`
`Kumar Maheshwari (SBN 245,010)
`Mahesh Law Group, PC
`7700 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 800
`Irvine, CA 92618
`Phone: (530) 400-9246
`Fax: (949) 377-3836
`Email: kumar@maheshlaw.com
`
`J. Curtis Edmondson (SBN 236,105)
`Edmondson IP Law
`Venture Commerce Center
`3699 NE John Olsen Ave.
`Hillsboro, OR 97124
`Phone: (503) 336-3769
`Fax: (503) 214-8470
`E-mail: jcedmondson@edmolaw.com
`
`Attorney for Plaintiff Caravan Canopy Int’l, Inc.
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA—SOUTHERN DIVISION
`
`CARAVAN CANOPY INT’L, INC.,
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`COSTCO WHOLESALE
`CORPORATION, LOWE’S HOME
`CENTERS, LLC, Z-SHADE CO.
`LTD., WALMART INC.,
`SHELTERLOGIC CORP., et al.,
`
` Defendants.
`
`
`Case No. 8:19-cv-01072-AG-ADS
`Case No. 5:19-cv-01224-AG-ADS
`Case No. 2:19-cv-06224-AG-ADS
`Case No. 2:19-cv-06952-AG-ADS
`Case No. 2:19-cv-06978-AG-ADS
`
`PLAINTIFF’S PATENT
`DISCLOSURES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pursuant to this Court’s Standing Patent Rules (“SPR”), Plaintiff provides
`the following disclosures to Defendants.
`
`
`Page 1 of 162
`
`Petitioners Exhibit 1021
`Patent 5,944,040
`
`

`

`SPR 2.1 Disclosure of Asserted Claims and Infringement Contentions
`Per SPR 2.1.1, Plaintiff states that each of the following claims of the
`patent-in-suit—U.S. Patent No. 5,944,040 (“the ‘040 patent”)—is allegedly
`infringed by each Defendant (including for each claim the applicable statutory
`subsections of 35 U.S.C. § 271 asserted):
`Defendant Costco: Claims 1-3, all under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a)
`Defendant Lowe’s: Claims 1-3, all under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a)
`Defendant Z-Shade: Claims 1-3, all under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a)
`Defendant Walmart: Claims 1-3, all under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a)
`Defendant ShelterLogic: Claims 1-3, all under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a)
`Per SPR 2.1.2, Plaintiff identifies the following Accused Instrumentality
`for each asserted claim and Defendant:
`Defendant Costco: ProShade Canopy, for each asserted claim
`Defendant Lowe’s: Garden Treasure for each asserted claim
`Defendant Z-Shade: Quest Shelter model, for each asserted claim
`Defendant Walmart: Ozark Trail, for each asserted claim
`Defendant ShelterLogic: Quick Shade, for each asserted claim
`Per SPR 2.1.3, attached hereto as Exhibits A-B (for Walmart and
`ShelterLogic; other defendants have been served with their respective
`infringement contentions) are charts “identifying specifically where each
`limitation of each asserted claim is found within each Accused Instrumentality,
`including, for each limitation that such party contends is governed by 35 U.S.C.
`§ 112(6)/(f), the identity of the structure(s), act(s), or material(s) in the Accused
`Instrumentality that performs the claimed function, and whether each limitation
`of each asserted claim is alleged to be literally present or present under the
`doctrine of equivalents.”
`
`Page 2 of 162
`
`

`

`Per SPR 2.1.4, Plaintiff states that the priority date allegedly applicable to
`each asserted claim is May 23, 1997, from the foreign filing of the Republic of
`Korea.
`Per SPR 2.1.5, Plaintiff wishes to preserve the right to rely, for any
`purpose, on the assertion that its own apparatus, product, device, process,
`method, act, or other instrumentality practices the claimed invention; therefore,
`Plaintiff identifies as follows, separately for each asserted claim, each such
`apparatus, product, device, process, method, act, or other instrumentality that
`incorporates or reflects that particular claim: Caravan makes and sells the V-
`Series Pro 10 ft. x 10 ft. canopy which is marked by the ‘040 patent and practices
`the asserted patent and all the claims therein.
`Per SPR 2.1.6, Plaintiff states as follows the present basis (prior to any
`discovery) for its allegation of willful infringement: Plaintiff’s products were in
`the marketplace and have been marked with the patents. Plaintiff has had sales
`discussions with one or more of the Defendants while demonstrating the
`products.
`
`SPR 2.2 Document Production Accompanying Disclosure
`Plaintiff has or will promptly produce or make available for inspection and
`photocopying the items described as follows in S.P.R. 2.2.1 through 2.2.3, as
`follows (identifying the documents corresponding to each category by production
`number):
`SPR 2.2.1 A copy of the file history for each patent in suit (see Exhibit C).
`SPR 2.2.2 All documents evidencing ownership of the patent rights by the
`party asserting patent infringement (see Exhibit D).
`SPR 2.2.3 If a party identifies instrumentalities under SPR 2.1.5,
`documents sufficient to show the operation of any aspects or elements of such
`instrumentalities the patent claimant relies upon as embodying any asserted
`claims (see Exhibits E).
`
`Page 3 of 162
`
`

