5,944,040
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`Unlted States Patent
`
`Jang
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Aug. 31, 1999
`
`US005944040A
`
`[54] COLLAPSIBLE TENT FRAME
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Jung-W00 Jang’ 53-28 Gamsam Dong
`Dalseo-Ku, Daegu, Rep. of Korea
`
`[21] Appl. No.2 09/082,482
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`May 21, 1998
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 23, 1997
`
`[KR]
`
`Rep. of Korea ...................... 97—11752
`
`Int. Cl.6 ..................................................... E04H 15/26
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`.......................... 135/126; 135/128; 135/130;
`135/131
`[58] Field of Search .............................. 52/795; 135/126,
`135/128, 131, 130, 97
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,666,757
`4,641,676
`4,779,635
`4,947,884
`5,275,188
`5,421,356
`
`4/1928 Sntder ....................................... 135/97
`2/1987 Lynch ........... 135/110
`
`10/1988 Lynch .....
`135/97
`8/1990 Lynch .....
`135/97
`
`1/1994 Tsai
`........
`135/97
`
`6/1995 Lynch ...................................... 135/145
`
`6/1997 Gwin ....................................... 135/131
`5,634,483
`12/1997 Losi, Jr. et a1.
`........................ 135/131
`5,701,923
`8/1998 Jang ........................................ 135/131
`5,794,640
`Primary Examiner—Carl D. Friedman
`Assistant Examiner—Dennis L. Dorsey
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Griffin, Butler, Whisenhunt &
`Szipl, LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A collapsible tent frame is disclosed. The tent frame has a
`center pole used for stretching and sustaining a tent’s roof
`When pitching a tent. Aplurality of side poles are coupled to
`each other through a plurality of scissor-type ribs, With
`upper ends of the ribs being hinged to connectors provided
`at top ends of the side poles and lower ends of the ribs being
`hinged to sliders movably fitted over the side poles. The
`center pole is coupled to the connectors of the side poles
`through a plurality of center pole ribs. The above center pole
`ribs individually consist of two rib members, which are
`coupled to each other through a hinge joint. Each of the
`center pole ribs is also hinged to the slider of an associated
`side pole through a support link, thus being collapsible at the
`hinge joint in accordance With a sliding motion of the slider
`along the side pole.
`
`3 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Petitioners Exhibit 1001
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`Patent 5,944,040
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`Page 1 of 7
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`Page 1 of 7
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`Petitioners Exhibit 1001
`Patent 5,944,040
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`US. Patent
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`Aug.31, 1999
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`Sheet 1 0f4
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`5,944,040
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`FIGJPRIORART
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`Page 2 of 7
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`US. Patent
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`Aug.31, 1999
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`Sheet 2 0f4
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`5,944,040
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`
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`FIG.2
`PRIOR ART
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`Page 3 of 7
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`Page 3 of 7
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`5,944,040
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`FIG.3
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`100W
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`10
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`Page 4 of 7
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`Page 4 of 7
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`US. Patent
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`Aug.31, 1999
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`Sheet 4 0f4
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`5,944,040
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`FIG.4
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`Page 5 of 7
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`Page 5 of 7
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`

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`5,944,040
`
`1
`COLLAPSIBLE TENT FRAME
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates, in general, to collapsible
`tent frames capable of making, pitching or striking a tent
`easily and quickly when necessary and, more particularly, to
`a collapsible tent frame suitable for giving an enlarged and
`heightened interior space to users when pitching a tent.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`As well known to those skilled in the art, a tent is a
`collapsible shelter of canvas or other material stretched over
`and sustained by a frame and is used for camping outdoors
`or as a temporary structure. It is preferable for such a tent to
`be easily and quickly pitched or struck when necessary, so
`a frame for such tents is preferably designed for being
`collapsible. Examples of typical collapsible tent frames are
`referred to US. Pat. Nos. 4,641,676 (issued on Feb. 10,
`1987), 4,779,635 (issued on Oct. 25, 1988), 4,947,884
`(issued on Sep. 14, 1990), 5,275,188 (issued on Jan. 4, 1994)
`and 5,421,356 (issued on Jan. 6, 1995).
`The above US. patents individually disclose a collapsible
`tent frame which comprises a plurality of side pole ribs 2,
`with each pair of ribs 2 being coupled to each other at the
`center of them into a scissor assembly as shown in FIG. 1.
`The scissor assemblies of the side pole ribs 2 are also
`coupled to each other at joints 2a and are connected to four
`side poles 1 at their outside ends.
