KOLASA, Scott, D. (3600 West Lake AvenueGlenview, Illinois, 60026, US)
KELLER, Steven, C. (3600 West Lake AvenueGlenview, Illinois, 60026, US)
KOLASA, Scott, D. (3600 West Lake AvenueGlenview, Illinois, 60026, US)
| WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A coupling assembly comprising a coupling body, a collapsible pole having pole segments connected by an elastic tension member urging ends thereof toward each other; said coupling having elongate pole receptacle portions for said connected pole segments, with said segments of said segmented pole disposed in said pole segment receptacle portions and said elastic tension member extending between said pole segments through said coupling; said coupling further including a pole end receptacle portion to receive an end of a separate pole; and said pole end receptacle portion displaced relative to said receptacle portions for said connected pole segments. 2. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receptacle portions of said coupling body include pole receiving bores, each said receptacle portion defining an entrance opening at one end of said bore and having a wall defining a stop surface at the other end thereof. 3. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said coupling body includes an outer end and an inner end, with said entrance openings defined by said pole segment receptacle portions disposed at said outer end of said coupling body and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion disposed at said inner end thereof. 4. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said walls of said pole segment receptacle portions defining said stop surface are annular, having a hole therethrough, and said elastic tension member extends between said pole segments through said holes and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion as displaced from said elastic tension member. 5. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the longitudinal centerline of said bores in said pole segment receptacle portions reside in a common plane, and the longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is displaced from said plane of the longitudinal centerlines of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions a distance about one half the diameter of said elastic tension member plus one half the diameter of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion. 6. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is parallel to said plane of said longitudinal centerlines of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions. 7. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is at an angle relative to said plane of said longitudinal centerlines of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions. 8. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said coupling body is a pie shaped segment having a base portion at its inner end and a rim portion at its outer end, and wherein said entrance openings defined by said pole segment receptacle portions are at said rim portion and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion is disposed at said base portion. 9. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said walls of said pole segment receptacle portion defining said stop surface are annular, having a hole therethrough, and said elastic tension member extends between said pole segments through said holes, and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion is displaced from said elastic tension member. 10. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the longitudinal centerline of said bores in said pole segment receptacle portions reside in a common plane, and the longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is displaced from the longitudinal centerlines of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions a distance about one half the diameter of said elastic tension member plus one half the diameter of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion. 11. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is parallel to said plane of said longitudinal centerlines of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions. 12. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein an end of a separate pole is received in said separate pole end receptacle portion. 13. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said segments of said collapsible pole are disposed in said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions and an end of a separate pole is disposed in said bore of said separate pole receptacle portion, and said separate pole is displaced from said elastic tension member extending between said pole segments. 14. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said coupling body is a pie shaped segment having a base portion at its inner end and a rim portion at its outer end, and wherein said entrance openings defined by said pole segment receptacle portions are at said rim portion and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion is disposed at said base portion. 15. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said walls of said pole segment receptacle portions defining said stop surface are annular, having a hole therethrough, and said elastic tension member extends between said pole segments through said holes., and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion is displaced from said elastic tension member. 16. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the longitudinal centerline of said bores in said pole segment receptacle portion reside in a common plane, and the longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is displaced from said plane of the longitudinal centerline of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions a distance about one half the diameter of said elastic tension member plus one half the diameter of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion. 17. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is parallel to said plane of said longitudinal centerlines of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions. 18. A pole coupling comprising a coupling body, adapted to retain a collapsible pole having pole segments connected by an elastic tension member urging ends thereof toward each other; said coupling having elongate pole receptacle portions for retaining said connected pole segments in said pole segment receptacle portions with the elastic tension member extending between said pole segments through said coupling; said coupling further including a pole end receptacle portion to receive an end of a separate pole; and said pole end receptacle portion displaced relative to said receptacle portions for retaining said connected pole segments. 19. A pole coupling as claimed in claim 18 wherein said receptacle portions of said coupling body include pole receiving bores, each said receptacle portion defining an entrance opening at one end of said bore and having a wall defining a stop surface at the other end thereof, and said coupling body includes an outer end and an inner end, with said entrance openings defined by said pole segment receptacle portions disposed at said outer end of said coupling body and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion disposed at said inner end thereof, wherein said coupling body is a pie shaped segment having a base portion at its inner end and a rim portion at its outer end, and wherein said entrance openings defined by said pole segment receptacle portions are at said rim portion and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion is disposed at said base portion. 20. A pole coupling as claimed in claim 19 wherein said walls of said pole segment receptacle portions defining said stop surface are annular, having a hole therethrough, adapted to permit the elastic tension member to extend through said holes and said entrance opening defined by said separate pole end receptacle portion is displaced from said holes in said stop surfaces. 21. A pole coupling as claimed in claim 20 wherein the longitudinal centerline of said bores in said pole segment receptacle portions reside in a common plane, and the longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is displaced from the longitudinal centerlines of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions. 22. A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said longitudinal centerline of said bore of said separate pole end receptacle portion is parallel to said plane of said longitudinal centerline of said bores of said pole segment receptacle portions. |
Cross- Reference To Related Application
[0001] This application claims priority pursuant to Title 25 USC § 119 to United States Provisional Application No. 61/358,134, filed June 24, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if set forth herein in its entirety.
Background
[0002] This invention relates to a coupling assembly for collapsible pole structures. More particularly it relates to a coupling assembly for multiple poles, some of which are collapsible and connected through the coupling by a tension cord.
[0003] As an example, fabric tents for camping and other uses usually include a pole structure to support the fabric body. Depending on the tent configuration, which varies widely, the pole structures are joined in various configurations to provide a rigid support structure, collapsible for storage and transport. Some pole segments are tubular and connected by an internal elastic tension cord to maintain a partially connected relationship and permit
disassembly without separation.
[0004] Coupling elements are employed to provide a junction between intersecting poles. In some constructions, the collapsible poles are connected to each other through the coupling by the tensioning cord. The cord connects the pole segments to each other and to the coupling, yet by manual stretching of the cord, permits disassembly to collapse the poles to transportable lengths.
[0005] It has been found that, in some applications, the presence of the connecting tension cord interferes with, or complicates the assembly process. Under some circumstances such interference could cause undesirable wear or damage to the elastic element or make assembly of the tent difficult. Summary of Disclosure
[0006] The present coupling configuration avoids this consequence. The coupling of the present disclosure includes separate pole receptacle defining portions arranged to avoid interference of the elastic tension element resiliently connecting two tubular pole segments with the insertion and retention of a separate independent pole element.
Description of Drawings
[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art tent pole coupling assembly.
[0008] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a pole coupling assembly of the present disclosure.
[0009] Fig. 3 is a partially broken away top plan view of a pole coupling member of the assembly of Fig. 2.
[0010] Fig. 4 is an end view of one end of the pole coupling member of the assembly of Fig. 2.
[0011] Fig. 5 is an end view of the other end of the pole coupling member of the assembly of Fig. 2.
[0012] Fig. 6 is a side view of one side of the pole coupling member of the assembly of Fig. 2.
[0013] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of pole coupling member of the present disclosure.
[0014] Fig. 8 is a side view of the pole coupling member of Fig. 8.
Description of Illustrated Embodiments
[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates a typical coupling arrangement for assembling a collapsible pole structure such as a tent support structure. A known tent pole coupling assembly, generally 20, is illustrative of the presence of the tensioning cord within the pole coupling body and its relationship with the poles of the assembly. As seen in Fig. 1, a pole coupling 22 joins a pair of tubular pole segments, designated a top pole segment 24 and a bottom pole segment 25, with a separate side pole 26. Pole segments 24 and 25 are resiliently joined together by elastic tension element or cord 28. Tension cord 28 in an elongated or stretched condition is connected between top pole segment 24 and bottom pole segment 25. The restoring force within the stretched cord draws the adjacent ends of the pole segments toward each other.
