Abstract:
A foldable tent and connector devices for retaining a pair of pivotally connected tent poles. The tent comprises a pair of arched foldable frame members pivotally interconnected by way of a coupling member. The connector device comprises male and female components lockably pivotally coupled to one another to permit positioning of the poles such that the poles are axially aligned in an aligned configuration and such that the poles are pivoted 180 degrees substantially parallel and adjacent to each other in a folded configuration. The male component includes an axially extending first guiding member and a first locking member formed on the inner projection, and the female component includes a second guiding member and a second locking member. A release button is provided for ready set-up and/or folding of the tent. The first and second locking members secure the poles in alignment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a foldable or collapsible tent, and more particularly to a foldable or collapsible tent having locking joint assembly for retaining a pair of pivotally connected poles of the foldable tent. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Camping is a popular recreational activity often employing the use of tents or tent like structures. Owing to the economical and practical set-up aspects, as well as portability, tents are frequently utilized by nature enthusiasts and amateur campers alike. Generally, tents are constructed of a sheet of fabric or material draped over or attached to a frame consisting of poles and supporting rope. Smaller tents are generally free-standing or secured to the ground, while large tents are generally anchored using guy ropes tied to tent pegs or stakes. 
         [0005]    Conventional tent set-up, for both small and large tents, often require time consuming assembly for use, especially when taking into account the number of poles involved and the anchoring requirements, and fabric placement in securing the tent structure. Assembly efforts can become even more difficult during twilight or night hours when lighting is poor, or during inclement weather. Disassembly of the convention tent structure yields the same problems, as well as the need to orderly dismantle the tent pieces. 
         [0006]    A popular alternative to conventional tents include foldable or pop-up tents. These tents are commonly referred to as “instant tents,” “one-touch tents” or “pop-up tents,” and erecting and collapsing the tent is easy and less time consuming than conventional assemble-to-use tents. Generally the cover and frame assembly of foldable tents are permanently attached to each other, i.e., preassembled. Instant tents are particularly advantageous for smaller tents because a minimal number of poles, typically four, are required and thus erecting and collapsing the instant tent is quite simple. 
         [0007]    Typical variations of foldable tents include a central hub with a plurality of poles pivotally attached to the hub. However, erecting and collapsing of these foldable tents can be challenging to the user. As each pole member is pivotally attached to the hub, each pole must be locked in place during set-up to secure the assembled structure. Wherein dirt or debris accumulates within the joints of the central hub, locking the poles in place during set-up of the tent, and/or unlocking the poles when collapsing the tent can become difficult. 
         [0008]    With all the pivoting moving parts, often jams and joint breakage occur, rendering the foldable tent virtually unusable. Specifically, the increased number of poles and pole sections requires extra steps to erect and collapse the tent. Moreover, with an increased number of poles it can become more difficult to consistently fold the tent structure, and the resultant folded tent is more cumbersome in nature and heavier to carry. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0010]    The present invention is intended to overcome at least the above-described disadvantages. The objects and advantages of the present invention, more specifically, are to provide a foldable instant tent assembly with minimal moving parts and with minimal pole structures for easy ready set-up and collapsibility. 
         [0011]    Facilitating the above-mentioned objectives, the subject invention provides a foldable instant tent that utilizes dual a frame assembly traversing channels within a tent cover. The dual frame assembly is constructed having two arched foldable frame members each having proximal and distal ends. Proximal and distal ends of each of the arched frame members terminate at and are pivotally connected by way of a coupling member. The two arched foldable frame members do not touch one another when the tent is in the erected position (lest there may be some touching at the proximal and distal ends) and converge or gape away from one another as the tent material pulls the arches in opposing directions. A first pivotal coupling member is provided along the upper frame portion of each of the frame members. A second pivotal coupling member is provided along the side frame portions of each of the frame members. Pivotal coupling members are provided as locking pivotal connectors having female and male components pivotally coupled together so that the connectors operate to lock when the coupling member is aligned as when the tent is in the erected position. To collapse or fold the tent, the lock is released, causing the male component to release from within the female component and allow the poles to pivot each 90 degrees/180 degrees so that the poles are substantially parallel and adjacent to each other in a folded configuration. 
