Tent Hub Assembly

Abstract

A hub assembly for a tent has open, intermediate, and closed configurations, with pairs of fasteners and pins having a first distance in a first direction substantially equal to a second distance between fasteners and the pins along a second direction different from the first direction. When the first and second distances are equal, a biasing member is in a first state in both the open and closed configurations. In the intermediate configuration between the open and closed configurations, the biasing member has a second state which is compressed, and a vertical distance between pairs of fasteners and pins is greater than the first distance. Moving the poles from the intermediate configuration to either the open or the closed configurations decreases the vertical distance between the fastener and the pin which transitions the biasing member from the second state to the less compressed first state.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/251,729, filed on Apr. 14, 2014, which claims foreign priority to China Application No. 2013207091816, filed on Nov. 11, 2013, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tent hub assembly, and in particular to a hub assembly which facilitates folding and unfolding of a tent.

2. Description of Prior Art

Foldable tents are well known in the art and have become very popular in recent years. In fact, every major retail outlet in the U.S. sells a foldable tent in one form or another. Foldable tents come in different configurations with a variety of features and manufacturers continue to improve those features. However, in general, a foldable tent comprises a tent fabric coupled to a frame assembly at a radially inner space of the frame assembly.

One of the most important parts of the foldable tent is the hub assembly. The hub assembly serves as the backbone of the tent and facilitates the opening and folding of the tent while also maintaining the tent in those positions. In earlier developed foldable tents the hub assembly included an external locking mechanism to ensure that the tent is maintained in the open state. However, external locking mechanisms are problematic for a number of reasons such as added bulk and weight, the tendency to malfunction due to the number of interacting components, and the extra time it takes to open and fold the tent. Therefore, more recently a hub assembly that does not require an external locking mechanism was developed.

In a more recently developed hub assembly the tent poles are pivotally coupled to the hub assembly and supported by an engaging surface when the tent is in the open configuration, as shown and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,656. When folded, the poles are pivoted upward relative to the hub assembly and the hub assembly is placed on top of the tent fabric and folded into a compact bundle, and stored within a carry bag. Even though the more recently developed hub assembly is more advantageous than the previous hub assembly having an external locking mechanism, there are several problems associated with such a configuration.

In the open state, in the foldable tent of the prior art described in the previous paragraph the radially inward tension from the tent fabric prevents the tent from collapsing. The upper poles of the tent are secured only by way of contact with the engaging surface. Therefore, when the inward tension from the tent fabric is weakened or when the upper tent poles do not fully engage the engaging surface, for example by strong wind exerted on the tent or by human contact, the tent is susceptible to collapsing because an additional safeguard for maintaining the tent in the open state is not present.

Another disadvantage of the foldable tent of the prior art described above is that the tent fabric is susceptible to damage when folded. This is because the poles are folded upward relative to the hub assembly and thus the hub assembly rests directly on top of the tent fabric when the tent it folded. The friction caused between the hub assembly and the tent fabric could damage the tent fabric. The damage could be as severe as the tent fabric being torn, punctured or ripped especially when the folded tent is dropped on the end where the hub assembly is located.

Another disadvantage in the foldable tent of the prior art is that the tent fabric could be damaged during the set up process. For the tent of the prior art, the tent must first be unfolded such that the floor of the tent is completely expanded with the poles resting on top. The user is then required to reach within the boundaries of the floor to further unfold and extend the poles. It is difficult to engage the poles without stepping on the tent fabric especially in larger instant tents of the prior art. Therefore, the tent fabric is further susceptible to damage.

Other hub assemblies have been developed to overcome the disadvantages of the hub assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,656. For example, the hub assemblies of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,861,736; 8,047,218; and 7,607,447 disclose hub assemblies where the poles fold downward and that do not have external locking mechanisms. However, those hub assemblies are quite bulky due to the requirement of a lengthy biasing mechanism and are costly to manufacture because they require much more material—both plastic and metal.

