BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Conventional umbrella tents may be generally divided into several types, a first
type of which is shown in Fig. 8 and has an externally stretched skeleton. This type
of conventional umbrella tent skeleton includes a top hub 12' to which multiple brace
poles 11' are pivotally connected to radially stretch by a predetermined angle, and
a bottom hub 14' to which inner ends of multiple stretch arms 15' are pivotally connected
to radially stretch by a predetermined angle and outer ends of the stretch arms 15'
are pivotally connected to a predetermined point on the brace poles. A guide rod 13'
extends through the top and the bottom hubs 12' and 14' such that the whole skeleton
may be stretched like an umbrella skeleton by pulling the guide rod 13' upward. In
this type of umbrella tent skeleton the guide rod 13' helps an operator to apply force
correctly to stretch the tent more quickly. The guide rod 13' is, however, located
at a top of the tent and exposed to external environment, and is therefore subject
to dangerous lightning strike. Moreover, the guide rod 13' is in the form of a rigid
stick that tends to bend or break if a force is improperly applied thereto to stretch
the tent. A further disadvantage of this type of umbrella tent skeleton is that the
brace poles 11' are not foldable and would occupy a very large space even when the
tent has been collapsed.
[0002] A second type of conventional umbrella tent is shown in Fig. 9. The skeleton of this
type of tent includes a top hub 4 to which multiple brace poles 17 are pivotally connected
to radially stretch by a predetermined angle, and a bottom hub 7 to which inner ends
of multiple stretch arms 15 are pivotally connected to radially stretch by a predetermined
angle and outer ends of the stretch arms 15 are pivotally connected to a union on
the brace poles 17. The bottom hub 7 is slidably moved along a guide rod 8 that extends
between the top and the bottom hubs 4 and 7. A spring lock 14 is provided on the bottom
hub 7 to lock the bottom hub 7 in place on the guide rod 8 when the bottom hub 7 has
been moved to a position to fully stretch the tent. The brace pole 17 each has a coupler
9 connected to an outer end for pivotally connecting an extension pole 18 thereto,
so that the brace pole 17 has an extended working length. In this second type of umbrella
tent skeleton the guide rod 8 helps an operator to apply force correctly to stretch
the tent more quickly and is located inside the tent without the risk of dangerous
lightning strike. However, the guide rod 8 is in the form of a rigid stick that tends
to bend or break if a force is improperly applied thereto to stretch the tent. Moreover,
the brace poles 17 and the extension poles 18 could be pivotally bent at the couplers
9 by about 180 degrees only. The extension poles 18 could be bent within the limited
angle only in one direction, and would very possibly break if it is over bent or bent
in a wrong direction.
[0003] In this second type of conventional tent, the extension poles 18 could be pivotally
bent only within a limited angle and are therefore subject to easy break if a force
is improperly applied to bend them. The tent of this type could not be easily stretched
particularly when the operator is a child and not high enough to touch the pull rope
21 or bend the extension poles at proper points.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved umbrella tent
skeleton that mainly includes a top hub to which multiple brace poles are radially
and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined angle; a bottom hub to which
multiple stretch arms are radially and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined
angle, and outer ends of these stretch arms are separately pivotally connected to
a predetermined point on the brace poles; a flexible telescopic portion located between
the top and the bottom hubs and consisting of multiple sections in the form of hollow
truncated cones; and a pull rope extending through the telescopic portion with an
upper end fixed to the top hub and a lower end hanging from the bottom hub to connect
to a ring handle. By pulling the pull rope downward, the telescopic portion is folded
to easily cause the stretch arms and the brace poles to move into a stretched position
to set up the tent.
[0005] The telescopic portion of the skeleton has the function of a guide rod to guide an
operator to apply force correctly in stretching the tent. Moreover, the telescopic
portion forms a flexible long member that can be conveniently operated and would not
be easily bent or broken due to improperly applied force to it. The telescopic portion
is therefore very suitable for a large-scaled tent.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella tent skeleton that
includes a coupling structure for pivotally connecting an extension pole to each of
the brace pole, so that an umbrella tent having an enlarged covering area may be pitched.
