth 2 is supported by the unfolded frame 1 so that the cloth 2 is below the frame 1. The plurality of sleeves 3 couple the cloth 2 to the frame 1 at the top transverse rod 11, the auxiliary top rods 13, and the vertical rods 15, as shown in
The frame of the utility model is simple in structure, and is convenient and quick to fold. To fold frame 1 in one embodiment, vertical rods 15 are firstly contracted, as shown in
In the frame of the utility model, it is not necessary to arrange a top connecting seat at the top surface of the frame. Instead, at least two auxiliary top rods 13 which spread outward are connected at first and second ends of the top transverse rod 11 to form a supporting surface at the top of the frame. Each auxiliary top rod 13 is connected with a vertical rod 15 to form a standing support. The top transverse rod 11 and the auxiliary top rods 13 can also increase the length and usable space of a shelter supported by the frame. The auxiliary top rods 13 with a spreading angle unfold the top cloth at first and second ends of the top transverse rod, so as to form a shelter possessing a certain internal space. The frame of the utility model is simple in structure, and the usable area of a shelter supported by the frame can be increased without adding supporting rods. In addition, the frame is simple in structure, easy to put up and fold, and convenient to use.
Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, variations of these embodiments will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, control structures and related components for t, adjusting spreading angles, and the like can be used to advantage, e.g., for other types of collapsible devices and shelters such as portable awnings, gazebos, screen houses, sunshades, umbrellas, strollers, and cribs. Other modifications and variations likewise fall within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claims should not be limited to the foregoing description.
Only those claims specifically reciting “means for” or “step for” should be construed in the manner required under the sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. § 112.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2013/089918 | Dec 2013 | US |
Child | 14311564 | US |