[0016] Usually in the overall assembly, four couplings 22 are employed. The bottom and top pole segments 24 and 25 are disposed generally upright though they form an angle of about one hundred thirty five degrees (135°) with each other at the coupling 22. The side poles 26 are generally horizontal, and extend between two couplings 22 positioned on each side of the structure. To render them collapsible for storage and transport, the side poles 26 may also comprise segmented tubular sections resiliently joined by an internal elastic tension cord.
[0017] The pole coupling 22 comprises a molded plastic body with three angularly disposed elongate receptacle portions joined by interposed webs 31. The receptacle portions and interposed webs 31 define a fan, or pie shape, segment of circular body. A base portion 32 defines an inner generally concave end at the radially innermost end and an arcuate rim portion 33 defines an outer convex surface at the wide or radially outward end of coupling 22.
[0018] There are two pole segment receptacle portions 35 spaced apart about one hundred thirty five degrees (135°) and a central side pole receptacle portion 36. Each elongate receptacle portion defines a cylindrical hollow passageway or receptacle bore to receive and support a pole end. The receptacle bores are slightly larger than the diameter of the associated poles so that the poles may be readily slid into or out of the receptacle bores . The centerline of the bores defined in the receptacle portions 35 and 36 all reside in a common plane.
[0019] The end pole segment receptacle portions 35 include entrance openings on the outer convex surface of arcuate rim portion 33. The entrance opening for the side pole receptacle portion 36 is at the inner generally concave end of base portion 32.
[0020] Pole segments 24 and 25 are interengaged at coupling 22 and held in a rigid condition by the tension within the cord 28. The tension cord 28 passes between adjacent ends of pole segments 24 and 25 along a cord channel at the inner concave end of base portion 32. [0021] The elastic tension cord 28 for end pole coupling assembly extends through both pole segments 24 and 25 and through the coupling 22. It provides the requisite tension forces for retention of each end of pole segments 24 and 25 in its receptacle portion 35 of the coupling body 22.
[0022] The side pole 26 is separately insertable into the coupling 22. The entrance opening to the bore in the side pole receptacle portion 36 is at the base portion 32. Notably, since the centerlines of all three pole receiving bores in receptacle portions 35 and 36 are in the same plane, the tension cord 28 passes across the side pole entrance opening. Insertion of the end of side pole 26 into the entrance opening of side pole receptacle portion 36 requires manipulation of the shock cord 28 away from the entrance opening. With this arrangement, the elastic tension cord detracts from ease of assembly of the tent components. Care must be taken to displace the cord 28 to enable full insertion of side pole 26. Also, the cord is subject to undesirable wear through tensioned contact with pole 26.
[0023] It should be noted that while the disclosure refers to "tent" poles, this application is merely exemplary. The configuration of the disclosure and advantages derived are suitable to joinder of poles or rods intended for use in other structures.
[0024] Turning now to Figs. 2 to 6, there is illustrated a pole coupling assembly of the present disclosure, generally designated 120. It is illustrative of an arrangement in which the tensioning cord within the pole coupling body does not interfere with side pole insertion. As in the previously described pole coupling assembly, coupling 122 serves as a junction between multiple poles such as in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1. That is, the end poles are tubular and segmented, and include an internal elastic tension member or cord within the pole segments that passes through the coupling and provides a retention force to maintain the separate end pole segments in an assembled rigid configuration.
[0025] As seen in Figs. 2 to 6, pole coupling 122 joins separate side pole 126 to a pair of tubular end pole segments, designated a top end pole segment 124 and a bottom end pole segment 125. End pole segments 124 and 125 are resiliently joined together by elastic tension member or cord 128. Tension cord 128 in an elongated or stretched condition is connected between top end pole segment 124 and bottom end pole segment 125 through coupling 122. The restoring force within the stretched cord draws the adjacent ends of the pole segments toward each other.
[0026] Though only one coupling 122 is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, an application involving an associated supported structure such as a fabric tent will include multiple couplings 122. If used in an arrangement such as described in connection with Fig. 1, a complete structure would include, for example, four couplings 122, four top end pole segments 124, four bottom end pole segments 125 and two side poles 126. Notably pole segments 124 and 125 are joined through coupling 122 by elastic tension member 128. Each pole segment 124 and 125 is tubular with internally disposed tension cord 128 stressed between them urging adjacent ends each of pole segment toward each other, and in this configuration, into an inserted joinder with coupling 122.
