Articulating Pole Hub for a Collapsible Shelter and Method of Forming a Collapsible Shelter
AssigneeWestfield Outdoor, Inc.
InventorBaoqing Yang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pole hub for a collapsible shelter, such as a tent, canopy, or sun-shade is configured and adapted to connect at least two pairs of poles to each other in manner such that the pairs of poles are able to pivot relative to each other about an axis, while each pair of poles remains generally rigid.
Claims15
A hub and pole assembly for a collapsible shelter, such as a tent, canopy, or sun-shade, the hub and pole assembly comprising first and second hub portions that are connected to each other in a manner such that the first and second hub portions are pivotal relative to each other generally about a hub axis, the hub axis generally defining circumferential, axial, and radial directions, the first hub portion attaching a first set of at least two poles to each other in a manner such that the first set of poles maintain their circumferential spacing about the hub axis, the second hub portion attaching a second set of at least two other poles to each other in a manner such that the second set of poles maintain their circumferential spacing about the hub axis, the pivotal connection between the first and second hub portions allowing the first set of poles to pivot about the hub axis relative to the second set of poles.
A pole hub assembly for a collapsible shelter, such as a tent, canopy, or sun-shade, the pole hub comprising first and second crossmembers and a plurality of pole attachment portions, the first and second crossmembers being attached to each other in a manner such that the first and second crossmembers can pivot relative to each other generally about a hub axis and in a manner such that the first and second crossmembers crisscross each other, the hub axis generally defining radial and axial directions, each of the first and second crossmembers having opposite end portions, each of the end portions having a respective one of the pole attachment portions pivotally attached thereto in a manner such that the respective pole attachment portion is pivotal about a respective pole attachment axis that is generally perpendicular to both the radial and axial directions, each of the pole attachment portions comprising a socket that is adapted and configured to receive an end of a tent-type pole.
A collapsible shelter comprising a pliable shell supported by a pole assembly, the pole assembly comprising a first pair of poles and a second pair of poles, the poles of the first pair of poles are connected to each other via a first portion of a hub in a manner defining a first assembly, the poles of the second pair of poles are connected to each other via a second portion of the hub in a manner defining a second assembly, the first and second portions of the hub being pivotally connected to each other generally about a hub axis, the poles extending from the hub in a manner such that the first assembly crisscrosses the second assembly, the pivotal connection between the first and second hub portions allowing the first and second assemblies to pivot as separate units relative to each other about the hub axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.