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RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Serial No.: 10-2007-0110930, filed Nov. 1, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed subject matter is directed to apparatus and methods for joining supporting structures, such as flexible poles, that are used to support structures such as tents. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Camping and backpacking tents are designed to be light-weight, compact and easily and quickly set up. As such, all modem tents are made of highly flexible fabrics and a structurally supportive assembly of poles. The total structural assembly is usually referred as a “pole set”. The “pole set” includes multiple poles, each of the poles are formed from multiple sections. Typically, pole sections are strung together longitudinally with an elastic cord to provide a small longitudinal tensioning force that facilitates pole assembly and handling during set up. 
         [0004]    For example, tent poles are typically assemblies of long tubes that are longitudinally interconnected by slide-fit joints to make long thin structural supports. These poles are flexed into curved shapes that then interface with and support the tent fabric For example, a classic two-pole wedge tent for two people would typically have a simple pole set comprised of two 146.5″ long, straight poles, each pole composed of ten 16″ long sections, each section with means to interconnect with the next section resulting in a 1.5″ overlap in length at each of the nine interconnections; the pole sections being held together by an elastic shock cord threaded lengthwise down the middle of the tubular sections. 
         [0005]    Increasingly, modem tents have branched pole structures due to between-pole interconnections. This is done to save weight and to increase strength. In the case of clipping the poles to fabric, there are two distinct types of clips. One type simply encircles the pole and another kind mates to components fixed on the pole. 
         [0006]    Erecting a conventional tent includes laying out the fabric body of the tent, assembling the pole sections into poles, and connecting the poles to the tent. In the case of sleeves in the tent, the poles are threaded through the sleeves by being slid through the long thin channel of fabric, that is the sleeve. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to thread an interconnected or branched pole through a sleeve. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosed subject matter is directed to an apparatus for facilitating the interlocking of support poles in a quick and easy manner, normally as one of the last steps in setting up the requisite structure, just before the structure is erected. As used herein, “structure” is a collective term for any form of shelter, enclosure, dwelling, housing, or the like, and may include a tent. This allows for easy set up of the structure, and allows for new support configurations to be used for structures. 
         [0008]    The present disclosed subject matter allows for tent poles to be attached to each other in a robust and convenient manner once the tent is substantially erected. This attachment may occur after poles have been threaded through sleeves in the tent fabric and/or clips have been used to attach the tent poles to the tent fabric. 
         [0009]    The present disclosed subject matter includes a clipping structure, allowing for the apparatus to clip to the tent fabric. This clipping structure allows a branched and interconnected pole structure to be installed and removed, with minimal strength and difficulty, even by inexperienced outdoors people. For example, separate poles may be selectively attached and removed from an apparatus of the disclosed subject matter rather than as a single unwieldy unit. 
         [0010]    The apparatus of the present disclosed subject matter allows the poles to be interlocked after they have been assembled into the desired supporting structure. This may occur both before and after the poles have been threaded through sleeves in the tent fabric. For example, after the pole is threaded, the apparatus of the disclosed subject matter allows the pole to be interlocked to a mating pole, thus establishing an interlocking pole structure for the tent. Additionally, disassembly of the poles from the apparatus of the disclosed subject matter is easier, when compared to conventional tent pole assemblies. 
         [0011]    The apparatus of the present disclosed subject matter also allows the relative positioning of poles that have been secured together. 
