U.S. patent application number 10/988056 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for mating hinge for a portable structure.
Invention is credited to Beavers, Allan E., Fulcher, Robert A..
Application Number | 20050100400 10/988056 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34573022 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050100400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fulcher, Robert A. ; et
al. |
May 12, 2005 |
Mating hinge for a portable structure
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a device and method
to secure spherical rod ends that are used to support a portable
structure, such as a tent. These improved interconnection means,
which are generally hinges, are adapted to allow limited movement
of the rods by way of a ball and socket type connection, thereby
facilitating installation of the portable structure.
Inventors: |
Fulcher, Robert A.; (Grand
Junction, CO) ; Beavers, Allan E.; (Grand Junction,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY
SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
|
Family ID: |
34573022 |
Appl. No.: |
10/988056 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60519538 |
Nov 12, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
403/346 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/7001 20150115;
E04H 15/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/346 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A support rod interconnection system adapted for use with a
flexible portable structure, the support rods having spherical ball
ends interconnected thereto, comprising: a first hinge of a
generally rectangular shape, comprising: a socket having a surface
for engagement with a spherical ball end, an upper opening
providing access to said socket, said upper opening having a
dimension being equal to or greater than the diameter of the
spherical ball end, a side opening providing access to said socket,
said side opening having a dimension being less than the diameter
of the spherical ball end; a second hinge of a generally
rectangular shape for interconnection with said first hinge,
comprising: a socket having a surface for engagement with a
spherical ball end, an upper opening providing access to said
socket, said upper opening having a dimension equal to or greater
than the diameter of the spherical ball end, a side opening
providing access to said socket, said side opening having a
dimension less than the diameter of the spherical ball end; and
wherein said first hinge is adapted to receive and rotatably secure
the ball ends of at least two rods and said second hinge is adapted
to receive and rotatably secure the ball ends of at least two rods,
all rods having opposite ends being secured to a wall of the
portable structure to form a semi ridged structure.
2. The support rod interconnection system of claim 1, further
comprising a pad interconnected to said second hinge, said pad
having a cover that generally obstructs said upper opening of said
socket of said second hinge, thereby preventing removal of the rods
situated therein.
3. The support rod interconnection system of claim 1, wherein said
first hinge and said second hinge are constructed from at least one
of a plastic, a metal, and a teflon.
4. The support rod interconnection system of claim 1, wherein said
first hinge includes at least two recesses to facilitate insertion
of the rods into said second hinge.
5. The support rod interconnection system of claim 1, wherein said
first hinge includes a mating protrusion for engagement into a
recess integrated into said second hinge.
6. The support rod interconnection system of claim 1, wherein said
first hinge includes a second hinge mating surface located a
distance below the top surface thereof.
7. The support rod interconnection system of claim 1, wherein said
surface situated in said socket of each of said first hinge and
said second hinge is located at least about fifty percent below the
top surface thereof.
8. A support assembly for a portable structure, comprising: a first
hinge device with an aperture that has a seating surface positioned
therein; a second hinge device with an aperture that has a seating
surface positioned therein, said second hinge device interconnected
to said first hinge device; a first support rod, having a first end
and a second end, said first end having a generally spherical shape
that is operably interconnected to said first aperture, wherein
said first end is in contact with said seating surface of said
first aperture and free to rotate; a second support rod, having a
first and a second end, said first end having a generally spherical
shape that is operably interconnected to said second hinge, wherein
said first end is in contact with said seating surface of said
first aperture and free to rotate; wherein said first support rod
and said second support rod are oriented at a predetermined angle
to form a portion of a stable skeletal structure adapted to support
the portable structure.
9. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein said means for
interconnecting said first hinge device to said second hinge device
is a selectively removable fastener.
10. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein said aperture of said
first hinge and said aperture of said second hinge have a tapered
geometric profile, wherein the diameter thereof reduces from a
length that allows said first ends of said first support rod and
said second support rod to enter thereto, but be seated on a
smaller diameter.
11. The support assembly of claim 8, further comprising a pad
interconnected to said second hinge device, said pad having a cover
that generally obstructs said aperture of said second hinge,
thereby preventing removal of the support rods situated
therein.
12. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein said first hinge
device and said second hinge device are constructed from at least
one of a plastic, a metal, and a teflon.
13. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein said first hinge
device includes at least two recesses to facilitate insertion of
the rods into said second hinge device.
14. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein said first hinge
device includes a mating protrusion for engagement into a recess
integrated into said second hinge device.
15. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein said first hinge
device includes a second hinge device mating surface located a
distance below the top surface thereof.
16. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein said seating surface
situated in said aperture of said first hinge device and said
second hinge device is located at least about fifty percent below
the top surface thereof.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/519,538, filed Nov. 12, 2003, which
is incorporated by reference in it entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to portable support
structures such as tents. More specifically, one embodiment of the
present invention is a hinge that is adapted for interconnection to
support rods of portable tents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Portable tents are generally constructed of a fabric
material supported by a plurality of support structures, such as
rods or poles. Devices and methods for connecting a plurality of
rods are well known. However, there are many drawbacks to
traditional support connection devices. More specifically, these
devises are often difficult to install, are too heavy, are brittle,
etc. In addition, many devices used to connect a plurality of rods
tend to become dislodged from side walls of the tent, thus not
providing sufficient lateral support. Thus, there is a long felt
need in the field of portable support structure construction to
provide a device and method that facilitates quick and efficient
erection of the structure, and which is durable enough to be used
in severe wind and inclement weather.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a
hinge adapted to receive and support polls or rods that are used as
the primary support of a portable tent structure. More
specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is provided
with a plurality of hinge members, each hinge member having a
plurality of apertures that are adapted to receive and seat the end
of a support rod. Generally, portable structures are constructed
from an assemblage of fabric walls that are supported by a
skeleton-like support structure. This support structure often
includes a plurality of interconnected rods, or poles, that provide
locations thereon to interconnect to the fabric walls. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the rods include spherical
ends that are adapted to interconnect with the corners of the
fabric walls and a center hub system to stretch the fabric and
provide a wall that is capable of withstanding shear loads. More
specifically, the rods are interconnected to a wall-centered hub,
or node, thus defining a crossed configuration wherein the opposite
ends of the rods are interconnected to corners of the fabric wall
to create a taut wall. The rods are interconnected to each other in
one embodiment of the present invention by hinge members that are
adapted to receive and secure the rod's spherical ends. Thus, by
attaching a plurality of fabric walls, a three-dimensional
structure is formed, wherein the roof thereof is supported by rods
that interconnect the rod ends at the corners of the fabric
walls.
[0005] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
hinge assembly that is easily installed, thus decreasing the time
it takes to erect the portable structure. More specifically, one
embodiment of the present invention employs hinge members that
receive at least two rod ends, wherein a second similar hinge is
interconnected thereto. In addition, a cap member is interconnected
to the hinge members, wherein the rod's spherical ends are
prevented from becoming disconnected from the hinge. The hinges
employ seating locations for the rod ends that allow the rods to
angulate, thus facilitating installation. The other ends of the
rods are interconnected to the corners of the wall with fabric
sleeves or other means. Finally, the hinge members are moved into
place, generally in the center of the fabric wall, and the hinge
assembly is interconnected to the wall, for example with a bolt.
Upon interconnection, the rods bow slightly thus stressing the
fabric and creating a taut wall.
[0006] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide
a hinge system that is made of common materials, and is thus less
expensive to manufacture. More specifically, one embodiment of the
present invention is constructed of cast or machined material, such
as aluminum. In addition, the rods of one embodiment of the
invention are constructed of fiberglass wherein the spherical end
pieces are interconnected with glue, for example.
[0007] Thus, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a
support rod interconnection system for use with a portable
structure, the support rods having spherical ball ends
interconnected thereto, comprising:
[0008] a first hinge of a generally rectangular shape,
comprising:
[0009] a socket having a surface for engagement with a spherical
ball end,
[0010] an upper opening providing access to said socket, said upper
opening begin equal to or greater than the diameter of the
spherical ball end,
[0011] a side opening providing access to said socket, said side
opening being less than the diameter of the spherical ball end;
[0012] a second hinge of a generally rectangular shape for
interconnection with said first hinge, comprising:
[0013] a socket having a surface for engagement with a spherical
ball end,
[0014] an upper opening providing access to said socket, said upper
opening being equal to or greater than the diameter of the
spherical ball end,
[0015] a side opening providing access to said socket, said side
opening being less than the diameter of the spherical ball end;
and
[0016] wherein said first hinge is adapted to receive and rotatably
secure the ball ends of at least two rods and said second hinge is
adapted to receive and rotatably secure the ball ends of at least
two rods, all rods having opposite ends being secured to a wall of
the portable structure to form a semi ridged structure.
