Patent Abstract:
A furniture joinery comprises a slide rail having a plurality of grooves, at least one slide block slidably disposed in the slide rail, the slide block having a plurality of slides for engaging the slide rail, at least one of the plurality of slides having a neck and a head, the grooves receiving the neck therein.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   None. 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, ETC. 
   None. 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a mounting assembly and more particularly to mounting assembly for use in a tent, for example, which is used during tailgating activities. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Portable tents are utilized for various events such as tailgating and wedding receptions, outdoor dining and the like. At times, during unexpectedly hot weather, tents can become extremely warm rendering users therein uncomfortable. In order to alleviate this problem, it is preferable that, where the tent is tall enough to accommodate such device, a ceiling fan be used to move air within the tent. However, tents come in various sizes and shapes so mounting these air movers is difficult. 
   Likewise, lighting is sometimes a problem inside tents. A mounting assembly for positioning a luminaire is desirable, in addition to or independently of the fan assembly as described above. 
   Given the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a tent canopy mounting assembly is desired which may be used with various tent constructions and which allows for easy installations of suspended electrical equipment and which allows for connection of a power supply to operate the electrical equipment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A tent canopy mounting assembly comprises a body, a first mounting bar, a second mounting bar disposed opposite the first mounting assembly, the first and second mounting bars each pivotally connected to the body. The first mounting bar and the second mounting bar each including at least one finger for capturing a tent canopy structure. The first and second mounting assemblies each having mounting blocks connected to the body. The mounting blocks pivotably connecting the first and second mounting bars to the body. The first and second mounting bars are substantially T-shaped. The body is a planar structure. The tent canopy mounting assembly further comprises a cord and electrical connector in electrical communication with a junction box. The tent canopy mounting assembly further comprises a ceiling fan depending from the body and in electrical communication with the cord and the electrical connector. The tent canopy mounting assembly further comprises a light depending from the body and in electrical communication with the electrical connection. 
   A tent canopy mounting assembly comprises a first substantially T-shaped hanger bar, a second substantially T-shaped hanger bar opposite the first hanger bar, at least one first mounting block, the first hanger bar pivotally connected to the at least one first mounting block, at least one second mounting block, the second hanger bar pivotally connected to the at least one second mounting block, a planar body, the at least one first mounting block and the at least one second mounting block disposed on the planar body. The at least one first mounting block being two opposed mounting blocks. The at least one second mounting block being two opposed mounting blocks. The tent canopy mounting assembly further comprises at least one finger disposed at an end of the hanger bar. The at least one finger being two fingers. 
   A mounting assembly for a tent canopy, comprises a tent having a canopy structure, a first hanger bar depending from the canopy structure pivotally connected to at least one mounting block, a second hanger bar depending from the canopy structure pivotally connected to an opposed at least one mounting block, each of the at least one mounting blocks positioned on a body; and, a fan connected to the body. The mounting assembly for a tent canopy further comprises a power cord extending from the mounting assembly and in electrical communication with the fan. The mounting assembly for a tent canopy further comprises a rectifier and a battery in electrical communication with the power cord and the fan. The fan is powered by AC and DC power. The mounting assembly for a tent canopy further comprises fingers depending from ends the first hanger bar and the second hanger bar. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a foldable tent frame; 
       FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the foldable tent frame of  FIG. 1  with a tent canopy mounting assembly; 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view of the tent canopy mounting assembly and an exemplary fan; 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the tent canopy mounting assembly with the pivotable mounting bars; 
       FIG. 5  depicts a top perspective view of the tent canopy mounting assembly and fan, with pivotable mounting bars in a downward position; 
       FIG. 6  depicts a top perspective view of the tent canopy mounting assembly suspended from the tent canopy structure; 
       FIG. 7  depicts a schematic view of a power system utilizing AC and DC power with the tent canopy mounting assembly; and, 
       FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of an alternative design. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a tent  10  is depicted. The exemplary tent  10  comprises a frame defined by four vertical legs  12  positioned at corners of the tent  10 . The present embodiment depicts four vertical legs or posts  12  however, for larger tents, additional posts may be utilized to cover larger areas and may therefore are considered to be usable with the mounting assembly. The vertical posts  12  are depicted as being square in shape however, it should be understood that the posts  12  may have a circular cross-section or alternative structural shapes which are known to one skilled in the art for structural design. 
   The tent frame further comprises horizontal support structures  14  extending between the vertical posts  12 . The exemplary horizontal support structures  14  are foldable truss designs which allow the tent  10  to be folded into a storable size without disconnecting all of the parts forming the tent  10 . Thus, erection of the tent  10  is fast and easy, however, it is should be understood that the tent  10  need not be foldable, but instead may have a rigid design. Thus, the horizontal supports  14  and/or the vertical posts  12  may alternatively comprise rigid structures, such as channels, square or round posts or the like. 
   Extending from the upper portions of the vertical posts  10  are tent top structures  16  which define a square pyramidal shape for the canopy or top of the tent  10 . Although the exemplary tent canopy is square pyramidal in shape, the shape should not be considered limiting as other shapes may be utilized which work with the canopy mount described further herein. 