         [0012]    In one aspect of the present invention a foldable tent for instant set-up and collapsing is provided. The foldable tent comprises a frame assembly attached to a tent cover, the frame assembly including at least one pair of arched foldable frame members each having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of each of the arched frame members being pivotally connected to a coupling member. Each of the arched foldable frame members comprise an upper frame portion pivotally connected to a pair of side frame portions. The upper frame portion includes a first pole section and a second pole section, wherein each pole section has an inner end and an outer end, the inner ends of the first and second sections of the upper frame portion being pivotally connected together by a first pivotal coupling member. Each of the side frame portions include a primary pole section and a secondary pole section. Each pole section has an innermost end and an outermost end. The outermost end of the primary pole section is pivotally connected to a corresponding outer end of the upper frame portion by a second pivotal coupling member. The innermost end of the primary pole section and the secondary pole section are slidingly coupled together so that the primary and secondary pole sections telescopically slide together. The outermost end of the secondary pole section is pivotally connected to the coupling member. The tent cover is adapted to become taut when the arched foldable frame members are erected, pulling the arched foldable frame members away from one another and retaining an erected configuration of the foldable tent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    To better understand the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the foldable tent of the present invention in an open configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the foldable tent of  FIG. 1  with the frame assembly in a partially collapsed or folded configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the foldable tent of  FIG. 1  in a partially folded configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the foldable tent of  FIG. 1  in a fully folded configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the coupling member of the foldable tent of  FIG. 1 , wherein the foldable tent is in the open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a pair of arched frame members of the foldable tent of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration as also shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the frame members of  FIG. 6  with the side frame members in a retracted position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the frame members of  FIG. 6  in the partially collapsed configuration; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of the frame members of  FIG. 6  in the partially collapsed folded-over configuration shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the frame members of  FIG. 6  in a fully collapsed configuration as in  FIGS. 3-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0024]    To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Additionally, to assist in the description of the present invention, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , views of a preferred embodiment of the foldable tent of the present invention are shown. The foldable tent  1  generally includes a frame assembly  3  with a cover  5  attached thereto. The frame assembly  3  traverses channels or sleeves  4  within the cover  5 . The cover  5  includes at least one securing member  6  for securing the tent cover  5  to a surface, such as the ground. Preferably, securing member  6  is a loop wherein a stake or the like is placed for securing foldable tent  1  to the ground. Most preferably, a securing member  6  is located at each corner location of tent  1 . 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment, the frame assembly  3  includes at least two arched foldable frame members  7 ,  8 , each having a proximal end  9  and distal end  10  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The proximal and distal ends,  9 ,  10  of each of the arched frame members  7 ,  8  are pivotally connected and terminate at a coupling member  81  (see  FIG. 5 ; detailed description below). The pair of arched foldable frame members  7 ,  8  are substantially identical and are independent and detached from each other, each terminating at the coupling member  81  where they are each pivotally anchored. While anchored within the coupling member  81 , frame members  7 ,  8  pivot away from one another when the foldable tent  1  is in the erected configuration, and fold toward and abut one another when the foldable tent  1  is in the folded configuration. The cover  5  of the foldable tent  1  includes a plurality of cover members fixedly attached together by conventional sewing methods to form an enclosed shelter having a top section  27 , bottom section  28  and a plurality of side sections  29  located between the arched frame members  7 ,  8 . In the preferred embodiment, each frame member  7 ,  8  rests at an angle relative to a central vertical plane such that the apex of the frame members  7 ,  8  is higher than the top section  27  of the tent cover  5  of the foldable tent  1 . When erected, the frame members  7 ,  8  angle away from the center line resulting in the top section  27  of the cover  5  becoming taut. As portions of the top section  27  near the frame members  7 ,  8  are at a higher elevation a decline is formed toward the central vertical plane and also toward the side sections  29 . This facilitates a downward run off near the frame member  7 ,  8 , and on the top of the tent  1  in general, thus preventing any accumulation of water or debris on the top section  27  of the cover  5 . 
         [0028]    One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that more than one set of arched frame members  7 ,  8  could be included in the tent assembly without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the distance separating the frame members  7 ,  8  as well as the height difference between the frame members  7 ,  8  could vary. Moreover, the frame members  7 ,  8  are preferably arched having a curvature, however it is contemplated that the frame members  7 ,  8  could be less curved and formed more linear or pyramidal. 
