Abstract:
A pole brace and ballasting device having at least one or more releasably connecting weight containers adapted to retain and discharge a dry or fluid load bearing material therein of adequate length and sufficiently ridged to brace a pole. A hand activated clamp or clamps for attachment to a variety of pole dimensions both angular and round, while allowing for the closing of the tent&#39;s outer protective cover; with the capacity to selectively suspend the ballasting load to prevent it from coming at rest with the ground for an increase in its effectiveness.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part claiming the benefit to non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/699,050 filed on Jan. 29, 2007 now abandoned. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Staying fixed to the ground during inclement weather is a challenge for anyone using a portable shade canopy, display stand or tent typically used at farmers markets, craft shows or outdoor events. Strong unexpected gusts of wind can come up anywhere in the United States and turn a shade canopy into a deadly missile. In cases where the event is held on a paved surface, driving an anchor pile into the ground is often not possible or permitted; and many of the devices in use today for securing a tent or shade canopy are inadequate or pose an additional hazard. 
   In addition to the objectives set forth in pending application Ser. No. 11/699,050 filed on Jan. 29, 2007, is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device which includes a handle or handles formed or attached to the weight container to facilitate the carrying of the weight. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device wherein the weight container is adapted for readily and reliably connecting one or more weight containers for a substantial increase in the ballasting load. This allows for the division of the ballasting load into a more manageable size and facilitates the transportation and installation of the device. 
   Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device wherein the removable cover of the weight container, acting as a joining mechanism, engaged to a weight container corresponding interface, is adapted for easy hand removal in the event it becomes attached or lodged to the weight container after separation of the weight containers. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device wherein the cover and corresponding weight container interface to the cover are synchronized to allow for the automatic vertical alignment, when attaching a secondary weight container, of the pole clamp connecting form disposed along the wall or walls of the weight container upon reasonably reaching the rotatable limit of the connecting interface. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device comprising a pole clamp which utilizes an embedded threaded collar or threaded aperture in at least one of two clamp blocks of the pole clamp assembly, simplifying the insertion and tightening of the securing fastener. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device comprising a pole clamp which includes a thumb screw for tightening of the pole clamp to the pole precluding the use of a screwdriver. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device comprising a pole clamp which is fitted with a fastener for the fortification of the clamp block outer jaw. 
   Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a pole brace and ballasting device with an improved pole clamp for better gripping a round pole. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved pole brace and ballasting device which allows for the utilization of a variety of weight container configurations. 
   REFERENCE CITED 
   
       
       U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,680/January 2006 Gordon 
       U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,764/June 1991/Yamamoto 
       U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,825/August 2001/Yager 
       U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,844/November 1991/Hopkins 
       U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,356/January 1993/Schouwey 
       U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,023/May 1992/Sowers 
     
  
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention assists an outdoor exhibitor or consumer with a shade canopy or pole using tent during windy or inclement weather by providing a stabilizing force, decreasing the probability of the tent from blowing away or tipping over, by clamping the device vertically to a tent pole. An adjustable tent pole clamp system, capable of attaching to a round or square pole, is provided that will not interfere with the closing of tent&#39;s outer protective cover. One or more leak proof containers, for retaining a load bearing material, of a sufficiently rigid and elongated compact design are capable of forming a brace when attached between two elements of a telescoping pole. Multiple weight containers may be secured together by means of a cover adapted to engage a corresponding interface disposed along the bottom wall of the weight container. The weight container is provided with a tap to receive and discharge a fluidic or dry ballasting load therein and a handle to facilitate the transportation and installation of the device. 
   These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise materials, arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention attached to a telescoping pole. 
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the weight container  22 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the assembled pole brace and ballasting device taken along the lines  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation views of clamp block  11 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating the pole brace and ballasting device in  FIG. 1  used for supporting tent poles. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional top view of the pole brace and ballasting device attached to a round pole taken along the lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of inverted cover  17 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top sectional view of the pole brace and ballasting device showing a pole clamp assembly, according to the second embodiment, secured to a triangular shaped weight container  48 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side perspective and sectional views of the weight container  55  according to the third embodiment. 
   

