Abstract:
A collapsible, modularly constructed, self-supporting tent support framework. The framework includes a number of support poles that interconnect at hinge, clevis/saddle and T/collar couplers. The couplers retain the pole sections at preferred angular orientations in multiple planes to support an overlying fabric cove. Each hinged coupler includes a pair of hinge pieces having a tubular sleeve body, an end collar that interleaves with the other hinge piece at a transecting pivot pole and a serrated, arcuately projecting wing arm having transverse bores that overlap and fasten together to define a desired splay angle. Each clevis/saddle coupler includes a tubular sleeve body and a depending clevis or saddle to pivotally secure a pole section. Each T/collar coupler includes a tubular sleeve body and end collars to pivotally mount to a transecting pole section. The pole pieces couple to the sleeve bodies, collared ends, and clevis/saddles of the framework couplers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to tent support framework systems and, in particular, to a multi-sectional tubular self-supporting framework assembly wherein a plurality of tubular pole pieces or sections are secured together with appropriate radially adjustable hinge couplers, in-line clevis/saddle couplers and “T or collar” couplers that longitudinally and transversely interconnect the tubular pole pieces to define a desired support framework. 
         [0002]    With the increasing popularity of outdoor activities, a resurgence of interest has occurred in the camping industry. A variety of designs for stable, collapsible frame tents have evolved to meet this demand. Such tents are designed to meet the needs of a variety of users from backpackers, to weekend campers, who camp from their vehicle, to outfitted camps that are established in remote sites from horseback or four-wheeled vehicles. 
         [0003]    Many tent support frames utilize a number of small diameter (i.e. less than ½ inch) poles constructed of fiberglass, aluminum or high strength materials. The poles frequently contain elastic shock cords and typically mount through fabric loops or to sleeves or clips secured to the tent fabric. With the assembly of the poles to define a framework, a fabric tent is draped over the frame and held taught with suitable fasteners. Some small tents provide self-contained support poles, which are permanently retained to the tent fabric. 
         [0004]    Other or so-called “sheep herder or wall” tents have also shared in the resurgence of interest in camping. Historically, such tents were used by nomadic sheep herders, although wall tents are used to bivouac military and other personnel living and working from remote temporary sites. Tents offering comparable functionality are frequently used by recreating families and groups of hunters and fishermen for multi-day, base camps. The tents provide relatively large open floor living spaces that are heated with wood or gas stoves and contain various camp support furnishings in a weather protected setting. The fabric and other coverings for tents of this type however are relatively heavy and require a strong framework. Preferably the framework assembles with minimal effort and parts and provides multiple wind and snow stabilizing supports. Preferably too the support framework is modular and able to accommodate different arrangements of the support pieces. 
         [0005]    Traditionally, the support framework for wall tents was mounted external to the fabric. More recently, internal frame support systems have been developed to more efficiently perform the same function with re-usable, lightweight tubular poles. These internal frame systems can also be used with one or more sections of tarpaulins to construct temporary weatherproof shelters such as for team sporting events or outdoor display/sale stalls for crafts, vegetables etc. 
         [0006]    One such support system is described at U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,698. Rigid sleeve couplers are provided which retain pole sections that can be rotated in the sleeves. Although the &#39;698 system adequately supports a tent and is susceptible to volume production with modular couplers, the couplers do not readily accommodate cabin style tents. 
         [0007]    Another support system is disclosed at U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,238. This assembly provides hinged couplers which contain end support poles at a defined orientation to each other. Guy ropes, in turn, support the end frames and an overlying fabric cover. The couplers support the poles only in a single plane and are not able to contain longitudinal support poles, which are desired in a self-supporting framework. 
         [0008]    Other couplers used in self-supporting frames are known which provide multiple sleeve segments that are welded at defined orientations to each other. A number of different types of couplers specific to each joint type are thus required to configure a desired framework. Correspondingly, it is necessary to stock a large variety of parts designed for each specific joint location, for example, inside/outside corners with defined angular orientations, straight couplers, T-couplers for horizontal ridge pole sections and associated vertical supports etc. Interconnecting pole pieces mount in the sleeves at specific structural locations and tarp(s) or a sewn contoured tent of a mating shape are fitted over the tubular frame skeleton. 
         [0009]    To overcome the necessity of inventorying multiple parts and other logistics problems, a radially adjustable coupler was developed by applicant and is shown at U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,698. Such couplers are used in a variety of tent constructions including those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,114. 