Furthermore, prior art hub assemblies having biasing mechanisms are problematic because it is difficult for the tent to consistently remain in the open and folded configurations due to the constant spring force which tends to collapse the tent when an open configuration is desired and/or open the tent when a folded configuration is desired.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The present invention is intended to overcome at least the above-described disadvantages. More specifically, the objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide a foldable instant tent that: includes a safeguard against unwanted collapse of the tent while in an open state unwanted opening of the tent while in a folded state; has the capability of the upper tent poles to fold downward to minimize contact between the hub assembly and tent fabric when in the folded state, and provides the user with easy set up while eliminating the need for the user to make contact with the tent fabric with his feet during set up; and is more cost effective to manufacture.

Facilitating the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a hub assembly for a tent having a plurality of poles, the hub assembly comprising: a hub having a central member in a central aperture and a plurality of arms, each arm having a fastener aperture for receiving a fastener which pivotably connects a first hole of a respective pole to the arm; a base having a shaft and a plurality of walls, with the central member slidably disposed in the shaft, with pairs of the walls forming pole slots each for receiving a respective pole, each wall having an elongated guide slot for receiving a pin which passes through a second hole of a respective pole in the pole slot; a biasing member disposed in the shaft; wherein, with the poles in an open configuration, the pins are in a locking position in the elongated slot; wherein, when the poles are moved to a closed configuration, the pins are moved from the locking position to an unlocked position in the elongated slot; and wherein, for each pole, a first distance between the respective fastener and the respective pin along a first direction is substantially equal to a second distance between the fastener and the pin along a second direction different from the first direction.

The present invention also provides a hub assembly for a tent having a plurality of poles, the hub assembly comprising: a hub having a central member in a central aperture and a plurality of arms, each arm having a first pivotal connection with a first portion of a respective pole; a base having a shaft and a plurality of walls, with the central member slidably disposed in the shaft, with the walls including a guide slot having a second pivotal connection with a second portion of a respective pole; and a biasing member disposed in the central member; wherein, for each pole, a first distance between the respective first and second pivotal connections along a first direction is substantially equal to a second distance between the first and second pivotal connections along a second direction different from the first direction.

The present invention further provides a tent comprising: a plurality of poles; a hub having a central member in a central aperture and a plurality of arms, each arm having a fastener aperture for receiving a fastener which pivotably connects a first hole of a respective pole to the arm; a base having a shaft and a plurality of walls, with the central member slidably disposed in the shaft, with pairs of the walls forming pole slots each for receiving a respective pole, each wall having an elongated guide slot for receiving a pin which passes through a second hole of a respective pole in the pole slot; a biasing member disposed in the shaft to bias the central member upward to bias the hub upward from the base; wherein, with the poles in an open configuration, the pins are in a locking position in the elongated guide slot; wherein, when the poles are moved to a closed configuration, the pins are moved from the locking position to an unlocked position in the elongated guide slot; and wherein, for each pole, a first distance between the respective fastener and the respective pin along a first direction is substantially equal to a second distance between the fastener and the pin along a second direction different from the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top side perspective view of an embodiment of a hub assembly of the present invention in the open configuration;

FIG. 2 is the top side perspective view of FIG. 1 with parts separated;

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the hub assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top side perspective view of the hub assembly of FIG. 1 in a partially closed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the hub assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top side perspective view of the hub assembly of FIG. 1 in the closed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the hub assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top side perspective view of a tent with poles connected to the hub assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hub assembly of the present invention with parts separated;

FIG. 10 is a top side perspective view of the hub assembly of FIG. 9 in an open configuration;

FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of the hub assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top side perspective view of the hub assembly of FIG. 9 in an intermediate configuration;

FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view of the hub assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top side perspective view of the hub assembly of FIG. 9 in a closed or folded configuration; and

FIG. 15 is a front cross-sectional view of the hub assembly of FIG. 14.

