Thorley Exhibit No. 1010
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 20,2006
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`Sheet 1 of2
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`US 7,063,096 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`2fl.02teehS
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`US 7,063,096 B2
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`5366
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`US 7,063,096 B2
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`1
`SIDE COVER FOR A COLLAPSIBLE TENT
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`PRIORITY CLAIM
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`This application claims priority of Swiss Patent Applica-
`tion No. 1479/00 filed Jul. 26, 2000, and PCT Application
`No. WO 02/08549 A1 filed Jul. 23, 2001.
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of PCT patent applica-
`tion No. PCT/CH01/00455, filed on Jul. 23, 2001. The
`priority of the prior application is expressly claimed and
`their disclosure is herby incorporated by reference in the
`entirety.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`The field of this invention is collapsible tent structures.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`According to the present invention a side cover made of
`fabric or keder 7 with an edge bead or flange or keder-profile
`8 or 9 is supported in a vertical position between two comer
`posts, each of which has an outer pole section 1 and an inner
`pole section 2. The pole sections are engaged in a vertically
`telescoping relationship.
`Each outer pole section 1 is hollow and has a generally
`octagonal peripheral wall with four circumferentially spaced
`ribs 3 that extend inwardly and longitudinally, forming
`outwardly opening grooves. The grooves formed by ribs 3
`have a cross-sectional opening of somewhat more than 180
`degrees, thus forming sharp longitudinal edges 5.
`Each inner pole section is essentially hollow with an
`octagonal peripheral wall and has four circumferentially
`spaced outwardly opening grooves 4 that are larger than the
`ribs 3 of the outer pole section, and extend longitudinally of
`the inner pole section. The grooves 4 have an arcuate
`cross-sectional opening of somewhat more than 180
`degrees, forming sharp longitudinal edges 6.
`The ribs 3 of the outer pole section 1 are adapted to be
`slidably received by the grooves 4 of the inner pole section
`2 for telescoping movement of the two pole sections relative
`to each other. The flat side surfaces 11 of the two pole
`sections are then in mutually slidable engagement.
`The bead or flange or keder-profile 8 or 9 of the side cover
`7 is longitudinally slidable within a groove 3 or 4 on the
`outward side of either outer pole section. In the extended
`position of the pole sections shown in FIG. 2 the bead or
`flange or keder-profile 9 requires an adapter 12 to securely
`fit within an exposed longitudinal portion of groove 4 of the
`inner pole section, so that the side cover edge may be
`securely supported by both pole sections at the same time.
`The adapter or rail 12 preferably has the shape of about a
`three-quarter cylinder.
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`ALTERNATE DESCRIPTION
`
`The invention refers to a side cover for a collapsible tent
`according to the preamble of the first claim.
`Collapsible tents preferably refers to tents comprising
`tube-shaped edge poles being telescopically movable in each
`other. Such tents with four edges are, as an example,
`described in EP-A-0 514 574 and are sold under the trade
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`name “Pro*Tent”. A design with six edges has been
`described in the Swiss Patent Application No. 0986/97 of
`May 02, 1997.
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`FIG. 5 of the patent EP-A-0 514 574 referred to, shows a
`possible design of such a side cover, in which the covers for
`two adjacent side walls have been connected by means of
`adhesive strips. This kind of connection has the drawback,
`that it loosens quite easily, if strong wind is allowed to act
`on the tent, what is quite common, if the tent is set up in open
`air, such as an garden.
`is relative
`it
`that
`A further disadvantage is the fact,
`time-consuming to arrange the side cover in such a way, that
`they make a favorable impression on the viewer. In case of
`wind blowing continiously it is important, that they present
`an aesthetic appearance. The correct arrangement of the
`different side covers is in addition very time-consuming. A
`further disadvantage is the fact that no possibility has been
`provided to cover only the lower portion of the side wall, if
`the tent, as-an example, is used in the market place, so that
`the upper portion of the side wall is open to allows clients
`to view the products offered.
`The object of the invention is therefore to design a side
`cover of the kind described in the introductory portion, that
`does not possess the disadvantages of the prior art referred
`to.
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`This object has in accordance with the invention been
`achieved by the features listed in the characterizing portion
`of the first claim.
`Embodiments of the invention have been listed in the
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`dependent claims.
`The solution described uses a so-called keder-profile,
`which is defined as the strengthening rim, edge or border of
`leather or plastic.
`The keder-profile is a border thickening that is kept in a
`channel or groove in a rail and is held therein due to its
`shape. The opening slot for the side cover is thereby much
`more narrow than the cross-sectional area for the receipt of
`the keder profile.
`In the following an embodiment of the subject of the
`invention is explained with reference to the drawing,
`in
`which FIG. 1 shows a section through two telescopically in
`each other movable edge-post portions;
`FIG. 2 shows a side view of the edge-post portions at the
`transition from the upper to the lower post portion;
`FIG. 3 shows a section through the upper portion;
`FIG. 4 shows the same as FIG. 3, but through the lower
`portion; and
`FIG. 5 shows edge posts with inserted side wall.
`FIG. 1 shows a section through the edge post sections 1
`and 2 being movable telescopically within each other, in
`which the upper portion or the outer post 1 is mounted
`uppermost on the roof carrier, while the lower portion or the
`inner post 2 serves as a prolongation and extends to the floor.
`The upper portion 1, engaged by the lower portion 2 by
`means of a spring pin, has on four sides each a recess or a
`groove 3, which on a movement of both parts 1,2 relative to
`each other slides in a groove 4 in the lower portion 2. These
`four grooves 3 and 4 are on the outside provided with a
`contraction 5 and 6, so that a side cover 7 inserted in the
`grooves 3 and 4 slides therein and is kept due to its shape,
`because it is provided with the so-called keder-profiles 8 or
`9, whereby 8 for the upper portion has a smaller sectional
`area than 9 for the lower portion.
`Normally the side cover 7 extends over the entire area
`from the bottom to thr top, whereby in the middle of the
`cover 7 a transition area 10 is located between the area with
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`a thin and a thick keder-profile. In this transition area 10 the
`side cover 7 is provided with an interruption of the keder-
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`US 7,063,096 B2
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`3
`profile 8, 9, so that the side cover 7 from here can be moved
`down—(thick keder-profile) or upwardly (thin keder-
`profile).
`This transition area 10 is, however, very short and has no
`optical disadvantage. If the side cover stops at half height, it
`is designated 7' instead of 7.
`When the side cover is mounted, the lower portion 9 is
`preferably firstly moved from the transition area 10 down-
`ward and thereafter the upper portion is moved from the
`transition area 10 upward. When the entire side cover 7 is
`mounted, it is secured by means of an adhesive tape, as an
`example.
`In order that this transition area 10, as far as the side wall
`cover is concerned, can be entirely avoided, a rail 12 with
`so-called film-joint, extending in the longitudinal direction,
`can be inserted in the lower area. This rail 12 has in the inner
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`portion the same section area as the upper recess, so that an
`interruption due to the two keder-profiles with different
`thickness is not necessary. In this case the keder-profile has
`the same sectional area from the bottom to the top, what
`simplifies the production of the side cover considerably.
`The edge posts are preferably made of light metal or
`aluminum, respectively, but can also be made of suitable
`plastic. A post design having eight edges has proved to have
`a very high strength. The side cover is likewise preferably
`made of plastic, although any kind of fabric is well suited,
`if so required by a client. It is also possible to deliver a tent
`with several side walls of different design and color, which
`can be applied to the tent, as required by the client.
`By means of the proposed solution it is possible to tighten
`the wall of the tent against wind pressure. For the insertion
`of the side cover, the transition area 10 has been arranged
`half distance from the bottom of the side cover 7, in which
`area 10 the upper thin keder-profile change to the lower thick
`keder-profile. In this area both halves of the side covers are
`inserted and are pulled up—or downward.
`This area 10 has a length of about 2—3 cm and does not
`influence the wind tightness of the tent due to this short
`length.
`is still recommendable to
`it
`When a rail 12 is used,
`maintain the transition area, despite the fact, that the keder-
`profile in this case has the same thickness over the entire
`height.
`When the side cover is inserted, it is firstly hanged on the
`roof blind and provisionally fastened there by means of
`adhesive tape. Thereafter the lower portion of the side cover
`is inserted and secondly the upper end loosened from the
`roof blind and pulled from the half height upward and again
`secured to the roof blind.
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`As explained in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, the covers
`can either run straight or radially from adjacent grooves 3,4,
`so that only one quarter of the circumference of the posts
`come to be in the interior of the tents. It is also possible to
`wind the side cover half around the posts, so that three
`quarter of said circumference come to be inside the tent/FIG.