         [0012]    The disclosed subject matter is directed to an apparatus for connecting at least a first pole and a second pole. The apparatus includes a body, for example, of a resilient material. The body includes a bore extending through the body, that receives and retains a first pole. There is also a channel extending into the body for receiving a second pole in a snap-fit, or other interlocking fit, and retaining the pole in the channel in a locking manner. The channel is shaped so as to be partially cylindrical, of, for example, a cross sectional shape that is partially rounded or partially circular. The partially cylindrical shape extends into the body, and is, for example, of an arc greater than 180°. The channel includes an open area, defining an opening for receiving the second pole. The body is such that the bore and the channel are, for example, oriented substantially perpendicularly to each other. The channel may also include grooves and/or protruding ridges for receiving poles with ring members, for seating in the grooves, or gaps, for fitting over the protruding ridges, respectively, for additional securement of the pole in the channel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]    Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tent showing the disclosed subject matter in an exemplary operation; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of an alternate arrangement of apparatus of the disclosed subject matter of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the body of the first embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the body of the first embodiment taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6-9  are cross-sectional views of the first embodiment taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 3  showing pole assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the body of the second embodiment taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional of assembly of mating pole ends for the second embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 13-16  are cross-sectional views of the second embodiment taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 10  showing pole assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 11  showing the pole assembly complete; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the body of the third embodiment taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the disclosed subject matter showing pole assembly complete; 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment shown in  FIG. 22  taken along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 25A and 25B  are cross-sectional views of the fourth embodiment shown in  FIG. 22  taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  is a side view of an apparatus in accordance with the fourth embodiment shown in an exemplary operation attached to tent fabric; 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; 
           [0035]      FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 27 , taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; and, 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 29 , taken along line  29 - 29  of  FIG. 29 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a pole connector apparatus P 1  (representative of pole connector apparatus  100   a,    100   b,    100   c,    100   d,    100   f,  and  100   g,  all detailed below) in an exemplary operation in use with a tent  10 , for connecting tent poles  50 ,  60 , that form the support for the fabric  20  of the tent  10 . The poles  50 ,  60 , for example, are flexible, and may be flexed or flex into curved shapes (orientations). The tent material  20  may include material loops  21  for receiving the tent poles  50 ,  60 . Apparatus P 1  may include a clip  300  ( FIG. 24 ) that allows it to attach to the fabric  20  of the tent  10 , to further support the fabric  20 .  FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but a tent  10   a  includes multiple connector apparatus, a central apparatus P 1  and peripheral apparatus P 2 , that connect tent poles  50 ,  60 ,  70  in an alternate manner. Similar to apparatus P 1 , apparatus P 2  is also representative of apparatus  100   a,    100   b,    100   c,    100   d,    100   f,  and  100   g,  all detailed below. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows a connector apparatus  100   a  in an exemplary operation with tent poles  50 ,  60 . The tent poles  50 ,  60  are typically identical and universal, of lightweight materials, such as polymers, composites, metals, fiberglass, and the like, and may be assembled from male  51 ,  61  (with edge surfaces  51   a,    61   a  and extension portions  51   b,    61   b ) and female  52 ,  62  segments (with edge surfaces  52   a,    62   a  and receiver portions  52   b,    62   b ) (and also  FIGS. 6-9 ). These segment  51 ,  52 ,  61 ,  62  receive each other in a slideable manner in a male-female fit. The fit is frictionally snug, when the poles  50 ,  60  are flexed, such that the poles  50 ,  60  remain attached, until the segments are unflexed and separated from each other by strong manual pulling forces from a human, when the structure which the poles  50 ,  60  support is being disassembled 
         [0040]    Turning also to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the connector apparatus  100   a  includes a body  100 , with a channel  110 , that includes an opening  111 . The channel  110  is, for example, of a partially circular cylindrical shape, at a first end E 1  of the body  100 . This channel  110  receives the pole  50 , for example, along its surface  111   a  in a frictionally secure engagement, such as a snap fitting engagement. For example, the channel  110  may be of a slightly lesser curvature, than the curvature of the pole  50 , to additionally facilitate the frictional engagement. Additionally, the arc of the channel  110  attributable to the space of the opening  111  is less than 180°, or alternately, less than half the circumference of the channel  110  (and accordingly, the arc formed by the channel surface  111   a  is greater than 180°, or alternately, greater than half the circumference of the channel  10 ) so that the pole  50 , when inserted into the channel  110  is engaged and interlocked therein (as shown, for example in  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0041]    Legs  112  with openings  113  into the body  100  are positioned laterally to the channel  110 . The leg openings  113  provide additional resilience (elasticity or spring-like behavior) to the legs when during pole engagement and interlocking, as detailed below. An outwardly tapered ledge  111   b  may extend from the periphery  111   c  of the channel  110 , to provide a clear path for the pole  50  upon engagement into the channel  110  (detailed further below). 