         [0029]    The cover  5  includes an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface  15 . In the preferred embodiment, the cover  5  is a fabric constructed from materials such as cotton, polyester or nylon, or any combination thereof and is water repellant and/or water resistant and flame retardant. The cover  5  can also be constructed with heat reflecting material and other materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the side sections  29  of the cover  5  gradually extend further outward than the top section  27  of the cover  5  so that the side sections  29  of the cover  5  are formed on an incline. The bottom section  28  thus extends further outward than the top section  27  as well as side sections  29 . The incline of side sections  29  further ensure that water or debris cannot accumulate on the cover  5 . Instead, owing to the incline construction of the side section  29 , as well as the construct of the top section  27  discussed hereinabove relative to the frame members  7 ,  8 , water travels downward toward the bottom section  28  of the tent  1  to the ground surface. The adjoining cover members form seams  13  throughout the cover  5  and additional seams  13  are formed from adjoining sections that form windows and doors. A continuous flexible adhesive tape (not shown) is preferably applied to the seams  13  on the inner surface of the cover  5  to prevent rain water, other liquids or debris from penetrating the cover  5  through the seams  13  from the outer surface  15 . In the preferred embodiment, the top section  27  of the cover  5  is attached to the upper frame members  21  by a plurality of channels/sleeves  4  which are attached at the horizontal seams  13  of the top section  27  of the cover  5  by conventional sewing methods. The sleeves/channels  4  extend substantially along the entire length of each upper frame members  7 ,  8 . In this embodiment, the sleeves  4  are constructed of the same material as the cover  5  but could be replaced with other materials such as mesh. The sleeves  4  could also extend over pivotal coupling members  41 , positioned on a central portion of each upper frame members  7  so that the cover  5  is protected from damage by the coupling members  41  when the tent  1  is folded. In such case, the portions of the sleeves covering the pivotal coupling members  41  are preferably mesh so that the coupling members  41  could be viewed by the user. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the channels/sleeves could also be replace by a plurality of hooks or other attachment means (e.g., hook-and-loop, hook-and-eye) without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Other portions of the cover  5  could be attached to the frame assembly  3  by additional hooks or other attachment means as well. The cover  5  could also be provided with a plurality of attachment means, e.g., a string made of high-strength material, to attach to hooks or apertures provided on the first pivotal coupling member. One of ordinary skill will recognize that other components or accessories, such as a rain fly or any other modification to the inner and outer surfaces of the cover, such as a door mat extension, rain hood, or other gear could be added to the foldable tent  1  of the present invention. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-10 , each arched frame member  7 ,  8  is constructed having an upper frame portion  21  and a pair of side frame portions  31 . Side frame portions  31  include the proximal end  9  and distal end  10  of the frame member  7 ,  8 . Upper frame portion  21  includes a first pole section  23  and a second pole section  25 . Preferably, pole sections  23  and  25  are arched or curved in nature when the tent  1  is in an open configuration to form the arch of the frame members  7 ,  8 , and include an inner end  27  and an outer end  29 . In the folded configurations, as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , the poles sections  23 ,  25  return to a straight configuration. In the preferred embodiment, each section  23 ,  25  is constructed of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) for increased flexibility while maintaining strength, but other flexible high-strength materials could be used. Inner ends  27  of the first and second sections  23 ,  25  of the upper frame portion  21  are pivotally connected together by a first lockable pivotal coupling member or connector device  41 . In a preferred embodiment, the lockable pivotal coupling member or connector device  41  is that shown in FIGS. 17-26 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/572,622 (filed Aug. 11, 2012) (“the &#39;622 Application”) and described in detail therein, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other locking devices could be used, including those described in the &#39;622 Application. 
         [0031]    Each side frame member  31  includes a primary pole section  33  and a secondary pole section  35 , each having an innermost end  37  and an outer/outermost end  39 . In the preferred embodiment, the primary pole section  33  and the secondary pole  35  are constructed of a substantially hollow, tubular pole constructed of steel. However, other high-strength, light-weight materials could be used as well. For example, the primary pole section  33  could be constructed of FRP. The primary pole section outermost end  39  of each side frame member  31  is pivotally connected to a corresponding outer/outermost end  29  of the upper frame member  21  by a second pivotal coupling member  51 . 
