U.S. patent application number 13/639108 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for top support structure of tent.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sung Hee Lee. Invention is credited to Sung Hee Lee.
Application Number | 20130125947 13/639108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41498680 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130125947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Sung Hee |
May 23, 2013 |
TOP SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF TENT
Abstract
A top support structure of tent includes a hub for a plurality
of poles. The hub is provided with a plurality of connector
members, each having an abutting face and being pivoted to two
pivot pieces of a pivot holder, to which the pole of the tent is
coupled. A fastening member is pivotally inserted between the two
pivot pieces of the pivot holder. The inner end of the fastening
member is formed with an abutting portion opposing to the abutting
face of the connector member, the outer end of which is provided
with a press portion extending over the pivot holder. A spring is
positioned between the inner end of the fastening member and the
pivot holder.
Inventors: |
Lee; Sung Hee; (Xiamen City,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lee; Sung Hee |
Xiamen City |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
41498680 |
Appl. No.: |
13/639108 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
January 7, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2010/070046 |
371 Date: |
October 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/151 ;
135/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/48 20130101;
E04H 15/42 20130101; E04H 15/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/151 ;
135/159 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/48 20060101
E04H015/48; E04H 15/52 20060101 E04H015/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 9, 2009 |
CN |
200920002423.1 |
Claims
1. A top support structure for a tent, comprising a hub and a
plurality of connector members on the hub, each connector member
being pivotally connected to two pivot pieces of a pivot holder,
each connector member having an abutting face thereon, the pivot
holder being connected with a tent pole, a fastening member being
pivotally connected between the two pivot pieces of the pivot
holder, the fastening member having an abutting portion at an inner
end thereof relative to the abutting face of the connector member
and a press portion at an outer end thereof, the press portion
extending out of the pivot holder, a spring being provided between
the inner end of the fastening member and the pivot holder, each
connector member having a curved slot, the pivot holder being
provided with a pivot axle to connect the relative connector
member, the pivot holder being provided with a positioning axle
inserting through the curved slot.
2. The top support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
connector members are respectively connected to the hub.
3. The top support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
connector members are integrally formed with the hub.
4. The top support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hub
is provided with a decoration cover.
5. The top support structure as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein an inner wall or an outer wall of the pivot holder is
provided with a reinforcement member.
6. A top support structure for a tent, comprising a hub and a
plurality of connector members on the hub, each connector member
being pivotally connected to two pivot pieces of a pivot holder,
each connector member having an abutting face thereon, the pivot
holder being connected with a tent pole, a fastening member being
pivotally connected between the two pivot pieces of the pivot
holder, the fastening member having an abutting portion at an inner
end thereof relative to the abutting face of the connector member
and a press portion at an outer end thereof, the press portion
extending out of the pivot holder, a spring being provided between
the inner end of the fastening member and the pivot holder, the
pivot holder comprising a stop plate connected between upper ends
of the two pivot pieces to hold against an upper end of the
relative connector member.
7. The top support structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
connector members are respectively connected to the hub.
8. The top support structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
connector members are integrally formed with the hub.
9. The top support structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hub
is provided with a decoration cover.
10. The top support structure as claimed in one of claims 6 to 9,
wherein an inner wall or an outer wall of the pivot holder is
provided with a reinforcement member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tent, and more
particularly to a top support structure of a tent.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] There are various tents on the market. In general, the tent
comprises a tent cloth and a tent frame to support the tent cloth.
The tent frame is a foldable structure. In order to fold or unfold
the tent, the tent is provided with a top support structure.
