EAVE STRUCTURE AND HIGH-TOP TENT FRAME HAVING SAME

Disclosed are eave structures and tent frames with eave structures. A tent frame includes supporting poles, side pole units, an upper frame, and two or more eave structures. An eave structure includes a sleeve member, first, second and third corner poles, and an eave pole. The sleeve member is coupled or formed with a first connector fixedly coupled with an upper end portion of a supporting pole. The first, second and third corner poles collectively form a substantially triangular pyramid when unfolded. The eave pole has a first end portion pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole and a second end portion slidably coupled with the sleeve member. The eave structures can be folded and unfolded together with the supporting poles, side pole units and the upper frame. When unfolded, the eave poles of the eave structures extend beyond the supporting poles.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Application CN 201621118167.9 filed Oct. 13, 2016. The disclosure of the application is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to tent frames. More particularly, the present invention relates to eave structures and foldable high-top tent frames having such eave structures.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of tents. An existing high-top tent is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The tent includes a tent cloth supported by a tent frame. The tent frame includes supporting poles 1′, central pole 2′, upper pole units 3′, side pole units 4′, and oblique poles 5′. Each upper pole unit 3′ is disposed between and connected with the central pole and a corresponding supporting pole. Each side pole unit 4′ is disposed between and connected with two adjacent supporting poles. Each oblique pole 5′ is connected with one side pole unit 4′ and one supporting pole 1′.

In such a configuration, the tent cloth is in direct contact with and supported by the upper ends of supporting poles 1′ and the upper end of central pole 2′. As such, the protection area (e.g., sunshade) that the tent can provide is limited by the layout of the supporting poles, and usually, is relatively small. Moreover, the tent cloth is likely to sag under the gravity, forming one or more pits A between the central pole and the side pole units. In raining or snowing days, the sagging of the tent cloth would deteriorate, resulting in water/snow accumulation and consequently damaging the tent and shortening the service life of the tent.

Given the current state of the art, there remains a need for tent frames and eave structures that address the abovementioned issues.

The information disclosed in this Background section is provided for an understanding of the general background of the invention and is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this information forms part of the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide eave structures and tent frames that are convenient to use, can help to provide larger shading areas and prevent the tent cloth from sagging and forming pits when unfolded, and are compact when folded.

In many embodiments, the present invention provides an eave structure of a tent frame. The tent frame comprises a supporting pole, a first connector, a second connector, a first side pole and a second side pole. The first connector is fixedly coupled with an upper end portion of the supporting pole. The second connector is slidably coupled with the supporting pole and movable along the supporting pole below the first connector. The first and second side poles are disposed respectively at a first side and a second side of the tent frame when unfolded and each has a first end portion pivotally connected to the second connector. The eave structure comprises a sleeve member, first, second, and third corner poles, and an eave pole. The sleeve member is configured to be disposed at the first connector. The first, second, and third corner poles are pivotally connected with each other at their first end portions. The second end portion of the first corner pole is configured to be pivotally connected with the second connector or with the first side pole at a position adjacent the second connector. The second end portion of the second corner pole is configured to be pivotally connected with the second connector or with the second side pole at a position adjacent the second connector. The second end portion of the third corner pole is configured to be pivotally connected with the first connector. The eave pole has a first end portion configured to be pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole, and a second end portion configured to be slidably coupled with the sleeve member. When the tent frame is unfolded, the second end portion of the eave pole passes the sleeve member and extends outwardly beyond the supporting pole.

In some embodiments, the second end portion of the first or second corner pole is pivotally connected with a connection member disposed at the first or second side pole adjacent the first end portion of the first or second side pole. In an embodiment, the connection member is fixedly coupled or integrally formed with the first or second side pole.

In an embodiment, the sleeve member is fixedly coupled or integrally formed with the first connector.

In some embodiments, the eave pole comprises a first segment and a second segment oblique with respect to the first segment. The first segment of the eave pole is pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole and the second segment of the eave pole is slidably coupled with the sleeve member. In an embodiment, the first and second segments of the eave pole are made by bending a pole or coupling two poles at an angle. In some embodiments, the second segment is longer than the first segment of the eave pole.

