EP1975346B1

EP1975346B1 - Quickly pitching tent with multiple extendable poles and its method of use

Info

Publication number: EP1975346B1
Application number: EP20070006672
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jack Chen
Original assignee: Sportsman Corp
Current assignee: Sportsman Corp
Priority date: 2007-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-30
Publication date: 2009-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-30
Also published as: DE602007001578D1; ES2330050T3; EP1975346A1

Description

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a quickly pitching tent, especially to a quickly pitching tent with multiple extendable poles and its method of use.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

Work and life in modem society are hectic and stressful. Many people go camping on weekends to break the hectic pace of their daily lives and escape from the stress. A tent is a necessary piece of camping equipment. To reduce time to pitch and strike tents, "pop up" tents that can be quickly pitched and quickly struck were developed. A conventional pop up tent comprises multiple poles. Each pole has a top section, a middle section, a bottom section and two joints. The joints are mounted respectively between the top and middle sections and the middle and bottom sections to allow the sections to pivot relative to each other.
The lengths of the middle and bottom sections determine the height of the tent, and the length of the top section determines the width of the tent. Because the heights of most tents are the same to correspond to an average height of a human, the lengths of the middle and bottom sections between most tents are the same. The width of the tent needs to be changed to accommodate different numbers of campers. However, the sections of the poles have the same lengths to facilitate storage of the conventional quickly pitching tent. Therefore, width of the, conventional quickly pitching tent is constant and is not easily changed.
The document US-B1-6,776,179 discloses a quickly pitching tent according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a frame comprising a center hub and multiple poles mounted respectively pivotally on the center hub, and each pole comprising a top section mounted pivotally on the center hub, a middle section connecting pivotally to the top section and a bottom section connecting pivotally to the middle section (c.f. fig. 1), and the top, middle and bottom sections having the same length,
two joints mounted respectively between the sections to pivotally connect the sections to each other; and a cloth housing suspending on the frame and having a canopy and multiple flexible loops attached securely between the canopy and the frame.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a quickly pitching tent with multiple extendable poles to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a quickly pitching tent with multiple extendable poles. The tent has a frame and a cloth housing. The frame has a center hub and multiple poles mounted respectively pivotally on the center hub. Each pole has an extendable top section, a middle section, a bottom section and two joints. The top section has an outer tube having a guide groove, an inner tube and a guide sleeve. The inner tube is mounted slidably in the outer tube and selectively extending out of the outer tube. With the cooperation between the guide groove and the guide sleeve, the inner tubes extend stably out of the outer tubes. The joints are mounted respectively between the sections to pivotally connect the sections to each other. The top sections are extendable to change the width of the tent. Therefore, the tent can accommodate different numbers of campers. Furthermore, when the top sections are completely retracted, the top, middle and bottom sections have the same length to facilitate storage of the tent.
The quickly pitching tent, as defined by claim 1, comprises:
A frame comprises a center hub and multiple poles mounted respectively pivotally on the center hub. Each pole comprises top section mounted pivotally on the center hub and having an outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and an inner tube mounted slidably in the outer tube and selectively extending out of the proximal end of the outer tube. A middle section connects pivotally to the top section. A bottom section connects pivotally to the middle section. When the inner tube is entirely retracted in the outer tube, the top, middle and bottom sections have the same length. Two joints are mounted respectively between the sections to pivotally connect the sections to each other. A cloth housing suspends on the frame and has a canopy and multiple flexible loops attached securely between the canopy and the frame. The quickly pitching tent according to the present invention is furthermore specified in that each outer tube has an outside wall, an inside wall and a guide groove formed longitudinally in the inside wall of the outer tube and protrudes from the outside wall of the outer tube. Each inner tube has an inside end. Each top section further has a guide sleeve mounted securely in the inside end of a corresponding inner tube, mounted slidably in a corresponding outer tube and having an outside wall and a guiding protrusion formed longitudinally on and extending from the outside wall of the guide sleeve and mounted slidably in the guide groove of the corresponding outer tube.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a quickly pitching tent in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a top section of a pole of the tent in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a side view in partial section of the top section in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a joint of the tent in Fig. 1;
Fig, 5 is another exploded perspective view of the joint of the tent in Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a partially perspective view of a cloth housing and a clip of the tent in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a partially perspective view of the cloth housing and an end connector of the tent in Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a block diagram of a quickly pitching method for a tent in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 9 is an operational perspective view of the tent when the tent in Fig. 1 is completely folded;
Fig. 10 is an operational perspective view of the tent in Fig. 1 without the cloth housing when the tent is completely folded;
Fig. 11 is an operational side view of the joint in Fig. 5 when the tent is completely folded;
Fig. 12 is an operational perspective view of the tent in Fig. 1 when the tent is unfolding;
Fig. 13 is an operational perspective view of the tent in Fig. 1 when the tent is anchored to the ground;
Fig. 14 is an operational side view of the joint in Fig. 5 when the bottom and middle sections are fastened to align with each other;
Fig. 15 is an operational side view of the poles of the tent in Fig. 1 when the top sections of the poles are extended;
Fig. 16 is an operational perspective view of the tent in Fig. 1 when the center hub is pushed upward; and
Fig. 17 is an operational side view of the tent in Fig. 1 when the center hub is pushed upward.