         [0032]    Continuing with  FIGS. 6-10 , the primary and secondary pole sections  33 ,  35  of each side frame member  31  are slidingly coupled together. In the preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of the secondary section  35  is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the primary section  33  such that the primary section  33  is telescopically slidable within the secondary section  35 . The inner end  37  of the secondary section  35  is provided with a locking member or stopper  32  such that the primary section  33  is prevented from extending out of the secondary section  35 . Each telescoping primary section  33  includes a spring loaded detent pin (not shown) for indexing in an aperture (not shown) provided in each corresponding secondary section  35  for locking the sections  33 ,  35  in an extended position as shown in  FIG. 6 , and depressing the detent pin to disengage the aperture to unlock and retract the secondary section  35  as shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . It is preferred that the length of the secondary section  35  is substantially similar to the length of the primary section  33  such that when retracted substantially all of the primary section  33  is stored within the secondary section  35 . Each outer/outermost end  39  of the side frame secondary section  35  may also include an end cap (not shown) for engagement with the coupling member  81  which is described in more detail below. 
         [0033]    One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that multiple aligned apertures could be included in each side frame member secondary section  35  such that the side frame member  31  could be adjusted to different lengths. It will also be recognized that any other conventional means for connecting the side frame member sections  33 ,  35  could be used, including but not limited to other slidable and pivotal connections. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the coupling member  81  of the foldable tent of  FIG. 1 , wherein the foldable tent is in the open position. In the preferred embodiment the coupling member  81  is constructed of an elongated base plate  181  having an inner chassis  182  having two opposing walls  182   a ,  182   b  extending substantially perpendicular therefrom and integrally formed thereto. The proximal and distal ends  9 ,  10  of each of the opposing arched frame members  7 ,  8  are pivotally connected to the inner chassis  182 . Generally, proximal and distal ends  9 ,  10  located on each outer/outermost end  39  of the side frame secondary section  35  is attached to coupling member  81  by way of a guide pin (not shown), preferably a fastener such as a screw, allowing each frame member  7 ,  8  to pivot or rotate on the coupling member  81 . Preferably, the guide pin is secured end to end with the inner chassis walls  182   a ,  182   b  and the guide pin passes through each side frame secondary section  35 . Such configuration allows the frame members  7 ,  8  to pivot on the coupling member  81 , to expand away from one another when the tent  1  is erected, and to contract toward one another when the tent  1  is collapsed (such as in the folded over configurations of  FIGS. 8-10 ). 
         [0035]    In operation, referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , the foldable tent  1  is erected by unfolding the cover  5  and frame assembly  3  as shown in  FIGS. 2-4  and  8 - 10 . Each corner of the cover  5  is extended until the cover bottom section  28  is fully expanded and taut, and stakes are applied to the securing members  6  of each corner of the cover  5  to secure the cover  5  to a surface. Stakes can also be applied to the straps  6 ′ of each coupling member  81  (see  FIG. 5 ). Each frame member  7 ,  8  is positioned in a substantially upright position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The upper frame member first and second sections  23 ,  25  are aligned and pushed toward each other to lock the first pivotal coupling member  41  of the upper frame member  21  into a locked state as shown in  FIG. 6 ,  7 ,  14   a - 14   b . The side frame member first section  33  is extended from the side frame member second section  35  and the two sections  33 ,  35  are locked in an extended configuration as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Once the frame members  7 ,  8  are fully extended and locked the cover  5  becomes taut due to the geometrical constraints of the overall configuration of the tent  1  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The cover  5  exerts a generally downward and inward force on the frame assembly  3  which aides in maintaining the tent  1  in the open configuration. The tent  1  is folded in reverse order as described above. 
         [0036]    The instant tent  1  of the present invention provides for a simple, easy, quick set up and folding while also providing a compact folded configuration for convenient storage and transport. Moreover, the minimal number of parts allows for efficient manufacturing and, even though the risk of any parts failure is minimized by providing a stable tent structure, in the event that there is any failure in parts replacing those parts is not difficult. 
         [0037]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.