In many embodiments, the present invention provides a tent frame comprising a plurality of supporting poles, a plurality of side pole units, an upper frame and two or more eave structures of the present invention disclosed herein.

Each supporting pole is provided with a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is fixedly coupled with an upper end portion of the supporting pole, and the second connector is slidably coupled with the supporting pole and movable along the supporting pole below the first connector.

Each side pole unit is coupled with two adjacent supporting poles through one or more of the first and second connectors at the two adjacent supporting poles and disposed at a side of the tent frame between the two corresponding adjacent supporting poles when the tent frame is in an unfolded state. Each side pole unit comprises a first side pole and a second side pole directly or indirectly coupled with each other. A first end portion of the first side pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at one of the two adjacent supporting poles. A first end portion of the second side pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at the other of the two adjacent supporting poles.

The upper frame is coupled with the plurality of side pole units.

Each eave structure corresponds a supporting pole in a subset of the plurality of supporting poles, and comprises a sleeve member, first, second and third corner poles, and an eave pole. The sleeve member is coupled or integrally formed with the first connector at the supporting pole. The first, second, and third corner poles are pivotally connected with each other at their first end portions. The second end portion of the first corner pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at the supporting pole or with the first side pole of a first side pole unit at a position adjacent the second connector at the supporting pole. The second end portion of the second corner pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at the corresponding supporting pole or with the second side pole of a second side pole unit at a position adjacent the second connector at the supporting pole. The second end portion of the third corner pole is pivotally connected with the first connector at the supporting pole. The eave pole has a first end portion pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole, and a second end portion slidably coupled with the sleeve member. When the tent frame is unfolded, the second end portion of the eave pole passes the sleeve member and extends outwardly beyond the supporting pole.

In some embodiments, the number of supporting poles and the number of eave structures are the same, in which each respective supporting pole in the plurality of supporting poles has a corresponding eave structure. In an embodiment, the number of supporting poles is four, and the supporting poles collectively form a substantially square or rectangular shape when the tent frame is unfolded. In some embodiments, each supporting pole is extendable and retractable.

In some embodiments, a side pole unit in the plurality side pole units comprises two or more side pairs. Each side pair comprises first and second side poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other. Of any two adjacent side pairs, the first side pole of one side pair is pivotally connected with the second side pole of the other side pair at their adjacent end portions. The first and second side poles of a side pair proximate a supporting pole have their end portions pivotally connected with the first and second connectors at the supporting pole, respectively.

In some embodiments, the upper frame comprises a central pole, a third connector, a fourth connector, and a plurality of upper pole units. The third connector is fixedly coupled with a lower end portion of the central pole. The fourth connector is slidably coupled with the central pole and movable along the central pole above the third connector. Each upper pole unit is coupled with the central pole through the third and fourth connectors and with a corresponding side pole unit in the plurality of side pole units.

In some embodiments, an upper pole unit in the plurality of upper pole units comprises one or more upper pairs, each comprising first and second upper poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other.

In an embodiment, an upper pole unit in the plurality of upper pole units comprises first and second upper poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other. The corresponding side pole unit in the plurality side pole units comprises first and second side pairs, each comprising first and second side poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other. First end portions of the first and second upper poles are pivotally connected to the third and fourth connectors, respectively. First end portions of the first and second side poles of the first side pair are pivotally connected to the first and second connectors at one of the two adjacent supporting poles, respectively. First end portions of the first and second side poles of the second side pair are pivotally connected to the first and second connectors at the other of the two adjacent supporting poles, respectively. Second end portions of the first and second upper poles, second end portions of the first and second side poles of the first side pair, and second end portions of the first and second side poles of the second side pair are pivotally connected to each other, respectively.

In an embodiment, the first or second corner pole of an eave structure in the plurality of eave structures is pivotally connected with a connection member disposed at the first or second side pole.

In some embodiments, the eave pole of an eave structure in the plurality of eave structures comprises a first segment and a second segment oblique with respect to the first segment. The first segment of the eave pole is pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole and the second segment of the eave pole is slidably coupled with the sleeve member. In an embodiment, the second segment is longer than the first segment of the eave pole.

