WO2007064113A1

WO2007064113A1 - Structure for connecting frame of folding tent

Info

Publication number: WO2007064113A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/005013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Sup Kim
Original assignee: Young-Sup Kim
Priority date: 2005-11-29
Filing date: 2006-11-27
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: KR200409541Y1

Abstract

Provided is a structure for connecting frame of folding tent which includes a plurality of props supporting the folding tent with respect to a ground surface and a plurality of folding frames (10) and (20) rotatably connected to each other and crossing each other in an 'X' form between the props. The structure for connecting frame includes frame pinholes (12) and (22) respectively penetrating through middle parts of the folding frames (10) and (20); frame covers (30) and (40) including concave insertion grooves (34) and (44), which cover the middle parts of the adjacent folding frames (10) and (20) and are formed in inner surfaces of the frame covers (30) and (40), respectively, and cover pinholes (32) and (42) which penetrate through the centers of the frame covers (30) and (40) and are connected to the frame pinholes (12) and (22), respectively; a concave cover groove (46) formed in a side of the frame cover (40); a hinge pin (60) penetrating through the cover pinholes (32) and (42) and the frames pinholes (12) and (22) and having a concave hinge groove (64) formed at an end thereof; and a coupling bracket (70) inserted into the cover groove (46) and having a concave coupling groove (72) which elastically covers the hinge groove (64).

Description

STRUCTURE FOR CONNECTING FRAME OF FOLDING TENT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a folding tent, and more particularly, to a structure for connecting frame of folding tent in which frames are hinge-connected to each other without using bolts in order to prevent unfastening of bolts from nuts and are not fastened too tightly so that the frames can freely rotate. Background Art

[2] FIG. 1 illustrates the framework of a conventional folding tent.

[3] Referring to FIG. 1, the folding tent, which is used as a shield against sunlight and rain outdoors, is largely composed of a plurality of props 2, a plurality of folding frames 3 and 4, and a top prop 5. Specifically, the props 2 support the folding tent with respect to a ground surface, and the folding frames 3 and 4 connect the props 2 to each other. In addition, the top prop 5 supports the center of a roof of the folding tent. Here, each pair of the adjacent props 2 are connected by two pairs of the folding frames 3 and 4, and the folding frames 3 and 4 in each pair cross each other in an "X" form. Each pair of the folding frames 3 and 4 that cross each other are rotatably hinge- connected to each other at middle parts thereof.

[4] If the props 2 are gathered toward the top prop 5, the folding tent becomes small enough to carry around and keep. Conversely, if the props 2 are spread from the top prop 5 in all directions, the framework of the folding tent is formed. When each of the props 2 is moved to set up or fold the folding tent, each pair of the folding frames 3 and 4 connecting the adjacent props 2 rotate about a hinge by which the middle parts of the folding frames 3 and 4 are connected to each other.

[5] The folding frames 3 are generally formed of metal bodies. One end of each of the folding frames 3 is rotatably hinge-connected to a top end of one of the props 2, and the other end of the folding frame 3 is rotatably hinge-connected to a middle part of an adjacent one of the prop. In addition, the middle part of the folding frame 3 is rotatably hinge-connected to that of an adjacent one of the folding frames 4. In order to set up or dismantle the folding tent, one of the folding frames 3 and 4 in each pair must be able to freely rotate about one of the props 2 connected thereto and about the other one in the pair.

[6] FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional connection structure between a pair of the folding frames 3 and 4 of the folding tent of FIG. 1.

[7] Referring to FIG. 2, a throughhole is formed in the middle part of each of the adjacent folding frames 3 and 4 in order to hinge-connect the folding frames 3 and 4. After a bolt 6 having a predetermined length penetrates the folding frames 3 and 4 through the throughholes, a nut 7 is coupled to a tip end of the bolt 6. Therefore, the adjacent folding frames 3 and 4 are connected to each other by the bolt 6 and the nut 7 and can rotate about the bolt 6. [8] However, the conventional structure for connecting frame described above has the following problems. [9] Since two adjacent folding frames are fastened with a bolt and a nut, they may not be able to freely rotate due to friction between the folding frames. Even if a washer is inserted between the folding frames, the folding frames still have difficulty rotating due to the fastened bolt and the nut. [10] If the bolt and nut are loosened to allow the folding frames to rotate freely, the bolt may come loose in the process of setting up or dismantling a tent. [11] If the folding frames are fastened too tightly with the bolt and the nut, when the folding frames continuously rotate in the process of setting up or dismantling the tent, the bolt and the nut may be unfastened from each other. [12] Furthermore, the protruding head of the bolt and the nut are not only aesthetically unpleasing, but also pose safety hazards since a person or an object can be hurt or ripped when touching them.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Solution

[13] The present invention provides a structure for connecting frame of a folding tent which allows folding frames having middle parts hinge-connected to each other to freely rotate and prevents the unfastening of the hinge-connected folding frames.

