1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of tubes or pipes. More particularly, the invention relates to a tube with an external channel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tubing, particularly aluminum tubing, is frequently used for building tube frames, such as the frames for biminis and dodgers on boats. Other common uses for such tube frames include collapsible beach chairs, tents, baby strollers, etc. Common to the types of frames just mentioned is that the frame is used to support a fabric structure, such as the dodger enclosure on a boat, the seat and back rest on the chair, etc. The tubing is a suitable material for the frame because it is lightweight, yet strong. It is also easily bendable with a pipe bender, so it can be used to construct and shape a frame to fit a particular substructure. Although it is understood that there are innumerable uses for such tube frames, for purposes of illustration, reference will be made hereinafter to a “dodger” and frame for a dodger, whereby the dodger is representative of any fabric structure supported on a tube frame.
One of the disadvantages of the tube frame is that the fabric has to be fitted over the frame. In the case of the beach chair, the two ends of the fabric seat are provided with a tube or sleeve that slides over the tubing. More complex structures comprise a number of panels, such as two side panels, a front panel, a top panel, and a back panel. Such a complex structure is a boat enclosure called a “dodger.” Because of the need to fit the fabric structure over the frame, the panels are stitched together to form a unitary construction that is fitted over the tube frame. Often, two adjacent panels are stitched together and a sleeve stitched over the seam, so that a section of the tube frame is insertable through the sleeve. This unitary construction creates difficulties because the fabric structure is bulky and heavy, making it difficult to handle. If one panel requires cleaning or repair, the entire structure has to be removed from the frame for delivery to a cleaning or repair facility.
Another disadvantage of the conventional tube frame is that the fabric often bunches up on the frame, providing an unaesthetic look. The bunching up may create folds in the fabric, which promote mildew and growth of mold, because moisture becomes trapped in the folds.
What is needed, therefore, is a bendable tube that enables individual panels of fabric to be secured to it, without requiring that the fabric be secured with a sleeve of fabric or that adjacent panels be stitched together. What is further needed is a tube frame made of such a tube and a means of securing fabric panels smoothly and evenly to the frame. What is yet further needed is such a tube frame that provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The invention is a metal tube with an external channel that does not distort or collapse when the tube is bent. The tube is extruded of anodized aluminum. The geometry of the channel is complex and allows the tube to be bent without collapsing, even when bent about a relatively small radius. The channel is not circular or rectangular, but of a curved, somewhat teardrop shape. The inner hollow core of the tube is somewhat oval in cross-section. The tube may have one, two, three or more external channels, depending on its intended use. A tongue forms a dividing wall between any two adjacent channels.
The sections of a frame to which fabric is to be attached are made of the tube according to the invention. Individual panels of the fabric are attached to the frame. The edge of the panel to be secured to the frame is provided with a contoured, flexible border that is slidingly insertable in and capturable within the channel. Suitable materials for providing the border include foam piping material, cord, rope or braid, or other firm materials that will bend around the contours of the frame but are firm enough to remain captured within the channel. Individual sliders, such as are used to attach drapes to channel track, may also be used. If two panels of fabric are attached to the same section of a two-channel tube, the edge of one panel is inserted into the first channel and the edge of the second panel into the second channel.
An example of a tube that is particularly well suited for a dodger frame is one that is extruded from 6061-T6 aluminum and anodized. This material provides a tube that is pleasing in appearance and has the desired light weight and high strength for securing heavy fabric on a straight or curved stretch of tube. The tube is 1″ in diameter, with the walls and bridge ⅛″ thick. A tube of these dimensions can be bent to a radius as small as four inches, without the channels collapsing or distorting.
The individual panels of fabric are secured to the frame by inserting the edge of the fabric into the external channel. The fabric is smoothly and evenly secured to the tube, along straight and curved sections and the finished look is smooth and elegant. When two panels are attached to the same section of tube, a portion of the tongue between the two channels remains visible, which provides a clean and contrasting look that is aesthetically appealing.
The tube according to the invention may also be provided as a telescoping tube. An inner or connector tube is slidingly inserted into the hollow tube core of the tube. A setscrew or other suitable means is used to secure the connector tube at a particular distance within the tube.
A feeder or endcap may be used to provide a finished end to the tube and also to help insert the fabric edge into the channel. The endcap has a hollow core with a threaded bore, and two external channels with end openings. The hollow core and threaded bore align with the hollow core of the tube. A screw-in eyeend may be threaded into the threaded bore, for attaching the frame to a boat deck, a wall, or other support structure.
The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
The present invention will now be described more fully in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the construction of the tube, a frame constructed of the tube, and a fabric structure supported by the frame may be contemplated by one skilled in the art without limiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.
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