`3). This last mentioned design variation has the advantage,
`that two grooves are inside the tent, so that they e.g. can be
`used for the insertion of a plate or shelve. This design is
`especially suitable for expositions for dividing the space in
`several compartments or rooms for discussions with clients.
`In this case further inner posts can be placed within the tent.
`Furthermore, dividing covers with zip-fasteners can be used
`to divide the tent interior into small compartments.
`The inner grooves can also be used for holding halogen
`lamps or decorative gadgets.
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`Attention is drawn to the fact, that the keder-profiles are
`welded in plastic films, which has one double flag consisting
`of two parallel arranged plastic films. The material of the
`side cover can be inserted between these two flag portions
`and be secured by welding therebetween.
`In the drawing, the section between the keder-profiles 8,
`9 is shown to be a circle. These profiles can also have a
`number of other cross-sections, as f. e. oblong, T-shaped or
`U-shaped. It is important that the cover engages both posts,
`so that the edges in the case of wind or rain tight.
`What I claim is:
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`1. A collapsible tent having comer posts and at least one
`side cover, comprising:
`a pair of comer posts, each having vertically telescoping
`inner and outer pole sections with flat side surfaces;
`each outer pole section being hollow with a generally
`octagonal peripheral wall, having four circumferen-
`tially spaced ribs that extend inwardly and form lon-
`gitudinally outwardly opening grooves,
`the grooves
`having an opening whose cross-section is more than
`180 degrees thus forming sharp longitudinal edges;
`each inner pole section being essentially hollow with a
`generally octagonal peripheral wall having four cir-
`cumferentially spaced outwardly opening grooves that
`are larger than the ribs of the outer pole section and
`which extend longitudinally of the inner pole section,
`the grooves of the inner pole section also having an
`opening whose cross-section is more than 180 degrees
`thus forming sharp longitudinal edges;
`the ribs of the outer pole section being slidably received
`by the grooves of the inner pole section for telescoping
`movement of the pole sections relative to each other,
`the flat side surfaces of the two pole sections being then
`in mutually slidable engagement;
`a fabric side cover with beaded edges supported in a
`vertical position between two comer posts, one vertical
`portion of the beaded edge being slidably received
`within a groove on the outward side of each pole
`section when the pole sections of each corner post are
`extended;
`an adapter with a cross-sectional configuration which is
`about a three-quarter cylinder fitted within an exposed
`longitudinal portion of a groove of each inner pole
`section; and
`another vertical portion of the beaded edge being slidably
`received within the adapter so that the side cover edge
`may be securely supported by both pole sections at the
`same time.
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`In a collapsible tent, a supporting and side cover
`2.
`structure comprising:
`a pair of comer posts, each having two vertically tele-
`scoping pole sections;
`a fabric side cover extending vertically between and
`cooperatively supported by the corner posts, the side
`cover having vertically extending beaded edges;
`each post having an outer pole section which is hollow
`and has at least four circumferentially spaced ribs that
`extend inwardly and longitudinally of the outer pole
`section,
`the ribs also forming outwardly opening
`grooves;
`each post also having an inner pole section that is essen-
`tially hollow with a peripheral wall having on its outer
`surface at least four circumferentially spaced outwardly
`opening groves that are larger than the ribs of the outer
`pole section, and extend longitudinally of the inner pole
`section;
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`the ribs of the outer pole section being being slidably
`sections are extended the side cover edge may be
`received by the grooves of the inner pole section for
`securely Supported by both pole Sections at the Same
`telescoping movement of the pole sections relative to
`time.
`each Other;
`3. The supporting and side cover structure of claim 2
`5 wherein both pole sections are of uniform cross-sectional
`the beaded edge of the side cover being longitudinally
`configuration throughout their length.
`slidable within a groove on the outward sides of the ribs
`4. The supporting and side cover structure of claim 2
`of the outer pole section; and
`wherein the outer pole section has four ribs and the inner
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`pole section has four grooves, the two pole sections also
`an adapter having the Shape of about a lhreequarler
`eylindei lined Wiinin an exposed lenginidinal Penien 10 having four flat surfaces that slidingly engage each other.
`of a groove of the inner pole section for accommodat-
`ing a bead of the side cover edge, so that when the pole
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`US 7,063,096 B2
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