[0027] The pole coupling 122 comprises a molded plastic body with three angularly disposed elongate receptacle portions joined by interposed webs 131. The receptacle portions and interposed webs 131 define a fan or pie shape segment of a circular body. It includes a generally concave base portion 132 at the radially innermost end and an arcuate rim portion 133 at the wide or radially outward end of the coupling 122 that defines an outer convex surface 138.
[0028] There are two elongate end pole segment receptacle portions 135 spaced apart about one hundred thirty five degrees (135°) and a central elongate side pole receptacle portion 136. This angle is not critical and is merely an illustrative example. The principles involved here apply to the joinder of multiple poles to a single coupling without regard to the angular relationships involved.
[0029] As seen in Fig. 3, each elongate receptacle portion 135 and 136 defines a cylindrical hollow passageway or receptacle bore 137 to receive and support a pole end. The receptacle bores 137 are slightly larger than the diameter of the associated poles so that the poles may be readily slid into or out of the receptacle bores 137. As best seen in Fig. 5, the centerlines of the bores 137 of the two end pole receptacle portions 135 reside in a common plane. [0030] The receptacle bores 137 of end pole receptacle portions 135 include entrance openings 140 at the outer convex surface 138 of arcuate rim portion 133. These bores receive the ends of top end pole segment 124 and bottom end pole segment 125. Entrance opening 144 for bore 137 of the side pole receptacle portion 136 is at base portion 132. It receives the end of separate side pole 126.
[0031] Each receptacle bore 137 has a stop surface 148 at the end of bore 137 opposite the entrance opening. Radial annular wall 146 defines a stop surface 148 to fix the extent of insertion of a pole into each bore 137. The stop surface 148 of the receptacle bore 137 for side pole bore 126 is at the arcuate rim 133. The stop surfaces 148 of the bores 137 in end pole segment receptacle portions 135 are at the base portion 132. As seen in Figs. 3 and 5, each end pole segment receptacle portion 135 includes an exit hole 150 in radially directed annular wall 146. The surface of base portion 132 between annular walls 146 defines cord channel 152. As seen in Fig. 4, annular wall 146 of side pole receptacle portion 136 also includes a hole 156, though no tension cord is present. Hole 156 aids in the molding process for coupling 122.
[0032] The elastic tension cord 128 for end pole coupling assembly configuration extends through both end pole segments 124 and 125 and through the coupling 122. It provides the requisite tension forces for retention of the ends of pole segments 124 and 125 in a rigid state and also for retention of each pole end in a bore 137 of its receptacle portion 135 of the coupling 122. The tension cord 128 passes between exit holes 150 of radially directed annular walls 146 through the cord channel 152 at base portion 132. The tension draws the top end pole segment 124 and bottom end pole segment 125 into the bores 137 of end pole receptacle portions 135 until the ends of pole segments 124 and 125 contact stop surfaces 148.
[0033] The side pole 126 is separately insertable into the coupling 122. The central side pole receptacle portion 136 defines a side pole receiving bore 137. The entrance opening 144 in the side pole receptacle portion 136 is at the base portion 132. Stop surface 148 at the arcuate rim end of the coupling limits insertion of the side pole 126 into the side pole receiving bore 137 of side pole receptacle portion 136. An end of pole 126 is received in bore 137 of side pole receptacle portion 136 through entrance opening 144 at base portions 132. The pole 126 may also be formed of tubular segments joined by an internal elastic tension cord to render it collapsible.
[0034] Best seen in Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 6, side pole receptacle portion 136 is displaced relative to end pole receptacle portions 135, such that the entrance opening 144 at base portion 132 for receptacle bore 137 of side pole receptacle portion 136 is positioned above (in Fig. 5) cord channel 152 between holes 150 in radially directed annular walls 146 of end pole segment receptacle portions 135. The result, seen in Fig. 2, is that the tension cord 128 passes below (in Fig. 2) inserted side pole 126.
