Shelter Pole Patents (Class 135/114)
  • Publication number: 20030047203
    Abstract: A tent pole and a connecting structure thereof include a shaft tube part of a prescribed length formed at an end portion of the tent pole, a stopper disposed outside a slanted part of the shaft tube part to restrict an inserted depth of the shaft tube part and a finishing member disposed at the end portion of the shaft tube part. The shaft tube part is inserted into the tent pole, and the finishing member performs a buffering action to the collision of the shaft tube part of the tent pole against the end portion of another tent pole to be connected with the shaft tube part when the tent poles are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Jeh-kun Lah
  • Publication number: 20030034061
    Abstract: A frame tent having a triangular-shaped perimeter frame, a flexible canopy attached to said perimeter frame, three corner posts to support the perimeter frame at corners thereof, three cables each having one end attached to an upper end of an associated one of said corner posts and a free end attached to a common junction element, and a flying pole supported at one end by said common junction element and connected at another end to an interior surface of said canopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Gery Warner
  • Patent number: 6520196
    Abstract: The erectable, collapsible shelter has a canopy with at least three sides and three corners, a leg assembly, and a perimeter truss linkage assembly having a plurality of perimeter truss pairs of link members connected to the leg assembly. The legs preferably have telescoping upper and lower sections with lower section for engagement with ground, and a slider member slidably mounted to the upper section of each of the legs. A canopy peak support assembly is provided that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, with the canopy peak support assembly supporting the canopy above the top of the leg assembly in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6520192
    Abstract: An extensible positioning device of the shank of an umbrella includes an outer tube, an inner tube, an adjusting cylinder and a fixing cylinder. The inner tube may telescope in the outer tube. The outer tube has holes spaced apart horizontally in a lower portion for compressing members of positioning arms of the fixing cylinder to move in and out. The adjusting cylinder has female threads formed in a lower end, and the fixing cylinder has male threads engaging the female threads after the adjusting cylinder and the fixing cylinder fit around the outer tube. When the adjusting cylinder is screwed tightly around the fixing cylinder, the compressing members of the fixing cylinder moves gradually in the holes of the outer tube and further compress the inner tube tightly to keep the inner tube at an adjusted position relative to the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Chong-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 6508262
    Abstract: A folding tent frame for collapsible tents includes upright pole sets, fixed couplers, stoppers, movable couplers and traverse frame members. Specifically, each stopper is provided on the uppermost pole of the upright pole set at a position lower than the fixed coupler so as to prevent the lower pole of the upright pole set from moving up beyond the stopper and so that the movable coupler is slidable over the stopper and the lowest pole of the upright pole set, and is kept from moving up beyond the stopper. The lower pole is larger than the upper pole in cross section. The structure of this folding tent frame provides improved strength and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: San-E-Protent Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Takayama
  • Publication number: 20030000563
    Abstract: A structure comprising at least three essentially rigid legs, each having a top end, and a bottom end, with at least two connecting elements fitted on each leg and at least three elongate braces each having a first end and a second end and being fitted with at least four anchoring sites. Each brace is connected with two adjacent legs, and at least one of the anchoring sites is directly coupled with a respective connecting element of one adjacent leg, and at least one other of the anchoring sites is coupled via a tensioning member to another respective connecting element of the other adjacent leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Arieh Kuperman
  • Publication number: 20020179134
    Abstract: A pull pin assembly with a first rod or pole, having a first hole and a second notch or hole, and a second rod or pole, having third hole, the second rod or pole being slidably contained within the first rod or pole, so that the first hole is superimposable on the second hole. A main body has a central hollow dimensioned to contain the first rod or pole, and has at least one resilient tab cut out from the main body. A boss on the tab extends into the central hollow to engage the second notch or hole of the first rod or pole. A pull pin body, integral with the main body, extends radially outward from the central hollow. The pin body has a space extending into the central hollow. A pull pin is slidably disposed in the space of the pull pin body to move from a first position extending into the central hollow through the first hole to a second position outside of the central hollow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Dong Tack Suh
  • Publication number: 20020139404
    Abstract: An unfolding hoister of a sunshade has a steel rope connected to a movable support member of the sunshade; the spreader rods of the sunshade are pivoted to the movable support member. The steel rope is passed over a pulley pivoted to the shank, and is connected to a turning handle, which is pivoted to the lower part of the shank, from the other end with the intermediate portion passed through a longitudinal hole of the shank. Thus, the sunshade can be spread when the movable support member is moved up along the shank by means of turning the turning handle. The steel rope is substantially hidden in the shank when the sunshade is unfolded, so it is not possible for people to accidentally touch same to get dirtied by the grease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Chorng-Cheng Lee
  • Publication number: 20020129847
    Abstract: A parasol opening device is incorporated in a parasol for opening/closing a canopy of the parasol. The parasol includes a tubular post for movably receiving the parasol opening device therein. The parasol opening device is movable along the post between an open position and a closed position. A canopy support arm has a first end pivotally attached to the parasol opening device and a second end to which a canopy system is pivoted. A link has a first end pivoted to the post and a second end pivotally attached to a slide which is movable along the arm. A rope having a predetermined and fixed length partially extends through the post, the parasol opening device and the arm with a first end of the rope fixed to the post and a second end of the rope attached to a runner of the canopy system whereby driving the rope causes the canopy system to open/close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Mark J.S. Ma
  • Patent number: 6450187
    Abstract: A support structure for use primarily as a lightweight, portable, strong, and fracture resistant tent support and the like, and method for making thereof. The support structure includes a fiberglass core and a resilient outer layer of material that is at least 0.2 millimeters thick. Preferably, the outer layer is made of polyethylene that is between 0.5 to 0.6 millimeters thick, inclusive. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure is curved to conform with the shape of the tent it supports, thereby preventing the support structure from springing back when inadvertently released from the tent. More preferably, the support member includes a plurality of elongate curved sections that are detachably secured together to form the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: YJ (USA)
    Inventors: Tseng Hsiang Lin, Craig B. Adams
  • Publication number: 20020117196
    Abstract: A retractable upright pole for a tent has multiple tubes receivable in one another and each tube having a ball-spring combination and multiple bores defined to correspond to the ball-spring combination of another tube to secure the connection between two adjacent tubes. The upright pole further has a chain-spring combination inside the tube to be in combination with the ball-spring combination to secure the connection between two adjacent tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Jan-Long Han
  • Patent number: 6390112
    Abstract: A tent door is hinged (44) and spring assisted to close the door and hold the door in a closed position against a bug-stopping weather-strip (18) attached to the surface of a door stop along the inside perimeter of a door frame. After entering or exiting a tent, a latch (74) on the inside surface of a door is needed only for security reasons. A tent door/tent door frame unit can be permanently attached around a tent's wall opening allowing the unit to fold around and with a rolled up tent. Folding of the unit is permitted by the removal of rigidity poles (61) from backbone columns (30). Because of the ease of entering and exiting a tent and of the convenience of folding the tent door/tent door frame unit around a rolled up tent, use of a tent so equipped becomes a pleasure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Lyle J. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6382224
    Abstract: The lightweight erectable canopy shelters include a plurality of legs connected together by an extendible perimeter assembly of link members. In one embodiment, the roof structure is formed by a pole members pivotally mounted to the upper ends of the legs so as to extend across the shelter, and movable between a lowered position and a raised, upwardly arching position. The pole members are pivotally coupled to a central hub, and each of the pole members comprises pole sections hinged to permit downward folding and upward unfolding until they are fully extended. Corner support strut members are pivotally mounted to the legs, to be rotatable upwardly to engage and support the pole members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: United California Bank
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6382223
    Abstract: A tent pole assembly and a connecting structure thereof include a reduced tube part of a prescribed length formed at an end, the reduced tube part being inserted into a tent pole section, and a reinforced rod disposed inside a start part of the reduced tube part to reinforce the start part, the reinforced rod having the external shape corresponding to the internal shape of the start part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jeh-kun Lah
  • Patent number: 6371143
    Abstract: A canopy structure includes a plurality of support beams and a plurality of flexible connecting panels therebetween. Each of the plurality of support beams is formed by an elongate spine extending along an arc and first and second tension panels extending from the strip non-parallel to one another. The connecting panels extend between and interconnect the first and second tension panels of adjacent support beams, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, each support beam includes a sleeve between the first and second tension panels, wherein the sleeve removably receives the spine. Each spine preferably comprises a strip that has a longitudinal length and a transverse width extending in a plane, wherein the strip is resiliently flexible in a direction non-parallel the plane and inflexible in a direction parallel to the plane and wherein the strip is arcuately deformed along its longitudinal length when inserted into the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Swetish
  • Publication number: 20020026742
    Abstract: A blind for use by hunters, bird watchers, field observers and the like comprises at least three upstanding walls, a top cover, a bottom pan where at least one of the walls has a means for ingress and egress disposed therethrough and at least one of the walls has a openable and closeable window disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Scott Washington
  • Patent number: 6330887
    Abstract: An improved structure of the main shaft of a large size umbrella comprising an umbrella structure and an eccentric engaging element, characterized in that the umbrella structure includes an umbrella body, the main shaft an inner shaft and the eccentric engaging element includes an eccentric rotating gear cover and an eccentric shaft, and the eccentric rotating shaft is mounted within an eccentric slot of the eccentric shaft and is disposed at an eccentric post, which provides restriction and rotatably mounting function, a tolerance slot is provided at the eccentric rotating gear cover, and the edge of the eccentric rotating gear slot is threaded and the bottom section thereof is provided with an arch-shaped notch, which is corresponding to a protruded blocking section located at the bottom edge of the eccentric shaft, and the eccentric engaging element is mounted at the head end of the inner shaft and the inner shaft is located within the hollow body of the main shaft, a rolling slot is provided at the lower
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chuan Tsai Chen
  • Patent number: 6286531
    Abstract: Provided with a tent pole including pipes formed of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic and combined with each other by means of a coupler, the tent pole including: a protective covering having the form of a tube of a soft synthetic resin, for coating the circumferential surface of the pipes; and a finishing portion formed by shrinking both ends of the protective covering by heating to enclose both ends of the pipes, for preventing removal of the protective covering from the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Sedo Camping Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Choi Joo-Tai
  • Patent number: 6230729
    Abstract: The erectable, collapsible shelter has a canopy with at least three sides and three corners, a leg assembly, and a perimeter truss linkage assembly having a plurality of perimeter truss pairs of link members connected to the leg assembly. The legs preferably have telescoping upper and lower sections with lower section for engagement with ground, and a slider member slidably mounted to the upper section of each of the legs. A canopy peak support assembly is provided that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, with the canopy peak support assembly supporting the canopy above the top of the leg assembly in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6200060
    Abstract: The connector device of the arched poles of a tent is remarkable in that it includes two components (4-5), (9-10) which are able to be coupled into each other in a configuration and connection in the form of a knee permitting a positioning of said components either in a vertical plane or in an extension corresponding to the assembly and placing under tension of the segments of an arch, or by being folded corresponding to a folded position of said segments, and in that a male component (4-9) has on either side of its median portion a part receiving the end of the upper segment and opposite an arm of great length equipped with means permitting its articulation on the second component (5-10) and its locking into position, and in that a female component (5-10) has on either side of a median portion on the one hand means permitting the attachment of a lower segment, and on the other a fork shape (5b-10d) having a V configuration with inside an oblong port having a V configuration and permitting the positioning, th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Manufacture Stephanoise de Transformations Textiles M.S.T.T. (SA Counseil d'Administration)
    Inventor: Jacques Vernay
  • Patent number: 6145528
    Abstract: A blind having a support system and a sheet material secured to at least a portion of the support system. The support system includes a number (n) of horizontal support members and a number (n+1) of vertical support members, wherein n corresponds to an integer of 2 or greater, and a plurality of flexible joints connecting each vertical support member to at least one of the horizontal support members, with at least one of the vertical support members connected by one of the joints to at least two of the horizontal support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Shelter-Pro, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Egnew, Elvin Byrd, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6073642
    Abstract: A connector assembly for an upright shaft of a beach umbrella, includes first and second stem members and a tubular connecting member. The upright shaft portion includes a lower shaft portion and a hollow upper shaft portion. The lower shaft portion extends in an axial direction and is provided with an upwardly opened annular end portion. The upwardly opened annular end portion has a first inner annular wall with a first dimension. The upper shaft portion is provided with a downwardly opened annular end portion which can brought in the axial direction to connect with the upwardly opened annular end portion. The downwardly opened annular end portion has a second inner annular wall with a second dimension. The first and second stem members have first lower and upper stem portions press-fitted into the upwardly and downwardly opened end portions of the lower and upper shaft portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Jung-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 6070604
    Abstract: The erectable, collapsible shelter has a canopy with at least three sides and three corners, a leg assembly, and a perimeter truss linkage assembly having a plurality of perimeter truss pairs of link members connected to the leg assembly. The legs preferably have telescoping upper and lower sections with lower section for engagement with ground, and a slider member slidably mounted to the upper section of each of the legs. A canopy peak support assembly is provided that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, with the canopy peak support assembly supporting the canopy above the top of the leg assembly in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6042297
    Abstract: A locking device for tent poles capable of achieving a firm and easy coupling to poles and easily and conveniently replacing a broken pole piece without replacing the entire pole including the broken pole piece. The locking device includes a mushroom tip member having a fitting portion fitted in one end of a tent pole, a V-shaped longitudinal groove formed on a peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the mushroom tip member, a guide groove formed on the peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the mushroom tip member in such a manner that it crosses the longitudinal groove, and a protrusion radially inwardly protruded from an inner surface of the pole piece corresponding to the end of the tent pole. The protrusion is engagable in both the longitudinal groove and guide groove at the cross point between the longitudinal groove and guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Samjong International
    Inventor: Jeh-Kun Lah
  • Patent number: 5964237
    Abstract: A supporting shaft of a sunshade of the present invention includes plurality of supporting rods separately disposed together to form a main shaft, an upper connecting cap and a lower connecting cap separately connected to upper ends and lower ends of the main shaft respectively as the securing means, a sliding block movably fitted around the main shaft. Stretching ribs provided to stretch open or fold close the sunshade are pivoted to the sliding block. Plurality of bent pipes are separately coupled to corners of the sunshade so that the supporting rods, separated, can be coupled thereto to change the sunshade into a tent with the supporting rods supporting the sunshade from the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Chen-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 5957612
    Abstract: A safety curtain rail comprises a curtain rail suspended by connectable and disconnectable joints, each comprising a plug and socket. Each joint comprises a plug (40), a socket (10), the plug being provided with an engagement portion (43) and the socket comprising a tubular bore (20), the engagement portion fitting into the tubular bore. Between the engagement portion and the bore is provided a resilient ring (51). The relative dimensions of the engagement portion, socket and resilient ring and the flexibility of the ring are selected such that the plug can disconnect from the socket under a predetermined force in a direction pulling the plug apart from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: James Hayden Bradley
  • Patent number: 5937883
    Abstract: A portable barrier apparatus is disclosed in this specification defining a multi-sectioned barrier for protection against wind and sand in various outdoor environments. Additionally the barrier may assembled and used as a child or pet restraint enclosure, a privacy barrier, or a temporary personal effect storage site. The apparatus includes a connected plurality of flexible barrier panel members which may be supported in an upright manner with a plurality of pole members. The apparatus further includes a bag or similar device for transporting the barrier in an undeployed configuration. The invention provides that the bag can be independently utilized away from the barrier. The invention further provides an accessory enclosure structure which is attachable to the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Kevin Camara
  • Patent number: 5918614
    Abstract: A canopy structure, kit and method permits a user to custom configure a canopy shelter is almost unlimited curvilinear shapes. To accomplish this, a flexible sheet that is elastic in at least one, but preferably two dimensions may be secured over an area to be sheltered. Anchors connect the sheet either directly to the surface, such as the ground, or to an object, such as a tree or building, secured to the surface. A support pole is interposed between the surface and the sheet; and this support pole is sufficiently long to deform the sheet in the direction(s) of elasticity and thus exert a compression force on the pole. A plurality of support poles of varying lengths may be formed from identical pole sections, and base plates and dome elements may be used on the poles. The anchors are formed to engage the edge margin of the sheet at random locations, and these anchors, or alternative clasps, may engage the central portion of the sheet so that even greater design flexibility is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: James P. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5842495