`In such a case,
`the outside upper end of each scissor
`assembly of the ribs 2 is hinged to the top end of a side pole
`1, while the outside lower end of each scissor assembly is
`hinged to a slider 7 movably fitted over the side pole 1.
`Therefore, when a user moves the four side poles 1 to the
`center of the tent frame, the sliders 7 move down on the side
`poles 1 respectively, thus folding the scissor assemblies of
`the ribs 2 at the joints 2a and collapsing the tent frame.
`The above tent frame also comprises a plurality of center
`pole ribs 3, with each pair of ribs 3 being coupled to each
`other at the center of them into a scissor assembly. Each
`scissor assembly of the above ribs 3 is hinged to the joints
`2a of the side pole ribs 2 at the outside ends and are hinged
`to a center pole 6 at the inside ends. In such a case, the inside
`lower end of each scissor assembly of the ribs 3 is hinged to
`a connector 4 provided on the lower end of the center pole
`6, while the inside upper end of each scissor assembly is
`hinged to a slide guider 5 into which the center pole 6 is
`movably fitted. Therefore, when the four side poles 1 are
`moved to the center of the tent frame, the center pole 6
`moves down in the slide guider 5, thus folding the scissor
`assemblies of the center pole ribs 3 and collapsing the tent
`frame.
`
`However, the above collapsible tent frame has the fol-
`lowing problem. That is, in the above tent frame, the center
`pole ribs 3 are coupled to the joints 2a of the side pole ribs
`2. Therefore, when pitching a tent, the center pole ribs 3 are
`positioned across the upper portion of the interior space as
`shown in FIG. 2, thus limiting the height of the interior
`space.
`
`It is thus necessary for a user to be careful lest one bumps
`one’s head against the center pole ribs 3 or the connector 4
`while going out of, coming into or standing in the tent.
`Therefore, the above tent frame is inconvenient to users.
`In addition, the center pole 6 comprises the connector 4
`and the slide guider 5, thus having a compleX construction
`and increasing the production cost of the tent frame. Another
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`2
`problem of the above collapsible tent frame resides in that it
`is too heavy for a user to easily handle or move the frame.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, the present invention has been made keep-
`ing in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art,
`and an object of the present
`invention is to provide a
`collapsible tent frame, of which the center pole is coupled to
`the side poles,
`thus giving an enlarged and heightened
`interior space to users when pitching a tent and allowing a
`user to easily handle the frame when pitching or striking the
`tent.
`
`the present
`In order to accomplish the above object,
`invention provides a collapsible tent frame, comprising: a
`center pole used for stretching and sustaining a tent’s roof
`when pitching a tent; a plurality of side poles coupled to
`each other through a plurality of scissor-type ribs, with
`upper ends of the ribs being hinged to connectors provided
`at top ends of the side poles and lower ends of the ribs being
`hinged to sliders movably fitted over the side poles; and a
`plurality of center pole ribs coupling the center pole to the
`connectors of the side poles, the center pole ribs individually
`comprising two rib members coupled to each other through
`a hinge joint and being hinged to the slider of an associated
`side pole through a support link, thus being collapsible at the
`hinge joint in accordance with a sliding motion of the slider
`along the side pole.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other objects, features and other advan-
`tages of the present invention will be more clearly under-
`stood from the following detailed description taken in con-
`junction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of
`a typical collapsible tent frame;
`FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a tent with the typical
`collapsible tent frame when the tent is completely pitched;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the construction of
`a collapsible tent frame in accordance with the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a tent with the collapsible tent
`frame of this invention when the tent is completely pitched.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the construction of
`a collapsible tent frame in accordance with the preferred
`embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of
`
`a tent with the collapsible tent frame of this invention when
`the tent is completely pitched.
`As shown in the drawings, the tent frame of this invention
`comprises a plurality of side pole connection beams 20, with
`each pair of ribs 20 being coupled to each other at the center
`of them into a scissor assembly. The scissor assemblies of
`the side pole ribs 20 are also coupled to each other at joints
`20a and are connected to four side poles 10 at their outside
`ends. In such a case, the outside upper end of each scissor
`assembly of the ribs 20 is hinged to a connector 60 provided
`at the top end of each side pole 10, while the outside lower
`end of each scissor assembly is hinged to a slider 70
`movably fitted over the side pole 10.
`The four side poles 10 are individually coupled to a center
`pole 50, having a simple construction, through a center pole
`rib 30. The center pole ribs 30 individually comprise two rib
`members, which have the same construction and are coupled
`
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`5,944,040
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`3
`to each other through a hinge joint 30a. The above center
`pole ribs 30 are also coupled to the sliders 70 through
`support links 40 at the outside rib members, respectively.