`

`SPR 2.3 Early Meeting of the Parties
`Counsel for Plaintiff and Defendants have or will promptly exchange Fed.
`R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1)(A) initial disclosures and meet in person or telephonically to
`prepare for the scheduling conference and prepare the joint Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f)
`report.
`
`SPR 3.1 Exchange of Proposed Terms for Construction
`Plaintiff provides as follows its “list of claim terms the party contends
`should be construed by the Court, and identify any claim term the party contends
`should be governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(6)/(f):” (1) “center pole,” and (2)
`“collapsible at the hinge joint in accordance with a sliding motion of said slider
`along the side pole.” The parties shall then work to limit the terms in dispute by
`narrowing or resolving differences, and to jointly identify the 10 terms likely to
`be most significant to the case.
`SPR 3.2 Exchange of Claim Constructions and Extrinsic Evidence
`Plaintiff provides as follows its “proposed constructions of each term
`identified by either party for claim construction:”1 See Exhibit F (Plaintiff
`proposes the prior constructions adopted by the court in Int’l E-Z-Up, Inc. v.
`Caravan Canopy Int’l, Inc., Case 2:01-cv-06530-SVW-AJWX (April 16, 2002)).
`
`
`1 Each such construction shall also, for each term that any party contends is governed by 35
`U.S.C. § 112(6)/(f), identify the structure(s), act(s), or material(s) corresponding to that term’s
`function. At the same time the parties exchange their constructions, each party shall also
`identify all references from the specification or prosecution history that support its proposed
`construction and designate any supporting extrinsic evidence including, without limitation,
`dictionary definitions, citations to learned treatises and prior art, and testimony of percipient
`and expert witnesses. Extrinsic evidence shall be identified by production number and by
`producing a copy if not previously produced. For any supporting witness, percipient or expert,
`the identifying party shall also provide a declaration containing that witness’ testimony
`regarding claim construction. The parties shall then meet and confer to narrow the issues and
`finalize preparation of a Joint Claim Construction and Prehearing Statement.
`
`Page 4 of 162
`
`

`

`DATED: December 10, 2019
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Respectfully Submitted,
`Mahesh Law Group, PC
`
`By: /s/ Kumar Maheshwari
`Kumar Maheshwari
`Attorney for Plaintiff
`Caravan Canopy Int’l, Inc.
`
`
`Page 5 of 162
`
`

`

`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`
`
` I
`
` hereby certify that on December 10, 2019, I served the foregoing
`document via email pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)(2)(E) on counsel for
`Defendant.
`
`
`
`
`/s/ Kumar Maheshwari
`
`
`
`Page 6 of 162
`
`

`

`Kumar Maheshwari
`By: s/Kumar Maheshwari/
`
`Mahesh Law Group, PC
`Respectfully Submitted,
`
`Dated: December 9, 2019
`
`The claim chart describes how the limitations are found in the accused product including annotated photographs.
`
`As discussed below, The Walmart Ozark Trail Canopy likely infringes on all claims.
`
`The claim chart beginning on page 2 compares independent claim 1 and dependent claims 2 and 3 of
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,944,040 to the Walmart, Ozark Trail cathedral style frame.
`
`Claim Chart for Walmart, Ozark Trail Canopy U.S. Patent No. 5,944,040
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 7 of 162
`
`

`

`
`
`collapsible tent frame.
`Below is an image for convenient comparison showing the
`The preamble of a collapsible tent frame is presumably not limiting.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1. A collapsible tent frame, comprising:
`
`DESCRIPTION:
`
`CLAIM TERM:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 8 of 162
`
`