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one or more items, and where only one item is intended the term “one” or similar language is used. Additionally, to assist in the description of the present invention, words such as top, bottom, upper, lower, front, rear, inner, outer, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the hub assembly 1 is connected to the ends of a plurality of poles 40 of a tent, as shown in FIG. 8, which have the tent fabric attached to the poles 40. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the hub assembly 1 has a body or hub 10 with a plurality of hub arms 12 radially extending from a central portion having a central aperture 11. Each hub arm 12 has a fastener aperture 15 which receives a fastener 16 that passes through a first hole 41 in the end of each pole 40 at a first portion. The fastener 16 pivotally connects the first hole 41 to a pair of hub arms 12 of the hub 10, such that the pole 40 pivots in a respective pair of hub arms 12. In this embodiment, the hub assembly 1 includes four poles 40 but more poles could be included with additional hub arms 12 as well.

The hub assembly 1 also has a base 20 with pairs of walls 25 radially extending from a central portion with a shaft 24. Each pair of walls 25 forms a pole slot for receiving an intermediate or second portion of each pole 40. The intermediate portions have a second hole 42 through each pole 40, as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the shaft 24 is cylindrical but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the hub assembly 1 could be configured such that the shaft 24 has other shapes and sizes such as, for example, having a square cross-section.

Each wall 25 of the base 20 has an elongated guide slot 21 which receive pins 50 that pass through the second holes 42, such that the elongated guide slot 21 of each pair of walls 25 is pivotally connected to the second holes 42. Accordingly, the intermediate portions of the poles 40 at the second holes 42 are slidably and pivotally connected to the elongated guide slot 21 of each pair of walls 25.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7, the elongated guide slot 21 is non-linear, having a linear portion 22 and a curved portion 23 which provides a non-linear path of slidable movement of the pins 50 in the elongated guide slot 21.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the central aperture 11 and the shaft 24 receive a central member such as a bolt 13 which extends through a biasing member such as a spring 30, which is disposed in an interior 26 of the shaft 24. The biasing member could also take on other forms such as a double spring or a pneumatic actuator. A top portion of the shaft 24 is substantially enclosed other than an aperture for which the bolt 13 extends. The lower end of the bolt 13 engages a washer 14 and a nut 17. The diameter of the washer 14 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the shaft 24. In the open configuration, the hub body may abut the base 20, while the spring 30 biases the hub body of the hub assembly 10 upward and away from the base 20. The shaft 24 may also have an opening 27 for attaching a top portion of the tent fabric or to attach other accessories.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the poles 40 are in an open configuration, with the pins 50 in the curved portion 23 of the elongated guide slot 21. When the pins 50 are in the curved portion 23, the pins 40 are in a locked position at the upper end of the elongated guide slot 21, such that the poles 40 are maintained in the open configuration without the need for additional fasteners. In addition, the spring 30 in the interior 26 of the shaft 24 is partially compressed.

When a user desires to fold the tent, the user moves the poles 40 from the open configuration in FIGS. 1 and 3 to an intermediate configuration shown in FIGS. 4-5 and then to a closed configuration shown in FIGS. 6-7.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, to fold the tent, the user moves the poles 40 to the intermediate configuration by moving the poles 40 downward, and therefore providing a downward moment about the pivot of each fastener 16 which is fixed to the hub arms 12. The downward moment removes the slidable pivoting pins 50 out of the curved portion 23 of the elongated guide slot 21, as shown in FIG. 4, allowing the pins 50 to enter the linear portion 22 of the elongated guide slot 21. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the downward moment applies a force which moves the hub 10 upward from the base 20 and further compresses the spring 30 in the shaft 24.

