A tent or canopy frame device

Abstract: A tent or canopy frame device comprises a hub (12) from which radiate a multiplicity of ribs (14). The hub (12) is provided with a multiplicity of retaining portions (36) which extend in a tangential direction and which are spaced apart around the hub (12). A multiplicity of abutment portions (38) of the hub (12) are positioned outwardly of the retaining portions (36) respectively. Respective rib-end portions (40) of the device are provided with respective recesses (46) which are open in an intended upward direction and which receive the retaining portions (36) respectively. The undersides of the rib-end portions (40) abut the abutment portions (38).

Description: The present invention relates to a tent or canopy frame device comprising a hub from which radiate a multiplicity of ribs when the device is in use, in which the hub is provided with a multiplicity of retaining portions which extend in a tangential direction and which are spaced apart around the hub, and a multiplicity of abutment portions positioned outwardly of the retaining portions respectively. One such device is described and illustrated in US-A-2,808,846. This describes a tent erecting framework comprising corner poles for supporting the tent on the ground and resilient ribs which at one end are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the corner poles. The pivotal connection between the corner poles and the ribs are located on the inside of the corner poles and spaced from the ends thereof. The ends act as stop abutments to restrict the upward movement of the ribs which are free to swing downwards so as to lie parallel with the poles to place the tent in a folded condition. The other ends of the ribs are pivotally connected to a central top member. The latter comprises stop abutments which restrict the upward movement of the ribs. The stop abutments leave the ribs free to be moved down to a position in which the ribs are adjacent to and substantially parallel with each other and with the corner poles. The central top member comprises an inner frame to which the upper ends of the ribs are pivotally connected, and an outer frame attached beneath the first frame to serve as the stop abutment for the ribs. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device having the construction set out in the opening paragraph of the present specification, in which the device further comprises respective rib-end portions provided with respective recesses which are open in an intended upward direction and which receive the retaining portions respectively when the device is in use, with the undersides of the rib-end portions abutting the abutment portions. The retaining portions may each comprise a bar having both of its ends attached to or integral with the main body of the hub. Each bar is preferably of generally circular cross-section. It is desirable to have each retaining portion extending across an associated aperture of the hub. The hub is preferably of generally circular shape. The abutment portions may extend around the periphery of the hub. It is possible to provide respective retaining inserts attached to the rib-end portions over the retaining portions when the latter are received in the said recesses, to inhibit removal of the rib-end portions from the hub. The rib-end portions may be made separately from such ribs, and connected to the intended inner ends of such ribs when in use. The rib-end portions may be at least partly hollow and generally cylindrical to receive the intended inner ends of such ribs when in use. Each of the said recesses in the rib-end portions may comprise a channel which extends transversely of the rib-end portion and which is generally U-shaped in cross-section with the arms of the "U" spaced apart by a distance which is substantially the same as the cross-sectional diameter of the associated retaining portion, thereby to inhibit twisting of the associated rib when the frame is assembled. Also, the contact between the rib-end portion and the retaining bar is relatively large as a result, thus further reducing wear. A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a tent or canopy frame comprising a hub device made in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and a multiplicity of ribs which radiate from the hub when the device is in use. A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a tent or canopy comprising a tent frame in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, in which the ribs are attached to the hub to extend outwardly therefrom and downwardly therefrom with sheet material being attached to the frame to create a tent or canopy with the frame outside and above it. Examples of devices, frames, and a tent or canopy made in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of a tent embodying the present invention; Figure 2 shows a view from above of a central hub of the frame of the tent shown in Figure 1, with part of one rib only extending outwardly therefrom; Figure 3 shows a side view