Multiple rod linkage structure and tent with such multiple rod linkage structure

A multiple rod linkage structure includes at least a first rod piece and a second rod piece which are muff-coupled. The first rod piece having a rod opening end sleeved within the second rod piece, and a rod strip opening being opened on a sidewall of the rod opening end. A locking element is connected between the first rod piece and the second rod piece, movably passes through a sidewall of the second rod piece and a sidewall of the first rod piece from outside to inside, is screw-thread fitted with a sidewall of the first rod piece, and then presses against another sidewall of the first rod piece. A tent uses the multiple rod linkage structure as a beam and/or a top rod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a 371 application of an international PCT application serial no. PCT/CN2017/074023, filed on Feb. 18, 2017, which claims priority to and the benefit of China Patent Application No. CN2016110141113, filed on Nov. 17, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to tentage, in particular to a multiple rod linkage structure used in assembly tentage and a tent with such multiple rod linkage structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tentage is mainly built in the outdoors, for shelter from wind, rain and sunshine or temporary living. The structure of tent generally includes covering fabric, a top support and stand columns, and for convenient transport and assembly, the top supports in the existing tents almost employ foldable structures.

In tents with foldable structures, if the beam employs a foldable structure, the strength and rigidity may be insufficient, resulting in poor support. In some larger tents, the beams are suffered from a relatively large force and easily broken. If the beams use single rod pieces, more space is occupied for packaging, resulting in troubles in transport and storage.

In the prior art, in order to solve the problem that the splicing strength of multiple beams is small, Chinese utility model patent CN205604835U discloses a beam splicing mechanism for tentage, which achieves the splicing of the left and right beams via the fit of a vertical plug pin and a vertical plug seat. But it requires higher level for manufacturing the structures of the vertical plug pin and the vertical plug seat, and when the two have a too large fit clearance, the plug pin is prone to deflect a certain degree, which goes against the splicing of two sections of beams, resulting in that the overall frame of the tent is unstable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, in order to overcome the defects of the prior art, the first object of the present disclosure is to provide a multiple rod linkage structure with more stable structure.

To achieve the above mentioned purpose, firstly, the present disclosure provides a multiple rod linkage structure comprising at least a first rod piece and a second rod piece which are muff-coupled, the first rod piece having a rod opening end sleeved within the second rod piece, and a rod strip opening being opened on a sidewall of the rod opening end; a locking element is connected between the first rod piece and the second rod piece, movably passes through a sidewall of the second rod piece and a sidewall of the first rod piece from outside to inside, is screw-thread fitted with a sidewall of the first rod piece, and then presses against another sidewall of the first rod piece.

Preferably, both the first rod piece and the second rod piece are rectangular tubes, the number of the rod strip openings is two, and the two rod strip openings divides the sidewall of the rod opening end into a first U-shaped edge part and a second U-shaped edge part which are opposite.

More preferably, the locking element passes through the first U-shaped edge part along a direction parallel to a sidewall of the rectangular tube and thereafter presses against the second U-shaped edge part.

As another preferable kind of connection, the locking element passes through the first U-shaped edge part along a diagonal direction of the rectangular tube and thereafter presses against the second U-shaped edge part.

Wherein, both the first rod piece and the second rod piece are in groups of two, the two first rod pieces in the same group are provided in parallel and fixedly connected via at least two upright rods, and the two second rod pieces in the same group are provided in parallel and fixedly connected via at least two upright rods.

In a specific embodiment, the locking element is a bolt.

In the multiple rod linkage structure of the present disclosure, after the first rod piece and the second rod piece are muff-coupled, the locking element distends the rod opening end of the first rod piece outwards such that the first rod piece and the second rod piece are fixed together tightly, and it can be ensure that the first rod piece and the second rod piece remain linear in the length direction, with greater strength and not easy to be bent or broken off. And this multiple rod linkage structure has a low manufacturing cost, and is more convenient for installing and operating.

The second object of the present disclosure is to provide a tent comprising at least three stand columns, a beam connected between two stand columns, a top tent frame fixed on the stand columns and the beam, and covering fabric, the beam employs the multiple rod linkage structure foregoing described.

