TENT CANVAS CONNECTOR, COMPOSITE TENT CANVAS, ASSEMBLY AID, AND METHOD FOR WATERPROOF CONNECTION OF TENT CANVASSES

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a tent canvas connector for waterproof connection, comprising a first and a second male connector profile and a female connector profile, wherein the first and second male connector profile extend in a longitudinal direction and comprise a bulge on a first side, wherein the bulge extends over the entire first side in said longitudinal direction, the female connector profile extending in said longitudinal direction, wherein the female connector profile comprises in a first side wall a first recess for receiving the bulge of the first male connector profile and in a second opposite side wall a second recess for receiving the bulge of the second male connector profile, wherein the first and second recesses extend over the entire first and second side wall, respectively, in said longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a composite tent canvas, an assembly aid and a method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a tent canvas connector for connecting tent canvases, in particular waterproof connection of tent canvases. The invention also relates to a composite tent canvas, an assembly aid for waterproof connection of tent canvases and to a method for waterproof connection of tent canvases.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Large tents are set up as temporary installations, for example as a party tent at events, as an emergency hospital in the event of disasters, as storage space, or as a semi-permanent installation such as a roof over sports fields. Tent canvases of such large tents are too large to be designed as a single canvas. That is why two or more tent canvases are linked together. An important condition here is that these tent canvases are connected to each other in a waterproof manner.

[0003] A known solution for this is that several tent canvases are pulled over a tent frame and are connected to each other at the height of, for example, a rafter of the tent frame. A tent canvas comprises a flap along one side which is placed over the connection with an adjacent tent canvas. The flap is attached to the adjacent tent canvas using a hook-and-loop fastener. The flap protects the connection from rainfall and prevents water from penetrating between the two tent canvases through the connection. The disadvantage of this solution is that after placing the tent canvases on the tent frame, a person has to walk over the rafters of the tent to place the flap over the connection and press down the hook-and-loop fastener. This is potentially dangerous. The hook-and-loop fastener is highly subject to wear, so that the flap does not always lie neatly over the connection over time and as a result of which water can penetrate through the connection in rainy weather.

[0004] Another known solution is known from KR 101 443 764. In this solution, two tent canvases are clamped by means of a holder in a U-shaped profile above a rafter of the tent frame. The holder is screwed on and a cover cap is placed on top of the holder. The disadvantage of this solution is that the holders have to be tightened, which is a time consuming job and still requires a person to walk over the rafter of the tent to fit the cover cap to make the connection waterproof. Because the cover cap is not flexible, this is extra difficult because the person walks on the place where the cover cap has to be placed over the full length of the rafter.

[0005] Also known is a connection for connecting textile panels to each other according to US 4 935 995 (US '995). The connection comprises connectors attached to adjacent sides of the textile panels and an intermediate piece with which the connectors are connected. The connectors and intermediate piece are mated together in a male-female locking mode. A disadvantage of this known connection is that the connectors and the intermediate piece must be slid into each other, so that all textile panels must be pulled simultaneously over a tent frame. This makes putting up a tent a very tough job. Optionally, textile panel by textile panel could be pulled across the tent frame, but here a textile panel should be pulled very evenly and parallel to an adjacent textile panel across the tent frame to avoid blocking the connectors in the intermediate piece. This is a complex operation that requires a lot of coordination.

[0006] Another connection, which also consists of connectors and an intermediate piece, which are connected together in male-female locking modules, is known from EP 3 235 976. Just like the connection according to US '995, this connection has the disadvantage that the connectors and the intermediate piece must be slid into each other.

[0007] WO 2020/255139 also describes a guide for tarpaulins, more specifically for a retractable shelter. Connectors are attached to two opposite sides of the tarpaulins. The connectors of two adjacent tarpaulins are placed in an intermediate piece. The tarpaulins are rolled up on a roll. When the tarpaulins are rolled up or unrolled, the connectors slide longitudinally through the intermediate piece. For this, the intermediate pieces are first placed perfectly parallel so that the tarpaulins do not block when rolled up or unrolled. The connection is therefore not suitable for tent canvases that are pulled over a tent frame.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve at least some of the above problems or drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a tent canvas connector according to claim 1.

[0010] The advantage of this tent canvas connector is that the tent canvas connector also comprises a female connector profile in addition to a first and a second male connector profile. The female connector profile comprises recesses in opposite side walls for receiving bulges of the first and second male connector profiles. By sliding or pushing the first and the second male connector profile into the female connector profile, tent canvases can be connected quickly and easily. The connector can be carried out by already connecting the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile with the female connector profile beforehand or by pulling the first male connector profile, the second male connector profile and the female connector profile with ropes over the tent frame, after which the bulge of the first and the bulge of the second male connector profile are accommodated in a recess of the female connector profile, for example, by clicking a bulge of a male connector profile into a recess of the female connector profile with the help of an assembly aid pulled over the tent frame with a rope. It is not necessary for a person to walk over a tent frame rafter to connect two canvases together, so connecting canvases is not dangerous. In addition, it is not necessary to attach the female connector profile to the tent frame, so that tent canvases can be quickly connected. Because the bulges of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile are received in the female connector profile, the connector is immediately waterproof.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the tent canvas connector are set out in claims 2-6.

[0012] A particular preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a tent canvas connector according to claim 2.

[0013] In this preferred embodiment, the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile comprise two parallel legs on a side opposite the bulge, which extend in the same plane as the bulges. This preferred embodiment is advantageous for attaching the male connector profiles to a tent canvas, wherein the tent canvas is placed between the two parallel legs and wherein the two parallel legs are glued or welded to the tent canvas. As a result, the tent canvas is not punctured by attaching the male connector profile and waterproofness is guaranteed.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a composite tent canvas according to claim 7.

[0015] The advantage of the composite tent canvas is that it comprises a plurality of tent canvases which are connected to each other with the aid of a tent canvas connector according to the first aspect. As a result, the composite tent canvas is guaranteed to be waterproof. The composite tent canvas does not include tent canvas connectors that are subject to wear and tear, which would not guarantee waterproofness over time. The composite tent canvas is additionally quickly assembled from the plurality of canvases through the use of tent canvas connectors according to the first aspect.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the composite tent canvas is described in dependent claim 8.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to an assembly aid according to claim 9.

[0018] Such an assembly aid is advantageous for connecting a female connector profile to two male connector profiles. The assembly aid comprises a guide surface for guiding a bulge of a male connector profile to the female connector profile. This is advantageous for pressing the bulge of a male connector profile into recesses of the female connector profile. With the help of the assembly aid it is possible to connect two tent canvases together in a waterproof manner by pulling the assembly aid along the female connector profile in the longitudinal direction, wherein a male connector profile protrudes through the groove on two opposite side walls, as a result of which a bulge of the male connector profile is pressed into the recesses of the female connector profile by the guide surface. As a result, tent canvases can be quickly and water tightly connected to each other, while tent canvases are already pulled over a tent frame, without people having to walk over a rafter of the tent frame.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the assembly aid are shown in claims 10-11.

[0020] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method according to claim 12.

[0021] The advantage of this method is that the at least two tent canvases are connected to each other with the aid of a tent canvas connector according to the first aspect. As a result, the tent canvases are connected in a waterproof manner. An additional advantage is that the tent canvases can be connected without a person having to walk over a rafter of a tent frame to connect two tent canvases, so that connecting tent canvases is not dangerous. In addition, it is not necessary to attach the female connector profile to the tent frame, so that tent canvases can be quickly connected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] 

Figure 1 shows a perspective view according to an embodiment of a tent canvas connector and assembly aid of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of a tent canvas connector and assembly aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show a cross-section along lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D, respectively, of a tent canvas connector and an assembly aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained explicitly.

[0024] In this document, "a" and "the" refer to both the singular and the plural, unless the context presupposes otherwise. For example, "a segment" means one or more segments.

[0025] The terms "comprise," "comprising," "consist of," "consisting of," "provided with," "include," "including," "contain," "containing," are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, as known from or disclosed in the prior art.

[0026] Quoting numerical ranges by endpoints includes all integers, fractions and/or real numbers between the endpoints, these endpoints included.

[0027] In the context of this document, PVC is the abbreviation for polyvinyl chloride.

[0028] In the context of this document, TPE is the abbreviation for thermoplastic elastomer. A thermoplastic elastomer is also referred to as technical rubber, synthetic rubber or elastoplastic plastic. It is an umbrella term for plastics that are elastic at room temperature and thermoplastic when heated.

[0029] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a tent canvas connector for waterproof connection of tent canvases.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the tent canvas connector comprises a first male connector profile, a second male connector profile and a female connector profile.

[0031] The first and second male connector profiles extend in a longitudinal direction. The first and the second male connector profile comprise a bulge on a first side. The bulge of the first and second male connector profile extends over the entire first side of the first and second male connector profile, respectively, in said longitudinal direction.

[0032] The first and second male connector profiles preferably extend flat from the first side to an opposite second side in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction. This is advantageous for attaching the first and second male connector profile to a tent canvas, wherein a male connector profile and the tent canvas are attached to each other in an overlapping manner and wherein the bulge on the first side of the male connector profile is positioned on an edge of the tent canvas. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the first male connector profile is intended for attachment to a first tent canvas and the second male connector profile is intended for attachment to a second tent canvas.

[0033] The female connector profile also extends in said longitudinal direction. The female connector profile comprises a first recess in a first side wall for receiving the bulge of the first male connector profile. The female connector profile comprises a second recess in a second opposite side wall for receiving the bulge of the second male connector profile. The first recess extends over the entire first side wall of the female connector profile in said longitudinal direction. The second recess extends over the entire second side wall of the female connector profile in said longitudinal direction.

[0034] The recess in the first side wall of the female connector profile has a height in the plane of the first side wall that is smaller than a maximum dimension of the bulge of the first male connector profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to a direction from the first side to the second side of the first male connector profile. The height of the recess in the first side wall is measured transverse to the longitudinal direction.

[0035] The recess in the second side wall of the female connector profile has a height in the plane of the second side wall that is smaller than a maximum dimension of the bulge of the second male connector profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to a direction from the first side to the second side of the second male connector profile. The height of the recess in the second side wall is measured transverse to the longitudinal direction.

[0036] A recess in the first side wall and the second side wall of the female connector profile with a height smaller than a maximum dimension of the bulge of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile, respectively, is advantageous for retaining a male connector profile in the female connector profile after the bulge of the male connector profile is accommodated in a corresponding recess of the female connector profile. Corresponding recess in the context of this document means the first recess for the bulge of the first male connector profile and the second recess for the bulge of the second male connector profile. Corresponding recess applies to both the first recess and the second recess in case the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile have the same shape.

[0037] A height smaller than a maximum dimension of the bulge is also advantageous because after tensioning of tent canvases, which are connected to each other with the aid of a tent canvas connector according to the present invention, bulges of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile, respectively, close off the first recess in the first side wall and the second recess in the second side wall, so that no water can run into the recess and the tent canvas connector is waterproof.

[0038] The bulge of a male connector profile can be accommodated in a corresponding recess of the female connector profile by, for example, placing the bulge at one end of the female connector profile in the corresponding recess and sliding it into the corresponding recess in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the bulge of a male connector profile can be accommodated in a corresponding recess of the female connector profile, for instance by clicking the bulge into the corresponding recess of the female connector profile, as in an embodiment described below.

[0039] Preferably, the first and the second male connector profile have the same shape. This is advantageous because the first and the second male connector profile can hereby be exchanged with each other when connecting to the female connector profile.

[0040] Preferably, the first recess and the second recess lie in the same plane. This is advantageous when connecting tent canvases, because after connection the tent canvases also lie in the same plane and thus form a flat composite tent canvas.

[0041] The female connector profile is preferably not pierced. This means that there are no passages through a plane in the female connector profile from the first recess to the second recess. As a result, the female connector profile is waterproof after connecting two tent canvases.

[0042] Preferably, the first male connector profile, the second male connector profile and the female connector profile are extruded profiles.

[0043] This tent canvas connector is advantageous because by sliding or pushing the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile into the female connector profile, tent canvases are connected quickly and easily. The connection can be carried out, for example, by already connecting the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile with the female connector profile beforehand or by pulling the first male connector profile, the second male connector profile and the female connector profile with ropes over the tent frame, after which the bulge of the first male connector profile and the bulge of the second male connector profile are accommodated in a recess of the female connector profile, for example, by clicking a bulge of a male connector profile into a recess of the female connector profile with the help of an assembly aid pulled over the tent frame with a rope. It is not necessary for a person to walk over a tent frame rafter to connect two canvases together, so connecting canvases is not dangerous. In addition, it is not necessary to attach the female connector profile to the tent frame, so that tent canvases can be quickly connected. Because the bulges of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile are received in the female connector profile, the connection is immediately waterproof.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile on the second side, lying opposite the first side, comprise two parallel legs. The bulge on the first side and the two parallel legs on the second side extend in the same plane.

[0045] This is advantageous for attaching the male connector profiles to a tent canvas, wherein the tent canvas is placed between the two parallel legs and wherein the two parallel legs are glued or welded to the tent canvas. As a result, the tent canvas is not punctured by attaching the male connector profile and waterproofness is guaranteed.

[0046] Preferably, the legs have a length of at least 10 mm, more preferably at least 12 mm, even more preferably at least 14 mm and even more preferably at least 16 mm. A length of at least 10 mm is sufficient for a secure attachment of the male connector profiles to the tent canvases, even under heavy loads on the male connector profiles such as heavy wind and large amounts of precipitation on the tent canvases.

[0047] Preferably, the legs have a thickness of at least 0.8 mm, more preferably at least 0.9 mm and even more preferably at least 1.0 mm. This gives the legs sufficient strength.

[0048] Preferably, there is a distance of at least 2 mm between the legs, more preferably at least 2.2 mm and even more preferably at least 2.4 mm. This distance is sufficient for attaching a tent canvas between the legs of the male connector profiles.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile are made of PVC. This is advantageous because many tent canvases are also made of PVC or have a PVC coating, so that the male connector profile can easily be welded to the tent canvas. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a previously described embodiment in which the male connector profiles comprise two parallel legs.

[0050] According to a further embodiment, the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile have a Shore A hardness of at least 80, preferably at least 81, more preferably at least 82, even more preferably at least 83, even more preferably at least 84 and most preferably at least 85. The Shore A hardness is determined according to ISO 868:2003. With a hardness of at least 80, the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile are sufficiently resistant to damage and premature wear due to friction with the tent frame.

[0051] Preferably, the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile have a Shore A hardness of at most 90, more preferably at most 89, even more preferably at most 88 and even more preferably at most 87. As a result, the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile are still sufficiently soft not to cause any wear marks on the tent frame and especially on the tent canvases. This is particularly advantageous with the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile because these connector profiles are attached to the tent canvases and are always in contact with the tent canvases, also during storage and transport.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the female connector profile is manufactured from a TPE. This is advantageous because the female connector profile is elastic during use, so that the bulge of the male connector profiles can be clicked into a corresponding recess of the female connector profile, because the side walls of the female connector profile can deform elastically. As a result, a bulge of a male connector profile need not necessarily be placed at an end of the female connector profile in a corresponding recess and be slid in the longitudinal direction into the corresponding recess, so that tent canvases can be connected more quickly. This is also advantageous because TPE is thermoplastic when heated, so that the female connector profile can be easily extruded. Another advantage is that TPE remains stable and flexible within a temperature range of -30°C to +150°C. Many materials are below their glass transition temperature at cold temperatures, causing them to become stiff. At high temperatures, many materials become too flexible, deform or melt. TPE retains its properties at these extreme temperatures.

[0053] According to a further embodiment, the female connector profile has a Shore A hardness of at least 80, preferably at least 82, more preferably at least 84, even more preferably at least 86, even more preferably at least 88 and most preferably at least 90. The Shore A hardness is determined according to ISO 48-4:2018. With a hardness of at least 80, the female connector profile is sufficiently resistant to damage and premature wear due to friction with the tent frame.

[0054] Preferably, the female connector profile has a Shore A hardness of at most 100, more preferably at most 98, even more preferably at most 96 and even more preferably at most 94. As a result, the female connector profile is still sufficiently soft not to cause any wear marks on the tent frame and especially on tent canvases.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the bulge on the first sides of the first and second male connector profile has a triangular cross-section with a rounded top. The rounded top faces away from the male connector profile. The triangular cross-section is advantageous for snapping the bulge of the first male connector profile and/or the second male connector profile into a corresponding recess of the female connector profile, because the corresponding recess only needs to deform gradually. This makes it easier to receive the bulge of the first male connector profile and/or the second male connector profile in the female connector profile. The rounded top is advantageous for avoiding damage to the bulge when clicking the bulge of the first male connector profile and/or the second male connector profile into the corresponding recess of the female connector profile. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a previously described embodiment in which the female connector profile is an extruded profile made of TPE.

[0056] The rounded top preferably has a radius of at least 0.50 mm and at most 1.50 mm. More preferably, the rounded top has a radius of at least 0.75 mm. More preferably, the rounded top has a radius of at most 1.25 mm.

[0057] According to a further embodiment, the triangular cross-section has an apex angle of at least 30° and at most 50°. The apex angle is measured as an angle between two sides of the triangular cross-section adjacent to the rounded top of the triangular cross-section, wherein the two sides are virtually extended. An apex angle of at least 30° and at most 50° is particularly advantageous for snapping the bulge of the first male connector profile and/or the second male connector profile into a corresponding recess of the female connector profile. With an apex angle greater than 50°, the corresponding recess must deform too much, so that the bulge does not click into the corresponding recess or only with difficulty. With an apex angle of less than 30°, the triangular cross-section has a narrow base, as a result of which the bulge of the first male connector profile and/or the second male connector profile clicks too easily out of a corresponding recess of the female connector profile.

[0058] Preferably, the triangular cross-section has an apex angle of at least 32°, more preferably at least 34°, even more preferably at least 36°, even more preferably at least 38° and most preferably at least 40°.

[0059] Preferably, the triangular cross-section has an apex angle of at most 48°, more preferably at most 46°, even more preferably at most 44° and even more preferably at most 42°.

[0060] According to an embodiment, a maximum dimension of the bulge of the first male connector profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to a direction from the first side to the second side of the first male connector profile is less than or equal to 6.0 times the height of the recess in the first side wall of the female connector profile in the plane of the first side wall, preferably less than or equal to 5.5 times the said height and more preferably less than or equal to 5 times the said height. A maximum dimension of the bulge of the second male connector profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to a direction from the first side to the second side of the second male connector profile is less than or equal to 6.0 times the height of the recess in the second side wall of the female connector profile in the plane of the second side wall, preferably less than or equal to 5.5 times the said height and more preferably less than or equal to 5 times the said height.

[0061] Preferably, said maximum dimension of the bulge of the first male connector profile is greater than or equal to 3.0 times the height of the recess in the first side wall of the female connector profile in the plane of the first side wall, more preferably greater than or equal to 3.5 times said height, even more preferably greater than or equal to 4.0 times said height and even more preferably greater than or equal to 4.5 times said height.

[0062] Preferably, said maximum dimension of the bulge of the second male connector profile is greater than or equal to 3.0 times the height of the recess in the second side wall of the female connector profile in the plane of the second side wall, more preferably greater than or equal to 3.5 times said height, even more preferably greater than or equal to 4.0 times said height and even more preferably greater than or equal to 4.5 times said height.

[0063] This embodiment is advantageous because with such maximum dimensions of the bulge of the first and second male connector profile, the male connector profile is held firmly in the corresponding recess in the female connector profile. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with previously described embodiments in which the bulge has a triangular cross-section, so that the bulges of the first and second male connector profile are sufficiently small to facilitate the clicking of the first and second male connector profiles into the recesses of the female connector profile.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the female connector profile comprises flexible barbs around the recess. Flexible barbs are advantageous because they allow a bulge of a male connector profile to click into a corresponding recess of the female connector profile. Flexible barbs are also advantageous because a bulge of a male connector profile is fixedly received in the corresponding recess of the female connector profile when tent canvases are tensioned.

[0065] According to a further embodiment, the bulge on the first sides of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile comprise deepenings for receiving the barbs. This is advantageous because as a result the flexible barbs from a previously described embodiment are always optimally positioned after a bulge on the first side of the first male connector profile and/or the second male connector profile have been accommodated in a corresponding recess of the female connector profile.

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment, a cross-section of the first recess of the female connector profile has a similar shape to a cross-section of the bulge of the first male connector profile and a cross-section of the second recess of the female connector profile has a similar shape to a cross-section of the bulge of the second male connector profile. The cross-sections are in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction.

[0067] The cross-section of the first recess and the second recess of the female connector profile and the bulge of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile, respectively, have at least two opposite contact points after the bulge has been received in the corresponding recess.

[0068] The similar shape of the cross-sections of the first recess and the second recess as the cross-section of the bulge of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile, respectively, is advantageous for correct positioning of the bulges in the corresponding recesses so that there are at least two contact points. The at least two opposite contact points are advantageous for waterproof sealing of the recesses after the bulges have been accommodated in the corresponding recesses.

[0069] In combination with a previously described embodiment, wherein the bulge of the first and second male connector profile has a triangular cross-section with an apex angle of at least 30° and at most 50°, the cross-section of the first recess has an apex angle that is preferably at most 0.8 times the apex angle of the triangular cross-section of the bulge of the first male connector profile, more preferably at most 0.7 times and even more preferably at most 0.6 times, and the cross-section of the second recess has an apex angle that is preferably at most 0.8 times the apex angle of the triangular cross-section of the bulge of the second male connector profile, more preferably at most 0.7 times and even more preferably at most 0.6 times. This is advantageous because if the first male connector profile and the female connector profile and/or the second male connector profile and the female connector profile are not completely aligned in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction, the bulges of the male connector profiles can twist in the recesses in the female connector profile, without this immediately exerting large forces on side walls of the female connector profile, which could cause the recesses in the female connector profile to open and the male connector profiles to inadvertently click out of the female connector profile. The apex angle of the cross-section of the first recess is measured as an angle between two sides of said cross-section which, after being virtually extended, intersect each other opposite the first side wall. The apex angle of the cross-section of the second recess is measured as an angle between two sides of said cross-section which, after being virtually extended, intersect each other opposite the second side wall. Preferably, the two sides of the cross-section of the first recess and the two sides of the cross-section of the second recess are bent inwards near their apex angle. This is particularly advantageous in combination with the embodiment described below to ensure that the cross-sections of the first recess and of the second recess have an area at most 5% greater than the area of the cross-section of the bulge of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile, respectively.

[0070] According to a further embodiment, the cross-sections of the first recess and of the second recess have an area greater than the cross-section of the bulge of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the first recess and the second recess is at most 5% larger than the cross-sectional area of the bulge of the first male connector profile and the second male connector profile, respectively, preferably at most 4%, more preferably at most 3%, even more preferably at most 2% and even more preferably at most 1%. The first recess and the second recess of the female connector profile have a height that is smaller than an outer dimension of the bulge of a male connector profile along the height direction of the female connector profile. This is advantageous because it guarantees a waterproof connection between tent canvases. The first recess and the second recess of the female connector profile have a width greater than an outer dimension of the bulge of a male connector profile along the width direction of the female connector profile. This is advantageous because it allows the bulges of the male connector profiles to click into the corresponding recesses and move only to a limited extent, so that after being accommodated in the corresponding recess the bulges remain correctly positioned to guarantee waterproofness.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the female connector profile in the first side wall comprises a funnel-shaped cross-section towards the first recess and in the second side wall a funnel-shaped cross-section towards the second recess. The funnel-shaped cross-sections are advantageous for guiding the bulge of the first male connector profile to the first recess and the bulge of the second male connector profile to the second recess. The funnel-shaped cross-sections are in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction.

[0072] This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a previously described embodiment wherein the bulge of the first and second male connector profile has a triangular cross-section with an apex angle of at least 30° and at most 50°. The funnel-shaped cross-section in the first side wall preferably has an apex angle that is at least 1.8 times and at most 2.5 times the apex angle of the triangular cross-section of the first male connector profile, more preferably at least 1.9 times and at most 2.4 times and even more preferably at least 2.0 times and at most 2.3 times. The funnel-shaped cross-section in the second side wall preferably has an apex angle that is at least 1.8 times and at most 2.5 times the apex angle of the triangular cross-section of the second male connector profile, more preferably at least 1.9 times and at most 2.4 times and even more preferably at least 2.0 times and at most 2.3 times. Such an apex angle for the funnel-shaped cross-section is advantageous for guiding the bulge of the first male connector profile to the first recess and the bulge of the second male connector profile to the second recess, wherein it is not necessary to perfectly align the bulges and the recesses. This is particularly advantageous for clicking the bulge of the first male connector profile into the first recess and the bulge of the second male connector profile into the second recess. An apex angle for the funnel-shaped cross-sections greater than 2.5 less effectively guides the bulges to the corresponding recesses.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the female connector profile has a thickness between the first recess and the second recess that is at least equal to 1.5 times a maximum dimension of the bulge of the first male connector profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to a direction from the first side to the second side of the first male connector profile, preferably at least 1.6 times, more preferably at least 1.7 times, even more preferably at least 1.8 times and even more preferably at least 1.9 times, and at least equal to 1.5 times a maximum dimension of the bulge of the second male connector profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to a direction from the first side to the second side of the second male connector profile, preferably at least 1.6 times, more preferably at least 1.7 times, even more preferably at least 1.8 times and even more preferably at least 1.9 times. This is particularly advantageous in order to prevent the female connector profile from being deformed too much when the first male connector profile and/or the second male connector profile is clicked into the first recess and the second recess, respectively, causing the clicking of the bulges of the male connector profiles into the recesses of the female connector profile to be practically impossible.

[0074] Preferably, a shortest possible distance between the first recess and the second recess of the female connector profile is at most 15% of a largest possible distance between the first side wall and the second side wall of the female connector profile, more preferably at most 14%, even more preferably at most 13% and even more preferably at most 12%. This is advantageous because torsional forces around the longitudinal direction of the female connector profile are limited as much as possible as a result of the accommodation of the bulges of the male connector profiles in the recesses of the female connector profile.

[0075] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a composite tent canvas for waterproof sealing of a tent.

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment, the composite tent canvas comprises a plurality of tent canvases. The plurality of tent canvases are connected together with the aid of a tent canvas connector according to the first aspect.

[0077] The advantage of the composite tent canvas is that the composite tent canvas is guaranteed to be waterproof. The composite tent canvas does not include tent canvas connectors that are subject to wear and tear, which would not guarantee waterproofness over time. The composite tent canvas is additionally quickly assembled from the plurality of canvases through the use of tent canvas connectors according to the first aspect.

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment, a male connector profile is welded to two opposite edges of each tent canvas. This is advantageous because the tent canvases of the composite tent canvas are not punctured by the attachment of the male connector profiles and so that waterproofness of the composite tent canvas is guaranteed.

[0079] In a third aspect, the invention relates to an assembly aid for waterproof connection of tent canvases.

[0080] According to a preferred embodiment, the assembly aid comprises an elongate body.

[0081] The elongate body comprises a channel for receiving a female connector profile. The channel extends in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end of the elongate body through the elongate body. This makes the assembly aid slidable around the female connector profile. The channel encloses the female connector profile.

[0082] The channel preferably has a width that is at most 1 mm wider than a width of the female connector profile. The channel preferably has a height that is at most 4 mm higher than a height of the female connector profile, more preferably at most 3 mm, even more preferably at most 2 mm.

[0083] The elongate body comprises on two opposite side walls of the channel from a first position, located between the first end and the second end, a groove through the elongate body. The groove extends from the side wall into the channel. The groove extends from the first position to the second end. Thus, the elongate body comprises two opposing slots in the elongate body which collectively completely cut through the elongate body from the first position to the second end. Because the slots only start from the first position, located between the first end and the second end, the elongate body is still one whole.

[0084] The first position is preferably at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 3 mm, even more preferably at least 4 mm and even more preferably at least 5 from the first end of the elongate body, measured along a longitudinal direction of the elongate body.

[0085] From a second position on the two opposite side walls of the channel, the groove comprises a guide surface for guiding a bulge of a male connector profile. The second position is located between the first position and the second end of the elongate body. The guide surface is gradually closer to the channel of the elongate body from the second position to a third position. The third position is located between the second position and the second end of the elongate body. The guiding surface does not close off the groove. The guide surface touches at least the channel at the third position. Preferably, the guide surface partially penetrates the channel. More preferably, the guide surface penetrates at least 1 mm into the channel, even more preferably at least 2 mm, even more preferably at least 3 mm. The guide surface does not close off the channel for the female connector profile.

[0086] The grooves allow male connector profiles to extend through the grooves into the channel, so that the male connector profiles can be connected to the female connector profile. When the assembly aid is moved in a longitudinal direction of the female connector profile along the female connector profile, the guide surfaces guide bulges of the male connector profiles to the channel and to recesses in the female connector profile. The assembly aid is hereby pulled forward at the first end and/or pushed forward at the second end. This is advantageous for pressing the bulge of a male connector profile into a recess of the female connector profile. Preferably, the guide surface partially penetrates the channel in order to guide the bulge of a male connector profile into a recess of the female connector profile.

[0087] An assembly aid according to the present invention is advantageous for connecting a female connector profile with two male connector profiles. With the aid of the assembly aid it is possible to connect two tent canvases together in a waterproof manner by pulling the assembly aid along the female connector profile in a longitudinal direction of the female connector profile, wherein a male connector profile protrudes through the groove on two opposite side walls, as a result of which a bulge of the male connector profile is pressed into the recesses of the female connector profile by the guide surface. As a result, tent canvases can be quickly and water tightly connected to each other, while tent canvases are already pulled over a tent frame, without people having to walk over a rafter of the tent frame.

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment, the assembly aid comprises guide wheels on a surface, parallel to the grooves, for guiding the assembly aid over a rafter. This is advantageous in order to be able to move the assembly aid smoothly when connecting two tent canvases. This is particularly advantageous in case the tent canvases have already been pulled over a tent frame, wherein a connection is normally made at the height of a rafter of the tent frame, whereby the assembly aid is pressed onto the rafter by the weight of the tent canvases to be connected. Without guide wheels, moving the assembly aid would require great forces due to the heavy weight of the tent canvases and the resulting high friction.

[0089] According to a preferred embodiment, the assembly aid comprises an eyelet. The eyelet is advantageous for attaching a rope, allowing the assembly aid to be pulled past a female connector, while the female connector is already over a tent frame, without a person having to walk over rafters of the tent frame.

[0090] According to a preferred embodiment, the guide surface forms a reduction of a height of the groove in the two opposite side walls of the elongate body. The height of the groove is measured in a direction transverse to a plane formed by the groove in the elongate body.

[0091] The groove preferably has a height between the first position and the second position which is at least higher than a maximum dimension of the bulge of a male connector profile in the said direction transverse to the plane formed by the groove in the elongate body. This allows a male connector profile to be introduced into the groove from the first position.

[0092] The groove preferably has a height between the second position and the second end which is at least smaller than the maximum dimension of the bulge of a male connector profile in the said direction transverse to the plane formed by the groove in the elongate body. As a result, a male connector profile cannot come out of the groove after the second position.

[0093] According to a preferred embodiment, the female connector profile and the male connector profiles are part of a tent canvas connector according to the first aspect. In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for waterproof connection of tent canvases.

[0094] According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of pulling at least two tent canvases with the aid of ropes over a tent frame and connecting the at least two tent canvases. The at least two tent canvases are connected to each other with the aid of a tent canvas connector according to the first aspect. For this purpose, the at least two tent canvases comprise male connector profiles on at least two opposite edges.

[0095] This embodiment is advantageous in that the tent canvass are connected in a waterproof manner. An additional advantage is that the tent canvases can be connected without a person having to walk over a rafter of a tent frame to connect two tent canvases, so that connecting tent canvases is not dangerous. In addition, it is not necessary to attach the female connector profile to the tent frame, so that tent canvases can be quickly connected.

[0096] According to a preferred embodiment, the female connector profile is pulled over the tent frame with the aid of a rope. No bulges of male connector profiles have yet been accommodated in recesses of the female connector profile and the female profile is pulled over the tent frame with the aid of only a rope. The bulge of the first male connector profile and the bulge of the second male connector profile are subsequently accommodated in the respective recesses of the female connector profile.

[0097] This embodiment is advantageous because tent canvases are pulled individually over the tent frame, so that less weight has to be dragged, because adjacent tent canvases have not yet been connected.

[0098] According to a preferred embodiment, the male connector profiles of two adjacent tent canvas are connected into the female connector profile with the aid of an assembly aid according to the third aspect. Connected into the female connector profile means that the bulge of the male connector profile is accommodated in a corresponding recess of the female connector profile.

[0099] The assembly aid allows to connect the male connector profiles into the female connector profile, without having to place bulges of the male connector profiles at one end of the female connector profile into corresponding recesses and slide them into the corresponding recesses along the longitudinal direction of the female connector profile. As a result, it is not necessary to pull the canvases accurately over the tent frame to prevent the tent canvases from being blocked in a direction oblique to the female connector profile when sliding the bulges of the male connector profiles into the corresponding recesses of the female connector profile.

[0100] According to a further embodiment, the assembly aid is pulled over the tent frame by means of a rope. This is advantageous because it allows tent canvases to be connected together after pulling the tent canvases and female connectors over the tent frame, reducing the weight to be dragged each time. This is additionally advantageous because it is not necessary for a person to walk over a rafter of the tent frame to connect the tent canvases.

[0101] One skilled in the art will appreciate that a method according to the fourth aspect is preferably carried out with a tent canvas connector according to the first aspect and/or an assembly aid according to the third aspect and that a tent canvas connector according to the first aspect and/or an assembly aid according to the third aspect are preferably configured to perform a method according to the fourth aspect. Each feature described in this document, both above and below, can therefore relate to any of the four aspects of the present invention.

[0102] In what follows, the invention is described by way of non-limiting figures illustrating the invention, and which are not intended to and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0103] Figure 1 shows a perspective view according to an embodiment of a tent canvas connector and assembly aid of the present invention.

[0104] The tent canvas connector comprises a first male connector profile (1), a second male connector profile (2) and a female connector profile (3). The first male connector profile (1), the second male connector profile (2) and the female connector profile (3) extend in a longitudinal direction (5). The first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) comprise a bulge (6) on a first side (8). The bulge (6) has a triangular cross-section with a rounded top. The bulges (6) extend over the entire first side (8) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) in the longitudinal direction (5). The first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) comprise parallel legs (7) on a second side (9). The bulge (6) on the first side (8) and the parallel legs (7) on the second side (9) extend in the same plane. The female connector profile (3) comprises in a first side wall (10) a first recess (12) for receiving the bulge (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and in a second opposite side wall (11) a second recess (13) for receiving the bulge (6) of the second male connector profile (2). The first recess (12) and the second recess (13) extend over the entire first side wall (10) and the second side wall (11), respectively, of the female connector profile (3) in the longitudinal direction (5). The female connector profile (3) comprises flexible barbs (14) around the first recess (12) and the second recess (13).

[0105] An assembly aid (4) is also shown in Figure 1. The assembly aid (4) comprises an elongate body (17). The elongate body (17) comprises a channel (25) for receiving the female connector profile (3). The channel (25) extends in the longitudinal direction (5) from a first end (15) to a second end (16) through the elongate body (17). The elongate body (17) comprises on two opposite side walls of the channel (25) from a first position (21) a groove (20) through the elongate body (17). The first position (21) is hidden in Figure 1 by the first male connector profile (1). The grooves (20) extend from the first position (21) to the second end (16). The grooves (20) comprise from a second position (22), located between the first position (21) and the second end (16), a guide surface (18) for guiding the bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) to the channel (25). The guide surface (18) is gradually closer to the channel (25) from the second position (22) to a third position (23). The third position (23) is located between the second position (22) and the second end (16). The third position (23) is hidden in Figure 1 by the guide surface (18). The assembly aid (4) comprises guide wheels (19) on a plane on the underside, parallel to the grooves (20), for guiding the assembly aid (4) over a tent canvas.

[0106] Bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) have not yet been received in the first recess (12) and the second recess (13), respectively, at the first end (15) of the assembly aid. The first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) are placed in the grooves (20) of the assembly aid (4) from the first position (21). From the second position (22), the bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) are guided by the guide surface (18) gradually to the channel (25) and thus the first recess (12) and the second recess (13), respectively. From the third position (23), the bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) have clicked into the first recess (12) and the second recess (13), respectively, and have thus been received.

[0107] Figure 2 shows a top view of a tent canvas connector and assembly aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The design corresponds to the tent canvas connector and the assembly aid (4) from Figure 1. Figure 2 shows how the guide surface (18) gradually moves closer to the channel (25) from the second position (22) to the third position (23). The guide surface (18) partially penetrates the channel (25).

[0108] The bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) are clicked into the first recess (12) and the second recess (13), respectively, by sliding the assembly aid (4) along the female connector profile (3) in the longitudinal direction (5) and in the direction indicated by the arrow by the guide surface (18).

