Tent frame binding device

A tent frame binding device permitting speedy assembling and disassembling is disclosed. A binding body is provided with a plurality of slots angularly separated around it, and a pair of fastening recesses are formed at the side walls of each of the slots, the recesses being open upwardly. At the rear portion of each of the slots, there is formed an engaging step, and a frame member fastening part which is coupled with each of the slots is provided with a supporting shaft, the supporting shaft being coupled with the recesses of the slot. At the rear of the supporting shaft, there is formed an inclined portion which is to be coupled with the inclined engaging step of the slot. Tent frame members are inserted respectively into the holes of the frame member fastening parts, and the frame member fastening parts are assembled into the slots of the binding body. After assembling the frame member fastening parts into the slots of the binding body, a securing plate is fastened to the top of the binding body by driving a bolt through the securing plate into the binding body, thereby preventing the departure of the frame member fastening parts from the slots.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a tent frame binding device in which the 
frame members of a tent can be assembled and disassembled in a speedy 
manner. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A prior art of the tent frame binding device is disclosed in Korean Utility 
Model Publication No. 90-2935 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,509, both of which 
were granted to the present applicant, and the structure of which is 
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in these drawings, a plurality of 
slots 70 are formed angularly separated on a securing disc 100, and a pair 
of fastening recesses 90 having a engaging step 80 therein are formed in 
each of the slots 70. The end portion of each of frame members 30 is 
T-shaped, because it has a pair of fastening pins 40. First, each of the 
frame members 30 is inserted into each of the slots 70 of the securing 
disc 100, and then, the frame member 30 is pivoted one half rounds so that 
the fastening pins 40 of the frame member 30 should be disposed within the 
two fastening recesses 90. Then the frame member 30 is pulled up, so that 
the fastening pins 40 should be engaged with the engaging step 80. Then if 
the frame members 30 are laid horizontally and are pushed down, the frame 
members 30 are lifted up, with each of the end portions of the frame 
members 30 being settled on a settling bottom 60, resulting in that the 
fastening pins 40 are assembled into the fastening recess 90. On the other 
hand, if the frame members 30 are to be disengaged from the securing disc 
100, the frame members 30 are made to stand upright, and a slight force is 
applied, so that the fastening pins 40 which have been supported on the 
engaging step 80 of the fastening recess 90 should depart therefrom. 
In the tent frame binding device of the prior art which is constituted as 
described above, the process of forming the fastening recess and the 
engaging steps within the securing disc is very difficult and complicated. 
Therefore, many steps of manufacturing process is required, and much time 
is consumed, with the result that the manufacturing cost is increased. 
Further, when assembling the tent frames, each of the frame members has to 
be sufficiently inserted into each of the slots, the frame members have to 
be pulled up, and have to be turned by 180.degree. so as for the fastening 
pins to be aligned with the fastening recess. Then the frame members have 
to be laid down, and have to be pushed down, thereby making the fastening 
pins engaged with the engaging step. Thus the frame members cannot be 
bound by a single manipulation, and much inconvenience is accompanied. 
Particularly, when assembling the frame members, each of the frame members 
has to be made to stand upright, and therefore, the space of the 
assembling place has to be large, and non-skilled persons are forced to 
experience much difficulty in performing the assembling work, thereby 
aggravating the productivity. 
Another problem is seen in the fastening portions of the frame members. 
That is, when the tent is unfolded into a dome shaped tent, with the frame 
members being deflected, the supporting force is focused on the fastening 
pins. Consequently, much stress is accumulated on the fastening pins, and 
therefore, the frame members become weak after some use, with the possible 
result that the fastening pins may be broken or damaged. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is intended to overcome the above described 
disadvantages of the conventional techniques. 
Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a tent frame 
binding device in which the structure of the fastening portion of the 
frame members is simple, the fastening portions of the frame members 
cannot easily depart, and the assembling work can be speedily carried out 
by fitting only the tips of the frame members. 
In achieving the above object, a binding body is provided with a plurality 
of slots angularly separated for fitting frame members, a pair of U shaped 
fastening recesses are formed on the side walls of the slots, supporting 
shafts formed on the both sides of the fastening portion of the frame 
member are fitted into the fastening recesses, and the top of the binding 
body is covered with a securing plate. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tent frame 
binding device in which the rear portions of the supporting shafts have a 
strong strength, so that, when the tent is unfolded, the distress of the 
supporting shafts should be greatly alleviated. 
