U.S. patent application number 13/799599 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for frame assembly for shelter.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Eva Jean Austin, Jeffrey J. Leblanc.
Application Number | 20140261603 13/799599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51521891 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140261603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leblanc; Jeffrey J. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR SHELTER
Abstract
A frame assembly for a flexible structure includes a plurality
of leg assemblies and a hub assembly. Each leg assembly includes a
longer leg portion and a shorter leg portion that is hingedly
connected at one end of the longer leg portion. The hub assembly
includes an upper hub hingedly secured to the longer leg portions
of the plurality of leg assemblies, a lower hub hingedly secured to
the shorter leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies and
configured to be releasably secured to the upper hub, and a cam
release secured to the upper hub and configured to release the
lower hub from the upper hub. Other embodiments and methods are
further disclosed.
Inventors: |
Leblanc; Jeffrey J.; (East
Greenwich, RI) ; Austin; Eva Jean; (Quincy,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc. |
Avon |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51521891 |
Appl. No.: |
13/799599 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/28 20130101;
E04H 15/322 20130101; E04H 15/425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/147 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/48 20060101
E04H015/48 |
Claims
1. A frame assembly for a flexible structure, the frame assembly
comprising: a plurality of leg assemblies, each leg assembly
including a longer leg portion and a shorter leg portion that is
hingedly connected at one end thereof to the longer leg portion;
and a hub assembly including an upper hub hingedly secured to the
longer leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies, a lower hub
hingedly secured to the shorter leg portions of the plurality of
leg assemblies and configured to be releasably secured to the upper
hub, and a cam release secured to the upper hub and configured to
release the lower hub from the upper hub.
2. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper hub includes a
retaining edge, and wherein the lower hub includes one or more
flange projecting to the upper hub, the one or more flange
including a mating retaining edge configured to releasably secure
the lower hub to the upper hub.
3. The frame assembly of claim 2, wherein the cam release includes
one or more rib configured to releasably engage the one or more
flange when rotating the cam release with respect to the upper
hub.
4. The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more
cords connected to one of the upper and lower hubs, the one or more
cords being configured to draw the upper and lower hubs toward one
another.
5. The frame assembly of claim 4, further comprising one or more
pulleys, secured to the other of the upper and lower hubs, the one
or more cords engaging the one or more pulleys to assist in drawing
the upper and lower hubs toward one another.
6. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower hubs
are each configured to releasably secure the respective leg portion
to the hub.
7. The frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the upper and lower hubs
each include a slot formed on an outer surface of the hub, and
wherein each leg assembly includes a spline pivotally connected to
the respective leg portion of the leg assembly, the spline being
secured within the slot by one or more pins.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates to shelters, such as tents, and
particularly to a frame assembly that is capable of being quickly
and efficiently deployed from a collapsed, stored configuration to
a use configuration in which the frame assembly supports flexible
tent material.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Collapsible tents or shelters are well-known in the art.
Examples of collapsible tents may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,202,363 and 6,802,329.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a frame assembly
for a flexible structure is provided. In at least some embodiments,
the frame assembly comprises a plurality of leg assemblies, each
leg assembly including a longer leg portion and a shorter leg
portion that is hingedly connected at one end thereof to the longer
leg portion, and a hub assembly including an upper hub hingedly
secured to the longer leg portions of the plurality of leg
assemblies, a lower hub hingedly secured to the shorter leg
portions of the plurality of leg assemblies and configured to be
releasably secured to the upper hub, and a cam release secured to
the upper hub and configured to release the lower hub from the
upper hub.
[0004] In some aspects, the upper hub includes a retaining edge. In
various aspects, the lower hub includes one or more flange
projecting to the upper hub, the one or more flange including a
mating retaining edge configured to releasably secure the lower hub
to the upper hub. According to another aspect, the cam release
includes one or more rib configured to releasably engage the one or
more flange when rotating the cam release with respect to the upper
hub.
[0005] According to one or more embodiments, the frame assembly
further comprises one or more cords connected to one of the upper
and lower hubs. In at least one embodiment, the one or more cords
are configured to draw the upper and lower hubs toward one another.
According to some embodiments, the frame assembly further comprises
one or more pulleys. In certain embodiments, the pulleys are
secured to the other of the upper and lower hubs, the one or more
cords engaging the one or more pulleys to assist in drawing the
upper and lower hubs toward one another.