[14] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure for connecting frame of a folding tent which includes a plurality of props supporting the folding tent with respect to a ground surface and a plurality of folding frames rotatably connected to each other and crossing each other in an "X" form between the props. The structure for connecting frame includes frame pinholes respectively penetrating through middle parts of the folding frames; frame covers including concave insertion grooves, which cover the middle parts of the adjacent folding frames and are formed in inner surfaces of the frame covers, respectively, and cover pinholes which penetrate through the centers of the frame covers and are connected to the frame pinholes, respectively; a concave cover groove formed in a side of one of the frame covers; a hinge pin penetrating through the cover pinholes and the frames pinholes and having a concave hinge groove formed at an end thereof; and a coupling bracket inserted into the cover groove and having a concave coupling groove which elastically covers the hinge groove. [15] The structure for connecting frame may further include a washer interposed between the adjacent folding frames and having a washer pinhole which penetrates through the center of the washer and through which the hinge pin penetrates.

[16] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure for connecting frame of a folding tent which includes a plurality of props supporting the folding tent with respect to a ground surface and a plurality of folding frames rotatably connected to each other and crossing each other in an "X" form between the props. The structure for connecting frame includes frame pinholes respectively penetrating through ends of the folding frames; frame housings attached to upper and middle parts of the props and comprising a plurality of insertion grooves, which are formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the frame housings and into which the ends of the folding frames are inserted, and housing pinholes which penetrate through both side surfaces of each of the insertion grooves and are connected to the frame pinholes; a concave housing groove formed in a side surface of each of the insertion grooves; a hinge pin penetrating through each of the housing pinholes and the frame pinholes and having a concave hinge groove formed at an end thereof; and a coupling bracket inserted into the housing groove and having a concave coupling groove which elastically covers the hinge groove.

[17] The coupling groove of the coupling bracket may include an accommodating groove which is formed in the middle part of the coupling bracket and in which the hinge groove is accommodated; and a guide groove having a diameter gradually reduced toward the inside of the coupling bracket and elastically widening to guide the hinge groove to the accommodating groove. Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the framework of a conventional folding tent;

[19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connection structure of the conventional folding tent of FIG. 1.

[20] FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively exploded and combined perspective views of a structure for connecting frame of a folding tent according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and

[21] FIGS. 5 through 7 are exploded perspective views of a structure for connecting frame of a folding tent according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[22] The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth therein; rather, these em- bodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[23] Hereinafter, a structure for connecting frame of a folding tent according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[24] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a structure for connecting frame of a folding tent according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[25] The folding tent according to the present invention is composed of a plurality of props supporting the folding tent with respect to a ground surface, a plurality of folding frames crossing each other in an "X" form and rotatably connected to each other between the props, and a top prop supporting the center of a roof of the folding tent. A frame structure of the folding tent according to the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 indicates a connection structure between a pair of folding frames 10 and 20 which cross each other in an "X" form and are rotatably connected to each other.

[26] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame structure of the folding tent according to the first embodiment of the present invention is composed of frame pinholes 12 and 22 respectively penetrating through middle parts of the adjacent folding frames 10 and 20, frame covers 30 and 40 respectively covering the middle parts of the folding frames 10 and 20 in directions from outer sides of the folding frames 10 and 20, a concave cover groove 46 formed in a side of the frame cover 40, a hinge pin 60 penetrating through cover pinholes 32 and 42 and the frames pinholes 12 and 22, and a coupling bracket 70 inserted into the cover groove 46. Each of the frame pinholes 12 and 22 penetrates through a point of each of the middle parts of the folding frames 10 and 20 at which the folding frames 10 and 20 cross each other in an "X" form. A diameter of each of the frame pinholes 12 and 22 is sufficiently large to allow the hinge pin 60, which will be described later, to be inserted into the frame pinholes 12 and 22.

[27] Concave insertion grooves 34 and 44 respectively covering the middle parts of the folding frames 10 and 20 are formed in a " [" shape in inner surfaces of the frame covers 30 and 40 which are attached to outer surfaces of the folding frames 10 and 20, respectively. In addition, the cover pinholes 32 and 42 penetrate through the centers of the frame covers 30 and 40 and are connected to the frame pinholes 12 and 22, respectively. Therefore, at positions where the cover pinholes 32 and 42 are respectively connected to the frame pinholes 12 and 22, the middle parts of the folding frames 10 and 20 are inserted into the insertion grooves 34 and 44 of the frame covers 30 and 40, respectively.

[28] The concave cover groove 46 is formed in a side of the frame cover 40 among the frame covers 30 and 40 respectively attached to the outer surfaces of the folding frames 10 and 20 that cross each other in an "X" form. In FIG. 3, the cover groove 46 is formed perpendicular to the insertion groove 44. However, the cover groove 46 may also be formed parallel to the insertion groove 44. The coupling bracket 70 for fixing the hinge pin 60 is inserted into the cover groove 46.