         [0010]    Couplers of the &#39;698 type are used in frame systems constructed with several new coupler pieces of the present invention to facilitate construction of improved modular frameworks. The subject couplers were developed to provide flexibility and enhance the construction of wall-type tents and shelters. 
         [0011]    The new improved couplers of the present invention were developed to enhance a user&#39;s options to tailor design a user&#39;s preferred tent support framework. The present invention provides for novel in-line clevis/saddle couplers that pivotally support pinned tubular pieces at any desired angular orientation between the ground or another coupler secured to an opposite end of the tubular section. Also disclosed is an “T or collar” coupler that can be used as an end fitting and that orthogonally pivots about a transecting interconnected pole piece. Hinged couplers providing adjustable and locked splay angles are also disclosed. 
         [0012]    The improved couplers can be cast from aluminum, stainless steel or other suitable materials. The couplers are constructed to combine with interconnected tubular support pole pieces of 1 to 1½-inch diameter to form a strong, wind resistant support system for a canvas cover. 
         [0013]    The present clevis/saddle, T/collar and hinge couplers are cast from appropriate metals and materials (e.g. aluminum, stainless steel etc.) to accommodate supported loads. The bores of the sleeves, collars and clevis saddles can be sized as desired to contain the coupled tubular pole pieces that radiate from the couplers. The poles can either be cut-to-length or can be mounted to telescope. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    It is a primary object of the invention to provide a modularly configured tent support framework. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a framework including couplers capable of supporting a number of pole sections or pieces in multiple, interconnected planes. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a coupler accommodating a range of splay angles between interconnected poles, typically in truss-type gusset or cross bracing configurations. 
         [0017]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a sleeve coupler adapted to coaxially receive one or more pole pieces inserted in a bore of a sleeve piece and pivotally support another pole piece from a depending clevis or saddle piece that transversely projects from the clevis/saddle of the sleeve piece. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a collared T-connection between transecting pole pieces wherein a 360° range of splay angles is possible between the sleeve coupled pole piece relative to a transecting interconnected pole piece coupled to a collar or eyelet end. 
         [0019]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a T or collar coupler having a tubular sleeve body that receives a tubular pole piece and an eyelet or collar end having one or more circular appendages including a bore sized to mount over and pivot about a transecting pole piece. 
         [0020]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a hinge coupler having multiple hinge arms that interconnect with each other at a hinge pole piece inserted through overlapped collar ends of the hinge coupler. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a hinge coupler having hinged sleeve pieces or sleeve bodies at one end that receive tubular splay pole pieces and bored eyelet or collar ends at an opposite end that receive a hinge pole piece and wherein arcuate wing arms extend from the sleeve bodies to overlap and fasten to each other and maintain a preferred splayed, angular orientation between the splay pole pieces that extend from the hinged sleeve pieces. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a hinge coupler having serrated, overlapping wing arms that contain overlapping slots or apertures that align and accept a support a fastener used to draw the arms together and secure the splayed pole pieces at a preferred angle. 
         [0023]    The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are obtained in a modular tent support framework. The framework includes a number of tubular pole pieces that radiate from a number of in-line clevis/saddle couplers, collared T-couplers and/or radially adjustable hinge couplers. The system or collection of framework couplers assemble to form any desired support skeleton for an overlying fabric cover. The pole pieces can be cut to size or can telescope from each other. The pole pieces interconnect to selected couplers and are arrange able to provide vertical and longitudinal support for the fabric cover. Other selected couplers provide support bracing between adjacent pole pieces. The system of couplers is particularly adaptable to wall tents or other temporary outdoor shelters. 
         [0024]    A sleeve body of the in-line clevis or saddle couplers couple to one or more coaxially aligned pole pieces and pivotally support another pole piece at an included depending clevis or saddle piece. A single or a pair of coaxially aligned pole pieces butted to each other mount in the sleeve body. Another pole piece is pivotally supported via a through mounted pivot fastener secured through the projecting clevis or saddle and projecting pole piece. The tubular sleeve body can be adapted to slide over one or more pole pieces. One or more set screw type fasteners can extend through the sleeve body to retain the coupled pole piece(s). 
         [0025]    The clevis/saddle couplers particularly facilitate the construction of gussets or trusses to span corner connections or cross bracing between displaced pole pieces. Vertical support poles may also depend from the clevis or saddle piece when the clevis/saddle couplers are inserted into relatively long horizontal span (e.g. vertical ridge pole support). A variety other possible pole mountings are also possible. 