Chinese Utility Model Reg. No. 200720007891.9 discloses a top
connection module of a tent, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The
tent frame is composed of a plurality of poles. The inner ends of
the poles 1 are connected through a top connection module 2. The
top connection module 2 comprises a main body 21. The main body 21
comprises a plurality of U-shaped pivot seats 22, each having an
opening facing downward. Each pivot seat 22 is pivotally connected
with a connector 23. The U-shaped inner wall of the pivot seat 22
has an engaging trough 222. The connector 23 is connected with the
pole 1. The connector 23 has a slot 231 for connection of a pivot
axle 221 of the pivot seat 22. The connector 23 further comprises
an engaging block 232 corresponding to the engaging trough 222 of
the pivot seat 22. When the tent is unfolded, the poles 1 will be
pulled to extend. The outer ends of the poles 1 are fixed, and the
inner ends of the poles 1 are slightly curved and have inward
support force. The main body 21 of the top connection module 2 is
pressed downward, and the engaging block 232 is slid in the
engaging trough 222 by the inward support force of the pole 1. The
engaging block 232 is engaged with the engaging trough 222 to
prevent the pole 1 from bending downward and to support the tent
cloth. The top of the connector 23 is against the U-shaped bottom
of the pivot seat 22 to prevent the pole 1 from bending upward. The
aforesaid structure is simple and the operation is very convenient.
However, only the engaging block 232 is used to prevent the pole 1
from bending downward when the tent is unfolded. The size of the
engaging block 232 is limited. After a period of use, the engaging
block 232 may break to influence the service life of the tent.
[0005] Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has
devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to
solve this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
top support structure for a tent. The top support structure is
durable and can be operated conveniently.
[0007] According to a first aspect, the top support structure of
the present invention comprises a hub and a plurality of connector
members on the hub. Each connector member is pivotally connected to
two pivot pieces of a pivot holder. Each connector member has an
abutting face thereon. The pivot holder is connected with a tent
pole. A fastening member is pivotally connected between the two
pivot pieces of the pivot holder. The fastening member has an
abutting portion at an inner end thereof relative to the abutting
face of the connector member and a press portion at an outer end
thereof. The press portion extends out of the pivot holder. A
spring is provided between the inner end of the fastening member
and the pivot holder. Each connector member has a curved slot. The
pivot holder is provided with a pivot axle to connect the relative
connector member. The pivot holder is provided with a positioning
axle inserting through the curved slot.
[0008] Preferably, the connector members are respectively connected
to the hub.
[0009] Preferably, the connector members are integrally formed with
the hub.
[0010] Preferably, the inner wall or outer wall of the pivot holder
is provided with a reinforcement member.
[0011] Preferably, the hub is provided with a decoration cover.
[0012] According to a second aspect, the top support structure of
the present invention comprises a hub and a plurality of connector
members on the hub. Each connector member is pivotally connected to
two pivot pieces of a pivot holder. Each connector member has an
abutting face thereon. The pivot holder is connected with a tent
pole. A fastening member is pivotally connected between the two
pivot pieces of the pivot holder. The fastening member has an
abutting portion at an inner end thereof relative to the abutting
face of the connector member and a press portion at an outer end
thereof. The press portion extends out of the pivot holder. A
spring is provided between the inner end of the fastening member
and the pivot holder. The pivot holder comprises a stop plate
connected between upper ends of the two pivot pieces to hold
against an upper end of the relative connector member.
[0013] Preferably, the connector members are respectively connected
to the hub.
[0014] Preferably, the connector members are integrally formed with
the hub.
[0015] Preferably, the inner wall or outer wall of the pivot holder
is provided with a reinforcement member.
[0016] Preferably, the hub is provided with a decoration cover.
[0017] Accordingly, the abutting portion of the fastening member
holds against the abutting face of the connector member to prevent
the tent pole from bending downward. The positioning axle
cooperates with the curved slot to prevent the tent pole from
bending upward. Alternatively, the stop plate of the pivot holder
holds against the upper end of the relative connector member to
prevent the tent pole from bending upward. The fastening member is
a separate structure, which can be larger in size to hold against
the abutting face of the connector member so the engagement is
stable and durable. When operated, the user just presses the press
portion of the fastening member so the operation is very
convenient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional top support
structure for a tent;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the conventional top support
structure in a folded state;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is another exploded view according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the present invention
applied to a tent;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the first embodiment of
the present invention in a folded state;
[0025] FIG. 8 is an exploded view according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is another exploded view according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 11 is an exploded view according to a third embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 12 is an exploded view according to a fourth embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the top support structure
according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises
a hub 9 and a plurality of connector members 8 which are integrally
formed with the hub 9. Each connector member 8 is pivotally
connected with a pivot holder 7. The pivot holder 7 is further
connected with a pole 1.