Preferably, the stand column is stretchable stand column, and the stretchable stand column comprises an inner tube and outer tube which are muff-coupled, as well as a locking mechanism for fixing the inner tube and the outer tube together; the inner tube has a stand rod opening end inserted within the outer tube, and a stand column strip opening extending to an opening edge is opened on a sidewall of the inner tube; the locking mechanism comprises a screw distending a sidewall of the stand column opening end outwards, a first stop block and a second stop block are fixedly provided on two sides of the sidewall of the stand column opening end respectively, the screw is movably connected between the first stop block and the second stop block along its own axial direction, and at least one of the first stop block and the second stop block is connected with the thread of the screw; operating holes corresponding to the same end of the screw are opened on sidewalls of the inner tube and the outer tube respectively, and an operating part is provided at least on one end portion of the screw corresponding to the operating holes.

The stand column strip opening is opened on the sidewall of the stand column opening end such that the sidewall of the stand column opening end has a certain range of motion in the radial direction, and on this basis, the sidewall of the stand column opening end may be distended outwards or contracted inwards in a certain degree under the function of the screw. Due to that after being pressed tightly, the inner tube and the outer tube are of surface-to-surface contact, with relatively greater friction force, and thus more stable, and having a greater bearing capacity.

In specific embodiments, there are four stretchable stand columns, two stretchable stand columns being connected via a beam to form a cubic frame. The top support is fixed on the cubic frame formed by the stretchable stand columns and the beams.

After the stretchable stand column stretches to a certain length, the opening end of the inner tube is distended outwards by twisting the screw via a tool passing through the operating hole, the distended opening end of the inner tube presses against the outer tube such that the inner tube and the outer tube are fitted tightly and fixed together; due to that the inner tube and the outer tube are fixedly together tightly after they are pressed against by the screw, and there is relatively great friction force between the appressed surfaces of the two, resulting in more stable structure and more greater bearing capacity of the stretchable stand column, which can ensure that the stretchable stand column has more stable supporting effect.

The present disclosure further provides a tent comprising at least three stand columns, a beam connected between two stand columns, a top tent frame fixed on the stand columns and the beam, and covering fabric, wherein, the top tent frame comprises a top connector and a plurality of top rods connected to the top connector, and both the beam and the top rods employ the multiple rod linkage structure foregoing described.

Compared to the prior art, the beam and the top rods in the tent of the present disclosure may employ the multiple rod linkage structure, with more stable structure, more convenient for installation, and smaller packaging volume after being disassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following, the preferable embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail combining with the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a multiple rod linkage structure of the present embodiment, comprises a first rod piece301, a second rod piece302and a third rod piece303, two ends of the second rod piece302being muff-coupled with the first rod piece301and the third rod piece303, respectively.

At the right end of the second rod piece302, the first rod piece301has a rod opening end3011sleeved within the second rod piece302, and a rod strip opening3012is opened on a sidewall of the rod opening end3011; a locking element304is connected between the first rod piece301and the second rod piece302. After the rod strip opening3012is opened, the rod strip opening3012divides the opening end3011of the first rod piece301into at least two sidewalls, and the two sidewalls may be stretched out and drawn back in a certain degree.

As shown inFIG. 4, the rod strip opening3012includes a first end of the rod strip opening30121, a second end of the rod strip opening30122and a major part of the rod strip opening30123. The first end of the rod strip opening30121is open and the second end of the rod strip opening30122is close, the major part of the rod strip opening30123is between the first end of the rod strip opening30121and the second end of the rod strip opening30122; width of the second end of the rod strip opening30122is larger than width of the major part of the rod strip opening30123.

As shown inFIG. 4, the locking element304movably passes through a sidewall of the second rod piece302and a sidewall of the first rod piece301from outside to inside, is screw-thread fitted with a sidewall of the first rod piece301, and then presses against another sidewall of the first rod piece301. In this embodiment, the locking element301is fixedly provided with a threaded piece305, the locking element304is screw-thread fitted with a threaded piece305after it passes through a sidewall of the second rod piece302and a sidewall of the first rod piece301, and then passes through another sidewall opposite to the threaded piece305.