[0017] The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should
it be construed as being representative of the full extent and
scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth
in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well
as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the
Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present
invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of
elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the general description of the
invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings
given below, serve to explain the principles of these
inventions.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tent that employs one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of a hinge of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a left-cross section view of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the hinge
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 6;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a left cross-sectional view of the embodiment of
the present invention shown in FIG. 6;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of two interconnected hinges of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of two padded interconnected
hinges with rods emanating therefrom;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a pad of one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the hinges of one
embodiment of the present invention interconnected to a tent;
[0032] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinges
interconnected to a tent; and
[0033] FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the
present invention interconnected to a tent.
[0034] To assist in the understanding of the present invention the
following list of components and associated numbering found in the
drawings is provided herein:
1 # Component 2 Rod 4 First hinge 6 Second hinge 8 Socket 10 Ball
seat 12 Ball end 14 Tent 16 Bolt 20 Wall 22A Rubber washer 22B
Washer 24A Cap nut 24B Lock nut 26 Tent fabric 28 Upper openings 30
Rubber grommet 32 Pad 34 Side opening 36 Stop 38 Second hinge
contact surface 40 Mating protrusion 42 Countersink aperture 44
Cover 48 Aperture 50 Recess 52 Bowed rod 54 Wall corner 56 End
position of rod
[0035] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not
necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render
other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It
should be understood, of course, that the invention is not
necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1-15, one embodiment of the present
invention is shown that is adapted to receive and support a
plurality of portable structure support rods 2. More specifically,
one embodiment of the present invention comprises a combination of
a first hinge 4, and a second hinge 6, each hinge including a
plurality of sockets 8. The sockets 8 may vary in diameter, such
that a generally spherical ball seat 10 is provided, wherein
spherical endpoints 12 of the support rods 2 are rotatably secured.
Support rods 2 are generally fabricated of a flexible material with
an interconnected end ball 12. Preferably, the ball end 12 is
constructed of a metallic material, but other materials known in
the art may be used such as rubber, fiberglass, plastic, etc. The
hinge mechanism is interconnected to the inside of a portable
structure 14, such as a tent, by a bolt 16, wherein the bolt 16 is
threaded through the first hinge 4, the second hinge 6, and the
fabric wall 20. A plurality of washers 22 and nuts 24 are then used
to secure the system together to prevent separation of the tent
fabric 26 from the hinge assembly. Generally, hinge assemblies of
one embodiment of the present invention are incorporated onto each
wall 20 and the roof of a tent 14.
[0037] In order to construct a tent 14 or other structure, a user
initially selects rods 2 of proper length. The rod 2 is threaded
through an upper opening 28 on the top surface of the hinge. The
ball end 12 of the rod 2 is then rotatably secured in the socket 8
by the ball seat 10. Once seated, the rod 2 cannot be pulled from
the hinge and is able to rotate axially or tilt at an angle with
respect to the top and side surfaces of the hinge. Next, a second
rod with a spherical end 12 is placed in a second socket 8 of the
hinge. After both mating hinges are operably interconnected to
their respective rods they are interconnected. The other ends of
the rods are attached to the four corners of the tent wall 20. The
hinges are pushed into place adjacent to the wall 20, thereby
deflecting the rods and stretching the tent wall 20 and imparting
rigidity thereto. Once the tent walls 20 are in place, the bolt 16
is threaded through a rubber washer 22A on the outside of the tent
fabric 26, through a rubber grommet 30 that is incorporated in the
tent fabric 26, and then through the hinge. A rubber pad 32 is
interconnected to the bolt 16 with a washer 22B, a lock nut 24B,
and a cap nut 24A. The cap nut 24A and the rubber pad 32 will
protect individuals inside the tent 14 from injury from contact
with a sharp fastener, for example.
[0038] It is important to note that the arrangement of the hinge
and rubber pad 32 prevent the spherical ends 12 from becoming
dislodged from the sockets 8 of the hinges. More specifically, one
embodiment of the present invention is assembled wherein the second
hinge 6 prevents the spherical ends 12 of the rods 2 of the first
hinge 4 from being displaced from the sockets 8 of the first hinge
4 because it partially closes the upper opening 28 that provides
access to the socket 8. The pad 32 performs the same function with
respect to the second hinge 6. This feature makes the system easy
to install because the user does not have to be concerned with the
spherical ends 12 becoming dislodged during installation.
