Rapid coupling apparatus

A coupling apparatus configured to provide a quick and efficient technique to operably connect bamboo poles or similar structural members. The present invention includes a first portion and a second portion that are operably integrated to provide coupling of structural members. The first portion includes a first section and a second section wherein the first section is insertable into the second section and is configured to be releasably secured therein. The first section includes grooves that are configured to operable coupled with a locking member located in the second section. Within the scope of the present invention alternate embodiments of the grooves and first section are contemplated. The second portion includes two embodiments wherein the two embodiments are configured to provide alternate orientations of coupling of bamboo poles. The second portion is configured to provide both an end-to-end connection as well as an angular orientation of bamboo poles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to coupling devices, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a coupling apparatus that includes a first portion wherein the first portion is a band like member and a second portion wherein the second portion is a bracket or brace type structure and wherein the first portion and second portion of the apparatus of the present invention are configured to be operably coupled to secure objects such as but not limited to bamboo poles together.

BACKGROUND

Protective shelters are employed in various areas of the world for reasons such as but not limited to post disaster management. Applications of temporary shelters include use of tents or tent-like structures that are often assembled in order to provide temporary shelter for individuals in need. These shelters are installed by humanitarian organizations and require skilled labor and tools in order to execute the desired installation. Once installed, the expectation for duration of the integrity of the temporary shelter is about six months to three years. Existing structures utilize non-native materials such as but not limited to metal or wood poles as part of the support members. These types of materials must be transported into the area in which the shelters are being installed. One issue with utilization of non-native materials is the re-purposing of the materials ensuing the de-installation of the temporary shelter.

Once a shelter has been de-installed, the application specific materials are often discarded and not re-purposed. Many of the areas in which temporary shelters are employed often have sustainable natural elements that could be utilized for construction of the temporary shelters. By way of example but not limitation, bamboo is a plentiful natural material that is often found in environments where temporary shelters are deployed. Third world countries such as but not limited to Haiti have large installations of temporary shelters and have an indigenous supply of suitable materials such as bamboo. Bamboo has intrinsic characteristics such as but not limited to high tensile strength and flexibility which make it a suitable material for utilization as support members in a tent-like structure. The one issue with bamboo is that penetration of the cell structure results in water damage and comprises the structural integrity of the bamboo pole.

Accordingly, there is a need for a coupling apparatus that is configured to operably couple structural members such as but not limited to bamboo wherein the apparatus facilitates the coupling of the members without mechanical penetration into the member so as to preserve the structural integrity thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a coupling apparatus that is configured to operably connect at least two structural members wherein the apparatus of the present invention includes a first portion and a second portion that are employed to structurally couple two independent members.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rapid coupling apparatus that is configured to promote efficient coupling of two structural members to construct a temporary shelter or similar structure wherein the first portion of the present invention includes a band member integrally formed with a locking portion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coupling apparatus that is configured to operably connect at least two structural members wherein the locking portion is operably engaged in a first technique and a second technique to secure or release the band member.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a rapid coupling apparatus that is configured to promote efficient coupling of two structural members to construct a temporary shelter or similar structure wherein the second portion is structure to surroundably mount a portion of the two members being operably coupled by the apparatus of the present invention.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling apparatus that is configured to operably connect at least two structural members wherein the second portion is provided in alternative embodiments.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a rapid coupling apparatus that is configured to promote efficient coupling of two structural members to construct a temporary shelter or similar structure wherein the band member further includes a plurality of gripping members on a first surface thereof.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a coupling apparatus that is configured to operably connect at least two structural members wherein the second surface of the band member includes a plurality of locking engagement members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the coupling apparatus100includes a first portion10and a second portion50. The first portion10and second portion50are configured to cooperatively bind elements such as but not limited to bamboo poles99,98. Both the second portion50and the first portion10have alternative embodiments that are discussed further herein. The coupling apparatus100provides a technique to rapidly secure support members together such as but not limited to bamboo poles for the purpose of providing a support structure for tents or tent-like structures. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that alternate uses of the coupling apparatus100could be employed and the design thereof is to facilitate use without need of specialized training or tools.

The first portion10includes a first section12and a second section14that are integrally formed and is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to plastic. The first section12is planar in manner having a first side15and a second side17. The first section12includes end16wherein end16in a preferred embodiment is tapered in shape so as to promote easier insertion into the second section14. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first section12could be provided in alternate lengths and widths. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first portion10could be provided in alternate sizes wherein the sizes provide alternate load capacities. The first section12includes a plurality of grooves20formed on the surface of the first side15. The grooves20extend substantially the length of the first section12and are configured to releasably secured the end59of the locking member60therein. The locking member60in its second position has a biased force thereon that provides a frictional and pressure engagement with the first section12and the grooves20function to provide stability of the position of the locking member60with the first section12and further inhibit movement thereof ensuing the locking member60being placed in its second position.

The first section12includes an alternative embodiment of the grooves21illustrated herein inFIG.3. Grooves21comprise four contiguous sections23that are angular in configuration in contrast to the linear grooves20. The angular orientation of grooves21provide a distribution of force in two separate directions. The force distribution in two separate directions on opposing halves of the contiguous sections23allows for a greater load capacity. In this embodiment the end59, would be mateably shaped so as to operably engage the grooves21. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the grooves20,21could be provided in alternate shapes in order to influence load capacities and operably engage with end59of the locking member60.