[0007] The coupling structure for this purpose includes first and second mirror-symmetric
knuckle ends, each of which includes a sleeve portion for receiving an end of one
of two long members, such as a brace and an extension pole, or two sections of an
extension pole, to be connected together, and a wheel portion associated with a top
front of the sleeve portion and located at one side of the top front. Each of the
wheel portions is provided along a center line of an exposed circumferential surface
with a collar, and each of the sleeve portions is provided at the other side of the
top front with a groove that has dimensions for fitly receiving the collar on the
other wheel portion. Each of the wheel portions is provided at a predetermined position
with an axially extended eccentric hole into which a rivet may be extended to eccentrically
connect the first and the second knuckle ends together. Each of the wheel portions
is also provided at a predetermined position with a stepped through hole which has
a large-diameter end located at an inner side face of the wheel portion and a small-diameter
end at an outer side face of the wheel portion. First and second fastening means both
having an enlarged head are separately positioned in the stepped holes of the first
and the second knuckle ends with the enlarged head seated in the large-diameter end
of each stepped hole and a small length of a rod of each the fastening means projected
from the small-diameter end. The large-diameter end of the stepped hole on the first
knuckle end is provided around an inner surface close to an outer end thereof with
a circle of slightly radially inward projected rib.
[0008] Whereby when the first and the second knuckle ends are pivotally turned relative
to each other to a position at which the two stepped holes on the wheel portions are
aligned with each other, the second fastening means in the stepped hole of the second
knuckle end may be pushed inward to move its enlarged head through the radially projected
rib around the stepped hole of the first knuckle end, causing the enlarged head of
the second fastening means to be retained in the large-diameter end of the stepped
hole on the first knuckle end and thereby locking the first and the second knuckle
ends in place, and when the first fastening means is pushed inward to move the enlarged
head of the second fastening means back into the large-diameter end of the stepped
hole on the second knuckle end, the first and the second knuckle ends are allowed
to angularly bend relative to each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve
the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 is a schematic and fragmentary perspective of an umbrella tent skeleton according
to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the umbrella tent skeleton of Fig. 1 in a stretched
state;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of the umbrella tent skeleton of Fig. 1 in a fully
stretched state;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective of an extension pole coupling structure according
to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is an assembled perspective of the extension pole coupling structure of Fig.
4;
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the extension pole coupling structure of
the present invention in an unlocked position;
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same extension pole coupling structure
but in a locked position;
Fig. 8 shows the skeleton of a first type of conventional umbrella tent; and
Fig. 9 shows the skeleton of a second type of conventional umbrella tent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Please refer to Fig. 1 that is a schematic and fragmentary perspective of a skeleton
for an umbrella tent according to the present invention. As shown, the skeleton mainly
includes a top hub 100, a bottom hub 106, a telescopic portion consisting of multiple
sections 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116 located between the top and the bottom hubs, multiple
stretch arms 105 (four are shown in the illustrated drawings) , and multiple brace
poles A and extension poles B corresponding to the stretch arms in number.
[0011] The top hub 100 is provided at a center with a threaded through hole 101 into which
a fastening means, such as a screw 101a is tightened. A pull rope 107 having a ring
handle 108 connected to a lower end thereof and extending through the telescopic portion
is connected at an upper end to the screw 101a. Four radially projected lugs 102 are
equally spaced around an outer periphery of the top hub 100, to each of the four lugs
102 a joint 103 is pivotally connected by engaging the lug 102 into a mating notch
103a on the joint 103. The joint 103 each is connected at an outer end opposite to
the mating notch 103a to an inner end of one brace pole A, so that the brace pole
A is pivotally movable relative to the top hub 100.
[0012] The bottom hub 106 has four radially projected brackets 106a equally spaced around
an outer periphery of the bottom hub 106 corresponding to the four lugs 102 on the
top hub 100. Each of the brace poles A is provided at a predetermined point with a
union 104 that has a radially inward faced pivotal joint 104a. Each of the stretch
arms 105 is pivotally connected at an inner end to one of the brackets 106a and at
an outer end to the pivotal joint 104a on a corresponding brace pole A.
[0013] The sections 112 thru 116 constituting the telescopic portion are in the form of
hollow truncated cones. Each of the hollow truncated cones is provided with means,
such as a radially outward projected flange around a lower outer periphery and a radially
inward projected flange around an upper inner periphery (not shown) , so that any
one smaller truncated cone would not undesirably slide out of one adjacent larger
truncated cone from a top of the latter to therefore allow the telescopic portion
to be freely stretched or collapsed. When all the sections of hollow truncated cones
112 thru 116 of the telescopic portion are in their fully stretched position, a flexible
long member is provided.