The eave structures and the tent frames of the present invention have other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the Detailed Description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a tent of related art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a tent frame of the tent of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a tent frame in an unfolded state in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view taken along the circle in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the tent frame of FIG. 3 in a semi-folded state in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the tent frame of FIG. 3 in a folded state in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that, in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Many modifications and variations of the embodiments set forth in this disclosure can be made without departing from their spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of eave structures and tent frames having such eave structures. Generally, a tent frame of the present invention includes a plurality of supporting poles, and a plurality of side pole units each disposed between and connected with adjacent supporting poles. A tent frame of the present invention also includes an upper frame connected with the plurality of supporting poles, the plurality of side pole units, or both. A tent frame of the present invention can be of various sizes and shapes, and can include various number of supporting poles such as three, four, five or more supporting poles.

A tent frame of the present invention further includes a plurality of eave structures, the number of which can be varied depending on applications, preferences or the like. For instance, it can include two eave structures, three eave structures, or as many as the number of the supporting poles.

An eave structure usually includes an eave pole, and a mechanism supporting the eave pole. When the tent frame is unfolded, the eave pole extends beyond the upper frame and/or the supporting pole. Such an eave structure, along with other elements of the tent frame, can be used to support a tent cloth such as a canopy. As the eave pole extends beyond the upper frame and/or the supporting pole, it helps to increase the shading area, and/or shed rain or snow away from the sides of the tent. Further, the eave structure helps to support and smooth the tent cloth/canopy, and thus prevents the tent cloth from sagging and forming pits.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A, there is depicted an exemplary tent frame in an unfolded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the tent frame includes a plurality of supporting poles 1, with a plurality of first connectors 11 and a plurality of second connectors 12 disposed on the supporting poles to connect the supporting poles with other elements of the tent frame. In some embodiments, each first connector is fixedly coupled with a supporting pole at an upper end portion (e.g., the top) of the supporting pole. Each second connector is slidably coupled with a supporting pole and is movable along the supporting pole below the first connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of supporting poles is four, and the supporting poles collectively form a substantially square or rectangular shape when the tent frame is unfolded. In some embodiments, each supporting pole is extendable and retractable.

The tent frame also includes a plurality of side pole units 3 connected with the plurality of supporting poles 1. When the tent frame is unfolded, each side pole unit is disposed on a side of the tent frame between two adjacent supporting poles. A side pole unit can have any suitable configuration, including but not limited to a pivotally connected side pole pair. Also, among the plurality of side pole units, one side pole unit can have the same or different configuration as of another side pole unit. For instance, one side pole unit can have two side pairs each with crossly and pivotally connected side poles and the other side pole unit can have more than two side pairs.

In some embodiments, side pole unit 3 comprises a first side pole such as side pole 31-1 and a second side pole such as side pole 31-2 coupled with each other. The coupling can be direct as illustrated in FIG. 3, or indirect, for instance, through one or more intermittent side poles or side pole pairs or the like disposed between the first and second side poles. First side pole 31-1 has an end portion pivotally connected with the second connector at one of the two adjacent supporting poles (e.g., the front left supporting pole in FIG. 3), and second side pole 31-2 has an end portion pivotally connected with the second connector at the other of the two adjacent supporting poles (e.g., the front right supporting pole in FIG. 3).

In some embodiments, a side pole unit comprises two or more side pairs, each having first and second side poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other. Of any two adjacent side pairs, the first side pole of one side pair is pivotally connected with the second side pole of the other side pair at their adjacent end portions. By way of example, FIG. 3 illustrates each side pole unit 3 including two side pairs, the first and second side poles of which are pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent end portions, respectively. In addition, of each side pair, one side pole has an end portion pivotally connected with first connector 11 and the other side pole has an end portion pivotally connected with second connector 12.

The tent frame also includes an upper frame coupled with the plurality of side pole units. In some embodiments, the upper frame comprises central pole 2, third connector 21 fixedly coupled with a lower end portion of the central pole, and fourth connector 22 slidably coupled with the central pole and movable along the central pole above the third connector. The upper frame also includes a plurality of upper pole units such as upper pole units 4. Each upper pole unit is coupled with the central pole through the third and fourth connectors and with a corresponding side pole unit in the plurality side pole unit. It should be noted that the term “central pole” as used herein can be, but does not necessarily have to be, at a center of the tent frame.

In some embodiments, upper pole unit 4 comprises one or more upper pairs, with each upper pair comprising first and second upper poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other. By way of example, FIG. 3 illustrates upper pole unit 4 including one upper pair, the first and second upper poles of which are pivotally connected to the third and fourth connectors at their first end portions, respectively. Also, by way of example, FIG. 3 illustrates the corresponding side pole unit including two side pairs. In such an embodiment, first end portions of the first and second side poles of the first side pair are pivotally connected to the first and second connectors at one of the two adjacent supporting poles, respectively. First end portions of the first and second side poles of the second side pair are pivotally connected to the first and second connectors at the other of the two adjacent supporting poles, respectively. Second end portions of the first and second upper poles, second end portions of the first and second side poles of the first side pair, and second end portions of the first and second side poles of the second side pair are pivotally connected to each other, respectively.

The tent frame further includes two or more eave structures, each corresponding to a supporting pole. It should be noted that a tent frame of the present invention can include a various number of eave structures, depending on the application, preference, or the like. For instance, in an embodiment where only one side of the tent needs shades, the tent frame can include two eave structures, with each eave structure connected with one of two adjacent supporting poles. In an embodiment where two sides of the tent need shades, the tent frame can include three eave structures, with each eave structure connected with one of three adjacent supporting poles. In a further embodiment where all sides of the tent need shades, the tent frame can include the same number of eave structures as the supporting poles, with each eave structure connected with one of the supporting poles.

Referring in particular to FIG. 3A, in some embodiment, an eave structure includes an eave pole such as each pole 5 and a mechanism to connect and support the eave pole. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the mechanism includes a sleeve member such as sleeve member 8 coupled or integrally formed with first connector 11. The mechanism also includes a plurality of eave supporting poles such as first corner pole 6 (e.g., 6-1), second corner pole 6 (e.g., 6-2) and third corner pole 7. The first, second, and third corner poles are pivotally connected with each other at their first end portions. The second end portion of first corner pole 6-1 is pivotally connected with second connector 12 or with first side pole 31-1 of one side pole unit at a position adjacent the second connector. The second end portion of second corner pole 6-2 is pivotally connected with second connector 12 or with second side pole 31-2 of another side pole unit at a position adjacent the second connector. The second end portion of third corner pole 7 is pivotally connected with first connector 11. When unfolded, the first, second and third corner poles collectively form a substantially triangular pyramid to enhance the strength of the eave structure.

Eave pole 5 has a first end portion pivotally connected with first corner pole 6-1 or second corner pole 6-2, and a second end portion slidably coupled with sleeve member 8. When the tent frame is unfolded, the second end portion of the eave pole passes the sleeve member and extends outwardly beyond the upper frame and/or the supporting pole.

In some embodiments, a connection member such as connection member 9 is disposed at (e.g., coupled with or internally formed with) the first or second side pole for connecting the first or second corner pole.

In some embodiments, eave pole 5 includes two or more poles or segments. For instance, FIG. 3A illustrates eave pole 5 composed of two segments, e.g., first segment 51 and second segment 52, in which the first segment of the eave pole is pivotally connected with one of the first and second corner poles and the second segment of the eave pole is slidably coupled with the sleeve member. In some embodiments, eave pole 5 is not straight, e.g., first segment 51 oblique with respect to second segment 52 or vice versa. Such an eave pole can be made, for example, by bending a pole or connecting two poles at an angle. In an embodiment, second segment 52 is longer than first segment 51 of the eave pole.

In some embodiments, the first and second segments of the eave pole are configured such that when the tent frame is unfolded, second segment 52 of the eave pole is sloped substantially the same as third corner pole 7. This can be achieved, for instance, by selecting the position at which the first segment of the eave pole is connected with the first or second corner pole, the length of the first segment of the eave pole, and the angle between the first and second segments of the eave pole.