The user then moves the poles 40 to the closed configuration, shown in FIGS. 6-7, by further moving the poles 40 toward the base 20 which provides a downward moment or torque about the pivot of each fastener 16, allowing the pins 50 to slide downward along the linear portion 22 of the elongated guide slot 21. Such a downward moment further applies a force which moves the hub 10 further upward from the base 20 and further compresses the spring 30 in the shaft 24, as shown in FIG. 7. The compression of the spring 30 provides a force which maintains the poles 40 in the closed configuration without the need for additional fasteners.

To open the tent, the user moves the poles 40 upward from the closed configuration in FIGS. 6-7 through the intermediate configuration in FIGS. 4-5 and then to the open configuration in FIGS. 1 and 3. By moving the poles 40 accordingly, the user provides an upward moment or torque on the poles 40 about the fastener 16 to overcome the force of the compressed spring 30, and then to move the pins 50 into the curved portion 23 of the elongated guide slot 21. Thus, the upward moment provided by the opening movement of the poles 40 slides the pins 50 upward along the linear portion of the elongated guide slot 22 to the locking position in the curved portion 23.

Therefore, in the open configuration in FIGS. 1 and 3, the spring 30 is extended and the pins 50 are locked in the curved portion 23 so that the pins 50 cannot release from the curved portion 23 unless the user provides sufficient downward force to move the poles 40.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9-15, a hub assembly 60 is shown, having elements substantially similar or identical to the elements of the hub assembly 1 of FIGS. 1-8, as described above, with like elements having like reference numerals. FIGS. 9-15 show the hub assembly 60 with two poles 40 to more clearly show the components of the hub assembly, however, the hub assembly 60 could be constructed with more than two poles.

Referring to FIG. 9, the hub assembly 60 is connected to the ends of a plurality of poles 40 of a tent which have the tent fabric attached to the poles 40. As shown in FIGS. 9-15, the hub assembly 60 has a body or hub 61 with a plurality of hub arms 62 radially extending from a central portion having a central aperture 63. Each hub arm 62 has a first fastener aperture 65 therethrough, and a pair of hub arms 62 form a space therebetween for receiving an end member 43 of a respective pole 40. The end member 43 has an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper portion having opposing wall members forming a slot for receiving an intermediate portion 44 of the pole 40, and the lower portion having opposing wall members have third fastener apertures 46 therethrough. Each opposing wall member of the upper portion has a second fastener aperture 45 which complements and is aligned with the first hole 41 of the pole 40 and with the first fastener aperture 65 of a hub arm 62 to receive a fastener 66 that passes through the first fastener aperture 65, the second fastener aperture 45, and the first hole 41 of the pole 40. The fastener 66 pivotally connects the end member 43 to the pair of hub arms 62 of the hub 61, such that the pole 40 pivots in a respective pair of hub arms 62. In this alternative embodiment, the hub assembly 60 includes at least two poles 40 but more poles could be included with additional hub arms 62 as well.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the hub 61 also includes an inner shaft 64 integrally formed thereto and extending downwardly therefrom. An upper portion of the inner shaft 64 is open with the central aperture 63 therein and a lower portion of the inner shaft 64 is enclosed except for an aperture extending therethrough at substantially the center thereof, as shown for example in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15.

As shown in FIG. 9, the hub assembly 60 also has a base 70 with pairs of walls 75 radially extending from a central portion with an outer shaft 74 integrally formed thereto and extending downwardly therefrom. An upper portion of the outer shaft 74 is open and a lower portion of the outer shaft 74 is enclosed except for an aperture extending therethrough at substantially the center thereof, as shown for example in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15. Each pair of walls 75 forms a pole slot for receiving the lower portions of end member 43 of each pole 40, with the third fastener apertures 46 aligned with guide slots 71 of the base 70. In this embodiment, the outer shaft 74 is cylindrical but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the hub assembly 60 could be configured such that the outer shaft 74 has other shapes and sizes such as, for example, having a square cross-section.