At the left end of the second rod piece302, the third rod piece303has a rod opening end3015sleeved within the second rod piece302, and similar to the structure of the right end, the rod strip opening3015of the left end of the second rod piece302also is connected with the third rod piece303via a locking element304.

The first rod piece301, the second rod piece302and the third rod piece303are all rectangular tubes, the number of the rod strip openings3012is two, and the two rod strip openings3012divide the sidewall of the rod opening end3011into a first U-shaped edge part3013and a second U-shaped edge part3014which are opposite; the threaded piece305is fixedly provided on the first U-shaped edge part3013.

The locking element304passes through the first U-shaped edge part3013along a direction parallel to a sidewall of the rectangular tube, is fitted with the threaded piece305, passes through the threaded piece305, and thereafter presses against the second U-shaped edge part3014, as shown inFIG. 4.

The locking element304employs a bolt, the threaded piece305is a nut, and the nut is directly welded to the rod opening end3011of the first rod piece301. Furthermore, two locking elements304are spaced provided in the length direction of the rod opening end3011. By employing two locking elements304, it enables the connection of the first rod piece301and the second rod piece302to be firmer, with better strength and rigidity, and not prone to be bent and broken. Likewise, two locking elements304are spaced provided in the length direction of the rod opening end3015to connect the second rod piece302and the third rod piece303.

The multiple rod linkage structure of this embodiment may serve as a beam, a stand column or a top rod of a tent, such that the tent is convenient to assembly, with smaller packaging volume after being disassembled, and convenient for transport and storage.

The multiple rod linkage structure of the present embodiment, comprises a first rod piece501and a second rod piece502, the first rod piece501has a rod opening end5011sleeved within the second rod piece502, and a rod strip opening5012is opened on a sidewall of the rod opening end5011; a locking element504is connected between the first rod piece501and the second rod piece502.

As shown inFIG. 8, the locking element504movably passes through a sidewall of the second rod piece502and a sidewall of the first rod piece501from outside to inside, is screw-thread fitted with a sidewall of the first rod piece501, and then presses against another sidewall of the first rod piece501.

In the present embodiment, both the first rod piece501and the second rod piece501are rectangular tubes, and on the rod opening end5011, the number of the rod strip openings5012is two, the two rod strip openings5012divide the sidewall of the rod opening end5011into a first U-shaped edge part5013and a second U-shaped edge part5014which are opposite. In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, the locking element504passes through the first U-shaped edge part5013along a direction parallel to a sidewall of the rectangular tube, is fitted with the threaded hole505of the first U-shaped edge part5013, and then presses against the second U-shaped edge part5014.

The multiple rod linkage structure of the present embodiment is substantially the same to that of Embodiment 2, by differing in that: as shown inFIGS. 9-12, in the present embodiment, the locking element504passes through a hole on a corner of the second rod piece502, and through the first U-shaped edge part5013along a diagonal direction of the rectangular tube, is screw-thread fitted with the first U-shaped edge part5013, and then presses against the second U-shaped edge part5014; the threaded hole505is opened on a corner of the first U-shaped edge part5013; a stopper506against the locking element504is further provided on a corner of the second U-shaped edge part5014opposite to the threaded hole505.

As shown inFIG. 12, the rod strip opening5012includes a first end of the rod strip opening50121, a second end of the rod strip opening50122and a major part of the rod strip opening50123. The first end of the rod strip opening50121is open and the second end of the rod strip opening50122is close, the major part of the rod strip opening50123is between the first end of the rod strip opening50121and the second end of the rod strip opening50122; width of the second end of the rod strip opening50122is larger than width of the major part of the rod strip opening50123.

The multiple rod linkage structure of the present embodiment is substantially the same to that of Embodiment 1, by differing in that: as shown inFIGS. 13-16, in the present embodiment, the first rod piece301, the second rod piece302and the third rod piece303are all in groups of two, the two first rod pieces301in the same group are arranged in parallel and fixedly connected via three upright rods307, the two second rod pieces302in the same group are arranged in parallel and fixedly connected via three upright rods307, and the two third rod pieces303in the same group are arranged in parallel and fixedly connected via three upright rods307; the first rod piece301, the second rod piece302and the third rod piece303located above are connected together, and the first rod piece301, the second rod piece302and the third rod piece303located below are connected together.