In achieving the above object, the slots of the binding body are formed 
deep, inclined engaging steps are formed only on the rear portion of the 
slots, and an inclined portion is formed on the rear portions of the 
supporting shafts of the frame members, so that, when the frame members 
are inserted into the slots, the inclined portions should be supported by 
the engaging steps of the rear portions of the slots.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A binding body 1 of the present invention has a contour of narrow top and 
wide bottom, and a plurality of slots 3 are formed around the binding body 
1 angularly separated. Each of frame member fastening parts 2 is pivotally 
inserted into each of the slots 3. The slots 3 extend deep into the center 
of the binding body 1, and a front portion F of the slot 3 is open 
upwardly and downwardly, while only an engaging step 4 of a rear portion S 
of the slot 3 closes the top of the slot to support the frame member 
fastening part 2. Meanwhile, a pair of U shaped fastening recesses 5 are 
formed on a front portion F of the side walls of the slot 3, the recesses 
5 being open upwardly. 
The frame member fastening part 2 which is coupled with the slot 3 is 
provided with a supporting shaft 6 and an inclined portion 7. The 
supporting shaft 6 projects to left and right from the body of the 
fastening part 2, and has the shape of a circular rod, so that it can be 
settled into the fastening recesses 5 of the slot 3. The inclined portion 
7 formed at the rear of the supporting shaft 6 is inserted deep into the 
rear portion S of the slot 3 to be supported by the engaging step 4. The 
inner surface of the engaging step 4 is inclined correspondingly with the 
inclined portion 7. 
The top of the binding body 1 is covered with a securing plate 8, which is 
fastened to the binding body 1 by driving a bolt 9 through a hole of the 
securing plate 8 into a thread hole 10 of the binding body 1. The securing 
plate 8 is intended to prevent the departure of the frame member fastening 
part 2 from the slot 2. 
Further, the frame member fastening part 2 which has the shape of a socket 
has an insertion hole 14 for fitting a frame member 13, with a key 15 
being projected within the hole 14. The frame member 13 is provided with a 
flat face 16, so that the frame member 13 cannot be turned, with the flat 
face 16 and the key 15 being coupled together. 
In the tent frame binding device of the present invention constituted as 
described above, if a frame member 13 is to be fitted into the frame 
member fastening part 2, the frame member 13 is inserted into the 
insertion hole 14 of the part 2, with the key 15 and the flat portion 16 
being aligned together. If the frame member fastening part 2 is to be 
joined to the binding body 1, the frame member fastening part 2 is 
inserted into the slot 3 in a slightly inclined manner, and then, the 
supporting shaft 6 is made to be settled into the fastening recesses 5, 
with the inclined portion 7 being disposed on the rear portion S of the 
slot 3. 
After the insertion of the frame member fastening parts 2 into the binding 
body 1, the frame members 13 are laid down horizontally, and the securing 
plate 8 is put on the top of the binding body 1 to fasten the securing 
plate 8 to the binding body 1 by driving the bolt 9 through the plate 8 
into the body 1, thereby completing the assembling of the tent frame. If 
the frame is to be disassembled for a repair or the like, the bolt 9 is 
unfastened, and the plate 8 is removed. Then the relevant frame member 
fastening part 2 is lifted up, and pulled out in an easy manner. 
In other words, the binding body 1 is provided with a plurality of slots 3 
angularly separated, and a pair of fastening recesses 5 are formed in each 
of the slots 3, so that the frame member fastening parts 2 can be easily 
assembled into the slots 3. Further, an engaging step 4 is formed on the 
rear portion S of the slot 3, so that the inclined portion 7 can be 
supported on it. Therefore, when the tent is unfolded, the supporting 
force is spread to the inclined portions 7, so that the supporting shafts 
6 should not be over-burdened. Consequently, the accumulation of stress on 
the supporting shafts 6 can be avoided. Further, no special skill is 
required in assembling and disassembling the frame members, so that the 
user should be able to easily repair the tent. 
Now the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tent frame binding device includes a binding 
body 1 and a plurality of frame member fastening parts 2 as in the case of 
the first embodiment described above. A plurality of slots 3 are formed 
around the binding body 1 for inserting a frame member fastening part 2 
into each of the slots 3. A pair of supporting shafts 11 are formed on the 
side walls of each of the slots 3, and an inclined engaging step 4 is 
formed on the rear portion S of the slots 3. A pair of recesses 12 are 
formed on the left and right sides of the frame member fastening part 2, 
with the recesses 12 being opened downwardly, so that the recesses 12 can 
be coupled with the supporting shafts 11 of the slot 3. At the rear of the 
recesses 12 of the frame member fastening part 2, there is formed an 
inclined portion 7 so as for it to be coupled with the rear portion S of 
the slot 3 of the binding body 1. Thus the recesses 12 of the frame member 
fastening part 2 are coupled with the supporting shafts 11 of the slots 3, 
and then, a securing plate 8 is fastened to the top of the binding body 1 
by driving a bolt 9 through the securing plate 8 into the top of the 
binding body 1. 
The tent frame binding device of the present invention makes it possible to 
assemble and disassemble the frame members to and from the binding body in 
a speedy manner.