of the hub and rib shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a diametral cross-section of the hub shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows an underside view of the hub shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 shows a radial sectional view of the hub shown in Figures 2 to 5 on the radius VI of Figure 5: Figure 7 shows a further radial sectional view of the hub shown in Figures 2 to 5 on the radius VII of Figure 5; Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the hub and rib shown in Figures 2 to 5 in the plane indicated by the line VIII-VIII of Figure 2; Figure 9 shows a plan view of an upper joint of the frame of the tent shown in Figure 1; Figure 10 shows a side view of the joint shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 shows an underneath view of the joint shown in Figures 9 and 10; Figure 12 shows an end view of the joint shown in Figures 9 and 10; Figure 13 shows an axial sectional view through the joint shown in Figures 9 and 10; Figure 14 shows a cross-section through the device shown in Figures 9 to 13 in the plane indicated by the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13; Figure 15 shows a further cross-section of the device shown in Figures 9 to 13 in the plane indicated by the line XV-XV of Figure 13; Figure 16 shows a further cross-section of the joint shown in Figures 9 to 13 in the plane indicated by the line XVI-XVI of Figure 13; Figure 17 shows the device shown in Figures 9 to 13, in a folded condition; Figure 18 shows a view of a lower joint of the frame of the tent shown in Figure 1, viewing it from a position within the frame; Figure 19 shows a side view of the joint shown in Figure 18; Figure 20 shows a view from the outside of the frame of the joint shown in Figures 18 and 19; Figure 21 shows an end view of the joint shown in Figures 18 to 20; Figure 22 shows an axial sectional view through the joint shown in Figures 18 to 21; Figure 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the joint shown in Figures 18 to 22 in the plane of the line XXIII-XXIII of Figure 22; Figure 24 shows a further cross-section of the joint shown in Figures 18 to 22 in the plane indicated by the line XXIV-XXIV of Figure 22; Figure 25 shows a cross-section through the joint shown in Figures 18 to 22 in the plane indicated by the line XXV-XXV of Figure 22; Figure 26 shows a side view of the joint shown in Figures 18 to 22 with the joint in a folded condition; Figure 27 shows a plan view of a foot of the frame of the tent shown in Figure 1; Figure 28 shows a side view of the foot shown in Figure 27; Figure 29 shows an end view of the foot shown in Figure 27; Figure 30 shows an elevational view of the end of an auxiliary rod (not shown in Figure 1) connected to the foot shown in Figure 27; Figure 31 shows an elevational, partly sectional view of a bottom end of a rib of the frame of the tent shown in Figure 1 engaging the foot shown in Figure 27; Figure 32 shows a partially sectional view of the rib end and part of the foot shown in Figure 31 from a direction of view at right angles to that of Figure 31; Figure 33 shows a cross-section through the rib end in the plane indicated by the line XXXIII-XXXIII of Figure 31; Figure 34 shows a cross-section through the rib end in the plane XXXIV-XXXIV of Figure 31; and Figure 35 shows the hub and two ribs of the frame of the tent shown in Figure 1 in a folded condition. It will be appreciated that none of the features illustrated in and described with reference to Figures 8 to 34 are recited in any of the claims of the present specification. The tent shown in Figure 1 comprises a relatively rigid frame 10 as a superstructure which has a generally central synthetic plastics one-piece injection-moulded hub 12 to which are attached and from which extend radially outwardly six compound ribs 14. Each compound rib comprises three elongate fibre-glass rod sections, being an upper section 16, an intermediate section 18 and a bottom section 20. Each is generally circular in cross-section with a diameter of substantially 10 mm. Each rib 14 as a whole forms an arc which curves outwardly and downwardly from the hub 12 to an associated foot 22 on the ground. Each upper rod section 16 is connected to its associated intermediate rod section 18 by means of a synthetic plastics upper joint 24, and each intermediate section 18 is connected to each bottom section 20 by means of a lower joint 26. The joints are preferably made of glass filled nylon or Verton™. A fabric sheet material 28 is suspended from the frame 10 to create a tent, which may, for example, have a zipper 30 defining a door 32 to the interior of the tent. The hub 12 is shown in greater detail in Figures 2 to 8. It is a generally flat circular device with six apertures 34 equiangularly spaced around the hub. A circularly-cross-sectioned retaining bar 36 which is moulded integrally with the rest of the hub 12 extends across or spans each aperture 34 at a level roughly halfway between the upper and lower