    Abstract: A portable shelter or camouflage support structure is formed by a plurality of bow formers that are pivoted at opposite bow ends for fan-like development about a substantially common axis or a cluster of parallel axes. Each bow former is having two or more rigid arc elements that are joined end-to-end by a polymer tubing splice joint with a substantial separation space between the two opposing ends of the rigid elements whereby the rotationally collapsed fan of the bow former elements is further folded upon itself to reduce the length and bulk of the structure without resort to independently attached and assembled elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Shelter Pro, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Egnew, Larry A. Lockhart, Elvin Byrd, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5771912
    Abstract: An attachment system, for erecting a tent having a flexible tent shell and a tent pole cooperating with the tent shell, includes a securing cord attached to a portion of the tent shell and a claw disposed at an end of the pole. The attachment system further includes an enlarged region disposed along the securing cord, which engages the claw, thereby retaining the tent shell in an extended position. The tent may also include a tent fly having an attached fly cord. An enlarged region disposed along the fly cord engages the claw to secure the tent fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Worldwide Associates Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Swetish
  • Patent number: 5737883
    Abstract: An anchor (20) which is attachable to the leg (500) of a canopy (502) framework includes a bar (22) having a foot (30), a weight (32), and at least one attaching means for attaching the anchor (20) to the leg (500). The anchor (20) is useful in circumstances where the wind could lift, displace, or overturn the canopy (502) and associated framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Barbara Rose
  • Patent number: 5732726
    Abstract: A cabin tent pole system (10) using side poles (14), gable poles (16), corner hubs (18), and roof hubs (20). The corner hubs (18) have two tubular members (50) which join forming a first obtuse angle (32), where a structural web (56) may be provided to help maintain the first obtuse angle (32) and strengthen the corner hub (18). Similarly the roof hubs (20) have tubular members (60) which form second obtuse angles (34) between any pair of the tubular members (60). The roof hubs (20) may include a series of webs (66) which act to maintain the angular relationships of the tubular members (60), including the second obtuse angles (34). Only larger embodiments of the tent pole system (10) require the use of ridge poles (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Jinwoong, Inc.
    Inventor: Youn J. Lee
  • Patent number: 5709238
    Abstract: The present invention features a tent roof construction having a double, hollow, tubular joint. Vertical and side tubes that make up the tent-frame attach to this tubular joint. The improvement allows the tent-frame to be built quickly and without nuts and bolts (thus, allowing assembly and disassembly without tools) by using a second horizontal support tube, a tube which parallels the horizontal support tube of previous roof constructions. This second tube is located directly below the first horizontal support tube, thus allowing the canvas roof cover to be pulled over the first horizontal support tube and attached to the second horizontal support tube. Thus, the roof cover extends over the end of the roof frame and down the sides of the tent. The side covers extend up the inside of the tent-frame and attach to the first horizontal support tube, creating an overlap between the roof and side covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventor: Anthony Mattioli
  • Patent number: 5690134
    Abstract: A portable sunshade (10) includes semi-hoop elements (16,18,20) for holding an elongated strip (28) of sun and air moisture impermeable material spaced apart to form an enclosure (44). Elements (18,20) can be pivoted past each other to replace the impermeable materials (28) with a netting piece (45) passing a part of incident sunlight. A strip (38) of soft-to-the-touch material extends over a part of strip (28) providing a body rest portion. A netting sheet (36) is removably located between material (28) and strip (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: William E. McCauley
  • Patent number: 5671766
    Abstract: A portable, adjustable tent assembly including a frame having first and a second opposite side sections, each having a plurality of individual support members hingedly secured with one another and structured to independently move between an extended and a collapsed orientation. Further, the tent assembly includes a primary and secondary roof panel, constructed of at least one flexible material sheet, and disposed in spanning relation between the primary and secondary horizontal supports of each side section, a front and rear wall panel extend respectively between spaced apart forward support members and spaced apart rear support members, and first and second side wall panels disposed correspondingly between the horizontal support members and the forward, central and rear support members. Each of the various panels being structured to define a corresponding portion of the tent assembly without restricting full collapsibility thereof wherein the fully collapsed opposite side sections generally abut one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Johnny R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5655340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stable tent or shelter, particularly an open sided shelter, such as a hospitality test, comprising a roof and supporting legs. The roof has at least one frame for supporting a covering, the frame being provided with at least one hub and with stiff struts, the struts being hingably connected to the hub, in a plane perpendicular to the hub, and being hingable relative to the hub beyond a dead-center position, the struts being connected at their free ends with the perimeter of the covering. The shelter is characterized by a tensioning cord, for applying force to the free end of the struts in a direction perpendicular to the length of the strut and toward the center-line passing through the hub and for simultaneously connecting the free end of the roof strut, a leg associated with the strut and a roof skirt extending between adjacent struts, all of which cooperate to stabilize the shelter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: T.A. Pelsue Company
    Inventor: Bradley A. Pelsue
  • Patent number: 5634482
    Abstract: A pole stand is provided which has a base and a cylinder extending therefrom to receive a pole. The base and cylinder are an integral unit with the diameter of the cylinder being larger than the diameter of the pole into which it is placed. At the base of the cylinder is a cup bearing on which the base of the pole rests. The pole has a collar secured to it which, when the pole is positioned within the cylinder, is below the upper lip of the cylinder. This collar fits snugly around the pole such that the pole is prevented from contacting the inside wall of the cylinder. Above the collar, yet still below the lip of the cylinder is a set screw through the cylinder to retain the collar, and thus the pole, within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Miami Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Martin
  • Patent number: 5628336
    Abstract: The pole assembly of the tent makes the length of the pole assembly to be variable thereby tightening the tent so that the man's activity is comforted and the tent is easily disjointed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Jinwoong Ltd.
    Inventor: Youn-jae Lee
  • Patent number: 5593239
    Abstract: A telescoping support pole suitable for supporting tarpaulins or camouflage netting is described. The pole is made up of a plurality of tubes that nest within one another for storage. To deploy the pole, the tubes are extended in a telescoping fashion. Ball locks are provided for maintaining the extended poles in desired longitudinal relationships. The ball locks are activated by spring loaded collars that force balls into circumferential grooves formed in the outside surfaces of the inner telescoping tubes. The collars may be manually operated to release the ball lock mechanism to permit the pole length to be adjusted or to permit the tubes to be nested within one another for storage. Pivoting fixtures suitable for use at the upper end of the support pole are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Tracor, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley T. Sallee
  • Patent number: 5590674
    Abstract: A tent pole comprising first and elongated pole sections. One end portion of the first pole section has cavity and one end portion of the second pole section is receivable in the cavity. A coil spring extends over regions of the end portions of the outer surfaces of the first and second pole sections. The coil spring is coupled to the first and second pole sections so as to resiliently resist axial separation of the pole sections. The coil spring is sufficiently flexible so that the coil spring can be folded to allow the first and second pole sections to be in side-by-side relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Eppenbach
  • Patent number: 5490532
    Abstract: A collapsible shelter of the type having an awning and collapsible frame, the frame having either adjustable or fixed end caps at its corners bearing against reinforcing strips, and a center post unit forming a part of the frame is both spring-loaded and can be adjustably tensioned to regulate the tautness of the awning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Colorado Mineral Strike, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Mallookis, Albert W. Gebhard
  • Patent number: 5487402
    Abstract: A portable shelter having a frame whose members freely move between a maximum and a minimum dimension to enable selectively applying various sized shelter skins to the frame and to tauntly stretch the shelter skin thereon. The skin also comprises slidable tensioning means that stretch the skin over a portion of the frame. The upper portion of the shelter is partially supported by a lifting force applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignees: Michael S. Clary, Cynthia G. Clary
    Inventor: Michael S. Clary
  • Patent number: 5477876
    Abstract: A lightweight fabric structure is provided with a fabric membrane having a pocket type configuration formed along the center seam of the membrane with a T-shaped center pole positioned in the pocket. The lightweight fabric structure may have one or more pockets and corresponding T-shaped center poles. The pavilion type tent structure includes at least four side poles staked about the periphery of the structure with a flexible fabric membrane in tension between the side poles. The shape and configuration of the panels provide tension distribution over the entire fabric structure. The longitudinal center seam of the fabric membrane carries the maximum force. The T-shaped center poles with pocket configuration facilitates the redistribution of the forces from the point where multiple panels of the membrane converge at a single location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Bill Moss, Inc.
    Inventor: C. William Moss
  • Patent number: 5450703
    Abstract: A structure formed by one or more double tube assemblies characterized by a cross-sectional configuration including two circular walls interjoined by two planar walls interconnected with the circular walls substantially at diametrically opposed circumferential locations in the circular walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson Camping, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fuhrman, Robert A. Markert
  • Patent number: 5333824
    Abstract: A pole extension system for rigidly and tightly connecting an extension pole to a main pole. The main pole has a cylindrical end portion into which a T-nut is securely mounted coaxial with the pole axis. The extension pole has a cylindrical end portion forming an alignment shaft having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the main portion of the extension pole, such that an abutment shoulder is formed where the pole end portion meets with the extension pole. A bolt is mounted at the end of the alignment shaft and adapted for being screwed into the T-nut as the main pole and the extension pole are rotated relative to each other. A stabilizer means is mounted at the end portion of the main pole and includes a long tubular alignment sleeve having a length which extends past the end portion of the main pole and receives therein the alignment shaft in a close fitting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Emanuel Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 5295500
    Abstract: A column base assembly for erecting temporary column structures, a base assembly held firmly in place by a vehicular tire resting thereon. The base assembly provides an easily erected column structure usable in a variety situations where a temporary structure can be erected near to a parked vehicle, such as signs, lights, sheds, tents or awnings. The base assembly provides a vertical receiving tube for holding a column, and a horizontal receiving tube attached to the vertical receiving tube for holding a beam. The column and beam can be used in cooperation to hold signage or other accessories. The base assembly provides a sturdy and stable column base erectable on hard surfaces, eliminating the need for staking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: James M. Leu
  • Patent number: 5238015
    Abstract: A foldable dummy object for military camouflage purposes consists of at least three deformable rods (2) which meet at a common point (1) at which they are mutually connected. When the dummy object is deployed, the rods assume and retain the shape of irregular three-dimensional curves, forming an outer rod assembly which can be placed appropriately on the object to be camouflaged, including its corners and edges. The rod assembly comprises a camouflage net which constitutes the definitive outer envelope of the dummy object and also determines its shape. The dummy object is easy to assemble and disassemble and can be trimmed in a known manner with any type of camouflage material. The claim relates to the basic idea and various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventors: Floris Gretzmacher, Gerhard Patzak
  • Patent number: 5234011
    Abstract: An erectable tent structure is formed by a flexible roof covering that includes a central portion and a plurality of ridge portions that have inclined slopes and that extend along ridgelines radially outwardly and upwardly from the central portion to terminate in peaks located at the periphery of the roof covering. the slopes thus form valley portions between the ridgelines, and the valley portions have valley floors that slope radially outwardly and downwardly from the central portion. A support pole supports the roof covering at reach peak, and anchor structures secure the flexible covering to the support surface in a manner that a ridge tension force is applied upwardly and outwardly along the ridgelines and a valley tension force is applied downwardly and outwardly along the valley floors. The ridge and valley portions may be formed by joined panels so that there is a primary seam along each ridgeline and a secondary seam along each valley floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: James P. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5228408
    Abstract: A boat cover assembly includes a boat cover (12) mounted to a plurality of posts assemblies (28), (30), and (32). Each post assembly has a foot section (34) or (80), a post member (48), and a upper section (50). The upper section (50) has a batten member (64) mounted in a channel (56) and extending laterally into sleeves (65) sewn into the cover (12). The cover also has a chord (90) in the hem line (18) to tighten the cover about the boat hull (11) below its rub line (88). Straps (20) and (21) are secured to cover (12) and mounted about the underside (85) of the hull (11) and fastened together to secure the cover to the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas L. Jannausch
  • Patent number: 5205086
    Abstract: A tent has a flexible canopy, a floor and a series of inflatable tubes serving as frame hoops. The tubes are fastened removably to the tent using sleeves that open along a longitudinal slit and hook and loop pile fastener closures for closing the sleeves on the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Daniel G. Heim