The second section14of the first portion10includes wall member30. Wall member30is manufactured from a resilient material that allows the second section to be engaged by a user and moved from a first position to a second position. By way of example but not limitation, the wall member30could be manufactured from plastic. The wall member30defines opening32wherein the opening32is of suitable size to accommodate locking member60. Locking member60is integrally formed with section33of wall member30. The locking member60includes end59that is integrally formed with section33of the wall member30utilizing suitable techniques such as but not limited to injection molding. The locking member60is planar in manner and extends to section37of wall member30. The locking member60is moved intermediate its first position and second position with pressure engagement on wall section38,39which elongates the second section14so as to create a void63between end59and allow the first section12to be journaled therethrough. Ensuing release of pressure from sections38,39, the second section14will return to its original unbiased shape and as such the locking member60will be operably engaged with the first section12, more specifically end59will be coupled with grooves20or21depending on the embodiment being utilized. The first position of the wall member30provides sufficient force to maintain the engagement of the locking member60and the grooves20.

The coupling apparatus100includes alternative embodiments for the second side17of the first section12of the first portion10. In use, the second side17will be adjacent and engaging a portion of either the bamboo pole and/or a surface of the second portion50. As illustrated herein inFIG.1, the second side17has no additional elements and includes an outer surface of exposed material of which the first portion12is manufactured. Illustrated herein inFIGS.2and3, the first portion12includes a gripping element7secured to the second side17. The gripping element7is secured to the second side17utilizing suitable durable techniques and is operable to provide a first and second benefit. The gripping element7is manufactured from rubber or similar material and as such will provide improved friction with either the section of the second portion50of the coupling apparatus100or an improved friction with the bamboo poles98,99. The material of the gripping element7provides improved slip resistance over the plastic from which the preferred embodiment of the first portion10is manufactured. In one embodiment, the gripping element7extends the length of the first section12. The gripping element7can also be configured so as to have an upper surface thereof exposed so as the edge59of the locking member60will engage therewith. This provides a surface and material that allows edge59to more deeply engage and as such enhance the strength of the connection. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the gripping element7could be provided wherein the upper surface is exposed or wherein the gripping element7is secured to the second side17and not have an upper surface exposed into the grooves20,21.

The gripping element7further includes an additional embodiment as illustrated herein inFIG.4. In this embodiment, the gripping element7is divided into segments and is configured to extend outward from the second side17. The segments have a void3therebetween so as to facilitate the ability for the first section12to be surroundably secured a desired object. As the segments are thick, the voids3allow the first section12to be more easily placed in an annular orientation. The segments are manufactured from rubber or similar material that will provide a desired frictional engagement with the objects to which the first section12is being surroundably mounted. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the gripping element7could be provided such that various quantities of segments could be employed in that embodiment of the gripping element7.

The second section14can also be configured with a gripping element49. The gripping member49is manufactured from a similar material such as but not limited to rubber. Gripping member49is configured to provide a material with which the locking member60, specifically the edge59thereof, can more deeply penetrate so as to provide a more secure connection. As illustrated herein inFIG.3, the edge59of the locking member60can be formed in alternate shapes. The shape of the edge59along with the material of the gripping member49provides a technique to improve the engagement and overall load capacity of the coupling apparatus100. The three shapes of the edge59illustrated herein inFIG.3are exemplary and it should be understood that alternate edge shapes could be employed. The three shapes of the edge59are further operable to provide additional functionality wherein the alternate shapes provide functionality towards release or locking.

The embodiments of the second portion50of the coupling apparatus100are illustrated inFIGS.5and6herein. The objective of the second portion50is to operably couple the bamboo poles98,99without penetration thereinto so as to avoid damage to the bamboo poles98,99and preserve the structural integrity thereof. In the embodiment of the second portion50illustrated inFIG.5, the second portion50includes a body61wherein the body61is elongated in manner having a first end62and second end63. The body61includes an upper surface64wherein the upper surface64is slightly concave in shape. The upper surface64is manufactured from a durable nonslip material such as but not limited to rubber. The second portion50has operably coupled thereto a plurality of first portions10that have been previously described herein and are operable to fasten the second portion50to the bamboo poles98,99. When fastened, via tightening of the first portions10as described herein, the upper surface64will compress against the bamboo poles98,99so as to ensure coupling of the bamboo poles98,99. The embodiment of the second portion50illustrated inFIG.5is configured to facilitate and end-to-end coupling of bamboo poles98,99.

Referring in particular toFIG.6herein, an alternative embodiment of the second portion50is illustrated herein. The embodiment of the second portion50illustrated inFIG.6includes a first segment110and a second segment115. The first segment110and second segment115are similarly constructed from a durable material such as but not limited to metal. The first segment110and second segment115each include an upper portion120integrally formed with a lower portion125. The lower portion125is tube shaped having a hollow passage in a portion thereof so as to facilitate the bamboo poles98,99being journaled thereinto. The lower portion125further includes a plurality of the first portions10of the coupling apparatus100operably coupled therewith so as to facilitate the securing of the lower portion125to the bamboo poles98,99. The upper portion120of the first segment110is disc shaped and includes center aperture121. Further included are protrusions122that are proximate the center aperture121being diametrically opposed and extend outward from the center aperture121. The protrusions122are linear in manner so as to engage with perimeter slots130as is further discussed herein.

The second segment115includes an upper portion129wherein the upper portion129is disc shaped and of similar size to the upper portion120. The upper portion129includes center aperture133wherein the center aperture133includes a plurality of perimeter slots130. The perimeter slots130are radially distributed around the center aperture133and are configured to operably couple with protrusions122. The arrangement of the perimeter slots130facilitates the ability to operably coupled the bamboo poles98,99at various angles. This embodiment of the second portion50can be utilized for making connections between bamboo poles98,99other than end-to-end.