main faces of the hub 12, and inwardly of the periphery of the hub 12. An abutment portion 38 positioned at the bottom side of the hub 12, at the periphery thereof, extends underneath each aperture 34 where it opens out on to the periphery of the hub 12. Only one rib 14 is shown connected to the hub 12, for the sake of clarity. This connection is achieved by means of a synthetic plastics rib-end connector 40. The connector 40 has a generally hollow cylindrical outer portion 42 having an internal cross-section substantially corresponding to the external cross-section of the glass fibre rod section 16. The latter has its inner end inserted the whole way into the hollow cylindrical portion. The outer surface of the hollow cylindrical portion 42 tapers in an outward direction so that at its outermost end it is more flush with the outer surface of the glass fibre rod section 16. The inner end 44 of the connector 40 is hook-shaped, by virtue of a transverse or tangentially extending slot 46 which has a generally U-shaped cross-section. The two arms 48 and 50 of the "U" diverge somewhat towards the mouth of the "U", and the base 52 of the "U" defines the greater part of a circle having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the retaining bar 36. This enables the connector 40 to be snapped on to the retaining bar 30 and pivoted thereabout until an underside of the connector 40 abuts the abutment portion 38. In this position, which is shown in Figure 4, the rod section 16 extends radially outwardly from the hub 12, and the upper surfaces of the connector 40 are substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the hub 12. The manner in which the connector 40 is secured to the end of the rod 16 is shown more clearly in Figure 8. The rod section 16 is formed with a slot 54 having a flat base which has been brought into registration with inner surfaces of a rectangularly sectioned bore 56 which extends through the wall of the generally cylindrical hollow portion of the connector 40 to define a cord of a cross-section thereof. A straight portion 58 of a circlip 60 is inserted through this bore 58 so that it also extends through the slot 54 of the rod section 16. A semicircular portion 62 of the circlip 60 fits snugly in a groove 64 around the periphery of the connector 40 so that the outside surfaces of the circlip 60 and the connector 40 are flush with one another. Since, as will be described hereinafter, each joint 24 and 26 as well as the connector to the hub 12 for each rib 14 have to be correctly orientated relative to one another, such a connection to each rod section enables this to be done at relatively low cost, and without the need for any moulding to be performed directly on to the glass fibre rods. Each upper joint 24 of the tent frame shown in Figure 1 is shown in greater detail in Figures 9 to 16. The joint 24 comprises two joint parts 66 and 68 to which are connected the outer and inner ends respectively of the upper and intermediate rod sections 16 and 18. The rod sections 16 and 18 are connected and secured to their associated joint parts 66 and 68 each in the same manner as the inner end of the rod section 16 is connected to the connector 40. The joint part 68 is also provided with a hook-like clip 70 from which may be suspended the fabric sheet material of the tent shown in Figure 1. The two joint parts 66 and 68 are pivotally connected together by means of a pivot 72 which has a transverse turning axis offset from the common elongate axis of the rod sections 16 and 18. The joint part 66 has a female retaining part of the joint 74 which opens towards the joint part 68 as shown in Figure 13. The joint part 68 has a corresponding male retaining part 76 which is received in the female retaining part 74 of the joint part 66. A slider 78 has a thumb-pad 80 extending around the outside of a portion of the joint part 68 and an inner serrated portion 82 which forms part of the male retaining part 76. Corresponding serrations on the rest of the male part 76 and also on the inside of the female part 74 engage the serrations of the slider 78. The flexure of the rib 14, as a result of the inward pull of the tent material, tends to break the joint 24 to pivot the male retaining part 76 out of engagement with the female retaining part 74. However, the interengaging serrations prevent this from happening, unless and until the user operates the slider to disengage the female and male retaining parts 74 and 76. To enable such disengagement to happen, the male retaining part 76 is so dimensioned and positioned in relation to the pivot 72 and the female part 74 that a gap 84 is present between the female retaining part 74 and the male retaining part 76 on the pivot side of the joint 24. Furthermore, a transverse end portion 86 which extends from and is integrally moulded with the slider 78 is urged towards the rod section 16 by a helical compression spring 88 provided in a spring cavity 90 of the joint part 68. As a result, the joint 24 may be pushed inwardly towards the tent as shown in Figure 1 until the gap 84 is closed and the interengaging serrations of the female part 74 and the slider 78 disengage. The slider 78 may now be pulled outwardly from the female retaining part 74 against the restoring force of the compression spring 88. This enables the whole joint now to be folded by pivoting the joint parts 66 and 68 relative to one another about the pivot 72 until the male retaining part 76 is entirely clear of the female retaining part 74. This enables the tent to be dismantled. Upon erection of the tent, the same steps are followed in reverse order. The relative positioning of the two joint parts 66 and 68 when the tent frame is in its collapsed condition is shown in Figure 17. Each lower joint 26 shown in Figure 1 is shown in greater detail in Figures 18 to 26. It connects the outer end of the rod section 18 to the upper end of the rod section 20. It has a similar construction to the joint 24, but is simpler. Thus the slider 78, transverse part 86, helical spring 88 and cavity 90 are omitted, and instead the male retaining part 76 has one side rounded off into a curve 92 having its radius of curvature centred on the axis of the pivot 72. Furthermore, the female retaining part 74 is extended in the longitudinal direction on its side further from the pivot 72 to provide an abutment part 94. Finally, it should be noted that the pivot 92 is on the opposite side of the rib 14 relative to the pivot 72 of the joint 24, so that it folds in the opposite sense. Because of this, the flexure of the rib 14 under the tensioning forces of the tent shown in Figure 1 tend to rotate the rod section 20 in a clockwise sense about the pivot 72 viewing the joint 26 as in Figure 22. However, the abutment of the male retaining part 76 against the female retaining part 74 inhibits this, as does the abutment of the joint part 68 of the joint 26 against the abutment part 94. At the same time, there is nothing to prevent folding of the joint in the reverse sense upon collapse of the tent, such folding being facilitated by the rounding off of the male retaining part 76. Each foot 22 of the tent frame 10 shown in Figure 1 is shown in Figures 27 to 29. It comprises a synthetic plastics generally arrowhead-shaped pad 96 having a central raised portion 98 which slopes upwardly in an intended outward direction of the pad 22. This sloping portion has a generally rectangular aperture 100 for receiving the bottom end of the associated rib 14. Further apertures which are provided in the pad 96 comprise a generally circular hole 102 at the point of the arrowhead, through which a tent peg can be inserted, an elongate slot 104 at the opposite end of the arrowhead shape for attachment of the fabric sheet material of the tent shown in Figure 1, and two side apertures 106 for receiving an end of a porch-supporting rod (not shown in Figure 1). Such a rod may have both ends connected to respective feet to form a hoop to which a porch may be attached. As shown in Figures 31 and 32, the bottom end of each rod section 20 is provided with a foot connector 108. This has a generally hollow cylindrical portion 110 which receives the bottom end of the rod section 20, the latter being connected to the foot connector 108 in the same manner as the inner end of each rod section 16 is connected to the connector 40. Thejouter end of the foot connector 108 is provided with a synthetic plastics portion 112 which has a head 114 provided with resilient reversed lugs 116 which spring outwardly after the head 114 has been inserted through the aperture 100 so that the lugs 116 abut the underside of the pad 96 and inhibit removal of the foot connector 108 therefrom unless and until the lugs 116 are squeezed together. The ends of the porch rod (not shown in Figure 1) are provided with foot connectors and are attached to associated feet in substantially the same manner, as shown in Figure 30. However, the apertures 106 have locating recesses 107, so that the recesses 107 of respective adjacent pads 96 are engaged by corresponding axially-extending locating protuberances 113 on respective foot connectors 108 at opposite ends of the porch-supporting rod (not shown in Figure 1). This inhibits rotation of the latter relative to the pads 96, and since the latter are prevented from rotation relative to the ground by the ribs of the tent, the porch-supporting rod cannot rotate about its own axis. This ensures that if the rod is made of two or more sections connected by a simple joint or joints as shown in Figure 26, so that the rod is collapsible when removed from the pads 96 but is arched against collapse of the joints when attached to the pads 96, the rod is prevented from rotating when thus attached, so that it is inhibited from collapsing accidentally when it is in use. In addition, because the porch rod is secured at both ends to respective pads 96 that also hold the main ribs, the latter also prevent the pad 96 being lifted from the ground by the resilience of the porch rod. It will be appreciated