[0032] The connector member 8 has a pivot hole 82 and a curved slot
83 which are concentric. The connector member 8 further has an
abutting face 84 at a front end thereof.
[0033] The pivot holder 7 has two pivot pieces 71. In order to
enhance its strength, the inner and outer walls of the pivot holder
7 are provided with reinforcement members 75 which correspond in
shape to the pivot holder 7 and are made of metal or hard plastic,
as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the inner walls or the outer
walls of the left and right sides of the pivot holder 7 are
provided with the reinforcement members 75 to enhance the strength
of the pivot pieces 71, as shown in FIG. 3. If the pivot holder 7
made of metal and hard plastic has enough strength, the
reinforcement members 75 can be omitted. The connector member 8 is
connected between the two pivot pieces 71 of the pivot holder 7
through a pivot axle 72. A positioning axle 73 is inserted through
the curved slot 83 of the connector member 8 and riveted to the
pivot pieces 71 of the pivot holder 7.
[0034] A fastening member 6 is pivotally connected between the two
pivot pieces 71 of the pivot holder 7. The fastening member 6 has
an abutting portion 61 at an inner end thereof relative to the
abutting face 84 of the connector member 8. The fastening member 6
has a press portion 62 at an outer end thereof. The press portion
62 extends out of the pivot holder 7. A spring 5 is provided
between the inner end of the fastening member 6 and the pivot
holder 7.
[0035] When the present invention is assembled, the abutting
portion 61 of the fastening member 6 holds against the abutting
face 84 of the connector member 8 to prevent the pivot holder 7 and
the connector member 8 from bending downward. The positioning axle
73 of the pivot holder 7 is located at the lower end of the curved
slot 83 of the connector member 8 to prevent the pivot holder 7 and
the connector member 8 from bending upward. As shown in FIG. 6, the
present invention is applied to a tent in an unfolding state. For
the purpose of beauty, the hub 9 is provided with a decoration
cover 4.
[0036] When folding the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the
press portion 62 of the fastening member 6 is pressed for the
abutting portion 61 to disengage from the abutting face 84 of the
connector 8. Thus, the pivot holder 7 can be bent relative to the
connector member 8, and the positioning axle 73 slides along the
curved slot 83 of the connector member 8 to fold the pole 1 so that
the tent is folded.
[0037] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a second embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the top support structure comprises
a hub 9 and a plurality of connector member 8 which are integrally
formed with the hub 9. Each connector member 8 is pivotally
connected with a pivot holder 7. In order to enhance the strength
of the pivot holder 7, the inner and outer walls of the pivot
holder 7 are provided with reinforcement members 75 which
correspond in shape to the pivot holder 7 and are made of metal or
hard plastic, as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the inner walls or
the outer walls of the left and right sides of the pivot holder 7
are provided with the reinforcement members 75 to enhance the
strength of the pivot pieces 71, as shown in FIG. 9. If the pivot
holder 7 made of metal and hard plastic has enough strength, the
reinforcement members 75 can be omitted as the first embodiment. A
pole 1 is fixed to the pivot holder 7. The pivot holder 7 is
pivotally connected with a fastening member 6. The difference
between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the
structure to prevent the connector member 8 and the pivot holder 7
from bending upward. In the first embodiment, the curved slot 83 of
the connector member 8 cooperates with the positioning axle 73 of
the pivot holder 7 to prevent the connector member 8 and the pivot
holder 7 from bending upward. In the second embodiment, there is no
curved slot and positioning axle. The pivot holder 7 comprises a
stop plate 74 connected between the upper ends of the two pivot
pieces 71. When the pivot holder 7 is bent upward, the stop plate
74 holds against the upper end of the connector member 8 to prevent
the connector member 8 and the pivot holder 7 from bending
upward.
[0038] In the aforesaid embodiments, the connector members 8 are
integrally formed with the hub 9. The connector members 8 and the
hub 9 can be designed to be separate, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
12. The connector members 8 and the hub 9 have corresponding fixing
holes 81, 91 for connection and are connected through pivot axles
or rivets (not shown in the drawings). The function is same as the
aforesaid connector member, and won't be described again.
[0039] Although particular embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the
present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *