Collapsible Tent with Improved Crown Hub Assembly

Abstract

A portable shelter having an improved crown hub assembly for extending and collapsing the shelter. The crown hub assembly has a mounting disc, wherein a plurality of pole receptacles are pivotably connected to the mounting disc. A slotted plate is positioned under the mounted disc. The slotted plate has slots that align with the pole receptacles when properly rotated. The alignment between the slots and the pole receptacles enables the pole receptacles to rotate from a horizontal orientation into a vertical orientation. Support poles are received into each of the pole receptacles. The support poles support the canopy of the shelter.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/666,790, filed May 4, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to tents, sun shades, and other portable structures that have collapsible frames. More particularly, the present invention relates to mechanisms that cause collapsible tent frames to fold and deploy.

2. Prior Art Description

Portable tents have been sold commercially for more than a century. Portable tents are used for many purposes. The most common use of a portable tent is to provide temporary shelter when outdoors, such as when camping or when sitting at a beach. Portable tents typically include a canopy and a collapsible frame that supports the canopy. In early tents, the frames were simple pieces of wood that could be selectively assembled and disassembled. In more modern tent designs, the tent frames are made of more flexible and lightweight materials. Also, many frames do not need to be disassembled. Rather the frames are manufactured as units that can folded into a compact configuration when not in use.

In modern tent designs, there are several frame types. One of the frame types is a crown hub tent frame. A crown hub tent frame utilizes a hub at the crown, or apex, of the frame. A plurality of flexible poles extend from the crown hub. The flexible poles are attached to the crown hub at hinge joints. When rotated into a first direction, the flexible poles form the framework needed to support the canopy of the tent. When rotated into a second position, the flexible poles gather in a small grouping, therein collapsing the tent into a compact space. Such prior art tents with crown hub frames are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,748, to Beavers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,851 to Beavers, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,986 to Fox.

A problem associated with crown hub frame tents is that if the top of the tent is lifted up by a gust of wind or by a person accidentally standing in the tent, then the crown hub would disengage the flexible poles and the tent could collapse. Recognizing this operational flaw, crown hub tents have been designed that lock into place when the tent is fully assembled. The crown hubs must then be manipulated in a specific way to collapse the tent. Such crown hub tents are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,179 to Chen and U.S. Pat. No. 10,041,271 to Jin.

A problem associated with such crown hub tent designs is that the crown hub assembly is often difficult to operate. This is especially true when the tent is being assembled or disassembled at night and/or in a dark location. Furthermore, the complexity of the crown hub assembly makes the assembly expensive to manufacture, therein raising the cost of the tent assembly. A need therefore exists for an improved tent design with a locking crown hub assembly that is both simple to operate and inexpensive to manufacture. This need is addressed by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a portable shelter having an improved crown hub assembly for extending and collapsing the shelter framework. The crown hub assembly has a mounting disc, wherein a plurality of pole receptacles is pivotably connected to the mounting disc. Each of the pole receptacles can pivot between a horizontal first orientation and a vertical second orientation relative the mounting disc. A slotted plate is positioned under the mounted disc. The slotted plate has slots formed in its structure. The slotted plate is rotatable between a first position and a second position, relative the above mounting disc. The slots on the slotted plate align with the pole receptacles when the slotted plate is rotated into its second position. The alignment between the slots and the pole receptacles enables the pole receptacles to rotate into their vertical second orientation.

A plurality of support poles are provided. One end of each pole is received into each of the pole receptacles. As such, the orientation of the support poles changes with the orientation of the pole receptacles. The support poles support the canopy of the shelter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tent assembly in its open configuration;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view if the crown hub on the tent assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the crown hub assembly used in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the crown hub assembly in an open configuration;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the control hub assembly in a closed configuration; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tent structure of FIG. 1 shown in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention tent assembly with a collapsible support framework can be configured in many ways and can be adapted for use in many applications. For example, the support framework can be configured as part of a sun shade, a tent with an internal frame, or a tent with an external frame. Although the present invention can be used in many such applications, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated and described. The exemplary embodiment is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a tent assembly 10 is shown. The tent assembly 10 has a tent canopy 12 that is supported by a support framework 14. The support framework 14 is selectively collapsible. As such, the support framework 14 and the overall tent assembly 10 has an open configuration and a closed configuration. The open configuration is shown in FIG. 1. The closed configuration is later shown in FIG. 6.

The tent canopy 12, when in the open configuration, has walls 16 that extend from a base pad 18 to an apex 20. Looped seams 22 run from the apex 20 to the base pad 18 on the exterior of the tent canopy 12. The support framework 14 supports the tent canopy 12 using a plurality of flexible poles 24. The flexible poles 24 extend through the looped seams 22 on the tent canopy 12. As such, the flexible poles 24 run from the base pad 18 toward the apex 20 of the tent canopy 12. In the shown embodiment, there are four flexible poles 24 that extend to four corners of the base pad 18. It will be understood that four is an arbitrary number and any number more than three flexible poles 24 can be used with a base pad having any polygonal shape.

Each of the flexible poles 24 has two ends 26, 28. The first end 26 of each flexible pole 24 attaches to a crown hub assembly 30 above the apex 20 of the tent canopy 12. The flexible poles 24 extend from the crown hub assembly 30, wherein the second end 28 of each flexible pole 24 terminates near the base pad 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the details of the crown hub assembly 30 are shown. The crown hub assembly 30 is a generally disc shaped mechanism with a plurality of pole receptacles 32 radially extending from the crown hub assembly 30. By turning a knob 34 at the top of the crown hub assembly 30, the orientation of the pole receptacles 32 relative the crown hub assembly 30 can be changed. It is through this change in the orientation of the pole receptacles 32 that the overall tent assembly 10 is changed between its open configuration and its closed configuration.

The number of pole receptacles 32 is dependent upon the number of flexible poles 24 used in the tent assembly 10. There is one pole receptacle 32 for each flexible pole 24 of the tent assembly 10. Each pole receptacle 32 is generally T-shaped, having a central tube 36 and two pivot extensions 38 that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the central tube 36. The central tube 36 has an open end 39 that is sized to receive the first end 26 of a flexible pole 24 therein.

A mounting disc 40 is provided that receives and retains the pole receptacles 32. A plurality of pockets 42 are formed in the mounting disc 40. Each of the pockets 42 has opposing side slots 44. The pockets 42 and side slots 44 are spaced and sized to receive the T-shaped pole receptacles 32 and the pivot extensions 38 on the pole receptacles 32. When a pole receptacle 32 is set in a pocket 42 of the mounting disc 40, the pivot extensions 38 rest in the side slots 44, therein forming a hinge connection. This hinge connection enables the pole receptacle 32 to rotate ninety degrees within the pocket 42 between a horizontal first position and a vertical second position.

The mounting disc 40 has a cylindrical wall 46 around its periphery. Recesses 48 are formed in the cylindrical wall 46 adjacent each of the pockets 42. When the pole receptacles 32 rotate into their horizontal first positions, the pole receptacles 32 extend into the recesses 48. The size of the recesses 48 limits the rotational movement of the pole receptacles 32 beyond the horizontal first positions. Conversely, when the pole receptacles 32 rotate into their vertical second positions, the pole receptacles 32 do not extend into the recesses 48. The mounting disc 40 is open under each the pockets 42 that hold the pole receptacle 32. As such, the pole receptacles 32 can rotate within each pocket 42 from its horizontal first position, where the pole receptacles 32 hold the flexible poles 24 horizontally, to its vertical second position where the pole receptacle 32 hold the flexible poles 24 vertically.

A central opening 50 extends through the mounting disc 40. The mounting disc 40 rests upon a slotted circular plate 52. The slotted circular plate 52 has slots 54 formed in it that can be aligned with the bottoms of the pockets 42 in the mounting disc 40. The slotted circular plate 52 is attached to a central shaft 56. The central shaft 56 extends vertically from the slotted circular plate 52 and extends through the central opening 50 in the mounting disc 40. In this manner, when the central shaft 56 is rotated, the slotted circular plate 52 will rotate with the central shaft 56.

The central shaft 56 extends through the mounting disc 40 and engages the knob 34 that is positioned above the mounting disc 40. In this manner, the mounting disc 40 is interposed between the knob 34 and the slotted circular plate 52. The knob 34 is used to turn the central shaft 56 and the slotted circular plate 52 relative to the mounting disc 40 between a locked first position and an unlocked second position. In the locked first position, the pole receptacles 32 hold the flexible poles 24 into their open configurations. In the unlocked second position, the pole receptacles 32 hold the flexible poles 24 in their folded configurations.

When the pole receptacles 32 hold the flexible poles 24 in their open configurations, the pole receptacles 32 extend horizontally out of the mounting disc 40 through the recesses 48 in the cylindrical wall 46. In order for the pole receptacle 32 to move to their folded configurations, the pole receptacles 32 need to rotate ninety degrees into the vertical, wherein the pole receptacles 32 extend through the slots 54 in the slotted circular plate 52.

When the knob 34 atop the crown hub assembly 30 is turned to its unlocked position, the slots 54 on the slotted circular plate 52 become aligned under the pockets 42 and the recesses 48 in the cylindrical wall 46. This alignment provides the space needed for the pole receptacles 32 to rotate into their folded configurations. Conversely, when the knob 34 is turned into its locked position, the slots 54 in the slotted circular plate 52 become offset from the pockets 42 and the recesses 48 in the cylindrical wall 46. As a consequence, there is no longer any room for the pole receptacles 32 to rotate. Consequently, the pole receptacles 32 become locked in their open configurations.

In order to utilize the invention, the tent assembly 10 is transported to a location in its folded configuration. At the location, the tent assembly 10 is rested upon its flexible poles 24. A user then presses down on the crown hub assembly 30. This biases the flexible poles 24 apart. As the flexible poles 24 spread, the flexible poles 24 cause the pole receptacles 32 to rotate in the mounting disc 40 to the open configuration. The flexible poles 24 will continue to spread until the pole receptacles 32 approach a horizontal configuration. Once at this orientation, the knob 34 on the crown hub assembly 30 is turned and the pole receptacles 32 become locked into their open configurations. At this point, the tent assembly is fully open and locked into its open configuration.

Referring to FIG. 6 in conjunction with FIGS. 2 through 5, it will be understood that to close the tent assembly 10, the knob 34 on the crown hub assembly 30 is turned until the slots 54 on the slotted circular plate 52 again align with the pockets 42 in the mounting disc 40. At this point, the pole receptacles 32 are free to rotate downwardly toward the vertical. The crown hub assembly 30 is lifted slightly and gravity biases the flexible poles 24 together under the crown hub assembly 30. Once the flexible poles 24 are tightly gathered, the tent assembly 10 is compact and ready for transport or storage.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable shelter comprising:

a mounting disc having a plurality of pole receptacles pivotably connected thereto, wherein each of said plurality of pole receptacles can pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation;

a slotted plate positioned adjacent said mounting disc, said slotted plate having slots formed therein, wherein said slotted plate is rotatable, relative said mounting disc, between a first position and a second position, and wherein said slots align with said plurality of pole receptacles and enable said plurality of pole receptacles to rotate into said second orientation only when said slotted plate is rotated to said second position;

a plurality of support poles, wherein said plurality of pole receptacles receive said plurality of support poles; and

a canopy supported by said plurality of support poles.

2. The portable shelter according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of pole receptacles extends generally horizontally when in said first orientation and extends generally vertically when in said second orientation.

3. The portable shelter according to claim 1 further including a knob that is interconnected with said slotted plate for selectively turning said slotted plate between said first position and said second position.

4. The portable shelter according to claim 3, wherein said mounting disc, said slotted plate and said knob are configured into a single crown hub assembly.

5. The portable shelter according to claim 3, wherein said mounting disc has a central opening, and wherein said knob is connected to said slotted plate by a shaft that extends between said knob and said slotted plate through said central opening.

6. The portable shelter according to claim 1, wherein said mounting disc contains pockets and said plurality of pole receptacles sits in said pockets and are free to rotate at least ninety degrees while seated in said pockets.

7. The portable shelter according to claim 1, wherein each of said pole receptacles has a tube with an open end for receiving one of said support poles therein.

8. A portable shelter comprising:

a crown hub assembly containing a mounting disc, a plurality of pole receptacles, a slotted plate and a knob, wherein said plurality of pole receptacles is pivotably connected to said mounting disc and said slotted plate has slots that can be selectively aligned with said plurality of pole receptacles by rotating said slotted plate with said knob, and wherein said slotted plate retains said plurality of pole receptacles in a first orientation until said slots align with said plurality of pole receptacles and enables said plurality of pole receptacles to rotate into a second orientation;

a plurality of support poles, wherein said plurality of pole receptacles receive said plurality of support poles; and

a canopy supported by said plurality of support poles.

9. The portable shelter according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of pole receptacles extends generally horizontally when in said first orientation and extends generally vertically when in said second orientation.

10. The portable shelter according to claim 8, further including a knob that is interconnected with said slotted plate for selectively turning said slotted plate between a first position and a second position.

11. The portable shelter according to claim 8, wherein said mounting disc is interposed between said slotted plate and said knob.

12. The portable shelter according to claim 11, wherein said mounting disc has a central opening, and wherein said knob is connected to said slotted plate by a shaft that extends between said knob and said slotted plate through said central opening.

13. The portable shelter according to claim 8, wherein said mounting disc contains pockets and said plurality of pole receptacles sit in said pockets and are free to rotate at least ninety degrees in a vertical plane while seated in said pockets.

14. The portable shelter according to claim 8, wherein each of said pole receptacles has a tube with an open end for receiving one of said support poles therein.