that the presence of the apertures 106 symmetrically disposed in the pads 96 enables each pad to be used on both the left-hand side of a porch and the right-hand side thereof. It is desirable for each pad 96 to have sufficient clearance from the ground to allow any foot connector secured thereto to be free from jamming against the ground. To this end, the pad 96 may be provided with a skirt (not shown) which extends downwardly around its periphery. It will be appreciated, that when the frame of the tent shown in Figure 1 is collapsed, the hub 12 and two diametrically opposite ribs 14 are folded in the manner shown in Figure 35, with the upper rod sections 16 being folded upwardly and then towards one another, the rod sections 18 being folded downwardly towards one another about the joints 24, and the rod sections 20 being folded upwardly and towards one another about the joints 26. The whole tent may thus be concertinaed together into a compact generally tubular elongate shape. Inserts may be fitted into the slots 46 after the connector 40 has been attached to the bar 36 to inhibit removal therefrom. Whilst six ribs 14 are shown radiating from the hub 12, any number from three to nine inclusive would be acceptable. The tent sheet material may comprise an inner skin (not shown) to reduce condensation, and a groundsheet (not shown). Whilst the joints or hinging mechanisms are preferably made of Verton®, other plastics materials could be used, or aluminium could be used.

Claims: A tent or canopy frame device comprising a hub (12) from which radiate a multiplicity of ribs (14) when the device is in use, in which the hub (12) is provided with a multiplicity of retaining portions (36) which extend in a tangential direction and which are spaced apart around the hub (12), and a multiplicity of abutment portions (38) positioned outwardly of the retaining portions (36) respectively, characterised in that the device further comprises respective rib-end portions (40) provided with respective recesses (46) which are open in an intended upward direction and which receive the retaining portions (36) respectively when the device is in use, with the undersides of the rib-end portions (40) abutting the abutment portions (38). A tent or canopy frame device according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining portions (36) each comprise a bar (36) having both of its ends attached to or integral with the main body of the hub (12). A tent or canopy frame device according to claim 2, characterised in that each bar (36) is of generally circular cross-section. A tent or canopy frame device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each retaining portion (36) extends across an associated aperture (34) of the hub (12). A tent or canopy frame device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the hub (12) is of generally circular shape. A tent or canopy frame device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the abutment portions (38) extend around the periphery of the hub (12). A tent or canopy frame device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that respective retaining inserts are attached to the rib-end portions (40) over the retaining portions (36) when the latter are received in the said recesses (46), to inhibit removal of the rib-end portions (40) from the hub (12). A tent or canopy frame device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the rib-end portions (40) are made separately from such ribs (14), and connected to the intended inner ends of such ribs (14) when in use. A tent or canopy frame device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the rib-end portions (40) are at least partly hollow and generally cylindrical to receive the intended inner ends of such ribs (14) when in use. A tent or canopy frame device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each of the said recesses (46) in the rib-end portions (40) comprises a channel (46) which extends transversely of the rib-end portion (40) and which is generally U-shaped in cross-section with the arms of the "U" spaced apart by a distance which is substantially the same as the cross-sectional diameter of the associated retaining portion (36), thereby to inhibit twisting of the associated rib (14) when the frame (10) is assembled. A tent or canopy frame (10) characterised by a hub device (12) made in accordance with any preceding claim, and a multiplicity of ribs (14) which radiate from the hub (12) when the device is in use. A tent or canopy comprising a tent frame (10) in accordance with claim 11, characterised in that the ribs (14) are attached to the hub (12) to extend outwardly therefrom and downwardly therefrom with sheet material (28) being attached to the frame (10) to create a tent or canopy with the frame (10) outside and above it.

Inventors: FOX CLIFFORD ROYSTON, FOX, CLIFFORD ROYSTON
Applicants: FOX DESIGN INT, FOX DESIGN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Application year: 1995
Main classification: E04H15
IPC codes: E04H15