[0006] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the upper and
lower hubs are each configured to releasably secure the respective
leg portion to the hub. In some embodiments, the upper and lower
hubs each include a slot formed on an outer surface of the hub. In
certain instances, each leg assembly includes a spline pivotally
connected to the respective leg portion of the leg assembly, the
spline being secured within the slot by one or more pins.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical
component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by
a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tent or shelter of an
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tent or shelter of another
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a frame assembly
of a tent or shelter of an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a leg assembly of
the frame assembly shown in FIG. 3;
[0012] FIGS. 5-7 are cross-sectional views of the frame assembly
when in a deployed or operable configuration;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the frame assembly;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a cam release of the
frame assembly;
[0015] FIGS. 10-16 are views showing a frame assembly of another
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0016] FIGS. 17-21 are views showing a frame assembly of another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0017] For the purposes of illustration only, and not to limit the
generality, the present disclosure will now be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying figures. This disclosure is not
limited in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The principles set forth in this
disclosure are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
or carried out in various ways. Also the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations
thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter
and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0018] Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1,
there is generally indicated at 10 a tent of an embodiment of the
present disclosure. It should be understood that although the term
"tent" is used herein, the concepts disclosed herein may be applied
to any form of enclosure, canopy or shelter. The tent 10 includes a
frame assembly, generally indicated at 12, and a cover 14 of sheet
material, which is releasably secured to the frame assembly. The
tent 10 is shown in its deployed or use position in FIG. 1. As
shown, frame assembly 12 is configured to be secured to the cover
14 so that the frame assembly is located substantially outside of
the cover to enable the cover to be suspended from the frame. FIG.
2 illustrates another tent, generally indicated at 16 having the
frame assembly 12 and a cover 18, which is secured to the frame
assembly in a different manner. It should be noted that the frame
assembly 12 could alternatively be positioned on the interior of
the cover 14 or 18.
[0019] The frame assembly 12 includes a hub assembly, generally
indicated at 20 (FIGS. 5-8), and a plurality of leg assemblies or
support members, each generally indicated at 22, which are attached
to the hub assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, the leg assemblies 22 are
bowed outwardly and downwardly to from a conical- or dome-shaped
structure for supporting the cover 14 of sheet material. In one
embodiment, the cover 14 includes a plurality of vertical panels,
each panel being connected to its two adjacent panels along
respective side edges. One panel may be configured to form an
opening or door (not shown) to provide access to the inside of the
tent 10. A bottom or floor (not shown) for the tent may be provided
by connecting an additional panel along the bottom edges of the
vertical panels. The tent 10 shown in FIG. 1 illustrated four leg
assemblies 22 equally spaced around and connected to the hub
assembly 20. The cover 14 is attached at several positions along
its side edges to a corresponding leg assembly 22, so that the
points of connection can slide along the leg assembly. In certain
embodiments, the points of connection may be rings or clips that
are freely slidable along the leg assemblies 22 so that the cover
14 readily moves along the leg assemblies during erection of the
tent 10 or when the tent is taken down.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the hub assembly 20 includes two hub
subassemblies, upper hub sub-assembly generally indicated at 24,
and lower hub sub-assembly, generally indicated at 26, which are
pivotally connected to the leg assemblies 22. The upper and lower
hub sub-assemblies 24, 26 are adjustable with respect to one
another to achieve a retracted or collapsed configuration, in which
the hub sub-assemblies are spaced apart from each other and the leg
assemblies 22 are folded together, and a deployed or erected
configuration, which may also be referred to as a use position, in
which the hub sub-assemblies are located proximate or adjacent each
other, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each leg
assembly 22 includes a first, longer leg portion 28, and a second,
shorter leg portion 30, where ends of the long and short leg
portions are attached to respective hub sub-assemblies 24, 26, as
further explained below. The long leg portion 28 has a free end
that engages the ground and an opposite end pivotally connected to
the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The short leg portion 30 has one end
that is attached with a hinge mechanism 32 to its corresponding
long leg portion 28 and an opposite end pivotally connected to the
lower hub sub-assembly 26. The long leg portions 28 are segmented
and hingedly secured to one another by any suitable manner, such as
a shock-cord tent pole arrangement. When erecting the tent, the leg
assemblies 22 are articulated from a collapsed position in which
the legs assemblies are folded to achieve a substantially parallel
configuration to a use or extended position in which the leg
assemblies extend radially from the hub assembly 20. During this
movement, the leg assemblies 22 are pivoted outwardly from the hub
assembly 20, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] As described above, the hub assembly 20 includes the upper
hub sub-assembly 24, the lower hub sub-assembly 26, and a pair of
cords, each indicated at 34. When erecting the tent 10, the upper
and lower hub sub-assemblies 24, 26 are moved from their collapsed
position, where the upper and lower hub sub-assemblies are spaced
apart from each other, to the use or erected position, where the
upper and lower hub sub-assemblies are moved toward each other
until they engage and are interconnected with one another. The
cords 34 are secured to the upper hub sub-assembly 24 and extend
downwardly through the lower hub sub-assembly 26 and upwardly
through openings formed in the upper hub sub-assembly to extend
outwardly and upwardly from a top of the upper hub sub-assembly.