With reference to Fig. 1, a tent quickly pitched by and struck by a method in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame (10) and a cloth housing (20).
The frame (10) comprises a center hub (30) and multiple poles (40).
The poles (40) are mounted respectively pivotally on the center hub (30). Each pole (40) comprises a top section (41), a middle section (42), a bottom section (43), an end cap (44) and two joints (45). The top section (41) is mounted pivotally on the center hub (30). The top, middle and bottom sections (41, 42, 43) connect pivotally to each other.
With further reference to Figs. 2 and 3, each top section (41) may be a circle in cross section and comprises an outer tube (411), an inner tube (412), a guide sleeve (413), a limit sleeve (414) and a resilient element (415).
The outer tube (411) has an outside wall, an inside wall, a distal end, a proximal end, a guide groove (411 a), a stop (411b) and an outer lock hole (411c). The guide groove (411a) is formed longitudinally in the inside wall of the outer tube (411) and protrudes from the outside wall of the outer tube (411). The stop (411b) is formed in and protrudes from the guide groove (411a) near the distal end of the outer tube (411). The outer lock hole (411c) is formed through the outer tube (411) near the proximal end of the outer tube (411).
The inner tube (412) is mounted slidably in the outer tube (411), selectively extends out of the proximal end of the outer tube (411) and has an inside end and an inner lock hole (412a). The inner lock hole (412a) is formed through the inner tube (412) and selectively aligns with the outer lock hole (411c) in the outer tube (411), When the inner tube (412) is retracted entirely in the outer tube (411), the top, middle and bottom sections (41, 42, 43) have the same length.
The guide sleeve (413) is mounted securely in the inside end of the inner tube (412), mounted slidably in the outer tube (411) and has an outside wall and a guiding protrusion (413a). The guiding protrusion (413a) is formed longitudinally on and extends from the outside wall of the guide sleeve (413) and is mounted slidably in the guide groove (411 a) to allow the inner tube (412) sliding in the outer tube (411) and to keep the inner tube (412) from rotating relative to the outer tube (411). The guiding protrusion (413a) selectively abuts the stop (411b) to keep the inner tube (412) from extending out of the outer tube (411) continually.
The limit sleeve (414) is mounted around the proximal end of the outer tube (411).
The resilient element (415) is mounted in the inner tube (412) and has a fastening end (415a) and a moving end (415b). The fastening end (415a) is attached securely in the inner tube (412). The moving end (415b) protrudes through the inner lock hole (412a) in the inner tube (412) and selectively protrudes through the outer lock hole (411 c) in the outer tube (411) to keep the inner tube (412) from moving relative to the outer tube (411).
The end cap (44) is attached securely on the bottom section (43). The joints (45) are mounted between the sections (41, 42, 43) to pivotally connect the sections (41, 42, 43) to each other.
With further reference to Figs. 4 and 5, each joint (45) comprises a male leaf (46), a female leaf (47), a lock (48), a bolt (49) and a nut (490).
The male leaf (46) connects to one of the sections (41, 42, 43) of the pole (40) and comprises an attachment sleeve (461) and a male head (463). The attachment sleeve (461) is mounted around the corresponding section (41, 42, 43) of the pole (40). The male head (463) is formed on an end of the attachment sleeve (461) and has an inner surface, an outer surface, a center, an edge, a keyhole (464), a keyway (465) and an arched limit groove (466). The keyhole (464) is formed through the male head (463) near the edge of the male head (463). The keyway (465) is formed radially in the keyhole (464). The arched limit groove (466) is formed in the inner surface of the male head (463) near the edge of the male head (463) and separates from the keyhole (464).
The female leaf (47) connects to the adjacent section (41, 42, 43) of the pole (40) and comprises an attachment sleeve (471) and a female head (473). The attachment sleeve (471) is mounted around the corresponding section (41, 42, 43) of the pole (40). The female head (473) is formed on an end of the attachment sleeve (471) and has an inner surface, an outer surface, a center, an edge, a lock hole (474) and a limit stub (475). The lock hole (474) is formed in the inner surface of the female head (473) near the edge of the female head (473) and selectively aligns with the keyhole (464) in the male head (463). When the joint (45) is mounted between the top section (41) and the middle section (42), the lock hole (474) aligns with the keyhole (464) while the included angle between the top section (41) and the middle section (42) is a predetermined obtuse angle such as 120 degrees, 135 degrees, 150 degrees, 160 degrees, etc. to form a roof of the tent. When the joint (45) is mounted between the middle section (42) and the bottom section (43), the lock hole (474) aligns with the keyhole (464) while the included angle between the middle section (42) and the bottom section (43) is 180 degrees to form a sidewall of the tent. The limit stub (475) is formed on and extends out of the inner surface of the female head (473), is mounted slidably in the limit groove (466) in the male head (463) and selectively abuts two ends of the limit groove (466).
The lock (48) is mounted movably in the keyhole (464) in the male head (463) and has a sidewall, an inner end, an outer end, a key (481), an annular flange (482), a spring (483), a diametric hole (484) and a pull ring (485). The key (481) is formed radially on the sidewall of the lock (48) near the outer end of the lock (48), selectively abuts the outer surface of the male head (463) and selectively aligns and engages the keyway (465) in the male head (463). When the key (481) misaligns with the keyway (465), the key (481) abuts the outer surface of the male head (463), The annular flange (482) is formed radially on the sidewall of the lock (48) near the inner end of the lock (48). The spring (483) is mounted around the lock (48) and respectively abuts the annular flange (482) and an outer end of the keyhole (464) in the male head (463). The diametric hole (484) is formed radially through the lock (48) adjacent to the outer end of the lock (48). The pull ring (485) extends through the diametric hole (484).
The bolt (49) extends through the centers of the male and female heads (463, 473). The nut (490) is screwed onto an end of the bolt (49) to hold the male and female heads (463, 473) together and to allow the male leaf (46) and the female leaf (47) to pivot relative to each other,
With reference to Figs. 1, 6 and 7, the cloth housing (20) is suspended on the frame (10) and has a canopy (21), multiple flexible loops (22), multiple clips (23), multiple end connectors (24) and multiple pegs (25). The flexible loops (22) are attached securely to canopy (21). Each clip (23) is attached securely on one of the flexible loops (22) and is mounted slidably around a corresponding one of the poles (40). Each end connector (24) connects between the canopy (21) and the bottom section (43) of one of the poles (40). The pegs (25) extend respectively through the end connectors (24) to anchor the tent to the ground.
With reference to Fig. 8, a quickly pitching method for a tent in accordance with the present invention comprises acts as follows:
