Patent ID: 8925565
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A hub assembly for opening and folding a tent between an open configuration and a folded configuration, said hub assembly comprising: a support member extending radially outward from a central longitudinal axis, a bottom portion of the support member having an engaging surface; a plurality of slots formed on the support member, the plurality of slots uniformly spaced apart radially, each slot formed by first and second walls, each of the first and second walls extending from the engaging surface and substantially parallel to each other, each of the first and second walls having a hole to form a pair of holes extending normally through the walls of each slot, the pair of holes being substantially aligned; a plurality of substantially tublar poles corresponding to the number of slots, each pole having an inner end and an outer end, with each inner end of each pole having a hole extending laterally through the inner end; a plurality of pins corresponding to the number of slots, each pin of each slot defining a pivoting axis by extending through the hole of the first wall, the corresponding holes of each pole, and the hole of the second wall such that each pole inner end is pivotally connected therein each corresponding slot under a portion of the support member; and a plurality of substantially tubular caps, each cap having a length and fixed to the inner end of each pole, each opposing side of each cap having a hole such that the opposing holes are substantially aligned; wherein in the open configuration the pole inner ends engage the engaging surface of the support member such that the inner ends of the poles are restricted from pivotal movement beyond the engaging surface, and in the folded configuration the poles are pivoted upward toward the central longitudinal axis to a position substantially perpendicular to the support member; and wherein an inner surface of each of the walls have a groove and an outer surface of each of the poles have a curved outer surface such that the cap outer surface engages the wall inner surface when the tent is in the open configuration.