As shown inFIG. 16, the rod strip opening3012includes a first end of the rod strip opening30121, a second end of the rod strip opening30122and a major part of the rod strip opening30123. The first end of the rod strip opening30121is open and the second end of the rod strip opening30122is close, the major part of the rod strip opening30123is between the first end of the rod strip opening30121and the second end of the rod strip opening30122; width of the second end of the rod strip opening30122is larger than width of the major part of the rod strip opening30123.

The rod opening end3011of the first rod piece301and the second rod piece302are connected only via one locking element304. The rod opening end3015of the third rod piece303and the second rod piece302are connected only via one locking element304.

Wherein, the second U-shaped edge part of the rod opening end3011is provided with a stopper306pressing against the locking element304.

The multiple rod linkage structure of the present embodiment employs a dual beam design, which further improves the strength, and when being used as beams in a tent, it may further lead to a firmer assembled tent.

The multiple rod linkage structure of the present embodiment is substantially the same to that of Embodiment 4, by differing in that: as shown inFIGS. 17-18, in the present embodiment, the locking element304passes through a hole on a corner of the second rod piece302, and through the first U-shaped edge part3013along a diagonal direction of the rectangular tube, is screw-thread fitted with the first U-shaped edge part3013, and then presses against the second U-shaped edge part3014; the threaded hole305fitted with the locking element304is opened on a corner of the first U-shaped edge part3013; a stopper306against the locking element304is provided on a corner of the second U-shaped edge part3014opposite to the threaded hole305.

Referring toFIGS. 19-25, the present embodiment provides a tent, comprising four stand columns, a beam3connected between two stand columns, a top tent frame4fixed on the stand columns and the beam3, and covering fabric.

Wherein, the beam3may employ the multiple rod linkage structure according to any one of foregoing Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3. A top rod5may employ the multiple rod linkage structure according to any one of foregoing Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3.

Two stretchable stand columns10are connected via one beam3, and four stretchable stand columns10are connected via four beams3in proper order to form a cubic frame. The top tent frame4is fixed on the cubic frame formed by the stretchable stand columns10and the beams3, and comprises a top connector41and a plurality of top rods5connected to the top connector41, an upper end of each top rod5being connected to the top connector41respectively, each top rod5extending aslant downwards; lower ends of some of the plurality of top rods5are connected to upper ends of the stretchable stand columns10, and lower ends of the rest top rods5are connected to the beams3. The number of the top rods5are 8, wherein four top rods5are connected to the top connector41and the upper end of corresponding stretchable stand column10, respectively, and the other four top rods5are connected between the top connector41and corresponding beams3, respectively.

A slanting support rod6is provided between each beam3and the stretchable stand column10. Two beams3connected to the same stretchable stand column10are vertical to each other, and a slanting support rod6also is provided between the two beams3. Two slanting support rod6on the same stretchable stand column10, and the slanting support rod6between two beams3on this stretchable stand column10form a triangle. Connecting the slanting support rods6may strengthen the strength of the cubic frame, causing the entire structure more stable.

Wherein, the stand column is a stretchable stand column, and the stretchable stand column10includes an inner tube1and an outer tube2which are muff-coupled, and a locking mechanism fixing the inner tube1and the outer tube2together. The inner tube1has a stand column opening end11inserted within the outer tube2, and a stand column strip opening12extending to an opening edge is opened on a sidewall of the inner tube1.

The locking mechanism includes a screw13distending a sidewall of the stand column opening end11outwards, two sides of the sidewall of the stand column opening end11are fixedly provided with a first stop block14and a second stop block15, respectively, the screw13is movably connected between the first stop block14and the second stop block15along its own axis, and at least one of the first stop block14and the second stop block15is screw-thread connected with the screw13. As shown inFIG. 23, both the first stop block14and the second stop block15are provided with grooves, two ends of the screw13movably penetrate the groove of the first stop block14and the groove of the second stop block15respectively, and in a first stretchable stand column10, only the groove of the first top block14is mounted with an inner threaded piece screw-thread connected with the screw13.