   The tent top structures  16  are pivotally connected to the vertical posts  12  at one end and to a top adapter allowing pivotal motion of each tent top structure  16  to define the square pyramidal top design of tent  10 . Between adjacent tent top structures  16 , a first support area  17  is defined. Spaced  180  degrees from the first support area  17  is another support area  17 . Likewise, positioned between the first support areas  17 , spaced  90  degrees therefrom, are second support areas  19  also defined between adjacent tent top structures  16 . The support areas  17 , 19  are generally triangular in shape however the shape may vary with the shape of the canopy, as previously described. The tent top structures  16  are generally depicted as pivotally connected however, as previously indicated, the tent  10  need not be foldable but instead, the frame may be rigid. It should, therefore be understood by one skilled in the art that the present tent design  10  should not be considered as limiting and other tent frame structures may be utilized and may be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
   The tent  10  is shown without fabric on the canopy or extending between the vertical posts  12 . The tent  10  may have fabric extending between the tent top structures  16  to define the pyramidal top area and may or may not have fabric extending between the vertical posts  12  to enclose the tent  10 . The tent  10  may be used for various occasions such as tailgating, wedding receptions, outdoor parties or the like where the tent fabric extending between the vertical posts  12  may or may not be desired. However, the tent  10  should not be limited to one of the structures having the fabric or not having the fabric extending between the vertical posts  12  as either structure is considered to be a useable construction. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view is depicted of the tent  10  of  FIG. 1  and further comprising a canopy mounting assembly  20  having a fan  22  depending therefrom. The canopy mounting assembly  20  is suspended from the tent canopy so that a fan  22 , a light or other electrical device may be safely positioned within the tent for use by those within the tent structure. The tent canopy mounting assembly  20  is shown positioned within opposed first support areas  17  however, the mounting assembly  20  may alternatively be positioned in the second support areas  19  by generally rotating the assembly  20  about 90 degrees. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the canopy mounting assembly  20  and fan  22  are depicted in exploded perspective view. The canopy mounting assembly  20  comprises a body  30  having an upper surface  32  and a peripheral edge  34 . The body  30  is depicted as being circular in shape however, such shape is merely exemplary and should not be considered limiting as alternative shapes may be utilized. The body  30  may be solid or hollow and has a plurality of apertures  35  for connection of additional structure described further herein. Disposed above the body  30  is a first mounting or hanger bar  40 . The mounting bar  40  further comprises a pivoting bar  44  extending between opposed first blocks  36 . The first blocks  36  are fastened to the body  30  by utilizing the fastening apertures  35  and fasteners  37 , however, as shown in  FIG. 8  the mounting blocks may be integrally formed in the body  30 . The first mounting blocks  36  each comprise an aperture for receiving the pivoting bar  44 . The mounting bar  40  is generally T-shaped and connected to the pivoting bar  44 . The ends of the mounting bar  40  comprise fingers  41  to engage the tent top structures  16  and retain the mounting bar  40  in position within the first support area  17  or the second support area  19  depending on the mounting orientation. Since the tent top structures  16  angle from a top downwardly to a wider spacing at the posts  12 , the mounting bar  40  will find a neutral position where the fingers  43  engage the structures  16 . The mounting bar  40  and fingers  41  are depicted as having a circular cross-section however, alternative structural shapes may be used, such as square, triangular, channel or the like. Further, the mounting bar  40  may have alternate shapes, other than T-shaped, for example the lower portion of the bar  40  may comprise more than one bar and may not be perpendicular to the upper portion having the fingers  41 . 
   The body  30  further comprises second opposed mounting blocks  38  positioned on the upper surface  32  and receiving fasteners  37  which extend through the apertures  35  in the body  30 . The second mounting or hanger bar  42  further comprises a pivoting bar  46  which is shown extending through the mounting blocks  38  for pivotal motion relative to the body  30  and blocks  38  fastened thereto. The mounting or hanger bar  42  is substantially T-shaped with fingers  43  depending therefrom. Like mounting bar  40  and fingers  41 , the mounting bar  42  and fingers  43  are depicted as being generally circular in cross-section however alternative structural shapes may be utilized which allow for pivotal motion of the bars  40  and  42  relative to the body  30 . The fingers  43  extend over the tent top structures  16  opposite mounting bar  40 . Like mounting bars  40 , the fingers  43  will seek a neutral position where the top structures  16  are engaged. According to an alternative embodiment, the blocks  36 , 38  may be formed integrally with the body  30 . In such embodiment, the blocks  36 , 38  would extend upwardly, at least in part, above the upper surface of the body  30  so that apertures for the pivot bars  44 , 46  are exposed. This allows pivoting motion of the bars  44 , 46 . Also, in either embodiment, the bars  44 , 46  may be stationary relative to blocks  36 , 38 , and the bars  36 , 38  may include a pivot bearing or the like located between the pivot bar  44  or  46  and the remaining portions mounting bar  40 ,  42 . 