         [0026]    The “T or collar” couplers provide a tubular sleeve portion and a double-eyelet or collar end piece. The collar or eyelet end piece allows a first pole piece to be mounted through a bore of the collar end. The collar coupler can rotate 360° about the first pole piece to any desired right angular orientation. A second pole piece mounts inside the tubular sleeve portion and extends at right angles to the transecting first pole piece. The collar couplers essentially provide a T-coupling and can be used as a ridge pole brace support or as a cross brace between horizontal tubular pole pieces or as a vertical ridge pole support that rests on the ground, among other uses. 
         [0027]    The hinge couplers have interlocking hinged sleeve arms that couple together in the fashion of a hinge and collectively pivot orthogonally about a supported hinge pole piece (e.g. ridge pole section). The hinge pole piece mounts through aligned bores of collar ends of the hinge arms. Separate pole pieces coaxially extend from the bores of tubular sleeve pieces that extend from an opposite end of the arms at a suitable splay angle established upon fastening overlapping arcuate hinge, web or wing arms that project from the sleeve pieces with lynch pins or other suitable fasteners. 
         [0028]    Each hinge, web or wing arm arcuately radiates from a sidewall of each sleeve piece and is aligned to overlap in parallel alignment to a mating hinge arm of the interconnected hinged sleeve arm. The overlapping arcuate wing arms include serrated interlocking surfaces. Upon inserting a pivot or hinge pole section through the bores of the overlapped closed eyelet-type end collars at each hinged sleeve arm and drawing and fastening the overlapping wing arms together with suitable fasteners, the splayed pole pieces extending from each sleeve piece provides a stable vertical support for the interconnected horizontal pole pieces (e.g. ridge pole). 
         [0029]    With the aid of the several couplers a variety other tent framework pole mountings can be established as desired. Still other objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are described at the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Various considered modifications and improvements are described as appropriate. The described couplers may be used alone or be combined in a variety of combinations to define any desired support framework. The description should therefore not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the scope of the further appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing shown in partial cutaway to a typical walled cabin-style tent and particularly to an included support framework having a number of novel in-line clevis/saddle couplers, T/collar couplers and hinge couplers arrayed in a variety of actual and possible orientations. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing showing several in-line clevis/saddle couplers, a T/collar couplers and a hinge coupler such as mounted at one end of the framework of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing showing an enlarged view of the in-line clevis/saddle coupler detached from typically associated pole pieces shown in dashed line. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective drawing showing an enlarged view of the T/collar coupler detached from typically associated pole pieces shown in dashed line. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing showing an enlarged view of the T/collar coupler of  FIG. 4  rotate to expose the relationship of the collar end piece to a transecting pole piece about which the coupler can be rotated over a range of 360°. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective drawing is shown to a typical self-supported wall tent  2 . The tent  2  includes a support framework  4  that supports a fabric cover  6  sewn to provide a pair of end walls  8  (only one of which is shown), side walls  10 , and splayed ceiling walls  12 . 
         [0036]    The cover  6  is constructed from a suitable grade of canvas or other waterproof material to resist wind, rain and snow. Depending upon the tent size, a number of fabric panels are sewn together to form the walls  8  and  10  and ceiling  12 . A chimney  14  is mounted through a fireproof panel  16 . Door access flaps with closure fasteners (not shown) are provided at one or both end walls  8  or can also be provided at the side walls  10 . External tie down straps  18  are provided as required to stabilize the tent  2 . Windows  20  and cover flaps  22  (shown in partial cutaway) may also be provided. Although one wall tent construction is shown, it is to be appreciated a variety of other shapes, sizes and arrangements of covers  6  can be fitted to a mating framework  4  erected to a complementary shape. The organization and features of each cover  6  can be varied to particular user needs. 
         [0037]    The support framework  4  is correspondingly erected with a suitable number and types of interconnected pole sections and couplers. The framework  4  is particularly erected with a variety of coupler types discussed in detail below to define a desired arrangement of the pole sections adapted to the weight and wind loading of the tent  2 . 
         [0038]    The framework  4  is constructed of a number of tubular pole sections  30  that are fitted to a number of adjustable and/or pivoting support couplers. The framework particularly supports a number of adjustable hinge couplers  32 , in-line clevis/saddle couplers  34  and T/collar couplers  36 . Each of the couplers  32 ,  34  and  36  pivotally supports at least one associated pole section  30  as discussed below. The number and length of pole sections  30  required at the framework  4  depends upon the size of the tent  2 , cover shape and the location of the couplers  32 ,  34  and  36  at the framework  4 . 