         [0042]    Openings  120  are in the midsection M of the body  100 , and a bore  121  extends between the openings  120 . The bore  121 , for example, includes portions of two diameters, a smaller diameter portion  121  a between larger diameter portions  121   b.  The difference in the diameter portions  121   a,    121   b  creates a shoulder  121   a′ ( FIG. 5 ) that serves as a stop surface or limit of travel for pole segments  61 ,  62 , or poles  60 , that are placed into and engaged in the bore  121 , through the respective openings  120 . The bore portions  121   a,    121   b  are of a diameter that allows the pole segments  61 ,  62  or poles  60 , to be slid into the respective portions  121   a,    121   b  through the openings  120 , and remain retained in the portion  121   a  in a frictionally tight manner along the surface  121   x  (between the shoulders  121   a′ ). The surface  121   x  is of constant length (the length indicated by the dimension “x” in  FIG. 5 ), and although shown as continuous, may be discontinuous. 
         [0043]    The opposite end E 2  of the body  100  terminates in a foot  130 . The foot  130  may attach to a clip or the like, that is for fastening the body  100  to the fabric of the tent or other structure, as shown in  FIG. 26  and described below. 
         [0044]    The body  100  is, for example, a unitary member, made of resilient materials such as plastics, elastomers and the like that allow for a pole to be snap fit into the channel  110  and frictionally engaged therein, as well as frictionally engaged in the bore portion  121   a.  Example materials, suitable for use as the body include, Polycarbonates, such as LEXAN® (General Electric Plastics) and Acetyl, such as DELRIN® (DuPont). The body  100  may be formed of these materials by conventional forming techniques, such as injection molding, machining, and the like. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 6-9  show a cross sectional view of the body  100 , to show the connector apparatus  100   a  in an exemplary connection operation, where tent poles  50 ,  60  are connected. Initially, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a male tent pole segment  61  has been inserted (for example, by sliding) into the bore portion  121   a.  This male tent pole segment  61  (the extending portion  61   b ) is received in the female segment  62  (in the receiving portion  62   b ), for example by sliding into a male-female engagement, that is given sufficient tolerance so as to allow force transfer without noticeable wobble, yet be easy to take apart by hand when disassembling. There is a gap  63  between the edge  61   a  of the male member  61 , and the edge  62   a  of the female member  62 , for example, of a length “G.” This length “G” is, for example, slightly greater than the length “x”, and corresponds to the small diameter bore portion  121   a,  as the respective edge surfaces  61   a,    62   a  abut shoulders  121   a′  of the bore portion  121   a,  with a tolerance limiting their travel and movement in the bore  121 . 
         [0046]    Continuing in  FIG. 7 , the pole  50  now rests on the ledge  111   b  at the opening  111  of the channel  110  (outside of the channel  110 ). The pole  50  is now ready to be attached to the body  100 , by being pushed into the channel  110  of the body  100 , in the direction of the arrow  150 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the inward pushing of the pole  50  into the channel  110  (in the direction of the arrow  150 ) causes the legs  112  of the body  100  to flex outward, in the direction of the arrows  152 . Once the pole  50  seats in the channel  110 , the legs  112  snap back (inward) to their initial positions or similar to these initial positions (depending on the curvature of the channel  111 ) moving in direction of the arrows  154 . With the legs  112  having returned to an inwardly oriented position, the pole  50  is frictionally engaged in the channel  110  of the body  100  (and the pole  50  is in contact with the surface  111   a  of the channel  110 ), as shown in  FIG. 9 . Alternately, in this interlocked position, the pole  50  may be in contact with some of the surface  111   a  of the channel  110  (for example, as shown in  FIG. 16 ). 
         [0048]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show another embodiment apparatus  100   b  of the disclosed subject matter. This apparatus  100   b  is similar to apparatus  100   a,  in components, construction and materials. Identical and/or similar components for this apparatus  100   b  have the same numbers, as those for apparatus  100   a,  and these components are in accordance with the descriptions above, for apparatus  100   a.  The differences between apparatus  100   b  and apparatus  100   a  are detailed below. 
         [0049]    The apparatus  100   b  includes a groove  114  in the channel  110 , in the body  100 . The groove  114  is cut into the body  100  at the channel  110 , and is of a depth and width suitable for accommodating a ring  200  or other surrounding member on the pole  50 , that is engaged in the channel  110 . For example, the depth of the groove  114  is such that the pole  50  can rest in the channel  110  in frictional contact with all or some of the channel surface  111   a,  while the width of the groove  114  is slightly greater than the width “g” of the ring  200 , as shown in  FIG. 12  to receive the ring  200  in a frictionally secure manner. The ring  200 , when seated in the groove  114  of the channel  110 , prevents the pole  50  from sliding, once the pole  50  is engaged or interlocked in the channel  110 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 12-17  detail an exemplary assembly of tent poles  50  and  60  into the apparatus  100   b.    FIG. 12  details assembly of the pole  50  from a male segment  51  and a female segment  52 . The male segment  51  includes a main portion  51   b′  from which the extension portion  51   b  protrudes. The extension portion  51   b  is of a lesser diameter than that of the main portion  51   b′,  such that a shoulder  51   a′,  defining an edge surface  51   a,  is formed at the junction of the portions  51   b′,    51   b.  The edge surface  51   a  of the shoulder  51   a  serves as a limit of travel for the ring  200  (or the female segment  52  at its edge surface  52   a  should the ring  200  not be present). 
