Combination tent and frame therefor

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel tent construction characterized by at least two, and preferably four, identical subframes, each pair of which is connected together at the adjacent upper outside corners to produce in unfolded condition an inverted generally V-shaped frame when the lower marginal edges thereof are maintained in maximum fixed-spaced relation to one another by a foldable fabric floor stretched therebetween. When four subframes are employed, the second pair is connected to the first in end-to-end relation so as to double the length of the resulting frame. Each subframe includes a unique molded hub at the center thereof having four equiangularly-spaced sockets therein shaped to receive a ball on the inner end of a springable rib-forming strut for movement between a folded position nested alongside one another and an unfolded position arching radially therefrom in umbrella-like fashion. The fabric covering stretched over the subframe cooperates therewith to not only maintain the rib-forming struts in arched umbrella-like fashion when unfolded, but additionally, to keep the ends thereof seated in sockets in the hub and connectors therefor. Socketed connectors adapted to detachably receive the outer ends of the upper struts of each pair of interconnected subframes for foldable movement are provided along the ridge of the tent, these connectors differing from the hub in that the webs separating the sockets are sufficiently thin and flexible to permit the sockets themselves to move between an essentially radial coplanar relationship into a non-planar one in which they approach a parallel relationship to one another. In the embodiment where four subframes are employed, the middle connector of the three on the ridge has four sockets while those at opposite ends have only two. Double-socketed connectors similar in construction and operation to those used at the ends of the ridge are found at the base of the frame connecting the adjacent pairs of subframes together.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.