United States Patent 19
`Tsai
`
`US005638853A
`11, Patent Number:
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`5,638,853
`Jun. 17, 1997
`
`54 TENT STRUCTURE
`76 Inventor: Tony M. L. Tsai, Rim. 3, 4th Floor, No.
`8, Fu Ching Street, Taipei City, Taiwan
`
`Primary Examiner-Lanna Mai
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Morton J. Rosenberg; David I.
`Klein
`
`21 Appl. No.: 611511
`22 Fied:
`Mar. 7, 1996
`1511 Int. Cl. ...................... E04H 15/50
`52l U.S. Cl. .......................... 135/145; 135/151; 135/155;
`135/909
`58) Field of Search ................................ 135/143, 144,
`135/145, 146, 147, 153, 909, 155, 158,
`159, 160, 140-142, 139, 131, 130, 135,
`136
`
`56
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,826,270 7/1974 Hentges .............................. 135,153 X
`3,874,398 4/1975 Hendrickson ..
`... 135/144
`4,066,089
`1/1978 Rainwater ......
`135/143 X
`4,077,418 3/1978 Cohen ................................. 135/143 X
`4,365,908 12/1982. Thiboutot ...
`135/143 X
`4,779,635 10/1988 Lynch ........................................ 135/97
`5,133,378 7/1992 Tanasychuk
`135/153 X
`5,511,572 4/1996 Carter ...................................... 135/145
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0691531
`5/1953 United Kingdom ................... 35/46
`
`
`
`57
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A tent structure includes four poles interconnected by four
`scissors-type linkages forming a square structure and four
`intermediate pivot connecting members. Each pole com
`prises a fixed connector and a sliding connector. Each of the
`fixed connector and the sliding connector has three connect
`ing seats with two connecting seats at respective outer sides
`adapted to receive and end of the scissors-type linkage and
`with one connecting seat positionedinbetween the two outer
`seats adapted to receive an end of a rod member. Each
`intermediate pivot connecting member has a board and a
`pair of pivoting member integrally formed on top portion of
`the board and are adapted as an interconnecting member
`between the poles and a head connector. Each intermediate
`pivot connecting member confines the rod members to rotate
`upwardly only thus the tentis erected when the intermediate
`pivot connecting members are lifted to the upmost position
`and the tent is collapsed when the intermediate pivot con
`necting members are urged downwardly.
`
`2 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 1 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 1 of 12
`Sheet 1 of 12
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 2 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 2 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 2 of 12
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 3 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 3 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 3 of 12
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 4 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 4 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 4 of 12
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`5,638,853
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 5 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 5 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun.17, 1997
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`Sheet 5 of 12
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`5,638,853
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 6 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 6 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 6 of 12
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`5,638,853
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 7 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 7 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 7 of 12
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 8 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 8 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 8 of 12
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`(3,12
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 9 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 9 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 9 of 12
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`5,638,853
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 10 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 10 of 15
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 10 of 12
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`5,638,853
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 11 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 11 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 11 of 12
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`5,638,853
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`(PRIOR ART)
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 12 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 17, 1997
`Jun. 17, 1997
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`Sheet 12 of 12
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
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`Exhibit 1006 - Page 13 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 13 of 15
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`

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`5,638,853
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`5
`
`1.
`TENT STRUCTURE
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to the structure of a tent, and more
`particularly to the structure which is easy to open and to
`close.
`2. Background of the Prior Art Tent
`Usually tents are categorized into two types, an open type
`and a closed type. The open type tent, as shown in FIGS. 16
`and 17, is like a canopy roof which is constructed by a cloth
`D being Supported by four poles A, four scissors-type
`linkages B and a center strut C. Each pole Ahas a fixed hinge
`A1 at the top end, and a sliding hinge A2 therealong. The
`15
`center strut C includes a sliding cross-shaped connector E
`and a fixed cross-shaped connector F. Each connectors E and
`F are hingedly connected to one end of a scissors-type
`linkage B. The other end of the scissors-type linkages B are
`hinged to the fixed hinge A1 and the sliding hinge A2,
`respectively. When pulling the four poles A outwardly, the
`sliding hinges A2 will slide along the pole A to the upmost
`position while the sliding cross-shaped connector E will
`slide along the strut C to the lowermost:position and the tent
`is formed, as shown in FIG. 17. This structure relies entirely
`upon the four scissors-type linkages B forming the cross
`connection that is easy to become destruction.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is the primary object of the present invention to provide
`a tent structure which is Solid and strong.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`tent structure which makes the opening and closing the tent
`easily.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`tent structure which service life is longer.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in
`use:
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of circle A shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of circle B shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is another enlarged view of circle c shown in FIG.
`1;
`FIG. 5 is still a further enlarged view of circle D shown
`in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6 is an exploded view of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view of FIG. 5;
`FIG. 10 is an illustrated view showing a collapsed view of
`the present tent structure;
`FIG.11 is an enlarged view of circle Eshown in FIG. 10;
`FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of circle F shown in FIG. 10;
`FIG. 13 is another enlarged view of circle G shown in
`FIG. 10;
`FIG. 14 is still another enlarged view of circle H shown
`in FIG. 10;
`FIG. 15 is a further enlarged view of circle I shown in
`FIG. 10; and
`FIGS. 16 and 17 are prior art tent structure.