`Therefore, the collapsible tent frame of this invention is
`easily and quickly stretchable or collapsible, thus allowing
`a user to easily and quickly pitch or strike a tent.
`Each of the side poles 10 is provided with a claw 10a at
`the lower end, thus being stably held on the ground. The
`sliders 70 are designed for being slidable along the side
`poles 10 in opposite directions.
`The operational effect of the above collapsible tent frame
`will be described hereinbelow.
`
`The above tent frame is integrated with a canvas or other
`material, thus forming a tent.
`When it is necessary to pitch the tent, the four side poles
`10 are pushed outwardly at the same time, thus stretching the
`tent frame. When the side poles 10 are pushed outwardly as
`described above, the sliders 70 move upward along the side
`poles 10 while stretching the two types of ribs 20 and 30.
`Therefore, the tent frame stretches and sustains the canvas or
`other material and pitches the tent.
`In such a case, the center pole ribs 30 are fully stretched
`by the support links 40, which connect the ribs 30 to the
`sliders 70, with the hinge joints 30a of the ribs 30 being
`moved upwardly. Therefore,
`the center pole 50 moves
`upwardly and sustains the center of the roof while stretching
`the roof as shown in FIG. 4.
`
`is pitched with the frame being fully
`When the tent
`stretched as described above,
`the center pole 50 moves
`upwardly along with the center pole ribs 30, so the tent
`frame of this invention heightens the interior space of the
`tent in comparison with a typical collapsible tent frame.
`Therefore, the tent frame of this invention allows users to
`freely go out of, come into or stand in the tent without being
`concerned about bumping one’s head against the center pole
`ribs 30 or the center pole 50.
`When it is necessary for a user to strike the tent, the user
`moves the four side poles 10 to the center of the tent frame,
`thus allowing the sliders 70 to move down on the side poles
`10 while folding the scissor assemblies of the ribs 20 at the
`joints 20a. In such a case, the support links 40, connecting
`the center pole ribs 30 to the sliders 70, pull the ribs 30
`downwardly, thus folding the ribs 30 at the joints 30a and
`moving the center pole 50 downwardly. The tent is thus
`completely struck with the tent frame being fully collapsed.
`Such a collapsed frame effectively reduces the volume and
`weight of the tent and allows a user to easily and conve-
`niently carry the tent.
`
`4
`invention provides a
`the present
`As described above,
`collapsible tent frame, of which the center pole has a simple
`construction and is directly coupled to the side poles through
`a plurality of center pole ribs. The above center pole ribs
`individually comprise two rib members, which have the
`same construction and are coupled to each other through a
`hinge joint. The above center pole ribs are also coupled to
`the sliders of the side poles through a plurality of support
`links at the outside rib members, respectively. Therefore, the
`collapsible tent frame of this invention has a simple con-
`struction capable of effectively reducing the production cost,
`volume and weight of a tent. When the frame is stretched so
`as to pitch a tent, the center pole is fully moved upwardly
`along with the center pole ribs. The tent frame thus heightens
`the interior space of the tent in comparison with a typical
`collapsible tent frame and allows users to freely go out of,
`come into or stand in the tent without being concerned about
`bumping one’s head against the center pole ribs or the center
`pole. The collapsible tent frame of this invention is thus
`convenient to users.
`
`Although the preferred embodiments of the present inven-
`tion have been disclosed for illustrative purposes,
`those
`skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications,
`additions and substitutions are possible, without departing
`from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the
`accompanying claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A collapsible tent frame, comprising:
`a center pole constructed for stretching and sustaining a
`tent’s roof when a tent is pitched with the tent frame;
`a plurality of side poles coupled to each other through a
`plurality of scissor-type ribs, with upper ends of said
`ribs being hinged to connectors provided at top ends of
`said side poles and lower ends of said ribs being hinged
`to sliders movably fitted over said side poles; and
`plurality of center pole ribs coupling said center pole to
`said connectors of the side poles, said center pole ribs
`individually comprising two rib members coupled to
`each other through a hinge joint and being hinged to the
`slider of an associated side pole through a support link,
`thus being collapsible at the hinge joint in accordance
`with a sliding motion of said slider along the side pole.
`2. A collapsible tent frame according to claim 1, wherein
`said rib members of the center pole ribs have a substantially
`equal length.
`3. A collapsible tent frame according to claim 2, further
`comprising a claw member disposed at a lower end of each
`side pole.
`
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