Referring to FIGS. 9-15, each wall 75 of the base 70 has an elongated guide slot 71 which receive pins 80 that pass through the third fastener apertures 46, such that the elongated guide slot 71 of each pair of walls 75 is pivotally connected to the third fastener apertures 46. Accordingly, the lower portions of the end members 43 of the poles 40 at the third fastener apertures 46 are slidably and pivotally connected to the elongated guide slot 71 of each pair of walls 75. Each elongated guide slot 71 has a linear portion 72 and a curved portion 73 which provides a non-linear path of slidable movement of the pins 80 in the elongated guide slot 71.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the outer shaft 74 receives the inner shaft 64. The inner shaft 64 receives a biasing member 30 such as a spring. A central member such as a bolt 13 extends through the biasing member 30 and the apertures of the lower portions of the inner and outer shafts 64, 74. The biasing member 30 could also take on other forms such as a double spring or a pneumatic actuator. The lower end of the bolt 13 engages an optional washer and a nut 17, such as shown in FIG. 2. The diameter of the washer is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the outer shaft 74. In the open configuration, the hub 61 may abut the base 70, while the spring 30 biases the hub 61 of the hub assembly 60 upward and away from the base 70. The outer shaft 74 may also have an opening 77 for attaching a top portion of the tent fabric or to attach other accessories.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the poles 40 are in an open configuration, with the pins 80 in the curved portion 73 of the elongated guide slot 71. When the pins 80 are in the curved portion 73, the pins 80 are in a locked position at the outer end of the elongated guide slot 71, such that the poles 40 are maintained in the open configuration without the need for additional fasteners. In addition, the spring 30 is partially compressed as the lower portion of the inner shaft 64 is positioned at or near the lower portion of the outer shaft 74.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-15, the hub assembly 60 is configured and dimensioned to have a first distance D1 between the second fastener aperture 45 and the third fastener aperture 46, and a second distance D2 between the fastener apertures 45, 46 which is distinct from the first distance D1, as shown in FIG. 11. Since the first fastener aperture 65 of the hub arms 62 is complementary to and aligned with the second fastener aperture 45, the first distance D1 is formed between the first fastener aperture 65 and the third fastener aperture 46, and the second distance D2 is formed between the first fastener aperture 65 and the third fastener aperture 46 which is distinct from the first distance D1, as shown in FIG. 11. Similarly, when the fasteners 66, 80 pass through the corresponding apertures 45, 46, 65, the first distance D1 is similarly formed between fasteners 66, 80, and the second distance D2 is similarly formed between the fasteners 66, 80 which is distinct from the first distance D1, as shown in FIG. 11. With the hub assembly 60 configured in the open configuration in FIGS. 10 and 11 having the distances D1, D2, the distance D1 is substantially equal to the distance D2, and the biasing member 30 is in a first state.

In the alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the first distance D1 is measured in a first direction, and the second distance D2 is measured in a second direction. For example, the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular. In another alternative embodiment, the first distance D1 is a horizontal distance between the first fastener aperture 65 and the third fastener aperture 46, and the second distance D2 is a vertical distance between the first fastener aperture 65 and the third fastener aperture 46.

When a user desires to fold the tent, the user moves the poles 40 from the open configuration in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 to an intermediate configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and then to a closed configuration shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, to fold the tent, the user moves the poles 40 to the intermediate configuration by moving the poles 40 downward, and therefore providing a downward moment about the pivot of each fastener 66 which is fixed to the hub arms 62. The downward moment removes the slidable pivoting pins 80 out of the curved portion 73 of the elongated guide slot 71, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, allowing the pins 80 to enter the linear portion 72 of the elongated guide slot 71. As shown in FIG. 13, a third distance D3 is defined by the distance directly between the fasteners 66, 80 or a vertical distance between the guide slot 71 and the first fastener aperture 65. The third distance D3 is greater than the first and second distances D1, D2. Thus, in the intermediate configuration, the downward moment applies a force which moves the hub 61 upward from the base 70 and further compresses the spring 30 as the inner shaft 64 moves upward with the hub 61 and the biasing member 30 has a second state which is more compressed relative to the first state of the biasing member 30 when the hub assembly 60 is in the open configuration as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Once the poles 40 are pivoted either further downward or back upward from the intermediate configuration to either the closed configuration or the open configuration, respectively, the poles 40 tend to remain in the open or fully closed configurations because the biasing member 30 is in the first state which is extended and less compressed relative to the second state of the spring 30 when the poles 40 are in the intermediate configuration.