   KEY TO DRAWINGS 
   
       
         10  pole brace and ballasting device 
         11  pole clamp block 
         12  fastener for drawing clamp blocks against a pole 
         13  pole clamp weight container connecting form 
         14  top wall of weight container  22   
         15  bottom wall of weight container  22   
         16  threaded collar opening for charging and discharging a fluidic or dry ballasting load 
         17  cover for opening  16   
         18  common aperture for receiving fastener  12   
         19  pole clamp block jaw 
         20  connecting form for engaging clamp block with the corresponding connecting form  13  of weight container  22   
         21  embedded threaded collar. 
         22  weight container 
         23  pole clamp assembly 
         24  slip resistant surface 
         25  upper tent pole element of a telescoping pole 
         26  tent 
         27  cutout in weight container  22   
         28  lower tent pole element of a telescoping pole 
         29  tent pole 
         30  handle 
         31  outer jaw of pole clamp block  11   
         32  tent canopy 
         33  inner jaw of pole clamp block  11   
         34  horizontal pole through hole 
         35  round pole 
         36  fastener for fortifying pole clamp block outer jaw  31   
         37  slip resistant surface 
         38  external threads of cover  17  for connecting to a secondary weight container 
         39  internal threads of cover  17  for connecting cover to weight container  22   
         40  projection of cover  17   
         41  collar for connecting a secondary weight container  22   
         42  inner connecting threads of weight container collar  41   
         43  straight pole clamp connecting form 
         44  semicirclar round pole interface 
         45  flat square pole interface 
         46  perpendicular collar slot of bayonet mount collar  54   
         47  second pole clamp block 
         48  triangular shaped weight container 
         49  second pole clamp block jaw 
         50  second inner jaw 
         51  second outer jaw 
         52  second pole clamp assembly 
         53  bayonet mount cover 
         54  bayonet mount collar of weight container  55   
         55  weight container 
         56  cover pins 
         57  collar slots 
         58  bottom wall of weight container  55   
     