An operating hole151through which an end of the screw13passes is opened on the second stop block15, an operating hole101is opened on a sidewall of the inner tube1corresponding to the end of the screw13penetrating the second stop block15, an operating hole201is opened on a sidewall of the outer tube2corresponding to an end of the screw13penetrating the second stop block15, an operating part is provided on the end of the screw13corresponding to the operating holes151,101and201, and in the present embodiment, the operating part is an inner hexagon hole131. The diameter of the screw13should be larger than the diameter of the operating hole151on the second stop block15, to avoid the escape of the screw13. Moreover, when the screw13is twisted tightly, its end portion presses against the second stop block15such that the second stop block15provides a force bearing point for the screw13. When the length of the inner tube1is adjusted to be aligned with the three operating holes151,101and201, the screw13may be twisted tightly via a Hex wrench inserted to operate the screw13, to distend the stand column opening end11outwards.

A stand column strip opening12is opened on a sidewall of the stand column opening end11, such that the sidewall of the stand column opening end11may have a certain open and close effect in the radial direction. The function of the screw13makes the sidewall of the stand column opening end11may be distended outwards or contracted inwards in a certain degree under the function of the screw13, to achieve the purpose that the inner tube1and the outer tube2are pressed tightly and fixed together or loosened.

Both the inner tube1and the outer tube2are rectangular tubes, stand column strip openings12are opened on four surfaces of the sidewall of the inner tube1respectively, and the four stand column strip openings12divide the sidewall of the opening end of the inner tube1into four corners17, as shown inFIG. 23. The first stop block14and the second stop block15correspond to two corners17fixed on the same diagonal line respectively. Its own axial direction of the screw13is provided along the same diagonal line on which the first stop block14and the second stop block15are located. The operating hole101of the inner tube1is opened on the corner17at which side the second stop block15is located.

Both the first stop block14and the second stop block15are provided with a lock slot fitted with the corners17. Both the first stop block14and the second stop block15are divided into an inner part and an outer part by the lock slot, the inner part is located within the inner tube1, and the outer part is located between the inner tube1and the outer tube2. When the stand column opening end of the inner tube1is distended, the friction force generated from the tight pressure between the outer parts of the first stop block14and the second stop block15and the inner sidewall of the outer tube2, fixes the inner tube and the outer tube together. In the present embodiment, the first stop block14and the second stop block15are made of rubber. When installing, the inner threaded piece16is placed into the groove of the first stop block14, the end of the screw13having thread penetrates into the first stop block14and is screw-threaded connected with the inner threaded piece16, the other end of the screw13penetrates into the second stop block15, and then the first stop block14and the second stop block15are blocked into two opposite corners17on the stand column opening end11of the inner tube1via their own lock slots.

For the convenience of positioning when adjusting the stretched position of the inner tube, an elastic positioning element18is further provided in the inner tube1, a through-hole is provided on a sidewall of the inner tube1, the elastic positioning element18has a positioning protrusion181movably provided in the through-hole and protruding outwards, and a positioning hole fitted with the positioning protrusion18is opened on the sidewall of the outer tube2. Wherein, the elastic positioning element18is a spring sheet of which an end portion presses against the sidewall of the inner tube1and another end portion is bent into the positioning protrusion181integrally. When the positioning protrusion181of the elastic positioning element18is fitted with the positioning hole on the outer tube1, the operating hole151on the second stop block15, the operating hole101on the inner tube1and the operating hole201on the outer tube2are aligned to each other, and at this time, the tool may be inserted to operate the screw13.

The locking mechanism further comprises a shell21sleeved over the opening of the outer tube2, and a positioning assistant hole211is opened on the shell21corresponding to the positioning hole to receive the positioning protrusion181. An operating assistant hole is opened on the shell21corresponding to the operating hole201on the outer tube2. When operating the inner tube1and the outer tube2, the inner tube1and the outer tube2are adjusted to suitable lengths, and the positioning protrusion181of the elastic positioning piece18is popped from the inner tube and blocked in the positioning assistant hole211. Then, the Hex wrench penetrates into the operating assistant hole on the shell21, the operating hole201on the outer tube2, the operating hole101on the inner tube1and the operating hole151on the second stop block15successively, and when the screw13is twisted tightly, the tensile force generated by separating the screw13and the inner threaded piece16from each other increases to distend the inner tube1outwards, such that the inner tube1and the outer tube2are pressed and fixed together tightly. When loosening the screw13, the screw13gets close to the inner threaded piece16, the tensile force between them decreases, and the inner tube1draws back by itself, and the tight pressure between the inner tube1and the outer tube2decreases, such that the inner tube1and outer tube2may be stretchably adjusted.