         [0051]    The extension portion  51   b  is, for example, of a constant diameter, such that the ring  200  can slide onto the portion  51   b  and remain thereon in a frictionally snug manner, and the receiving portion  52   b  of the female segment  52  receives the extension portion  51   b  as it slides into the receiving portion  52   b,  in a frictionally snug manner. In a typical engagement, to define a connected pole  50 , the ring  200  abuts the edge surface  51   a,  and the edge surface  52   a  (of the receiving portion  52   b  of the female segment  52 ) abuts the ring  200 . The ring  200  is, for example, of a width slightly less than “g” (the gap  53  in the pole  50  between segments  51 ,  52 ) and is dimensioned to sit in this gap  53  upon the pole  50  being fully assembled (for engagement and retention in the channel  110 ). In  FIG. 13 , the pole  60  has been connected to the apparatus  100   b,  similar to that for apparatus  100   a,  detailed above. The now connected pole  50  is positioned with respect to the body  100  of the apparatus  100   b,  such that the ring  200  aligns with the groove  114 . The pole  50  is moved into contact with the channel  110 , in the direction of the arrow  160 , such that the ring  200  seats in the groove  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . 
         [0052]    Continued movement in the direction of the arrow  160  causes the legs  112 , to move outward, in the direction of the arrows  162 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . Once the pole  50  seats in the channel  110 , the legs  112  snap back (inward) to their initial positions or similar to these initial positions (depending on the curvature of the channel  110 ) moving in direction of the arrows  164 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . With the legs  112  having returned to an inwardly oriented position, the ring  100  is seated in the groove  114 , with the surface of the pole in frictional contact with all or some of the surface  111   a  of the channel  110 . The pole  50  is engaged in the channel  110  of the body  100 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . While the apparatus  100   b  has been shown with a single groove  114 , multiple grooves  114  in the channel  110  are also possible. These multiple grooves may accommodate a pole  50  with one or more rings  200 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 18 and 19  show another embodiment apparatus  100   c  of the disclosed subject matter. This apparatus  100   c  is similar to apparatus  100   a,    100   b  in components, construction and materials. Identical and/or similar components for this apparatus  100   c  have the same numbers, as those for apparatus  100   a  and  100   b,  and these components are in accordance with the descriptions above, for apparatus  100   a  and  100   b.  The differences between apparatus  100   c  and apparatus  100   a  and  100   b  are detailed below. 
         [0054]    The apparatus  100   c  includes a ridge  115  in the channel  110 , in the body  100 . The ridge  115  protrudes from the surface of the channel  110 , and is of a height suitable for accommodating a corresponding gap  53 , in the pole  50 . For example, the gap  53  may be formed along the extension portion  51   b  of the male segment  51 , between the edge surface  51   a  of the male segment  51  and the edge surface  52   a  of the receiving portion  52   b  of the female segment  52 . The gap  53  may be, for example, of a height and a width “g” ( FIG. 21 ) suitable for holding the pole  50  (that is correspondingly configured) in a frictionally secure engagement, to prevent sliding of the pole  50  in the channel  110 . Assembly of the poles  50  (pole  50  of  FIG. 18 ),  60  into the apparatus  100   c  is similar to that described above for apparatus  100   a  and  100   b.  The resultant engagement of the poles  50 ,  60  in the apparatus  100   c,  is similar to that described above for apparatus  100   a  and  100   b,  and shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . 
         [0055]    While the apparatus  100   c  has been shown with a single ridge  115 , multiple ridges  115  in the channel  110  are also possible. These multiple ridges may accommodate a pole  50  with one or more gaps  53 . 