`

`Center Pole for stretching and sustaining a tent's roof
`
`center pole for supporting a pitched tent’s roof.
`This product satisfies the claim limitation because it includes a
`
`with the tent frame;
`sustaining a tent's roof when a tent is pitched
`a center pole constructed for stretching and
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 9 of 162
`
`

`

`Connectors
`Hinge on
`
`Sliders
`
`
`
`Connectors
`
`Side Poles
`
`
`
`Ribs
`Scissor-Type
`
`poles.
`poles, and lower ends hinged to sliders movably along the side
`ends of the ribs are hinged to connectors at top ends of the side
`multiple side poles connected by scissor-type ribs. The upper
`This product satisfies the claim limitations because it includes
`
`side poles; and
`hinged to sliders movably fitted over said
`poles and lower ends of said ribs being
`connectors provided at top ends of said side
`upper ends of said ribs being hinged to
`through a plurality of scissor-type ribs, with
`a plurality of side poles coupled to each other
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 10 of 162
`
`

`

`Connector
`Side Pole
`
`Ribs
`Center Pole
`
`
`
`Center Pole
`
`Connectors
`
`and to the connectors of the side poles.
`contains multiple center pole ribs connected to the center pole
`This product satisfies these claim limitations because it
`
`poles,
`center pole to said connectors of the side
`plurality of center pole ribs coupling said
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 11 of 162
`
`

`

`Hinge
`
`Rib one
`
`
`
`Rib two
`
`individual rib members connected with a hinge.
`The product satisfies this claim limitation because it has two
`
`through a hinge joint
`two rib members coupled to each other
`said center pole ribs individually comprising
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 12 of 162
`
`

`

`Slider
`
`Rib Members
`
`Hinge
`
`
`
`Support Link
`
`slider along the side pole.
`support link, and collapsible at the hinge joint by sliding the
`members are hinged to a slider of an associated side pole by a
`The product satisfies these claim limitations because the two rib
`
`slider along the side pole.
`accordance with a sliding motion of said
`thus being collapsible at the hinge joint in
`associated side pole through a support link,
`and being hinged to the slider of an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 13 of 162
`
`

`

`Rib Members
`
`length.
`independent center pole rib members are about the same in
`The product satisfies this claim limitation because the two
`
`The preamble of a collapsible tent frame is presumably not limiting.
`
`
`
`
`
`ribs have a substantially equal length.
`wherein said rib members of the center pole
`
`claim 1,
`2. A collapsible tent frame according to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 14 of 162
`
`

`

`Claw Member
`
`each side pole has a claw member.
`The product satisfies this claim limitation because the lower end of
`
`The preamble of a pull pin assembly is presumably not limiting.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`at a lower end of each side pole.
`further comprising a claw member disposed
`
`claim 2,
`3. A collapsible tent frame according to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 15 of 162
`
`

`

`The preliminary claim chart beginning on page 2 compares independent claim 1 and dependent claims 2 and 3 of
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,944,040
`Claim Chart for ShelterLogic
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,944,040 to the ShelterLogic’s Quick Shade cathedral style frame.
`
`
`
`
`
`The claim chart refers to tent purchased from seller. As discussed below, the Quick Shade frame infringes on all
`
`
`
`By: Kumar Maheshwari
`s/Kumar Maheshwari/
`
`Mahesh Law Group, PC
`Respectfully Submitted,
`
`
`
`Dated: December 10, 2019
`
`
`
`
`
`
`claims.
`
`
`
`Page 16 of 162
`
`

`

`
`
`convenient comparison showing the collapsible tent.
`The preamble of a collapsible tent frame is presumably not limiting. Below is an image for
`
`
`
`comprising:
`tent frame,
`1. A collapsible
`
`
`
`
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CLAIM TERM
`
`Page 17 of 162
`
`

`

`pitched tent's roof.
`This product satisfies the claim limitations because it includes a center pole for supporting a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Center Pole
`
`the tent frame;
`is pitched with
`roof when a tent
`sustaining a tent's
`stretching and
`constructed for
` center pole
`
` a
`
`
`
`Page 18 of 162
`
`