[0014] Please now refer to Figs. 4 and 5 that are exploded and assembled perspective views,
respectively, of an extension pole coupling structure according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention for pivotally connecting the extension poles B to the brace
poles A.
[0015] As shown, the coupling structure mainly includes two mirror-symmetric knuckle ends
A10 and A10', each of which further includes a sleeve portion A11, A11' for receiving
an end of an element, that is, a brace pole or an extension pole, to be joined through
the coupling structure, and a wheel portion A12, A12' associated with a top front
of the sleeve portion A11, A11' to locate at one side of the top front. The wheel
portions A12, A12' are provided along a center line of their exposed circumferential
surfaces with a collar A13, A13' each. The other side of the top fronts of the sleeve
portions A11, A11' provide two thrust walls A14, A14' on which two grooves A141, A141'
are formed for fitly receiving the collars A13' andA13, respectively. The wheel portions
A12, A12' are correspondingly provided at predetermined positions with a stepped hole
A121, A121' each. Please refer to Fig. 6 that is a fragmentary sectional view of the
wheel portions A12, A12' of the knuckle ends A10, A10' in the assembled position.
As shown, the stepped holes A121, A121' axially extend through the wheel portions
A12, A12', respectively, with a large-diameter end located at an inner side face of
the wheel portions A12, A12' and a small-diameter end at an outer side face thereof.
One of the stepped holes A121, A121', for example, the hole A121 as shown in Fig.
6, is provided around an inner periphery of an outer end of the large-diameter end
with a circle of slightly radially inward projected rib A121". The wheel portions
A12, A12' are also provided at predetermined positions with axially extended eccentric
holes A122, A122' into which a rivet A15 may be extended to eccentrically join the
two knuckle ends A10, A10' together. Two fastening means A16, A17 having diametrically
enlarged head A161, A171 are respectively extended through the stepped holes A121,
A121' with the enlarged head A161, A171 set in and retained to the large-diameter
ends and a small length of a rod portion of the fastening means A16, A17 projected
from the small-diameter ends. With the enlarged heads A161, A171, the fastening means
A16, A17 would not separate from the small-diameter end of the stepped holes A121,
A121'.
[0016] When the two knuckle ends A10, A10' are joined together and bent to a position at
which the two stepped holes A121, A121' are aligned with each other, as shown in Fig.
6, it is possible to push the rod of the fastening means A17 projected from the small-diameter
end of the stepped hole A121', such that the enlarged head A171 of the fastening means
A17 is moved inward to pass through the rib A121" around the large-diameter end of
the other stepped hole A121 and be retained in the large-diameter end of the stepped
hole A121 by the rib A121", as shown in Fig. 7. At this point, the two wheel portions
A12, A12', and accordingly the two knuckle ends A10, A10', are locked to a position
not movable relative to each other. To unlock the two knuckle ends A10, A10', simply
push the rod of the other fastening means A16 projected from the small-diameter end
of the stepped hole A121, such that the enlarged head A161 of the fastening means
A16 is moved inward to push against the enlarged head A171 of the fastening means
A17 and force the latter to pass the rib A121" again and move out of the large-diameter
end of the stepped hole A121. At this point, the wheel portions A12 and A12' are no
longer locked together by the fastening means A17 and the knuckle ends A10, A10' are
allowed to angularly bend relative to each other.
[0017] A cap C may be mounted to an outer end of each extension pole B that frequently frictionally
contacts with the ground.
[0018] The telescopic portion included in the umbrella tent skeleton of the present invention
is in the form of a flexible long member when the skeleton is in a folded state. Such
a flexible telescopic portion has the function of guiding an operator to apply force
in a correct direction to stretch the whole skeleton and is not subject to easy break
when stretching the skeleton.
[0019] By downward pulling the pull rope 107 at the ring handle 108, the sections 112 thru
116 of the telescopic portion are brought into a nested state while the stretch arms
105 are pushed outward to stretch the brace poles A. And then, the extension poles
B could be brought into an extended position through operating the above described
coupling structure and locking the knuckle ends A10 and A10' in place. Fig. 3 shows
a fully stretched skeleton of an umbrella tent according to the present invention.