The purpose of the cords 34 is to cinch the upper hub sub-assembly
24 and the lower hub sub-assembly 26 together and increase the
mechanical advantage to an operator deploying the frame assembly,
which will be described in further detail below.
[0022] The upper hub sub-assembly 24 includes an upper end cap 36,
having a cylindrical body and an upper end 38 that forms one end of
the upper end cap and a bottom rim 40 that extends beyond the
cylindrical body and has a closed end. The upper hub sub-assembly
24 further includes a cam release 42 and a top cap 44 secured to
the upper end of the cylindrical body of the upper end cap 36. The
top cap 44 and the bottom rim 40 of the upper end cap 36 together
define an upper slot 46 that extends around the circumference of
the upper end cap. The upper hub sub-assembly 24 further includes a
plurality of upper splines, each indicated at 48, which are
releasably secured to the upper end cap 36 within the upper slot
46. Each upper spline 48 includes a first portion that is
positioned within the upper slot 46 of the upper end cap 36 and is
adapted to be engaged by the top cap 44 and the bottom rim 40. Each
upper spline 48 further includes a second portion that is provided
with a circular opening to secure a knuckle of the first, longer
leg portion 28 therein. Pins, each indicated at 50, are provided to
attach the upper spline 48 to the upper hub sub-assembly 24 within
the upper slot 46 so that the upper spline is retained within the
upper slot when securing the upper hub sub-assembly together.
[0023] The cam release 42 and top cap 44 are fastened to a top of
the upper end cap 36 by a main screw 52. The cylindrical body of
the upper end cap 36 includes a threaded configuration 54 designed
to threadably receive the main screw 52 therein. The cam release 42
has a disc-shaped body and includes the two circular openings for
receiving the two cords 34, as discussed below. Positioned at the
top of the disc-shaped body of the cam release 42 are two knobs,
each indicated at 56, used for rotating the cam release between an
unlocked and locked position. Secured at the end of the upper end
cap 36 is the top cap 44, which has a disc-shaped body and includes
a central opening that extends through the top cap. The arrangement
is such that the two cords 34 extend through two circular openings
formed in the end of the upper end cap 36, which are aligned with
the circular openings of the cam release 42 the cylindrical body of
the upper end cap, with the cords extending through the central
through-hole formed in the top cap 44. The cylindrical body of the
upper end cap 36 further includes two additional circular openings
formed therein that are configured to secure knotted ends of the
two cords 34. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cords 34 extend
through the central through-hole and the aligned circular openings
when the tent is in an erected configuration.
[0024] As with the upper hub sub-assembly 24, the lower hub
sub-assembly 26 includes a lower end cap 58 having a cylindrical
body with an outer wall and a rim 60 that extends beyond a
mid-section circumference of the cylindrical body. The lower end
cap 58 further includes a series of flexible flanges, each
indicated at 62, which project upwardly from the top of the lower
end cap and extend toward the upper end cap 36 of the upper hub
sub-assembly 24. The lower hub sub-assembly 26 further includes a
bottom cap 64 that is secured to the cylindrical body of the lower
end cap 58 by several fasteners. The bottom cap 64 and the rim 60
together define a lower slot 66, which extends around the
circumference of the lower end cap 58. In a similar manner, as the
upper hub sub-assembly 24, the lower hub sub-assembly 26 includes
several lower splines, each indicated at 68, which are releasably
secured to the lower end cap 58 within the lower slot 66. Each
lower spline 68 includes a first portion that is positioned within
the lower slot 66 of the lower hub sub-assembly 26 and is adapted
to be engaged by the bottom cap 64 and the rim 60 within the lower
slot. Each lower spline 68 further includes a second portion that
is provided with a circular opening to secure a knuckle of the
second, shorter leg portion 30 therein. Pins, each indicated at 70,
are provided to attach the lower spline 68 to the lower hub
sub-assembly 26 within the lower slot 66 so that the lower spline
is retained within the slot when securing the end cap 58 and the
bottom cap 64 of the lower hub sub-assembly together.
