Improvements in Tents.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 19th May, 1894
Improvements in Tents.
1, JAMES BIRKMYRE, of The Gourock Ropework Company, of Port Glasgow,
in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is
to say :-
My said invention relates to tents such as are commonly constructed with upright
poles placed so as to enclose a space of a square, or oblong, or other form; and its
object is principally to render the poles independent of separate support or steadying
by rope or other stays, and to enable the tent to be speedily erected or taken down
with little labour or assistance. The improvements are also applicable to central
or other tent poles.
In carrying out my invention I provide for each tent pole a stake to be driven
into the ground and furnished with appliances to receive and hold the tent pole.
Various modifications of holding appliances or devices may be adopted; and
examples thereof are shown on an accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings
which are hereinafter referred to.
Figure, 1, of the drawings is a perspective view of the skeleton of a tent having
four corner posts, A, with two additional posts, B, for a kind of portico.
Figures, 2, to, 7, are enlarged sections showing various modifications of the device
for securing the poles.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
For holding each pole, A, or B, as shown in Figures, 1, and, 2, there is provided
a wooden stake, C, which is shod with iron and is driven into the ground. The
part of the stake, C, above the ground has fixed to it two metal straps or socket
pieces, D, of galvanized iron or brass, and into these socket pieces the squared
lower end of the pole, A, or, B, is inserted. By this means each pole, A, or, B, is
held steadily and securely in an upright position, and in erecting the tent it is not
necessary for a pole to be held by one operator whilst another is placing another
pole and connecting the two together, the diagonal ties ordinarily used for that
purpose being dispensed with. The poles, A, having been erected the horizontal
strips, E, usually consisting of light wood mouldings with metal end eyes, are
hooked on the spikes at the tops of the poles, as are also the ends of the roof frame
or "parachute," F, and the skeleton is then ready to receive the canvas and to be
finished in the ordinary way.
In the modification shown in Figure, 3, a metal stake, G, is employed and is
made tubular to receive the pole, A, which is made long enough to enter the
socket thus provided for it. In the modification shown in Figure, 4, a metal stake, H,
is also provided but is formed with a tubular socket part, J, extending above the
ground, and adapted to receive a pole, A, of ordinary length. In the modification
shown in Figure, 5, the stake, K, is also of metal. It is made with a part, L, extending
above the ground, this part being solid and the pole, A, having a tube, M, fixed to
its lower end to fit upon the part, L, of the stake. In Figure, 6, a wooden stake, N,
is shown having metal straps, P, fixed to the part of it above the ground, these straps
crossing recesses formed in the side of the stake. The pole, A, shown detached in
Figure, 7, has fixed to it metal tongues, Q, which enter the recesses in the stake

page_text: and interlock with the metal straps, P, the pole then being in close contact with the
stake as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure, 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
For holding upright poles of tents, providing stakes with sockets or equivalent
devices for receiving the lower ends of the poles or parts fixed thereto, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Thistoonth dowos A 1001
EDMUND HUNT,.
Applicant's Agent.