# US 7,607,445 B2 · Pole for holding and/or supporting tent sheets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,445 B2 - Document ID: US7607445B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/825,679 - Filed: 2007-07-09 - Published: 2008-03-06 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-07-10 - Assignees: VauDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: Albrecht von Dewitz; Hans-Thomas Langowski; Hansjörg Egger; Tobias Fugel; Daniel Gebel; Matthias Kimmerle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607445B2 ## CPC - E04H 15/425: {Flexible supporting means} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract In a pole (11) for holding and/or supporting tent sheets (3, 5) that can be assembled from interconnecting segments (15) to make an arch (12), the individual segments (15) can be connected together by intermediate elements (16) that can be inserted into them and a tensioning element (21) can be suspended from each of these intermediate elements (16) on the inside of an arch (12), with the ability for the tensioning elements (21) to be tensioned in the area of the ends (13, 14) of the pole (11). This configuration means that the tent (1) is always stable and its interior is not partitioned off or subdivided by tensioning straps. Also, the tent (1) can be pitched and struck within a short period of time (FIG. 1). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pole assembly for holding and supporting tent sheets, the assembly comprising a plurality of tubular segments connectable together end-to-end to form a pole defining an arch adapted to be supported at ends thereof by a selected one of a base member and a ground portion, wherein said segments are adapted to be connected together by intermediate elements to form the pole, the intermediate elements being adapted to be inserted into said segments, wherein each of the intermediate elements comprises a generally cylindrically shaped part having two ends adapted respectively to engage ends of said segments, the intermediate element ends being offset inwardly and adapted to enter said tubular segments; and a tensioning element adapted to be hung from each of the intermediate elements on an inside of the arch, with said tensioning element comprising a cord adapted to be tensioned against the pole in areas at the ends of the pole against the selected one of the base member and the ground; wherein said shaped part is provided with a circumferential groove spaced from the ends thereof and adapted to receive an open-sided hook connected to said tensioning element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cord comprises a pulling element that is adapted to be taut in a longitudinal direction, and is adapted to be suspended from the intermediate elements of the pole assembly by the hook and is tensioned at the pole ends. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said tensioning element comprises at least two pulling elements that are adapted to be taut in a longitudinal direction, and which are each suspended from alternate intermediate elements of the pole assembly and are tensioned at the ends thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein said pulling elements (22) can be fixed on both sides of the holding elements (31) using a selected one of clamping sleeves (23) and cord stoppers that are attached in an adjustable manner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein said pulling elements are attached to a connector at each intersection points of said pulling elements, and are adapted to be tensioned by use of said pulling elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein said tensioning elements comprise a plurality of pieces of textile fabric triangular in shape, enclosed at least partially by belt straps and connected to one another by the belt straps. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said pieces of textile fabric comprise nets. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the hooks connected to said tensioning elements have open sides engageable with the groove in each of the intermediate elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein for locking the pole assembly onto the ground or base member, a hook is adapted to be connected to each of end segments of the pole assembly, by means of which the poles are adapted to be anchored, and a tensioning strap is provided connecting ends of the arch poles together and attached to said tensioning elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The pole assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of said tensioning elements (21, 25) is provided with a tensioning piece (28) for adjusting a level of tension.