[0020] The following are some advantages of the present invention:
1. The telescopic portion serves as a guide rod to guide an operator to apply force
correctly to stretch the umbrella tent and is flexible to avoid easy break thereof.
2. The telescopic portion is length-adjustable and therefore facilitates folding of
the whole umbrella tent into a considerably small volume for convenient transport
and storage.
3. The extension poles B are not necessarily limited to a one-section member. They
may be of multi-section members to function equally well as the one-section members
while allow an even larger tent to be set up.
4. The extension poles B could be effectively bent or locked in place relative to
the brace poles A, or to itself when there are more than one section included in each
extension pole B. This allows the operator to selectively bend the extension poles
B by different angles depending on actual need. The extension poles B in a folded
position are not subject to easy break and allow the tent to be moved more conveniently.
1. A skeleton for umbrella tent comprising a top hub, a bottom hub, multiple brace poles
pivotally connected at inner ends to an outer periphery of said top hub at equal space
such that said brace poles are allowed to radially stretch by a predetermined angle,
multiple stretch arms corresponding to said brace poles in number and pivotally connected
at inner ends to an outer periphery of said bottom hub and at outer ends to predetermined
points on the brace poles such that said stretch arms are allowed to radially stretch
by a predetermined angle, and a pull rope fixedly connected at an upper end to said
top hub and at a lower end to a ring handle; said skeleton for umbrella tent being
characterized in that:
a telescopic portion is positioned between and fixed at two ends to said top and said
bottom hubs, said telescopic portion consisting of a set of sections in the form of
hollow truncated cones, said sections each being provided with means, such as a radially
outward projected flange around a lower outer periphery and a radially inward projected
flange around an upper inner periphery, so that any one section of smaller truncated
cone would not undesirably slide out of one adjacent section of larger truncated cone
from a top of the latter and accordingly allows said telescopic portion to be freely
stretched or collapsed through control of said pull rope that extends through said
telescopic portion .
2. A skeleton for umbrella tent as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an extension
pole coupling structure for connecting an outer end of each of said brace poles to
an extension pole to give a pitched umbrella tent an even larger covering area, said
extension pole coupling structure comprising first and second mirror-symmetric knuckle
ends, each of which including a sleeve portion for receiving an end of either one
said brace pole or one said extension pole, and a wheel portion associated with a
top front of said sleeve portion and located at one side of said top front;
each of said wheel portions being provided along a center line of an exposed circumferential
surface with a collar, and each of said sleeve portions being provided at the other
side of said top front with a groove that has dimensions for fitly receiving said
collar of the other said knuckle end in said knuckle assembly;
each of said wheel portions being provided at a predetermined position with an axially
extended eccentric hole into which a rivet may be extended to eccentrically connect
said first and said second knuckle ends together; and
each of said wheel portions also being provided at a predetermined position with a
stepped through hole which has a large-diameter end located at an inner side face
of said wheel portion and a small-diameter end at an outer side face of said wheel
portion; first and second fastening means both having an enlarged head being separately
positioned in said stepped holes of said first and said second knuckle ends with said
enlarged head seated in said large-diameter end of each said stepped hole and a small
length of a rod of each said fastening means projected from said small-diameter end;
and said large-diameter end of said stepped hole on said first knuckle end being provided
around an inner surface close to an outer end thereof with a circle of slightly radially
inward projected rib;
whereby when said first and said second knuckle ends are pivotally turned relative
to each other to a position at which said two stepped holes on said wheel portions
are aligned with each other, said second fastening means in said stepped hole of said
second knuckle end may be pushed at said projected end to move said enlarged head
of said second fastening means through said radially projected rib around said stepped
hole of said first knuckle end, causing said enlarged head of said second fastening
means to be retained in said large-diameter end of said stepped hole on said first
knuckle end and thereby locking said first and said second knuckle ends in place,
and when said first fastening means is pushed at said projected end to move said enlarged
head of said second fastening means back into said large-diameter end of said stepped
hole on said second knuckle end, said first and said second knuckle ends are allowed
to angularly bend relative to each other.
3. A skeleton for umbrella tent as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said extension
poles includes more than one section, and wherein said sleeve portions on said first
and said second knuckle ends of said extension pole coupling structure are capable
of each receiving an end of saidmore than one section of each said extension pole.