         [0039]    The couplers  32 ,  34  and  36  are constructed to support pole sections  30  of a nominal 1 to 2-inch diameter, although are adaptable with bushings or scaling to any diameter pipe, conduit etc. The pole pieces  30  are typically cut from tubular steel conduit but can be cut from aluminum, plastic or any other desired tubular stock. A variety of other solid and hollow pole stock materials of different cross sectional shapes may also be used to equal advantage to form the pole pieces  30 . 
         [0040]    Each hinge coupler  32  supports three pole sections  30  that extend in two orthogonal planes. Each hinge coupler  32  is constructed to provide a pair of interlocking hinge arms  40 . The hinge arms  40  are interconnected with a pole piece  30  that is mounted through aligned bores  42  of interleaved circular eyelets or collars  44  that extend from an end of a tubular sleeve body  46 . Arcuate hinge, webs or wing arms  48  project from the sidewalls of the sleeve bodies  46  and overlap along mating serrated surfaces  50 . Fasteners  52  mounted through overlapped and aligned holes or slots in the wing arms  48  draw the serrated surfaces  50  together and lock the relative splay angle “A” between the sleeve bodies  46  and pole sections  30  that extend from the sleeve bodies  46 . 
         [0041]    Several hinge couplers  32  are used in the depicted framework  2  at end wall and center support assemblies  60  and  62 . The couplers  32  are particularly mounted at the framework peak to a longitudinal ridge pole assembly  63  to support the coaxially arranged longitudinal pole sections  30 . Rafter-type pole section sub-assemblies  64  project at a desired splay angle from the peak hinge couplers  32  and couple to vertical ground support pole sub-assemblies  66  that transition into ground contact. The spacing between the vertical assemblies  66  is determined from the adjusted splay angle A established at the peak hinge coupler  32  upon fastening the overlapped arcuate hinge arms  48  together with suitable bolt/nut or lynch pin fasteners  50 . 
         [0042]    The hinge arms  48  of each coupler  32  are constructed to interlock with one another upon aligning the collar bores  42  of the interleaved end collars  44  and mounting one or more pole sections  30  to the aligned bores  42 . The bores  42  are sized to circumscribe the pole section  30  which acts as a pivot or hinge pin for the hinge coupler  32  and allows the hinge arms  46  to rotate relative to each other to define a desired splay angle “A”. A single pole  30  may terminate at the interleaved bores  42 , as in the case of an end wall assemblies  60  as shown at  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, when a coupler  32  is positioned along an intermediate section of a pole  30  as at the center support assembly  62 , butted ends of mating pole sections  30  can be mounted in the aligned bores  42  of the conjoined collars  44 . 
         [0043]    The relative angular orientation of the pole sub-assemblies  64  and  66  is again maintained via the serrated interlocked surfaces  50 . The hinge arms  48  of the presently preferred couplers  32  arcuately extend from the sleeve bodies  44  and overlap over a range of rotation on the order of 30° to 60° degrees. The hinge arms  48  can be secured to each other in a variety of fashions with a variety of fastener types  52 . The hinge arms  48  presently include several apertures (e.g. holes, slots) that overlap at several defined splay angles “A”. The fasteners  52  mount through the aligned apertures to fix the splay angle A. 
         [0044]    Hinge arms  48  of differing shapes can be constructed that overlap over greater or lesser, defined ranges. Collectively, the splayed pole end wall and center support assemblies  60  and  62  and rafter and vertical support sub-assemblies  64  and  66  provide a stable vertical support at the ends and center of the interconnected horizontal ridge pole assembly  63  and included coaxially aligned pole sections  30 . Each coupler  32  is thereby able to support multiple intersecting planar walls of the tent cover  6  in a variety of orientations and some of which are depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]    The hinge couplers  32 , in-line clevis/saddle couplers  34  and T/collar couplers  36  are constructed of die cast metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The hinge couplers  32 ,  34  and  36  can be formed from a variety of other materials, such as fiber impregnated plastic etc. provided the material is able to withstand the loading and environmental conditions. 