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring to the drawings in particular to FIGS. 1 through
`5, the structure of the present invention is composed of four
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`2
`vertical poles 1, four scissors-type linkages 2, four sets of
`rods 3, four linking rods 4, four fixed connectors 5 secured
`on the top end of each pole 1 and four sliding connectors 6
`slidably along each ploe 1, respectively.
`Each pole 1 has a fixed connector 5 at top end and a
`sliding connector 6 under the fixed connector 5, as shown in
`FIG. 6. Each of the connectors 5 and 6 includes three
`connecting seats 51, 52, 53, 61, 62 and 63 extending
`outwardly and respectively. The connecting seats 51, 52 and
`61, 62 are formed at outer ends thereof adapted to secure one
`end of each scissors-type linkage 2 by means of bolts 8 and
`nuts 9 to connect the poles 1 together. The other seats 53 and
`63 are formed at center portion inbetween the seats 51, 52
`and 61, 62 respectively adapted to secure the retractable rods
`3 and linkage rods 4, respectively.
`Each rod set 3 is formed by two rod members pivotally
`connected to an intermediate pivot connecting member 31,
`as shown in FIG. 7. The intermediate pivot connecting
`member 31 includes a pair of pivoting members 311 inte
`grally formed on top of aboard 312 adapted to secure an rod
`end 32 thereat which allow the rod members 3 to pivot
`upwardly only. The other end of the rod members areformed
`with another connectors 33 and 34 and are swingly con
`nected to the centerconnecting seat 53 of the fixed connector
`5 and to a head connector 7, respectively, as shown in FIG.
`9
`Each linkage 4 includes two end connectors 41 and 43
`which are connected to a connecting member 42 slidably
`sleeved on the rod member 3 and to the center connecting
`seat 63 of the sliding connector 6, respectively, as shown in
`FIG. 8.
`The head connector 7, as shown in FIG. 9, includes four
`pair of walls extending from one end and equally spaced
`from each other. Each pair of walls defining a recess 71
`therein adapted to secure rod connector 34.
`In operation, the tent of the present invention very easy to
`assembled, erected and folded. When erecting, manually
`pull the four poles 1 outwardly which urge the four inter
`mediate pivot members 31 to move upwardly which rotate
`the rod members 3 to rotate upwardly and the sliding
`connector 6 on each pole 1 to slide upwardly along the pole
`1. Upon the intermediate pivot members 31 have reached to
`the upmost, the tent is maintained in a stable configuration
`with the four poles 1 spread by the scissors-type linkages 2
`and the head connector 7 is spread by the rod members 3 and
`the linkage rod members 4 in a sturdy position. There is no
`need to disassemble any parts to collapse the tent. In
`collapsing the tent, all scissors-type linkages 2 are urged
`downwardly and all intermediate pivoting members 31 are
`manually rotated which causes the rod members 3 to pivot
`toward each other until each pair of rod members are
`gathered together, such result, the structure is a compact
`unit, as shown in FIGS. 10-15.
`I claim:
`1. A tent structure, comprising:
`four vertically directed poles;
`four fixed connectors respectively coupled to said four
`vertically directed poles, each of said fixed connectors
`being secured to an upper end of a respective one of
`said vertically directed poles, each of said fixed con
`nectors having a pair of radially spaced first outer
`connecting seats formed thereon and a first center
`connecting seat disposed between said pair of first outer
`connecting seats;
`four sliding connectors respectively coupled to said four
`vertically directed poles, each of said sliding connec
`
`10
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`50
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`55
`
`60
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`65
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 14 of 15
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`5,638,853
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`3
`tors being slidingly coupled to a respective one of said
`vertically directed poles, each of said sliding connec
`tors having a pair of radially spaced second outer
`connecting seats formed thereon and a second center
`connecting seat disposed between said pair of second
`outer connecting seats;
`four scissors-type linkages respectively coupling each of
`said four vertically directed poles to an adjacent pair
`thereof, each of said scissors-type linkages being piv
`otally coupled on opposing ends thereof to a respective
`one of said first and second outer connecting seats;
`four rods respectively coupled to said four vertically
`directed poles, each of said rods having opposing first
`and second ends, said first end of each said rod being
`pivotally coupled to a respective one of said first center
`connecting seats, each of said rods including a first rod
`member and a second rod member pivotally connected
`together intermediate said first and second ends of said
`rod;
`a head connector pivotally coupled to said second end of
`each of said four rods; and,
`
`4
`four linking rods respectively coupled between said four
`rods and said four vertically directed poles, each of said
`linking rods being pivotally coupled on a first end to
`said second center connecting seat of a respective one
`of said sliding connectors and slidingly coupled to a
`respective one of said rods where each of said rods
`includes an intermediate pivot connecting member for
`pivotally coupling said first rod member to said second
`rod member, said intermediate pivot connecting mem
`ber including a pair of opposing pivot members spaced
`above board member, said board member limiting a
`pivotal displacement direction of said first and second
`rod members.
`2. The tent structure as recited in claim 1 where said head
`connector includes four radially spaced recesses for receiv
`ing said second ends of said four rods therein, each of said
`recesses being defined between a pair of spaced integrally
`formed wall members.
`
`10
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`15
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`:
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`::
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1006 - Page 15 of 15
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