   The body  30  further comprises a central aperture  50  through which a wire or conduit providing electrical communication with the fan  22  may extend. The fan  22  is connected to the body  30  by fasteners or other known structure (not shown). On the upper surface of the body  30  is a junction box  54 . The conduit or wire  52  extending from the fan  22  extends into the junction box  54  wherein wire connections are made. Extending from the junction box  54  is a second conduit or wire  56  which may be connected to a power supply (not shown). The junction box  54  is depicted as being fastened to the body  30  however, as shown in  FIG. 8  the junction box  54  may be formed integrally with the body  30  so that the junction box  54  is flush with the upper surface of the junction box  54  or so that it integrally extends from the upper surface of the body  30 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of the canopy mounting assembly  20  is depicted. The body  30  is shown connected to the blocks  36 ,  38  wherein pivot bars  44  and  46  are located respectively. In this assembled condition, the mounting bars  40 ,  42  are pivotally movable through an arc of about 180 degrees. The pivotal motion of the mounting bars  40 ,  42  allows the canopy mounting assembly  20  to be positioned between tent top structures  16  having various degrees of angular spacing within the first support area  17  or second support area  19 . In addition to this pivoting feature, the fingers  41 ,  43  at distal ends of the mounting bars  40 ,  42  capture the tent top structures  16  to retain the mounting canopy  20  regardless of the angular spacing between the tent top structures  16  and regardless of the angle of the tent top structures  16  from the tent top to the posts  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the tent canopy mounting assembly  20  is shown connected to the fan  22 . The mounting arms  40 ,  42  are pivoted downwardly to depict the range of motion of the mounting arms  40 ,  42  in one direction. The configuration of the assembly  20  provides a low profile preferable for shipping. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a top perspective view of the tent canopy mounting assembly  20  is depicted including the fan  22 . The tent top structures  16  are also depicted such that the mounting bars  40 ,  42  are pivoted upwardly. In this position, the tent canopy mounting assembly  20  may depend from the tent top canopy structure  16  such that the fan  22  may be operated within the tent  10  during tailgating activities or the like. It should be understood that various electrical devices may be utilized with the assembly  20 , instead of fan  22 . For example, a light assembly may be suspended from the canopy structures  16  or other such devices. 
   In order to install the tent canopy mounting assembly  20 , one of the mounting bars  40 ,  42  is folded upwardly into the position depicted in  FIG. 6  while the other remains folded down in the position shown in  FIG. 5 . The upwardly extending mounting bar  40  depends from the tent top mounting structure  16  so that the fingers capture two of the tent top structures  16 . With the opposite side of the body  30  pushed upwardly toward the mounting structures  16 , the second mounting bar  42  is folded upwardly over the two remaining tent top structures  16  so as to engage the fingers. After this is completed, the mounting bars  40 ,  42  depend from the tent top structure first support area  17 . The same process may be utilized in order to connect the canopy mounting assembly  20  within the second support areas  19 . In order to do so however, the mounting assembly  20  should be rotated 90 degrees about a vertical axis before connecting the mounting bars  40 ,  42 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a schematic view of an alternative power supply system is depicted. The structures shown in the schematic view may be formed in an assembly and connected to the mounting assembly  20 . The first embodiment utilized an alternating current (AC) power system which had to be connected to an AC power source via an extension cord  56  extending from the junction box  54 . However, at locations where the tent  10  and canopy mounting assembly  20  are utilized, AC power may not be available. Accordingly, the structures depicted in  FIG. 7  allow for the use of alternating current or direct current (DC) so that the exemplary fan  22  may be utilized where an AC power supply is not available. The schematic figure depicts an AC plug  156  which may be utilized to power the fan  22  or to charge a DC power circuit. The DC power circuit  153  comprises a rectifier/charger  154  and a battery  155 . The AC power supply  156  provides AC power to the rectifier/charger  154 . The AC power is converted to DC power and directed to the battery  155  in electrical communication therewith. The battery  155  charges and is in electrical communication via the power cord  150  with the fan  22 . When the AC power  156  is removed from the system, the fan  22  will run from the power stored in the battery  155 . However, if the AC power is available  156 , the fan  22  will run from the AC power which is converted through the DC power circuit  153 . This circuitry may be installed on the upper portion of the mounting assembly  20  cleared of the pivotal mounting bars  40 ,  42 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an alternative mounting assembly  120  is shown. The alternative assembly  120  has a body  130  having a height or thickness dimension which is greater than body  20 . The body  130  may by partially or completely hollow. The increased height provides a location for positioning of a junction box  154  integrally within the body  130 . The junction box  154  may further include a removable door or plate which allows for access within the junction box  154 . Due to the hollow design of the body  130 , the embodiment may comprise a battery and charging system as show in  FIG. 7  positioned in the interior portion of the body  130 . The body  130  also comprises mounting blocks  136  and  138  integrally formed therein. The integral construction of the junction box  154  and the mounting blocks  136  and  138  allows the body  130  to be formed of a lightweight impact-resistant moldable material. This design costs less to manufacture and is lightweight, a desirable characteristic for a hanging assembly. A fan  122  is depending from the body  130  but may include alternative components such as a light or other electrical equipment desirable for use in a tent. 
   The foregoing description of several methods and an embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4