`

`
`
`Sliders
`
`Ribs
`Scissor-Type
`
`
`
`the side poles, and lower ends hinged to sliders movably fitted over the side poles.
`through scissor-type ribs. The upper ends of the ribs are hinged to connectors at top ends of
`This product satisfies the claim limitations because it includes multiple side poles connected
`
`
`
`
`
`Connectors
`
`Side Poles
`
`Connectors
`Hinge on
`
`side poles; and
`fitted over said
`sliders movably
`being hinged to
`ends of said ribs
`poles and lower
`ends of said side
`provided at top
`connectors
`hinged to
`of said ribs being
`with upper ends
`scissor-type ribs,
`plurality of
`through a
`each other
`poles coupled to
` plurality of side
`
` a
`
`
`
`Page 19 of 162
`
`

`

`NEweomown;
`
`
`
`
`
`Ribs
`Scissor-Type
`
`
`
`Page 20 of 162
`
`

`

`connected to the center pole and to the connectors of the side poles.
`This product satisfies these claim limitations because it contains multiple center pole ribs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ribs
`Center Pole
`
`Connector
`
`Center Pole
`
`of the side poles,
`to said connectors
`said center pole
`pole ribs coupling
`plurality of center
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 21 of 162
`
`

`

`NSwemmowfl
`
`“88550Oa
`
`Connector
`
`Page 22 of 162
`
`

`

`connected with a hinge.
`The product satisfies this claim limitation because it has two individual rib members
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hinge
`
`Rib two
`
`Rib one
`
`Rib two
`
`
`
`hinge joint
`other through a
`coupled to each
`rib members
`comprising two
`ribs individually
`said center pole
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 23 of 162
`
`

`

`NSWe3©me
`
`
`
`Page 24 of 162
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`Slider
`
`
`
`Support Link
`
`Hinge
`
`Rib Members
`
`by sliding the slider along the side pole.
`slider of an associated side pole through a support link, and thus collapsible at the hinge joint
`The product satisfies these claim limitations because the two rib members are hinged to a
`
`
`
`side pole.
`slider along the
`motion of said
`with a sliding
`in accordance
`at the hinge joint
`being collapsible
`support link, thus
`pole through a
`associated side
`to the slider of an
`and being hinged
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 25 of 162
`
`

`

`N8we8Oman
`
`
`
`22%:pi
`
`Rib Members
`
`Hinge
`
`Page 26 of 162
`
`

`

`The preamble of a collapsible tent frame is presumably not limiting.
`
`
`
`claim 1,
`according to
`tent frame
`2. A collapsible
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 27 of 162
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`members are about the same in length.
`The product satisfies this claim limitation because the two independent center pole rib
`
`
`
`
`
`Rib Members
`
`equal length.
`substantially
`have a
`center pole ribs
`members of the
`wherein said rib
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 28 of 162
`
`

`

`member.
`The product satisfies this claim limitation because the lower end of each side pole has a claw
`
`
`
`The preamble of a pull pin assembly is presumably not limiting.
`
`claim 2,
`according to
`tent frame
`3. A collapsible
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Claw Member
`
`
`
`\
`
`
`
`
`
`side pole.
`lower end of each
`disposed at a
`claw member
`comprising a
`further
`
`Page 29 of 162
`
`

`

`
`
`ESPECIALLY PREPARED FOR
`
`LATHAM & WATKINS
`
`YOUR DOCKET NUMBER
`
`036579-0000
`
`FILE YOU HAVE REQUESTED!
`
`5944040
`
`TITLE
`
`COLLAPSIBLE TENT FRAME
`
`THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORDER!
`
`Page 30 of 162
`
`Page 30 of 162
`
`