[0039] It is important to note that the system as shown herein may
be constructed to accommodate any number of rods 12. More
specifically, a hinge with more than two sockets may be provided
such that a plurality of rods may be interconnected to a single
hinge. Alternatively, one skilled in the art will appreciate that
any number of hinges may be interconnected to accommodate a
plurality of rods.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present
invention is shown interconnected to a flexible support structure,
such as a tent 14. In this example, a tent 14 is comprised of at
least three walls 20 and a roof section. The walls 20 are supported
by at least four rods 2 that intersect at a node at about the
center of each wall 20. Each rod 2 also interconnects with a corner
of the wall 20 wherein a second node is formed. These semi-rigid
structures are used commonly in the utility repair industry where
portable structures are required to provide protection from the
elements.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, one embodiment of a first hinge
4 is shown. More specifically, a first hinge 4 of one embodiment of
the present invention is shown that includes a generally
rectangular body with at least two sockets 8 machined therein. The
sockets include a ledge, or ball seat 10, machined therein for
receipt of the ball end of the rod. The rods are threaded through
the upper openings 28 that provide access to the sockets 8. Once
the ball end of the rod contacts the ball seat 10, it is
transitionally fixed. The user then rotates the rod upwards until
it comes in contact with the body of the hinge 4. Side openings 34
are provided in the ends of the first hinge 4 wherein the width
thereof is less than the diameter of the end ball. Once the user
rotates the rod upwards in a position adjacent to a stop 36
provided on the hinge, the side opening 34 will prevent motion of
the ball out of the first hinge 4. A second hinge contact surface
38 is also provided, which will be described in further detail
below. Further, a mating protrusion 40 is provided on the upper
surface of the first hinge 4 that is designed for engagement into a
countersink aperture of the second hinge 6, which will be described
in further detail below.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, a second hinge 6 is shown that
is similar to the first hinge described above. The second hinge 6
includes an aperture with a countersink 42 for engagement with the
mating protrusion of the first hinge. This interface allows the two
hinges to rotate and provides a more robust node.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, the engagement of a first
hinge 4 and a second hinge 6 is shown. Here, the second hinge 6
rests on a second hinge contact surface 38 of the first hinge 4 to
form a cross. The mating protrusion of the first hinge 4 is engaged
in the countersunk aperture of the second hinge 6. One skilled in
the art will appreciate that the contact surface 38 and mating
protrusion are not necessarily required, and devices which omit
these features are within the scope of the invention. The second
hinge contact surface 38 gives the entire system a smaller profile,
thus less obstructive to the user. The protrusion and countersunk
interconnection also allows the mating hinges to selectively
rotate. The mating protrusion also provides an alignment means to
ensure that the hinges are placed in the proper location.
[0044] With specific reference now to FIG. 11, the pad 32 may be
added to the system such that the user is protected from
engagements with the interconnected hinges. As also shown herein,
the pad 32 includes two covers 44 that generally obstruct the upper
openings of the sockets of the second hinge 6, thus preventing the
ball ends 12 being removed therefrom. In addition, the pad 32 and
the second hinge 6 substantially cover the upper openings that
provide access to the sockets of the first hinge 4, also preventing
the ball ends 12 from being removed from the sockets. Thus, once
the system is fully assembled, the ball ends 12 are trapped within
the sockets, wherein they are free to rotate but cannot be removed
therefrom.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 13, a perspective view showing one
embodiment of the present invention interconnected to a plurality
of rods 2 that support a tent is shown. More specifically, the
hinges are interconnected to the inside of a tent that includes a
plurality of walls 20, each with a hole therethrough. In operation,
the user would initially interconnect the rods 2 to the first hinge
4 such that the ball becomes seated within the ball seat. The rods
would then be rotated outwardly. Next, the same process would be
performed with respect to the second hinge 6, wherein the rods are
threaded through the apertures of the sockets and the rotated
outwardly. The other ends of the rods would then be interconnected
to the corners of the wall 20 via sleeves, for example. The second
hinge 6 would be interconnected to the first hinge 4 and pushed
towards the tent wall 20, thereby splaying the rods 2 outwardly.
The deployed rods 2 tend to stretch the fabric of the tent such
that a taut surface is provided. Finally, a plurality of bolts,
washers, grommets, etc. would be threaded through the apertures of
the hinges and the tent fabric to securely affix the hinge to the
tent wall.
[0046] While various embodiment of the present invention have been
described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and
adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the
art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such
modifications adaptations are within the scope and spirit of the
present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *