CONNECTOR PLATE FOR TENT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A connector plate for quickly and easily securing tent guide ropes and/or straps for facilitating a tent's assembly includes: a base portion, a trunk portion extending longitudinally from the base portion, and a number of branches extending radially from the trunk portion. The base portion has dimensions that are greater in the transverse direction than the longitudinal direction (that is, has a greater width than length) and defines therethrough a slot opening that receives a tent strap. The branches, which may be grouped as oppositely disposed pairs, terminate in geometric shaped end portions, around which end portions a tent guide rope may be wrapped. A method of assembling a tent using the present connector plate is also provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Design patent application 29/378,814 filed Nov. 10, 2010, entitled “TIE-DOWN CLIP.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to the field of tent construction and assembly and, more specifically, to a connector plate for simplifying such assembly.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Tents have long been used as shelter in many parts of the world. More recently, tents of varying sizes have begun to be used for recreational purposes, such as marquee tents for wedding receptions, outdoor parties, and corporate hospitality events. Smaller high peak frame tents, often used without sidewalls, may be used for tailgating parties, family gatherings, smaller corporate hospitality events, and the like.

Conventionally, tent set-up has been labor-intensive and has required specialized knowledge and/or tools. The assembly of an event tent typically involves spreading the tent fabric across the ground, erecting tent poles and stakes in the ground around the perimeter of the tent, and securing the fabric to the stakes using a combination of tent straps and ropes. For example, the tent fabric may be provided with straps or ropes that are connected to tensioned ratchets and to the stakes, thus creating tension on the tent fabric.

Given that tent construction may require specialized tools and skills, a tool for simplifying the assembly of a tent would be beneficial. Further, constructing a tent without the need for separate stakes would be advantageous.

SUMMARY

Provided herein is a connector plate for quickly and easily securing tent guide ropes and/or straps for facilitating a tent's assembly. The connector plate, which is generally planar, includes a base portion, a trunk portion extending longitudinally from the base portion, and a number of branches extending radially from the trunk portion. The base portion has dimensions that are greater in the transverse direction than the longitudinal direction (that is, has a greater width than length) and defines therethrough a slot opening that receives a tent strap. The branches, which may be grouped as oppositely disposed pairs, terminate in geometric shaped end portions, around which end portions a tent guide rope may be wrapped.

A method of assembling a tent using the present connector plate is also provided. A tent fabric is provided with a strap, which is secured through the slot in the base portion of the connector plate. A rope is threaded between branches on a first longitudinal half of the connector plate. The rope is then wrapped around the terminal end of the connector plate (opposite the slot) and between branches on a second longitudinal half of the connector plate. The rope next traverses the trunk of the connector plate and is positioned between a branch and the base portion to anchor the tent fabric. Once the tent is anchored, the rope is wrapped around the base portion to secure the assembly. Finally, the rope is tied to a tent pole or stake to complete the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and detailed disclosure is set forth in the accompanying specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector plate of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A through 2E are schematic plan views of various terminal ends, which may be potentially useful with the connector plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational plan view of the connector plate of FIG. 1, illustrating a first step in a method of using the same;

FIG. 4 is an elevational plan view of the connector plate of FIG. 1, illustrating a second step in a method of using the same;

FIG. 5 is an elevational plan view of the connector plate of FIG. 1, illustrating a third step in a method of using the same;

FIG. 6 is an elevational plan view of the connector plate of FIG. 1, illustrating a fourth step in a method of using the same;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tent assembly using the connector plate of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are plan views of alternate embodiments of the connector plate of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings for illustration of various components of the present connector plate. The connector plate is adapted to connect a tent strap to a guide rope, thereby facilitating tent assembly. While the particular illustrations provided herein are directed to a tent assembly, various elements and embodiments may be equally applicable to coverings constructed using a tarp (regardless of whether they have the structural similarity to a tent). It should be noted that, although the connector plate is shown as having a substantially flat construction residing within a single plane, a non-planar connector plate (for example, a plate having up- or down-turned branches) may instead be employed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a connector plate 2, which may be constructed of any durable, relatively non-malleable material, such as stainless steel. The connector plate 2 includes a base portion 10, a longitudinally extending trunk portion 40, a first pair of radially extending branches 20, 22, and a second pair of radially extending branches 30, 32. The base portion 10 has dimensions that are greater in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction (that is, the base portion 10 has a greater width than length). A slot-shaped opening 16 is defined in a transverse direction through the base portion 10. The slot 16 receives a tent strap (e.g., 102, shown in FIGS. 3-6). A single slot 16 may be used, as shown, or a pair of slots 16 may be employed, in the event that a pair of tent straps is used. The trunk portion 40 defines a central longitudinally extending region and a central longitudinal axis (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1).

The first pair of branches 20, 22 is positioned proximate the base portion 10 and between the base portion 10 and the second pair of branches 30, 32. A crevice 26 is formed on a first longitudinal half of the connector plate between the base portion 10 and the branch 20. Likewise, on the second (opposite) longitudinal half of the connector plate 2, a corresponding crevice 28 is formed between the base portion 10 and the branch 22. The first pair of branches 20, 22 may be provided with an irregular edge portion 24, such as a saw-tooth or serrated edge, proximate the base portion 10. The irregular edge portions 24 engage a rope (100, shown in FIGS. 3-6) threaded around the connector plate 2. Other types of profiles or surface modifications may be used for irregular edges 24, such as an undulating surface, a hook-shaped surface, a spiked surface, or a surface treated with a friction-increasing coating.

A second pair of branches 30, 32 extends radially from the trunk portion 40, the branches 30, 32 being oppositely disposed from one another. Crevices 36, 38 are defined between the second branches 30, 32 and the first branches 20, 22, respectively. The edges of the branches 30, 32 may be provided with irregular edge surfaces, similarly to the branches 20, 22, although such modification is not required. Distal to the base portion 10 is a terminal end 37 of the connector plate 2, the terminal end 37 being integral with the branches 30, 32. As shown, the terminal end 37 is slightly concave for ease of manipulating a rope therearound and is narrower (in a transverse direction) than the base portion 10 (also in the transverse direction). The connector plate 2 may be provided with a straight or convex end portion, if so desired.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the terminal end portion of the branches (e.g., 32) possesses a generally triangular geometric shape. The triangular shape is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2A, noting that the edges are somewhat rounded for ease of manufacturing and use. FIG. 2B through FIG. 2E illustrate alternate geometric shapes that may be employed as the terminal end portions of the branches (e.g., 32). In FIG. 2B, a branch 232 possesses an oval or oblong terminal end. In FIG. 2C, a branch 332 is provided with a circular terminus. A branch 432 is provided with a terminal end portion in the shape of a parallelogram, such as a rectangle, in FIG. 2D. FIG. 2E illustrates a branch 532 having a trapezoidal terminal end portion. Other geometric- or organic-shaped terminal ends may be used, as needs or preferences dictate, the previously described drawings being provided merely as examples.

A method of using the connector plate 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6. A tent fabric (not shown) is provided with a strap 102, which is secured through the slot 16 in the base portion 10 of the connector plate 2. As a first step shown in FIG. 3, a user slides the rope 100 between branches 32, 22 on a first longitudinal half of the connector plate 2. Said differently, the rope 100 is threaded into the crevice 38 between adjacent branches 22, 32. The rope 100 may be threaded from the back of the plate 2 to the front of the plate 2 and on the left longitudinal half of the plate, as shown, or the rope 100 may be similarly positioned on the opposite half of the plate and/or threaded from the front of the plate 2 to the back of the plate 2.

In a second step shown in FIG. 4, the rope 100 is then wrapped around the terminal end 37 of the connector plate 2 (opposite the base portion 10) and between the adjacent branches 30, 20 on a second longitudinal half of the connector plate 2. As depicted, the rope 100 is wrapped over the front of the connector plate 2 and is positioned into the crevice 36 from the back of the connector plate 2. In the event that the user began wrapping the rope 100 from the front of the connector plate in the previous step, the directionality of the second, holding step would be reversed (front-to-back instead of back-to-front).

As shown in FIG. 5, the rope 100 positioned between the branches 30, 20 next traverses the trunk 40 of the connector plate 2 (across the front side of the plate 2) and is positioned in the crevice 28 between the branch 22 and the base portion 10 to anchor the tent fabric. The serrated teeth on the irregular edge 24 help to secure the rope 100 in position.

Once the tent awning is anchored, the rope 100 is wrapped around the trunk portion 40 proximate the base portion 10 to secure the assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The rope 100 is threaded from the crevice 28 around the back of the connector plate 2, enters the crevice 26 from the back, and is wrapped across the front of the connector plate 2 and back onto itself in the crevice 26.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, the loose ends of the rope 100 are tied to a tent pole or stake 103 to complete the tent assembly 105.

