Patent ID: 7607445

Claim:
A pole assembly for holding and supporting tent sheets, the assembly comprising a plurality of tubular segments connectable together end-to-end to form a pole defining an arch adapted to be supported at ends thereof by a selected one of a base member and a ground portion, wherein said segments are adapted to be connected together by intermediate elements to form the pole, the intermediate elements being adapted to be inserted into said segments, wherein each of the intermediate elements comprises a generally cylindrically shaped part having two ends adapted respectively to engage ends of said segments, the intermediate element ends being offset inwardly and adapted to enter said tubular segments; and a tensioning element adapted to be hung from each of the intermediate elements on an inside of the arch, with said tensioning element comprising a cord adapted to be tensioned against the pole in areas at the ends of the pole against the selected one of the base member and the ground; wherein said shaped part is provided with a circumferential groove spaced from the ends thereof and adapted to receive an open-sided hook connected to said tensioning element.