The eave structure of the present invention can be folded and unfolded along with the other elements of the tent frame. For instance, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A, to unfold the tent frame, pull outwardly the plurality of supporting poles 1 (e.g., away from each other). The outward pulling of the supporting poles causes each second connector 12 moving upwardly along a supporting pole toward first connector 11, which in turn unfolds the plurality of side pole units 3. The upward moving of the second connectors and/or the unfolding of the side pole units push the first and second corner poles upwardly such that the first, second and third corner poles form a substantially triangular pyramid, which in turn causes the second end portion of each eave pole 5 passing sleeve member 8 and extending outwardly beyond supporting pole 1. The outward pulling of the supporting poles and the unfolding of the side pole units also unfold the upper frame. Lock the second connectors once the side pole units and the upper frame are unfolded and the eave poles are extended.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, to fold the tent frame, unlock second connectors 12 to allow them slide downwardly along the supporting poles. The downward sliding of the second connectors folds the plurality of side pole units, which in turn pull the plurality of supporting poles inwardly toward each other. The folding of the side pole units and/or the inward pulling of the supporting poles fold the upper frame. In addition, the downward sliding of the second connectors and/or the folding of the side pole units pull the first, second and third corner poles, which in turn pull each eave pole inwardly. Eventually, the extended eave poles are retracted back and all of the components of the tent frame are folded together as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The eave structure and the tent frame as disclosed herein have several advantages. For instance, the eave structure of the present invention can be used to extend a tent cloth such as a canopy beyond the side(s) of the tent, and thus provide a larger shading area in sunny days. The eave structure, strengthened by the triangular pyramid, helps to support and smooth the tent cloth/canopy, and thus prevents the tent cloth from sagging and forming pits. As a result, it reduces the risk of water (e.g., rain) and snow accumulation in snowy and raining days, and increases the usability and service life of the tent. Moreover, the tent frame of the present invention is convenient to use as the eave structure of the present invention can be folded and unfolded along with other elements of the tent frame. Further, the tent frame of the present invention when folded is compact as the eave poles are retracted and folded together with all of the other poles of the tent frame, making it easy to carry and store.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms “upper” or “lower”, “upwardly” or “downwardly”, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first connector could be termed a second connector, and, similarly, a second connector could be termed a first connector, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first connector” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second connector” are renamed consistently.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An eave structure of a tent frame, wherein the tent frame comprises a supporting pole, a first connector, a second connector, a first side pole and a second side pole, wherein the first connector is fixedly coupled with an upper end portion of the supporting pole, the second connector is slidably coupled with the supporting pole and movable along the supporting pole below the first connector, the first and second side poles are disposed respectively at a first side and a second side of the tent frame when unfolded and each has a first end portion pivotally connected to the second connector, the eave structure comprising:

a sleeve member configured to be disposed at the first connector;
first, second, and third corner poles pivotally connected with each other at first end portions thereof, wherein a second end portion of the first corner pole is configured to be pivotally connected with the second connector or with the first side pole at a position adjacent the second connector; a second end portion of the second corner pole is configured to be pivotally connected with the second connector or with the second side pole at a position adjacent the second connector; and a second end portion of the third corner pole is configured to be pivotally connected with the first connector; and
an eave pole having a first end portion configured to be pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole, and a second end portion configured to be slidably coupled with the sleeve member, wherein when the tent frame is unfolded, the second end portion of the eave pole passes the sleeve member and extends outwardly beyond the supporting pole.

2. The eave structure of claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the first or second corner pole is pivotally connected with a connection member disposed at the first or second side pole adjacent the first end portion of the first or second side pole.

3. The eave structure of claim 2, wherein the connection member is fixedly coupled or integrally formed with the first or second side pole.

4. The eave structure of claim 1, wherein the sleeve member is fixedly coupled or integrally formed with the first connector.

5. The eave structure of claim 1, wherein the eave pole comprises a first segment and a second segment oblique with respect to the first segment, wherein the first segment of the eave pole is pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole and the second segment of the eave pole is slidably coupled with the sleeve member.

6. The eave structure of claim 5, wherein the first and second segments of the eave pole are made by bending a pole or coupling two poles at an angle.