`

`t
`
`
`05.43“” JC542U.S.PTO
` ISSUECLASSIFICATtON
`
`Subclass
`"urn-(.-
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`09/082482
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`
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`PATENT NUMBER
`
`5944040
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`59mg
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`PATENT DATE
`
`
`-3311?) 3 l 1393.
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`(Attached In pocket on right Inside llap)
`
`SUBCLASS
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`M76)
`
`
`
`Continued on Issue Slip inside File Jacket
`
`
`
`
`
`DRAWINGS
`g.
`
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`
`Total Claims
`
`Print Claim for 0.6.
`
`"Ear
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`DISCLAIMER
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`P:
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`subsequent to
`(date)
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`has been disclaimsd.
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` b) The term of this patent shall
`
`not extend beyond the expiratlon date
`
`
`of Us Patent. No.
`
`ISSUE FEE ,—//‘)
`bupervisory Patent Examiner
`
`
` Amount Due
`Date Paid
`Group 3500
`
`
`
`m:
`
`(Primary Examiner)
`
`ISSUE BATCH NUMBER
`
`
`
`
`
`c) The terminal
`months of
`
`
`
`this patent have been disclaimedt
`{Legal Instruments Examiner)
`
`
`WARNING:
`
`
`The lntonnatlon disclosed herein may ha restricted. Unauthorized dlscioéure may be prohibited by the United States Code Titlé 35. Sectlcms 122, 181 and 368.
`Possessian outside the U.S. Patent 8: Trademark Ollice is restricted to authorized employees and c‘ontractors only.
`
`
`Form PTO-436A
`(Rev. 10/97)
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`Page 31 of 162
`
`
`
`Page 31 of 162
`
`

`

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`Page 32 of 162
`
`Page 32 of 162
`
`

`

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`
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`sEAhc NOTES
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`INDEX OF CLAIMS
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`staple additional sheet here
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`Page 34 of 162
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`[19]
`United States Patent
`Jang
`
`[54] COLLAPSIBLE TENT FRAME
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Jung-Woo Jang, 53-28 Gamsam Dong
`Dalseo-Ku, Daegu, Rep of Korea
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/082,482
`[22}
`Filed:
`May 21, 1998
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`May 23, 1997
`[KR]
`Rep. of Korea
`
`
`
`[s1] 1nt.Cl.“.
`[52] us. c1. ..
`
`97-11752
`E0411 15/26
`135/126; 135/128; 135/130;
`135/131
`52/795; 135/126,
`135/128, 131, 130, 97
`
`[58] Field of Search
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4/1928 Sntder
`1,666,757
`..... 135/97
`2/1987 Lynch .
`4,641,676
`135/110
`
`4,779,635 10/1988 Lynch .
`135/97
`4,947,884
`8/1990 Lynch .
`135/97
`1/1994 Tsai
`5,275,188
`
`5,421,356
`6/1995
`
`
`lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloimlllllll
`
`US 594404OA
`
`135/131
`135/131
`135/131
`
`5,944,040
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`[45] Date of Patent: Aug. 31, 1999
`
`5/1997 Gwin
`5,634,483
`
`5,701,923 12/1997 Losi, n at 11.
`5,794,540
`8/1998 Iang
`Primary Examiner—Carl D. Friedman
`Assistant Examiner—Dennis L. Dorsey
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Griffin, Butler, Whisenhunt &
`Szipi, LLP
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`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. A plurality 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 movahly 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 ioint. 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 polei
`
`3 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Page 35 of 162
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`Page 35 of 162
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 31, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`5,944,040
`
`FIGJPRIORART
`
`Page 36 of 162
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`Page 36 of 162
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 31, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`5,944,040
`
`
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`"\\\\\7/////A\\\\”//A\\\‘W///A\\\\\'”“‘“"”l9“7////
`
`FIG. 2
`PRIOR ART
`
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Aug.31, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`5,944,040
`
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`Page 38 of 162
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`

`

`1
`COLLAPSIBLE TENT FRAME
`
`5,944,040
`
`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 ioints 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
`2:: 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 amembly 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 guide: 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 scimor
`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 S, [nus having a complex construction
`and increasing the production cost of the tent frame. Another
`
`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
`collapsrble 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 link1 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 to are individually coupled to a center
`pole 50, having a simple construction, through a center pole
`rib 30, The center pole ribs 313 individually comprise two rib
`members, which have the same construction and are coupled
`
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`5,944,040
`
`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
`wifl 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 lent, 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
`poies 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 1'le 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.
`When the tent is pitched with the flame being fully
`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 dovm on the side poles
`10 while folding the scissor assemblies of the ribs 20 at the
`joints 29a. in such a case, the support links 40, connecting
`the center pole ribs 30 to the sliders 70, puil 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,
`coilapsible 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 elfectively 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 frilly moved upwardly
`along with the center pole ribs. The tent frame thus heightens
`the interior space of the tent in comparison with a typicai
`collapsibEe 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
`fiom the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the
`accompanying claims.
`What is claimed is:
`l. A collapsible tent frame, comp