Abstract:
A pole brace and ballasting device having a weight container adapted to retain and discharge a dry or fluid load bearing material therein, designed to be positioned upright against a tent pole or poles, of adequate length and sufficiently ridged to brace a pole. A clamp or clamps for attachment to a variety of pole dimensions both angular and round while allowing for the closing of the tent&#39;s outer protective cover with the capacity to selectively suspend the ballasting load to increase its effectiveness.

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0001]     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise materials, arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0002]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention attached to a telescoping pole  
         [0003]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the weight container taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1   
         [0004]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the pole brace and ballasting device taken along the lines  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1   
         [0005]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of pole clamp block  11 .  
         [0006]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating the pole brace and ballasting device in  FIG. 1  used for supporting tent poles.  
         [0007]      FIG. 6  is a sectional top view of the pole clamp assembly horizontal pole through hole  34  taken along the lines  5 - 3  in  FIG. 1   
         [0008]      FIG. 7  is a top sectional view of the pole brace and ballasting device taken along the lines  5 - 3  in FIG. 1  showing the pole clamp assembly attached to a cut-away section of a round tent pole. 
     
    
     KEY TO DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      10  pole brace and ballasting device  
         [0010]      11  pole clamp block for attaching the pole brace and ballasting device to a pole  
         [0011]      12  fastener for drawing clamp blocks against a pole.  
         [0012]      13  connecting channel for pole clamp block  11   
         [0013]      14  top wall of weight container  22   
         [0014]      15  bottom wall of weight container  22   
         [0015]      16  threaded opening for charging and discharging a fluidic or dry ballasting load  
         [0016]      17  threaded plug for opening  16   
         [0017]      18  aperture for receiving fastener  12   
         [0018]      19  pole clamp block jaw  
         [0019]      20  connecting projection for engaging clamp block with the corresponding connecting channel  13  of weight container  22   
         [0020]      21  wing nut  
         [0021]      22  weight container  
         [0022]      23  adjustable pole clamp assembly  
         [0023]      24  slip resistant surface  
         [0024]      25  upper tent pole element of a telescoping pole  
         [0025]      26  tent  
         [0026]      27  turn slot  
         [0027]      28  lower tent pole element of a telescoping pole  
         [0028]      29  tent pole  
         [0029]      30  tent pole base plate  
         [0030]      31  pole clamp block outer jaw  
         [0031]      32  tent canopy  
         [0032]      33  pole clamp block inner jaw  
         [0033]      34  horizontal pole through hole  
         [0034]      35  round pole  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0035]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1 a  pole brace and ballasting device  10  in accordance with the present invention. By way of illustration and not by limitation, pole brace and ballasting device  10  is of a generally square and elongated compact configuration designed to be positioned upright against a ten pole  29  (Best seen in  FIG.5 ) minimizing the risk to the public of tripping or entanglement. Pole brace and ballasting device  10  comprises a hollow container  22  which is preferably constructed of a rigid and leak proof synthetic plastic material of adequate width and length so as to contain enough weight to provide sufficient ballast while bracing two elements of a telescoping pole. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an internally threaded opening  16  located at the central portion of the top wall  14  of weight container  22  can be tightly closed by inserting an externally threaded sealing plug  17  by means of turn slot  27  for selectively charging and discharging a dry or fluid load bearing material therein; it being understood that opening  16  and plug  17  may be located at other suitable locations on weight container  22 .  
         [0036]     Shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , is the adjustable pole clamp assembly  23  containing a right and left pole clamp block  11 . Pole clamp connecting channel  13 , which can be formed or attached, is set in a perpendicular direction of tent pole elements  25  and  28  in two exterior walls, at about a right angle to each other, of weight container  22 . Pole clamp block  11  is operatively connected to pole clamp channel  13  by connecting projection  20  (best seen in  FIG. 4 ). Upon engaging pole clamp connecting channel  13 , pole clamp block  11  is movable toward and away from stationary tent pole  29  permitting the enlargement or reduction of the horizontal pole through hole  34 . This operative connection allows for the attachment to a variety of pole dimensions. After adjusting said discrete pole clamp blocks  11  relative to each other along pole clamp connecting channel  13 , clamp jaw  19  and slip resistant surface  24 , preferable rubberized, are brought to bear against the pole and a properly sized horizontal pole through hole  34  is formed. Inserting fastener  12 , being of sufficient length to engage two discrete pole clamp blocks  11 , into common aperture  18  and tightening wing nut  21  draws the right and left clamp blocks  11  together thereby tightly griping the pole and completing the formation of the adjustable pole clamp assembly  23 . It being understood, however, any other suitable tightening method such as a draw latch or threaded fastener and imbedded mating collar may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0037]     As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as previously stated the pole clamp assembly is made up of two discrete pole clamp blocks  11  each having a clamp jaw  19  set about a  
         [0038]      90 ° angle composed of an inner  33  an outer jaw  31 . Upon engagement of each said discrete pole clamp block  11  to the pole clamp connecting channel  13 , the inner jaws  33  of each pole clamp block  11  will automatically position in a perpendicular direction to its corresponding connecting channel  13  and the outer jaws  31  position in a parallel direction to its corresponding pole clamp connecting channel  13 ; forming a square horizontal pole through hole  34 . Being so arranged permits the pole clamp assembly  23  to readily and effectively secure to a round  35  or square pole  29 .  
         [0039]     In addition to being suitable for a round or square pole of a variety of pole dimensions, pole clamp assembly  23  in conjunction with weight container  22  of the present invention may also be used to brace a telescoping tent pole. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , weight container  22  is secured between pole elements  25  and  28  by means of the compressing force of pole clamp assembly  23  set in a lateral series along weight container  22  to effectively brace tent pole elements  25  and  28  together thereby strengthening tent pole  29 .  
         [0040]     As best seen in  FIG. 5 , is the position and elongated nature of weight container  22  in relation to tent pole  29  and tent  26 . In this manner the mass of pole  29  is substantially increased by way of the column formed by weight container  22  with the option of selectively positioning the pole brace and ballasting device  10 , by use of the pole clamp assembly  23 , from coming in contact and at rest with the ground and up toward the weightless canopy  32  to further increase its effectiveness and reduce the wind&#39;s ability to cause severe differential displacement, or racking.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , pole clamp assembly  23  engaged with pole clamp connecting channel  13  along weight container  22  forms said square horizontal pole through hole  34  and aligns it diagonally with the right angle of the connecting channel. This will permit the diagonal positioning of pole brace and ballasting device  10  to an inside corner of a square tent pole or tent&#39;s perimeter thereby enabling the closing of a pole-using tent&#39;s outer protective cover during inclement weather or to provide security when the tent is unoccupied.  
         [0042]     Referring back to  FIG. 7 , is shown the pole clamp assembly  23  attached to a round pole. When the use of a tight fitting protective cover is applied about a round or square pole, it has been determined that a preferably thickness of about 9 mm or less of the outer jaw  31 , of pole clamp block  11 , will permit deployment of the tent cover.  
         [0043]     The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that there are numerous alternatives, modifications or substitutions which may be made which still would be within the intended spirit and scope of the invention.