7. The eave structure of claim 5, wherein the second segment is longer than the first segment of the eave pole.

8. A tent frame comprising:

a plurality of supporting poles, each provided with a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector is fixedly coupled with an upper end portion of the supporting pole, and the second connector is slidably coupled with the supporting pole and movable along the supporting pole below the first connector;
a plurality of side pole units, each coupled with two adjacent supporting poles through one or more of the first and second connectors at the two adjacent supporting poles and disposed at a side of the tent frame between the two corresponding adjacent supporting poles when the tent frame is in an unfolded state, wherein each side pole unit comprises a first side pole and a second side pole directly or indirectly coupled with each other; a first end portion of the first side pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at one of the two adjacent supporting poles; and a first end portion of the second side pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at the other of the two adjacent supporting poles;
an upper frame coupled with the plurality of side pole units; and
two or more eave structures, each corresponding to a supporting pole in a subset of the plurality of supporting poles and comprising a sleeve member, first, second and third corner poles, and an eave pole, wherein the sleeve member is coupled or integrally formed with the first connector at the supporting pole; the first, second, and third corner poles are pivotally connected with each other at first end portions thereof; a second end portion of the first corner pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at the supporting pole or with the first side pole of a first side pole unit at a position adjacent the second connector at the supporting pole; a second end portion of the second corner pole is pivotally connected with the second connector at the corresponding supporting pole or with the second side pole of a second side pole unit at a position adjacent the second connector at the supporting pole; and a second end portion of the third corner pole is pivotally connected with the first connector at the supporting pole; and the eave pole has a first end portion pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole, and a second end portion slidably coupled with the sleeve member, wherein when the tent frame is unfolded, the second end portion of the eave pole passes the sleeve member and extends outwardly beyond the supporting pole.

9. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein the number of supporting poles and the number of eave structures are the same, wherein each respective supporting pole in the plurality of supporting poles has a corresponding eave structure.

10. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein the number of supporting poles is four, and the supporting poles collectively form a substantially square or rectangular shape when the tent frame is unfolded.

11. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein each supporting pole is extendable and retractable.

12. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein a side pole unit in the plurality side pole units comprises two or more side pairs, each comprising first and second side poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other, wherein of any two adjacent side pairs, the first side pole of one side pair is pivotally connected with the second side pole of the other side pair at adjacent end portions thereof.

13. The tent frame of claim 12, wherein the first and second side poles of a side pair proximate a supporting pole have end portions thereof pivotally connected with the first and second connectors at the supporting pole, respectively.

14. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein the upper frame comprises:

a central pole;
a third connector fixedly coupled with a lower end portion of the central pole;
a fourth connector slidably coupled with the central pole and movable along the central pole above the third connector; and
a plurality of upper pole units, each coupled with the central pole through the third and fourth connectors and with a corresponding side pole unit in the plurality of side pole units.

15. The tent frame of claim 14, wherein an upper pole unit in the plurality of upper pole units comprises one or more upper pairs, each comprising first and second upper poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other.

16. The tent frame of claim 14, wherein:

an upper pole unit in the plurality of upper pole units comprises first and second upper poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other;
a corresponding side pole unit in the plurality side pole units comprises first and second side pairs, each comprising first and second side poles crossly and pivotally connected with each other;
first end portions of the first and second upper poles are pivotally connected to the third and fourth connectors, respectively;
first end portions of the first and second side poles of the first side pair are pivotally connected to the first and second connectors at one of the two adjacent supporting poles, respectively;
first end portions of the first and second side poles of the second side pair are pivotally connected to the first and second connectors at the other of the two adjacent supporting poles, respectively;
second end portions of the first and second upper poles, second end portions of the first and second side poles of the first side pair, and second end portions of the first and second side poles of the second side pair are pivotally connected to each other, respectively.

17. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein the first or second corner pole of an eave structure in the plurality of eave structures is pivotally connected with a connection member disposed at the first or second side pole.

18. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein the eave pole of an eave structure in the plurality of eave structures comprises a first segment and a second segment oblique with respect to the first segment, wherein the first segment of the eave pole is pivotally connected with the first or second corner pole and the second segment of the eave pole is slidably coupled with the sleeve member.

19. The tent frame of claim 18, wherein the second segment is longer than the first segment of the eave pole.

20. A tent comprising:

the tent frame of claim 8; and
a tent cloth coupled with and supported by the tent frame when the tent is unfolded.
Patent History
Publication number: 20180106066
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2017
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2018
Inventor: Kwan Jun Choi (Xiamen)
Application Number: 15/782,699
Classifications
International Classification: E04H 15/48 (20060101); E04H 15/60 (20060101); E04H 15/54 (20060101);