Although the connector plate 2 shown and described herein has included branches 20, 22 and 30, 32 that are arranged as oppositely disposed pairs, other arrangements are possible. For instance, the branches may be off-set axially from one another, as shown in FIG. 8, in which like elements are numbered in the “600” series, or may be arranged in an X-shape, as shown in FIG. 9, in which like elements are numbered in the “700” series. In addition, one or both pairs of branches may be oriented in different plane from the base portion and trunk portion. For instance, the branches may be up-turned or down-turned relative to the base and trunk portions.

Alternately to the method of use described previously, the connector plate 2 may be used in an inverted position, in which the rope 100 being wound around the connector plate 2 is attached to the tent awning material and the strap 102 is connected to a ratcheting device, which itself is secured to a stake in the ground. Yet another variation of use occurs when the rope 100 is attached to the tent awning material and the straps 102 are positioned within the closed doors or windows of two adjacent vehicles, such as trucks or cars.

The preceding discussion merely illustrates the principles of the present connector plate. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements, which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for educational purposes and to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the inventions and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future.

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire description of the invention. In the description, relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “top” and “bottom”, as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. Likewise, numerical-based terms, such as “first” and “second”, are used merely for identifying particular components and are not to be construed as limiting the invention to a particular number of components. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not required that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation, unless otherwise indicated.

The foregoing description provides a teaching of the subject matter of the appended claims, including the best mode known at the time of filing, but is in no way intended to preclude foreseeable variations contemplated by those of skill in the art.

Claims

1. A connector plate for securing a tent or tarp, the connector plate comprising:

a base portion, the base portion having dimensions greater in a transverse direction than in a longitudinal direction and defining therethrough a slot in the transverse direction;

a trunk portion extending longitudinally from the base portion;

a plurality of branches extending from the trunk, each branch having a terminal end distal to the trunk portion, the terminal end defining a geometric-shaped profile configured to engage a rope threaded therearound.

2. The connector plate of claim 1, wherein the base portion, the trunk portion, and the branches are co-planar.

3. The connector plate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of branches comprises four branches organized as a first pair and a second pair, the branches in each pair being oppositely disposed from one another and extending radially from the trunk portion, and wherein crevices are defined between the base portion and each of the first pair of branches and between the first pair of branches and the second pair of branches.

4. The connector plate of claim 3, wherein the first pair of branches is proximate the base portion, and wherein the terminal ends of the first pair of branches comprise an irregular surface configured to engage a rope threaded through the crevice between the base portion and the first pair of branches.

5. The connector plate of claim 4, wherein the irregular surface comprises saw tooth-shaped protrusions.

6. The connector plate of claim 1, wherein the terminal ends of the branches generally define a geometric shape corresponding to one of a triangle, an oval, a circle, a parallelogram, and a trapezoid.

7. The connector plate of claim 6, wherein the terminal ends of the branches define a triangular shape.

8. The connector plate of claim 6, wherein the first pair of branches defines a first terminal end shape and the second pair of branches defines a second terminal end shape different from the first terminal end shape.

9. The connector plate of claim 1, wherein the connector plate is constructed of a non-malleable metal.

10. A method for quickly assembling a tent, the method comprising:

providing a tent awning having a strap attached thereto;

securing a connector plate to the strap, the connector plate comprising a base portion, the base portion defining therethrough a slot in the transverse direction, the strap being secured through the slot; a trunk portion extending longitudinally from the base portion; a plurality of branches extending from the trunk, each branch having a terminal end distal to the trunk portion, a plurality of crevices being defined between adjacent branches and between a pair of branches and the base portion, the terminal ends of the branches defining a geometric-shaped profile configured to engage a rope threaded into the crevices;

securing a rope, from a first direction, around a first branch distal to the base portion;

wrapping the rope around the terminal end of the connector plate and, from a second direction, threading the rope into a second crevice between a second branch and a third branch;

extending the rope diagonally across the trunk portion of the connector plate and into a third crevice between the fourth branch and the base portion;

threading the rope across the trunk portion in the opposite direction into an oppositely disposed fourth crevice between a third branch and the base portion and wrapping the rope around the trunk portion and into the third crevice; and

securing the loose ends of the rope to a tent pole or stake.