         [0046]    The end collars  44  and/or sleeve bodies  46  can also include setscrew-type fasteners  52  to retain the collars  44  and sleeve bodies  46  to the interconnected pole pieces  30 . Set screws, lynch pins or other fasteners  52  can be adapted to each hinge coupler  32  to achieve such ends. Preferably the fasteners  52  are located to prevent abrasive contact with the tent cover  6 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 2 and 3  depict detailed views to the in-line clevis/saddle coupler  34 . The coupler  34  includes a tubular sleeve body  70  having a longitudinal bore  72 . A clevis or saddle piece  74  having parallel flange arms or walls  76  projects from the sleeve body  70  and each arm includes an opposed aperture  78 . The displaced walls  76  are separated sufficiently to receive the end of a pole section  30 . Upon aligning the apertures  78  with apertures  80  at a pole section  30  and affixing a suitable pivot fastener  82  (e.g. lynch pin  84  and clip  86 ) through the aligned apertures  78  and  80 , the attached pole piece  30  can pivot over a range of 180° from the clevis/saddle piece  74  relative to the sleeve body  70 . Non-pivoting pole sections  30  are secured to the sleeve body  70  with other fasteners  82  aligned to-apertures  78  formed through the side walls of the sleeve body  70   
         [0048]    Advantageously, the in-line clevis/saddle couplers  34  are adapted to the framework  4  to facilitate a variety of support and bracing connections. As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  exemplary sub-assembly mountings of the clevis/saddle coupler are shown.  FIG. 2  depicts three clevis/saddle couplers  34  that support a truss brace pole sub-assembly  90  and a cross brace pole sub-assembly  92 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  also depicts vertical brace support pole sub-assemblies  94 , longitudinal brace pole sub-assemblies  96  and gusset brace pole sub-assemblies  98  and  100  that extend from the center framework assembly  62  and the end wall framework assembly  60 . The vertical brace assembly  94  can extend to the ground or an adjoining cross brace or longitudinal brace sub-assembly  92  or  96  The longitudinal brace support pole sub-assemblies  96  stabilize the sidewalls in a similar fashion to the cross brace sub-assembly  92  and limit the bowing of the side walls  10  from heavy winds 
         [0050]    The truss, cross, vertical and gusset brace sub-assemblies  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  98  and  100  stabilize the interconnected ridge pole assembly  63  and end wall assemblies  60 . The depending pole sections  30  of the vertical and gusset support pole sub-assemblies  94  and  98  are set into the ground to provide additional support for the tie down straps  18 . The gusset pole sub-assemblies  98  can be set at any desired angle relative to the side wall portions of the framework  4  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 4 and 5  depict detailed views to the “T” or collar coupler  36 . The T/collar coupler  36  includes a tubular sleeve body  110  having a longitudinal bore  112 . An end collar  114  projects from the end of the sleeve body  110  and includes a pair of projecting collar arms  116  having opposed bores  118 . The collar arms  116  are displaced sufficiently to spread support forces over a larger surface area of one or more interconnected pole sections  30 . 
         [0052]    The displacement of the collar arms  116  also permits two, butted pole sections  30  to mount within the end collar arms  116 . Upon aligning and butting the pole sections  30  together in the end collar  114 , set screws  120  (shown in dashed line) or other fasteners (e.g. hose clamp) can be tightened to secure the established relative orientation of the T/collar coupler  36  to the interconnected pole sections  30 . Alternatively, the end collar  114  can be allowed to pivot about the orthogonally mounted pole section  30  mounted through the end collar  114 . One or more tubular bushings  122  can be mounted between the collar arms  116  and pole section  30  to prevent abrasion and facilitate any desired pivot action. In lieu of set screws a clamping band fastener  120  can be mounted to the transecting pole section  30  between the collar arms  116  to prevent rotation of the T/collar coupler  36 . 
         [0053]    As noted at  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the T/collar couplers  36  are used in the truss brace sub-assembly  90  and vertical support sub-assembly  94  at the side wall  10 . Depending upon any desired mounting and when a more rigid fastening is desired, the T/collar couplers  36  can be used instead of a clevis/saddle coupler  34 . Lynch pin fasteners  82  mount through apertures  78  to secure the T/collar couplers  36  to a pole section  30  fitted to the bore  112 . 
         [0054]    While the invention has been described with respect to a presently preferred and considered alternative assemblies and sub-assemblies and considered improvements, modifications and/or alternatives thereto, still other assemblies and arrangements may be suggested to those skilled in the art. It is also to be appreciated that the features of the foregoing framework assemblies can be arranged in different combinations. The foregoing description should therefore be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.