  
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, by way of illustration and not by limitation, wherein like numerals indicate like elements there is in  FIG. 1  a pole brace and ballasting device  10  shown with two connecting weight containers  22  in accordance with the present invention and claiming the benefit to pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/699,050 filed on Jan. 29, 2007. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , threaded collar  16  located at the central portion of the top wall  14  of weight container  22  can be tightly closed by applying, internally threaded  39  and externally threaded  38 , cover  17  and rotating it clockwise for selectively charging and discharging a dry or fluid load bearing material therein. Weight container  22  is provided with cut out portion  27  across which handle  30  is formed to facilitate the transportation and storage of weight container  22 . 
   Weight container  22  is fitted with collar  41  disposed along its bottom wall  15  and inner connecting threads  42  forming a corresponding connecting interface to cover  17  by rotating a secondary weight container  22  clockwise, engaging external threads  38  of cover  17 , for a releasably secure connection of a secondary weight container ensuring the pole bracing effect of device  10 . External threads  38  of cover  17  and corresponding weight container inner connecting threads  42  are synchronized to allow for the automatic vertical alignment of the pole clamp connecting forms  13 , (Best seen in  FIG. 1 ) when attaching a secondary weight container, upon reasonably reaching the rotatable limit of external threads  38  and inner connecting threads  42 . The synchronization of weight container  22  connecting interface insures that the weight container wall or walls having one or more connecting form  13 , or connecting form  43  according to the second embodiment described below, will quickly align to the pole facilitating the installation of pole brace and ballasting device  10 . The connecting interface could be reversed so that cover  17  has an inward extending threaded depression and weight container  22  an outward threaded collar achieving the same results; or the threads could be substituted with a bayonet mount connecting interface similar to the one contained in the third embodiment described below. 
   The ability to attach one or more weight containers permits the ballasting load to be divided into a more manageable size facilitating its transportation while allowing for a substantial increase in weight when needed. 
   As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , projection  40  of cover  17  is provided to facilitate the removal of cover  17  from collar  41  of a secondary weight container  22  in the event it becomes attached or lodged after separation of the weight containers as the cover will be in an inverted position allowing for easy hand removal or through the use of a hand tool such as an adjustable wrench. 
   Shown in  FIG. 3 , is pole clamp assembly  23  containing a right and corresponding left pole clamp block  11 . Pole clamp connecting form  13 , which can be molded into or attached to weight container  22 , having a right angle bend is set in a perpendicular direction of tent pole elements  25  and  28  in two exterior walls of weight container  22 . Pole clamp block  11  is operatively connected to pole clamp form  13  by connecting form  20  (Best seen in  FIG. 4 ); it being understood that many other configurations for connecting form  20  of pole clamp block  11  and corresponding pole clamp connecting form  13  of weight container  22  may be utilized such as a dovetail without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, the connecting forms depicted could be reversed so that pole clamp connecting form  13  of weight container  22  is substituted for connecting form  20  of clamp block  11  and vice-versa. 
   Upon engaging pole clamp connecting form  13 , pole clamp block  11  is movable toward and away from stationary tent pole  29  permitting the enlargement or reduction of the horizontal pole through hole  34 . This operative connection allows for the attachment to a variety of pole  29  dimensions. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , pole clamp block  11  is fitted with embedded threaded collar  21  in common aperture  18  of one of two pole clamp blocks  11  and fastener  36 , when pole clamp block  11  is constructed of wood, for the fortification of pole clamp block outer jaw  31  which pole clamp block jaw  19  is partially formed. However, the use of fastener  36  and embedded threaded collar  21  could be precluded by constructing the pole clamp block from a metallic or plastic matter of sufficient strength to prevent the possible separation of pole clamp block outer jaw  31 , while clamping to a pole, and allowing the threading of common aperture  18  to engage fastener  12  for drawing the right and corresponding left pole clamp blocks  11  against a pole or pole elements  25  and  28 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 3 , after adjusting said discrete pole clamp blocks  11  relative to each other along pole clamp connecting form  13 , the inner jaw  33  and outer jaw  31  of pole clamp block  11  and slip resistant surface  24  (Seen in  FIG. 4 ), preferable rubberized or scored, are brought to bear against the pole and a properly sized square horizontal pole through hole  34  is formed. Inserting fastener  12 , being of sufficient length to engage two discrete pole clamp blocks  11 , into common aperture  18  and engaging embedded threaded collar  21  and preferably tightening by hand through the use of a thumb screw, draws the right and corresponding left clamp blocks  11  together thereby tightly gripping the pole. Further, upon engagement of each said discrete pole clamp block  11  to the pole clamp connecting form  13  of weight container  22 , the inner gripping surface of clamp jaw  19  of each pole clamp block  11  will automatically position in a vertical dimension relative to the direction of the pole, engaging the gripping surface to the pole surface, and outer jaw  31  of clamp block  11  will automatically position about at a right angle to the outer jaw of its corresponding pole clamp block when in an assembled condition; and inner jaw  33  will automatically position about at a right angle to the inner jaw of its corresponding pole clamp block when in an assembled condition. Being so arranged permits the pole clamp assembly  23  to readily secure to a round pole  35  (Seen in  FIG. 6 ) or square pole  29 . 
   Pole brace and ballasting device  10 , in  FIG. 1 , is depicted utilizing two weight containers  22 , constructed from a sufficiently rigid and water proof material of compact design and length to form a brace when attached between tent pole elements  25  and  28 . Additionally, weight container  22  is of sufficient length as to form a brace if pole brace and ballasting device  10  is use in a singularly weight container configuration. 
   A second embodiment of pole clamp assembly  23  and pole clamp connecting form  13  of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in three respects. First, as shown in  FIG. 8 , is an alternative straight pole clamp connecting form  43  having a constant direction throughout its length positioned along one side wall of a triangular shaped weight container  48  and second pole clamp assembly  52  engaged to straight connecting form  43  according to the second embodiment. A straight pole clamp connecting form  43  allows for the utilization of a variety of weight container configurations such as the diameter wall of a container formed by a half circle. Additionally, any flat area of sufficient size and in about a vertical dimension to allow for the formation or support the attachment of a straight pole clamp connecting form  43 , such as a flat protrusion on a cylinder shaped weight container, would suffice. However, a square container maximizes the weight of the ballasting load for the space occupied being more efficient as it coincides in shape to that of the tent&#39;s perimeter and thereby the preferred configuration. 
   Second, as seen in  FIG. 8 , second pole clamp assembly  52  is made up of two discrete second pole clamp blocks  47  each having a second pole clamp jaw  49  set at about a right angle bend composed of a second inner jaw  50  and second outer jaw  51 . In this embodiment the second pole clamp block inner jaw  50  and second pole clamp block outer jaw  51  having an interior semicirclar round pole interface  44 , positioned between a flat square pole interface  45 , results in an improvement in the gripping of a round pole while still maintaining the option of gripping a square pole; it being understood the jaw configuration of the second pole clamp assembly  52  can be readily employed by pole clamp assembly  23 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in this third embodiment weight container  55  differs from weight container  22  in that it contains a bayonet mount or bayonet connector for the joining or mating of a secondary weight container. Bayonet mount cover  53  contains a number of pins  56 , or alternatively blades, and weight container  55  is adapted with a corresponding bayonet mount collar  54  disposed about its bottom wall  58 . The strength of the joint is less effective than one constructed of threads for threadable mating. But it does have the advantage of speed with which a practiced user can connect the weight containers  55 . 
   To connect a secondary weight container, cover pins  56 , or alternatively blades, on the bayonet mount cover  53  are aligned with collar slots  57  on the weight container bayonet mount collar  54  and pushed together. Once the pins reach the end of the slot, the two surfaces are turned in opposite directions to guide cover pins  56  into perpendicular collar slots  46  that prevents it from being removed. The opening to the perpendicular collar slot  46  is slightly undersized and made of a resilient plastic material which holds cover pins  56  in position to prevent them from backing out. To disconnect, the user simply turns the two weight containers  55  in the opposite direction with a slight increase in force to overcome the friction of the perpendicular collar slot  46  opening, disengaging the locking turn. 
   The present invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments and it is understood that there are numerous alternatives, modifications or substitutions which may be made which still would be within the intended spirit and scope of the invention.