         [0056]    Alternately, apparatus similar to apparatus  100   a,    100   b  and  100   c  may be such that the channel  110  may include grooves  114  and ridges  115  in any number, provided they accommodate corresponding rings  200  and/or gaps  53 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 22-25B  show another embodiment apparatus  100   d  of the disclosed subject matter. This apparatus  100   d  is similar to apparatus  100   b  in components, construction and materials. Identical and/or similar components for this apparatus  100   d  have the same numbers, as those for apparatus  100   b,  and these components are in accordance with the descriptions above, for apparatus  100   b.  The differences between apparatus  100   d  and apparatus  100   b  are detailed below. 
         [0058]    The apparatus  100   d  includes openings  120 , that include base holes  122  and outwardly tapered opening sections  124 , that allow the pole  60  to pivot therein, for example, in the direction of the double headed arrow  170 . The openings include base holes  122 . The bore portion  121   a  includes cam surfaces  126 , that form the major surfaces of the bore portion  121   a  (the minor surfaces of the bore portion  121   a  are between the major surfaces, and are represented by the line  126   x  in  FIG. 24 ). The cam surfaces  126 , for example, are diamond-like in shape and formed of edges  126   a.  The edges  126   a  are formed of curved portions  127  and straight portions  128 . The cam surfaces  126  are symmetrical, concentric (and coaxial along the axis Y 1 ) and disposed opposite to each other. The cam surfaces  126 , as shown further in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , are, for example, of a width between the curved edges  128 , and between oppositely oriented straight edges  128 , slightly less than the length (dimension) G′ (that may be equal to the length (dimension) G, detailed above) of the gap  63  between the male  61  and female  62  sections of the pole  60 . The cam surfaces  126  are such that they serve as a guide for the pole  60 , upon pivoting (in the direction of the double headed arrow  170 ). 
         [0059]    For example, in  FIG. 25A , the pole  60  is in an initial orientation, where the gap  63  extends between the curved portions  127  of edges  126   a  of the cam surfaces  126 . Once pivoted, as shown in  FIG. 25B , by movement in any direction of the arrow  170   a,  the gap  63  extends between the straight portions  128  of the edges  126   a,  with the pivoting limited, as the respective male  61  and female  62  sections of the pole  60  abut their respective opening sections  124 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 26  shows apparatus  100   d,  exemplary of apparatus  100   a,    100   b  and  100   c,  in an example operation. In this operation, the body  100 , via the foot  130 , is connected to a clip  300 . The clip  300  may be, for example, a conventional spring clip. The clip  300  engages a tab  310  of material of the tent  20  in a clamping manner, to hold the tent  20  on the respective poles. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 27 and 28  show another embodiment apparatus  100   f  of the disclosed subject matter. This apparatus  100   f  is similar to apparatus  100   d  in components, construction, materials and operation, as it allows for a pole (for example, a pole  60  similar to that shown in  FIGS. 22-25B ) to pivot in the bore  121 . Identical and/or similar components for this apparatus  100   f  have the same numbers, as those for apparatus  100   d,  and these components are in accordance with the descriptions above, for apparatus  110   d.  Apparatus  100   f  differs from apparatus  100   d  only in that the legs  112 ′ are not open (when compared to the legs  112  of apparatus  100   d ) and the body  100  is solid in its midsection M, except for the bore  121 . 
         [0062]      FIGS. 29 and 30  show another embodiment apparatus  100   g  of the disclosed subject matter. This apparatus  100   g  is similar to apparatus  100   f  in components, construction, materials and operation, as it allows for the pole  60  to pivot in the bore  121 . Identical and/or similar components for this apparatus  100   g  have the same numbers, as those for apparatus  100   f,  and these components are in accordance with the descriptions above, for apparatus  100   f.  Apparatus  100   g  differs from apparatus  100   f  only in that it has a wide base  131  and lacks the foot  130  of apparatus  100   f,  at the end E 2  (opposite end E 1 ). 
         [0063]    While preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been described, so as to enable one of skill in the art to practice the disclosed subject matter, the preceding description is intended to be exemplary only. It should not be used to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter, which should be determined by reference to the following claims.

Summary:
An apparatus and system allows for poles, for example, tent poles, to be interlocked after they have been assembled into the desired supporting structure. The apparatus includes a body with a bore extending through the body for accommodating a pole and a channel extending into the body for accommodating another pole. The channel facilitates attachment of the pole in a snap-fit or other interlocking fit. The poles may be formed of segments, for example, that join together in male-female fits.