[0025] The lower hub sub-assembly 26 further includes two pulleys,
each indicated at 72, that are secured to a formation 74 provided
on an upper surface of the bottom cap 64 by two shafts, each
indicated at 76, which are configured to be attached to the
formation. The lower end cap 58 further includes two circular
openings formed therein for receiving the two cords 34 that are
aligned with the two circular openings formed in the upper end cap
36 and the cam release 42 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The two
cords 34 are threaded through the pulleys 72 and extend up through
the aligned circular openings of the lower end cap 58, the upper
end cap 36 and the cam release 42 (and through the central opening
of the top cap 44) so that the cords wrap around and engage the
pulleys.
[0026] A bottom surface of the cam release 42 of the upper hub
sub-assembly 24 further includes ribs 78 (FIG. 8) that extend
downward through the central opening in the top cap 44. The upper
end cap 36 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24 further includes a
retaining edge 80 that is configured to engage mating retaining
edges 82 of the flexible flanges 62 to secure the lower hub
sub-assembly 26 to the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The arrangement
is such that the ribs 78 of the cam release 42 are configured to
engage the flexible flanges 62 of the lower end cap 58 of the lower
hub sub-assembly 26 to move the flexible flanges inboard thereby
releasing the retaining edges 82 of the flexible flanges from the
retaining edge 80 of the upper end cap 36. When the flexible
flanges 62 are disengaged from the retaining edge 80, the upper hub
sub-assembly 24 and the lower hub sub-assembly 26 are capable of
being separated from each other, and the frame assembly 12 is
configured to collapse into the aforementioned foldable form.
Likewise, when the flexible flanges 62 engage the retaining edge
80, the upper hub sub-assembly 24 and lower hub sub-assembly 26 are
connected to each other to enable the leg assemblies 22 to be
extended and made rigid in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0027] When the tent 10 is erected, the longer leg portion 28
extends outwardly and downwardly from the hub assembly 20, and the
shorter leg portion 30 extends substantially outwardly from the hub
assembly. When the tent 10 is collapsed, the short leg portions 30
extend substantially within the longer leg portions 28, which
extend downwardly as a bundle from the hub assembly 20, with the
longer leg portions being in proximate side-by-side relationship
with themselves and the shorter leg portions.
[0028] The two cords 34 pass through the circular openings of the
respective upper and lower hub sub-assemblies 24, 26, with a knot
being formed in the upper hub sub-assembly. The knot prevents the
ends of the cords 34 from being pulled through the central
through-hole of the upper end cap 36. In operation, the cam release
42 may initially be rotated to a position where the ribs 78 of the
cam release are engaged with the retaining edge 80 of the upper end
cap 36 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24, thereby disengaging the
flexible flanges 62 of the lower end cap 58 of the lower hub
sub-assembly 26 from the retaining edge. The upper and lower hub
sub-assemblies 24, 26 are thus capable of being moved away from
each other. The ends of the two cords 34 extending from the upper
hub sub-assembly 24 may then be pulled upwardly from the top of the
upper hub sub-assembly. This movement causes the two cords 34 to
engage with and turn the pulleys 72 in the lower hub sub-assembly
26, thereby causing the lower hub sub-assembly to move toward the
upper hub sub-assembly 24 until they are positioned adjacent to
each other and the flexible flanges 62 are aligned with the
retaining edge 80 of the upper end cap 36 in the upper hub
sub-assembly 24. The cords 34 and pulleys 72 increase the
mechanical advantage to move the upper and lower hub sub-assemblies
24, 26 together, thereby decreasing the amount of force a user must
exert to achieve this movement.
[0029] In operation, a user pulls on the cords 34 to move the lower
hub sub-assembly 26 toward the upper hub sub-assembly 24. This
movement engages the retaining edges 80, 82 of the upper end cap 36
and the flanges 62 of the lower end cap, respectfully. In this
position, the cam release 42, by virtue of the cords being pulled
to align the openings of the cam release, upper end cap 36, and the
lower end cap 58, is in a neutral position in which the ribs 78 are
spaced from the retaining edges 82 of the flanges 62. To disengage
the lower hub sub-assembly 26 from the upper hub sub-assembly 24,
the cam release 42 may be rotated to engage the ribs 78 with the
retaining edges 82 of the flexible flanges 62, thereby causing the
retaining edges 82 to move inboard with respect to the retaining
edge 80 of the upper end cap 36. This movement unlocks the upper
and lower hub-subassemblies 24, 26 from one another to enable the
movement of the frame assembly 12 to a stowed configuration.
[0030] FIGS. 10-16 illustrate a frame assembly of another
embodiment.
[0031] FIGS. 17-21 illustrate a frame assembly of yet another
embodiment.
[0032] Having thus described several aspects of at least one
embodiment of this disclosure, it is to be appreciated various
alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and
improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of
example only.
* * * * *