With further reference to Figs. 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11, the completely folded tent is stowed in a carry bag (50) and is bound by a buckle (60). The poles (40) are folded so that the top, middle and bottom sections (41, 42, 43) are parallel with each other, The keyhole (464) of each joint (45) disaligns with the corresponding lock hole (474) of the joint (45) to allow the male leaf (46) pivoting relative to the female leaf (47).
With further reference to Fig. 12, the buckle (60) is released and the carry bag (50) is removed. The poles (40) are unfolded to pivot the bottom section (43) of each pole (40) relative to the middle section (42) of the pole (40) via the male leaf (46) pivoting relative to the female leaf (47) of each joint (45) between the bottom and middle sections (42), The limit stub (475) of each joint (45) between the middle and bottom sections (42, 43) slides along the corresponding limit groove (466) of the joint (45). The lock (48) is rotated via the pull ring (485) to align the key (481) with the keyway (465). Accordingly, the key (481) is allowed to slide in the keyway (465) and the lock (48) can be moved relative to the male head (463).
With further reference to Figs. 13 and 14, when the bottom section (43) of each pole (40) is pivoted to align with the middle section (42) of the pole (40), the keyhole (464) of each joint (45) between the bottom and middle sections (42, 43) will align with the corresponding lock hole (474) of the joint (45). With the alignment of the keyhole (464) with the corresponding lock hole (474), the lock (48) is pushed to extend into the lock hole (474) with the force provided by the spring (483) to stop the pivoting rotation of the male leaf (46) relative to the female leaf (47). Therefore, each bottom section (43) securely aligns with the corresponding middle section (42).
With further reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 15, the inner tube (412) of each top section (41) is pulled to extend out of the corresponding outer tube (411). When the inner lock hole (412a) in the inner tube (412) aligns with the outer lock hole (411 c), the moving end (415b) of the corresponding resilient element (415) protrudes out of the outer lock hole (411 c) to hold the inner tube (412).
The pegs (25) are driven respectively through the end connectors (24) to attach the poles (40) securely to the ground so as to anchor the tent to the ground.
With further reference to Figs. 16 and 17, the user pushes the center hub (30) upward to pivot the top section (4 1) of each pole (40) relative to the middle section (42) of the pole (40). The limit stub (475) of each joint (45) between the top and middle sections (41, 42) slides along the corresponding limit groove (466) of the joint (45).
With further reference to Fig. 1, when the included angle between the top section (41) and the middle section (42) achieves the predetermined obtuse angle, the keyhole (464) of each joint (45) between the top and bottom sections (41, 42) aligns with the corresponding lock hole (474) of the joint (45). Consequently, the lock (48) is pushed to extend into the lock hole (474) with the force provided by the spring (483) to stop the pivotal rotation of the male leaf (46) relative to the female leaf (47). Therefore, the included angle between the top section (41) and the middle section (42) is held to form the roof of the tent.
With the structure described before, the tent has extendable poles (40) to change the width of the tent. Therefore, the tent can accommodate different numbers of campers. Furthermore, when the top sections (41) are completely retracted, the top, middle and bottom sections (41, 42, 43) have the same length to facilitate storage of the tent.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the scope of the invention to the full extent indicated by the meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

A quickly pitching tent comprising:
a frame (10) comprising
a center hub (30); and

multiple poles (40) mounted respectively pivotally on the center hub (30), and each pole (40) comprising
a top section (41) mounted pivotally on the center hub (30);

a middle section (42) connecting pivotally to the top section (41);

a bottom section (43) connecting pivotally to the middle section (42);

two joints (45) mounted respectively between the sections (41, 42, 43) to pivotally connect the sections (41, 42, 43) to each other; and

a cloth housing (20) suspending on the frame (10) and having
a canopy (21); and

multiple flexible loops (22) attached securely between the canopy (21) and the frame (10);
characterized in that the top section (41) has
an outer tube (411) having a distal end and a proximal end; and

an inner tube (412) mounted slidably in the outer tube (411) and selectively extending out of the proximal end of the outer tube (411);
, and
wherein when the inner tube (412) is entirely retracted in the outer tube (411), the top, middle and bottom sections (41, 42, 43) have the same length; and that each outer tube (411) has
an outside wall;

an inside wall; and

a guide groove (411a) formed longitudinally in the inside wall of the outer tube (411) and protrudes from the outside wall of the outer tube (411);

each inner tube (412) has an inside end; and

each top section (41) further has a guide sleeve (413) mounted securely in the inside end of a corresponding inner tube (412), mounted slidably in a corresponding outer tube (411) and having
an outside wall; and

a guiding protrusion (413a) formed longitudinally on and extending from the outside wall of the guide sleeve (413) and mounted slidably in the guide groove (413) of the corresponding outer tube (411).
The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each outer tube (411) has an outer lock hole (411c) formed through the outer tube (411) near the proximal end of the outer tube (411);

each inner tube (412) has an inner lock hole (412a) formed through the inner tube (412) and selectively aligning with the outer lock hole (411c) of a corresponding outer tube (411); and

each top section (41) further has a resilient element (415) mounted in a corresponding inner tube (412) and having
a fastening end (415a) attached securely in the corresponding inner tubc (412); and

a moving end (415b) protruding through the inner lock hole (412a) in the corresponding inner tube (412) and selectively protruding through the outer lock hole (411c) in a corresponding outer tube (411).
The tent as claimed in claim 2, wherein each top section further has a limit sleeve (414) mounted around the proximal end of a corresponding outer tube (411).
The tent as claimed in claim 3, wherein
each outer tube (411) has a stop (411b) formed in and protruding from the guide groove (411a) near the distal end of the outer tube (411); and

each guiding protrusion (413a) of each guide sleeve (413) selectively abuts the stop (411b) of the corresponding outer tube (411).
The tent as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein each joint (45) further comprises
a male leaf (46) connecting to a corresponding section (41, 42, 43) of a corresponding pole (40) and comprising
an attachment sleeve (461) mounted around the corresponding section (41, 42, 43); and

a male head (463) formed on an end of the attachment sleeve (461) and having
an inner surface;

an outer surface;

a center;

an edge;

a keyhole (464) formed through the male head (463) near the edge of the male head (463);

a keyway (465) formed radially in the keyhole (464); and

an arched limit groove (466) formed in the inner surface of the male head (463) near the edge of the male head (463) and separating from the keyhole (464);

a female leaf (47) connecting to a corresponding section (41, 42, 43) of the corresponding pole (40) and comprising
an attachment sleeve (471) mounted around the corresponding section (41, 42, 43); and

a female head (473) formed on an end of the attachment sleeve (471) and having
an inner surface;

an outer surface;

a center;

an edge;

a lock hole (474) formed in the inner surface of the female head (473) near the edge of the female head (473) and selectively aligning with the keyhole (464) in the male head (463); and

a limit stub (475) formed on and extending out of the inner surface of the female head (473), mounted slidably in the limit groove (466) in the male head (463) and selectively abutting two ends of the limit groove (466);

a lock (48) mounted movably in the keyhole (464) in the male head (463) and having
a sidewall;

an inner end;

an outer end;

a key (481) formed radially on the sidewall of the lock (48) near the outer end of the lock (48), selectively abutting the outer surface of the male head (463) and selectively aligning and engaging the keyway (465) in the male head (463);

an annular flange (482) formed radially on the sidewall of the lock (48) near the inner end of the lock (48);

a spring (483) mounted around the lock (48) and respectively abutting the annular flange (482) and an outer end of the keyhole (464) in the male head (463);

a diametric hole (484) formed radially through the lock (48) adjacent to the outer end of the lock (48); and

a pull ring (485) extending through the diametric hole (484);

a bolt (49) extending through the centers of the male and female heads (463, 473); and

a nut (490) screwed onto an end of the bolt (49).