The third distance D3 could be modified to adjust the compressibility of the biasing member 30 in the intermediate configuration. Also, the configuration of the guide slot 71 could be modified to accomplish the same. For example, in an alternative embodiment, at least the portion 72 of the elongated guide slot 71 is curved, which would offset the difference between the distances D1 and D3, and the bias member 30 would have less compression in the second state.

From the intermediate configuration in FIGS. 12 and 13, the user then moves the poles 40 to the closed configuration, shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, by further moving the poles 40 toward the base 70 which provides a downward moment or torque about the pivot of each fastener 66, allowing the pins 80 to slide along the linear portion 72 of the elongated guide slot 71. Such a downward moment further applies a force which moves the hub 61 further upward from the base 70, as shown in FIG. 15, which decreases the vertical distance D3 between the fastener 66 and the pin 80, which transitions the biasing member 30 from the second state to the first state. The spring 30 in the first state provides a force which maintains the poles 40 in the closed configuration without the need for additional fasteners. In the alternative embodiment, the hub assembly 60 in the closed configuration has the distances D1, D2 are again substantially perpendicular and substantially equal, as shown in FIG. 15, with the bias member 30 in substantially the same state of compression as the first state when the hub assembly 60 is in the open configuration shown in FIG. 11.

From the closed configuration in FIGS. 14 and 15, to open the tent, the user moves the poles 40 upward from the closed configuration in FIGS. 14 and 15 through the intermediate configuration in FIGS. 12 and 13, and then to the open configuration in FIGS. 10 and 11. By moving the poles 40 accordingly, the user provides an upward moment or torque on the poles 40 about the fastener 66 to overcome the force of the compressed spring 30, and then to move the pins 80 into the curved portion 73 of the elongated guide slot 71. Thus, the upward moment provided by the opening movement of the poles 40 slides the pins 80 along the linear portion of the elongated guide slot 72 to the locking position in the curved portion 73. Such a upward moment further applies a force which moves the hub 61 further upward from the base 70, as shown in FIG. 11, which decreases the vertical distance D3 between the fastener 66 and the pin 80, which transitions the biasing member 30 from the second state to the less compressed first state when the hub assembly is in the open configuration in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Therefore, in the open configuration in FIGS. 10 and 11, the spring 30 is extended in the first state, and the pins 80 are locked in the curved portion 73 so that the pins 80 cannot release from the curved portion 73 unless the user provides sufficient downward force to move the poles 40.

In a further alternative embodiment, the hub assembly 60 is configured and dimensioned with the elements thereof providing either more or less tension in the biasing member 30 by adjusting the magnitudes of the distances D1, D2, and D3.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A hub assembly for a tent having a plurality of poles, the hub assembly comprising:

a hub having a central member in a central aperture and a plurality of arms, each arm having a fastener aperture for receiving a fastener which pivotably connects a first hole of a respective pole to the arm;

a base having a shaft and a plurality of walls, with the central member slidably disposed in the shaft, with pairs of the walls forming pole slots each for receiving a respective pole, each wall having an elongated guide slot for receiving a pin which passes through a second hole of a respective pole in the pole slot;

a biasing member disposed in the shaft;

wherein, with the poles in an open configuration, the pins are in a locking position in the elongated slot;

wherein, when the poles are moved to a closed configuration, the pins are moved from the locking position to an unlocked position in the elongated slot; and

wherein, for each pole, a first distance between the respective fastener and the respective pin along a first direction is substantially equal to a second distance between the fastener and the pin along a second direction different from the first direction.

