Tent pole and method of manufacture therefor
OwnerJohn W. Toor, James E. Sachermaninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible, multi-segmented support structure, and method for manufacturing same, particularly suited for use as a tent pole, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of tubular segments and each segment is connected to its adjacent segment or segments by lengths of elastic shock cord, the cord having sleeves affixed to each end thereof which can be affixed in partly or fully automated fashion to the respective segments. A novel ferrule is included to provide rigidity at the junctions of the segments, without providing undue stress concentration and to further assist in automating the manufacturing process.
Claims19
A method for manufacturing multi-segmented poles comprising
- providing a plurality of tubing segments,
- providing a length of elastic cord,
- crimping a first sleeve onto the elastic cord at a first location,
- terminating the elastic cord at a second location,
- passing the length of elastic cord through a ferrule,
- driving the first sleeve into the end of one of the plurality of tubing segments,
- attaching the ferrule to a second of the plurality of tubing segments.
A multi-segmented support structure or pole comprising
- a plurality of tubing segments, each tubing segment having first and second ends.
- at least one ferrule, each affixed to the second end of a tubing segment, and
- at least one length of elastic shock cord, each length having a first sleeve at one end and a termination at the other end, the first sleeve being affixed to the first end of one of the plurality of tubing segments and the termination being retained by an associated one of the plurality of ferrules.
A ferrule for use with a multi-segmented pole comprising
- a first conical section having a base of a first diameter and an end of a smaller diameter, there being a bore of a first diameter and a predetermined depth in the end thereof for being press-fit over a piece of tubing,
- a second conical section having a base of substantially the same diameter as the base of the first conical section and an end of a smaller diameter, there being a bore of a predetermined diameter and depth in the end thereof for removably fitting over a piece of tubing, and
- the first and second conical sections being plastic and being formed as a unit.
A multi-segmented support structure or pole comprising
- a plurality of tubing segments, each tubing segment having first and second ends,
- a plurality of ferrules, each affixed to the first end of a tubing segment, and
- plurality of lengths of elastic shock cord, each length extending through one of the plurality of ferrules and having a first sleeve at one end and a second sleeve at the other end, the first sleeve being affixed to the first end of one of the plurality of tubing segments and the second sleeve being affixed to the second end of the adjacent one of the plurality of tubing segments.
The invention of claim wherein the step of terminating the elastic cord is done by affixing a second sleeve thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.