The shell21is provided with a limit part212wrapping the opening inward edge of the outer tube2, when the inner tube1stretches out with respect to the outer tube2, the stop part212blocks the positioning protrusion181to prevent the inner tube1from escaping easily, and only when the positioning protrusion181is totally pressed into the inner tube1, the inner tube1can be drawn out from the opening of the outer tube2. Therefore, during transport, the inner tube1and the outer tube2may be stretched to the shortest, or the two may be detached, to reduce packaging length.

After the stretchable stand column10of the present embodiment stretches to the longest length, the inner tube1and the outer tube2are located using the elastic positioning piece18, the stand column opening end11of the inner tube1is distended outwards by twisting the screw13via a tool passing through the locking mechanism, the distended stand column opening end11of the inner tube1presses against the outer tube2such that the inner tube1and the outer tube2are fitted tightly and fixed together, resulting in more stable structure and more greater bearing capacity of the stretchable stand column10, which can ensure that the stretchable stand column has more stable supporting effect. When the stretchable stand column10is in use, the outer tube2may support on the ground, and the inner tube1is located above; or the inner tube1may support on the ground, and the outer tube2is located above.

As shown inFIG. 25, the locking mechanism of the stretchable stand column may further employ the following structure: in the stretchable stand column10, both the first stop block14and the second stop block15are provided with grooves, two ends of the screw13movably penetrate into the groove of the first stop block14and the groove of the second stop block15respectively, a first inner threaded piece161is provided within the groove of the first stop block14, a second inner threaded piece162is provided within the groove of the second stop block15, an end of the screw13is screw-thread connected with the first inner threaded piece161, and the other end of the screw13is screw-thread connected with the second inner threaded piece162, and the directions of the spiral lines on the two ends of the screw13are opposite. Due to that the directions of the spiral lines on the two ends of the screw13are opposite, the first inner threaded piece161and the second inner threaded piece162move in opposite directions when twisting the screw13, that is, the first inner threaded piece161and the second inner threaded piece162keep away from each other or get close to each other. When twisting the screw13tightly, the first inner threaded piece161and the second inner threaded piece162keep away from each other and respectively push the first stop block14and the second stop block15to be away from each other, such that the stand column opening end11of the inner tube1is distended and gets locked and fixed with the outer tube2. When loosening the screw13, the first inner threaded piece161and the second inner threaded piece162get close to each other such that the stand column opening end11of the inner tube1is released from the outer tube2, and the inner tube1may be drawn back into or detached from the outer tube2.

As shown inFIGS. 26 and 27, the tent of the present embodiment is substantially the same with that of Embodiment 6, by differing in that: the slanting support rods6are removed; the beams3employ the multiple rod linkage structure in Embodiment 4 or 5. That is, the beam3of the present embodiment is dual beam strengthened structure.

The upright rod307of the two ends of the beam3is fixedly connected with the upper end of the stretchable stand column via a bolt. The installation of the tent may be achieved only by two person, firstly the stretchable stand columns10are installed and stretched to the shortest length, the beams3then are connected between the stretchable stand columns10to form a cubic frame, the assembled top tent frame4is installed onto the cubic frame, and then the covering fabric8is covered onto the frame, and then the stretchable stand columns10are stretched out and locked via the locking mechanism, that is, the tent is assembled, and the assembly is very convenient. Due to that each stretchable stand column10is detachable, and the beams3and the top rods5also can be detached into parts with shorter lengths, it largely reduces the packaging volume, and is convenient for transport and storage.

The embodiments described above are only for illustrating the technical concepts and features of the present disclosure, and intended to make those skilled in the art being able to understand the present disclosure and thereby implement it, and should not be concluded to limit the protective scope of this disclosure. Any equivalent variations or modifications according to the spirit of the present disclosure should be covered by the protective scope of the present disclosure.