2. The hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the first direction is a substantially vertical direction; and

wherein the second direction is a substantially horizontal direction.

3. The hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to each other.

4. The hub assembly of claim 1, wherein, when the first and second distances are substantially equal, the biasing member is in a first state in both the open and closed configurations.

5. The hub assembly of claim 4, wherein when the poles are moved to an intermediate configuration between the open and closed configurations, the biasing member has a second state which is compressed relative to the first state.

6. The hub assembly of claim 5, wherein, in the intermediate configuration of the poles, a vertical distance between the fastener and the pin of each pole is greater than the first distance.

7. The hub assembly of claim 6, wherein moving the poles from the intermediate configuration to either the open or the closed configurations decreases the vertical distance between the fastener and the pin which transitions the biasing member from the second state to the less compressed first state.

8. A hub assembly for a tent having a plurality of poles, the hub assembly comprising:

a hub having a central member in a central aperture and a plurality of arms, each arm having a first pivotal connection with a first portion of a respective pole;

a base having a shaft and a plurality of walls, with the central member slidably disposed in the shaft, with the walls including a guide slot having a second pivotal connection with a second portion of a respective pole; and

a biasing member disposed in the central member;

wherein, for each pole, a first distance between the respective first and second pivotal connections along a first direction is substantially equal to a second distance between the first and second pivotal connections along a second direction different from the first direction.

9. The hub assembly of claim 8, wherein the first direction is a substantially vertical direction; and

wherein the second direction is a substantially horizontal direction.

10. The hub assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to each other.

11. The hub assembly of claim 8, wherein, when the first and second distances are substantially equal, the biasing member is in a first state in both the open and closed configuration.

12. The hub assembly of claim 11, wherein when the poles are moved to an intermediate configuration between the open and closed configurations, the biasing member has a second state which is compressed relative to the first state.

13. The hub assembly of claim 12, wherein, in the intermediate configuration of the poles, a vertical distance between the first and second pivotal connections of each pole is greater than the first distance.

14. The hub assembly of claim 13, wherein moving the poles from the intermediate configuration to either the open or the closed configurations decreases the vertical distance between the first and second pivotal connections which transitions the biasing member from the second state to the less compressed first state.

15. A tent comprising:

a plurality of poles;

a hub having a central member in a central aperture and a plurality of arms, each arm having a fastener aperture for receiving a fastener which pivotably connects a first hole of a respective pole to the arm;

a base having a shaft and a plurality of walls, with the central member slidably disposed in the shaft, with pairs of the walls forming pole slots each for receiving a respective pole, each wall having an elongated guide slot for receiving a pin which passes through a second hole of a respective pole in the pole slot;

a biasing member disposed in the shaft to bias the central member upward to bias the hub upward from the base;

wherein, with the poles in an open configuration, the pins are in a locking position in the elongated guide slot;

wherein, when the poles are moved to a closed configuration, the pins are moved from the locking position to an unlocked position in the elongated guide slot; and

wherein, for each pole, a first distance between the respective fastener and the respective pin along a first direction is substantially equal to a second distance between the fastener and the pin along a second direction different from the first direction.

16. The tent of claim 15, wherein the first direction is a substantially vertical direction; and

wherein the second direction is a substantially horizontal direction.

17. The tent of claim 15, wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to each other.

18. The tent of claim 15, wherein, when the first and second distances are substantially equal, the biasing member is in a first state in both the open and closed configuration.

19. The tent of claim 18, wherein when the poles are moved to an intermediate configuration between the open and closed configurations, the biasing member has a second state which is compressed relative to the first state.

20. The tent of claim 19, wherein, in the intermediate configuration of the poles, a vertical distance between the fastener and the pin of each pole is greater than the first distance.