[0109] Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show a cross-section along lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D, respectively, of a tent canvas connector and an assembly aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] The design corresponds to the tent canvas connector and the assembly aid (4) from Figure 2. The positions of the cross-sections A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D are indicated in Figure 2.

[0111] In Figure 3a, the bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) have already been clicked into the first recess (12) and the second recess (13), respectively. The assembly aid has already moved past the line A-A in the longitudinal direction (5) and along the female connector profile in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2. It can be clearly seen from Figure 3a that the bulges (6) on the first sides (8) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) comprise deepenings (24) for receiving the barbs (14).

[0112] In Figure 3b, the bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) have also already been clicked into the first recess (12) and the second recess (13), respectively, but the assembly aid (4) is still around the female connector profile (3). The first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) extend through the grooves (20) of the elongate body (17) of the assembly aid (4). In Figure 3b it is also clearly visible how the guide surface (18) has partially penetrated into the channel (25) and as a result the bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) have respectively penetrated into the first recess (12) and the second recess (13).

[0113] In Figure 3c, the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) extend through the grooves (20) of the elongate body (17) of the assembly aid (4). The bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) have already been partially guided by the guide surface (18) to the channel and thus the first recess (12) and the second recess (13) respectively but haven't clicked in yet.

[0114] In Figure 3d, the bulges (6) of the first male connector profile (1) and the second male connector profile (2) have not yet been placed in the grooves (20) of the elongate body (17) of the assembly aid (4). The assembly aid has not yet been pushed far enough in the longitudinal direction (5) and in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2 along the female connector profile.

[0115] The numbered elements in the figures are as follows:

1

First male connector profile

2

Second male connector profile

3

Female connector profile

4

Assembly aid

5

Longitudinal direction

6

Bulge

7

Parallel legs

8

First side of male connector profile

9

Second side of male connector profile

10

First side wall of female connector profile

11

Second side wall of female connector profile

12

First recess

13

Second recess

14

Flexible barbs

15

First end

16

Second end

17

Elongate body

18

Guide surface

19

Guide wheels

20

Groove

21

First position

22

Second position

23

Third position

24

Deepening

25

Channel

Claims

1. Tent canvas connector for waterproof connection of tent canvases, comprising a first male connector profile and a second male connector profile, wherein the first and second male connector profiles extend in a longitudinal direction, wherein the first and the second male connector profile comprise a bulge on a first side, and wherein the bulge of the first and second male connector profile extends over the entire first side of the first and second male connector profile, respectively, in said longitudinal direction, characterized in that the tent canvas connector comprises a female connector profile, the female connector profile extending in said longitudinal direction, wherein the female connector profile comprises in a first side wall a first recess for receiving the bulge of the first male connector profile and in a second opposite side wall a second recess for receiving the bulge of the second male connector profile, wherein the first and the second recess respectively extend over the entire first and second side wall of the female connector profile in said longitudinal direction.

2. Tent canvas connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second male connector profile comprise two parallel legs, on a second side, opposite the first side, wherein the bulge on the first side and the two parallel legs on the second side extend in the same plane.

3. Tent canvas connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bulge on the first sides of the first and the second male connector profile has a triangular cross-section with a rounded top.

4. Tent canvas connector according to any of the previous claims 1-3, characterized in that the female connector profile comprises flexible barbs around the recess.

5. Tent canvas connector according to any of the previous claims 1-4, characterized in that the first and the second male connector profile are made of PVC.

6. Tent canvas connector according to any of the previous claims 1-5, characterized in that the female connector profile is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. Composite tent canvas for waterproof sealing of a tent, comprising a plurality of canvases, characterized in that the plurality of tent canvass are connected to each other with the aid of a tent canvas connector according to any of the preceding claims 1-6.

8. Composite tent canvas according to claim 7, characterized in that a male connector profile is welded to two opposite edges of each tent canvas.

9. Assembly aid for waterproof connection of tent canvases, comprising an elongate body, characterized in that the elongate body comprises a channel for receiving a female connector profile of a tent canvas connector, the channel extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end of the elongate body through the elongate body, the elongate body comprising on two opposite side walls of the channel from a first position located between the first end and the second end, a groove through the elongate body, wherein the groove extends from the first position to the second end and wherein the groove, from a second position, located between the first position and the second end, comprises on the two opposite side walls of the channel a guide surface for guiding a bulge of a male connector profile, wherein the guide surface is gradually located closer to the channel from the second position to a third position, located between the second position and the second end, and wherein the guide surface at the third position at least touches the channel.

10. Assembly aid according to claim 9, characterized in that the assembly aid comprises guide wheels on a surface, parallel to the grooves, for guiding the assembly aid over a rafter.

11. Assembly aid according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the assembly aid comprises a drawbar eye.

12. Method for waterproof connection of tent canvases, comprising pulling at least two tent canvases with the aid of ropes over a tent frame and connecting the at least two tent canvases, characterized in that the at least two tent canvases are connected to each other with the aid of a tent canvas connector according to any of the preceding claims 1-6.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the female connector profile is pulled over the tent frame using a rope, wherein no male connector profile of two adjacent tent canvases is connected in the female connector profile.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the male connector profiles of two adjacent tent canvases are connected into the female connector profile with the aid of an assembly aid according to any of the preceding claims 9-11.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the assembly aid is pulled over the frame of the tent using a rope.

Drawing