[0035] Stated another way, the centerline of bore 137 of side pole receptacle portion 136 is displaced from the plane passing through the longitudinal centerlines of bores 137 of end pole segment receptacle portions 135. As illustrated in Fig. 5, that displacement is a distance "A" sufficient to permit tension cord 128 to reside within cord channel 152 without interference with side pole 126.
[0036] The amount of displacement "A" is at least sufficient to position the side pole 126 beyond the path of the tension cord 128 in cord channel 152 between holes 150. It is
contemplated that distance "A" should be about, and preferably slightly larger than, one half the diameter of the tension cord 152 plus one half the diameter of the side pole 126. A distance "A" equal to one half the diameter of the tension cord 152 plus one half the diameter of bore 137 in side pole receptacle portion 136 would provide the desired separation between cord 152 and side pole 126.
[0037] As best seen in Fig. 6, the longitudinal axis of bore 137 of side pole receptacle portion 136 is parallel to the plane passing through the longitudinal axes of bores 137 of end pole segment receptacle portions 135. Thus, as seen in Fig. 4, the longitudinal axis of bore 137 of side pole receptacle portion 136 is displaced the same distance "A" from the plane passing through the longitudinal axis of bores 137 of end pole segment receptacle portions 135 at outer convex surface 138 as it is at the base portion 132.
[0038] Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a slightly modified form of the coupling of Figs. 2 to 6. As in the earlier embodiment the coupling 222 comprises a molded plastic body with three angularly disposed receptacle portions joined by interposed webs 231 defining a pie shaped segment of a circular body. It includes generally concave base portion 232 at radially innermost end and an arcuate rim portion 133 at the wide, or radially outward end. It includes two end pole segment receptacle portions 235 spaced apart about one hundred thirty five degrees (135°) and a central side pole receptacle portion 236.
[0039] As in the previous embodiment, each of the elongate receptacle portions 235 and 236 define a cylindrical hollow passageway or receptacle bore 237 to receive and support a pole end. The receptacle bores 237 are slightly larger than the diameter of the associated poles so that the poles may be readily slid into or out of the receptacle bores. As best seen in Fig. 8, the centerlines of the bores 237 of the two end pole segment receptacle portions 235 reside in a common plane.
[0040] The receptacle bores 237 of end pole segment receptacle portions 235 include entrance openings 240 at the arcuate rim portion 233. These bores receive the ends of a top end pole segment and bottom end pole segment as in the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 6. Entrance opening 244 for the bore 237 of the side pole receptacle portion 236 is at the base portion 232.
[0041] As in the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 6, each receptacle bore 237 has a radially annular wall 246 defining a stop surface 248 to fix the extent of insertion of a pole into each receptacle bore 237. The stop surface of bore 237 of side pole receptacle portion 236 is at the arcuate rim end 233 of coupling 222. The stop surfaces of the end pole segment receptacle portions 235 are at the base portion 232. Each end pole segment receptacle portion 235 includes an exit hole 250 in radial annular wall 246 communicating with a cord channel 252 formed at base portion 232. As in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the entrance opening 244 in side pole receptacle portion 236 is at base portion 232. [0042] In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6 the centerline of the bore 237 of side pole receptacle portion 236 at the entrance opening 244 for the side pole is displaced a distance "A" from the centerlines of the receptacle bores 237 of end pole segment receptacle portions 235 . However, as best seen in Fig. 8, the side pole receptacle portion 236 of the coupling 232 is molded at an angular relationship to the end pole receptacle portions 235. The centerline of bore 237 of side pole receptacle portion 236 passes through the plane of the centerlines of the bores 237 of end pole receptacle portions 235 near, and somewhat beyond rim 233. The angle "a" shown in Fig. 8 is selected such that the tension cord in the channel 252 of the base portion 232 does not interfere with the insertion of the end of a side pole into entrance opening 244 of the angularly disposed receptacle bore 237 of side pole receptacle portion 236.
[0043] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
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