[29] A flange 62 for preventing the hinge pin 60 from penetrating out of the cover pinholes 32 and 42 and the frame pinholes 12 and 22 is formed at one end of the hinge pin 60. A diameter of the flange 62 is greater than that of a body of the hinge pin 60. In addition, a concave hinge groove 64 is formed to a predetermined depth and along an outer circumferential surface of the body of the hinge pin 60 at the other end of the hinge pin 60, more precisely, at a position located a predetermined distance away from the other end of the hinge pin 60. Therefore, if the hinge pin 60 is inserted into the cover pinholes 32 and 42 and the frame pinholes 12 and 22, the flange 62 formed at the one end of hinge pin 60 is caught on an outer surface of the frame cover 30, and the hinge groove 64 formed at the other end of the hinge pin 60 is placed in the cover groove 46 of the frame cover 40. In this state, if the coupling bracket 70 is inserted into the cover groove 46 and thus coupled to the hinge groove 64, the disengagement of the hinge pin 60 can be prevented since both ends of the hinge pin 60 are fixed.

[30] In addition, a concave flange groove 36 on which the flange 62 can be accommodated may be formed in the outer surface of the frame cover 30 in order to prevent the flange 62 from protruding from the outer surface of the frame cover 30. The flange groove 36 is connected to the cover pinhole 32 and has a greater diameter than that of the cover pinhole 32.

[31] A concave coupling groove 72 is formed in the coupling bracket 70 which is inserted into the cover groove 46. The coupling groove 72 elastically covers the hinge groove 64 and extends from an end of the coupling bracket 70 to a middle part thereof. The coupling groove 72 is composed of a guide groove 74, which guides the hinge groove 64, and an accommodating groove 76 which extends from the guide groove 74 and in which the hinge groove 64 is accommodated. The guide groove 74 extend from the one end of the coupling bracket 70 to the accommodating groove 76 and guides the hinge groove 64 to the accommodating groove 76. Although a diameter of the guide groove 74 at the one end of the coupling bracket 70 is slightly greater than that of the hinge groove 64, it is gradually reduced toward the inside of the coupling bracket 70. Consequently, the diameter of the guide groove 74 at a position where the guide groove 74 meets the accommodating groove 76 is smaller than that of the hinge groove 64. A diameter of the accommodating groove 76 connected to an end portion of the guide groove 74 may correspond to that of the hinge groove 64 so that the hinge groove 64 can freely rotate.

[32] Therefore, if the coupling bracket 70 is inserted into the cover groove 46 of the frame cover 40, the hinge groove 64 moves along the guide groove 74 and reaches the end portion of the guide groove 74 which meets the accommodating groove 76. Here, since the diameter of the guide groove 74 is smaller than that of the hinge groove 64, the guide groove 74 momentarily widens to allow the hinge groove 64 to be inserted into the accommodating groove 76. After the hinge groove 64 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 76, the widened guide groove 74 returns to its original size due to its elasticity. Hence, the hinge groove 64 accommodated in the accommodating groove 76 cannot break away from the accommodating groove 76.

[33] The frame structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a washer 50 having a predetermined thickness between the folding frames 10 and 20 so that the folding frames 10 and 20 crossing each other in an "X" form can rotate freely. In this case, a washer pinhole 52 is formed at the center of the washer 50. The washer pinhole 52 penetrating the center of the washer 50 is connected to the frame pinholes 12 and 22, and the hinge pin 60 may be inserted into the washer pinhole 52.

[34] An assembling process of the frame structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

[35] First of all, the frame covers 30 and 40 are respectively attached to the middle parts of the outer surfaces of the folding frames that cross each other in an "X" form. In this case, the frame pinholes 12 and 22 and the cover pinholes 32 and 42 are connected to each other, and the folding frames 10 and 20 are respectively inserted into the insertion grooves 34 and 44. The washer 50 is interposed between the folding frames 10 and 20 such that the washer pinhole 52 can be connected to the frame pinholes 12 and 22. Then, the hinge pin 60 is inserted into the cover pinholes 32 and 42, the frame pinholes 12 and 22, and the washer pinhole 52. Finally, the coupling bracket 70 is inserted into the cover groove 46, and the coupling groove 72 is coupled to the hinge groove 64. In so doing, the frame structure is completed. Mode for the Invention

[36] A structure for connecting frame of a folding tent according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. A frame structure of the folding tent according to the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 indicates a connection structure between a prop and a plurality of folding frames 110. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a connection structure between a prop and two folding frames 110. FIG. 6 illustrates a connection structure between a prop and three folding frames 110. FIG. 7 illustrates a connection structure between a prop and four folding frames 110. Although the number of the frames 110 connected to the prop is different, the connection structures illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 are identical. [37] Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the frame structure of the folding tent according to the second embodiment of the present invention is composed of frame pinholes 112 which respectively penetrate through ends of the folding frames 110, frame housings 100 through 300 which are attached to the prop and connect the folding frames 110 to one another, a plurality of insertion grooves 120 which are formed on radial outer circumferential surfaces of the frame housings 100 through 300 and into which the ends of the folding frames 110 are inserted, housing pinholes 122 and 124 which penetrate through both side surfaces of each of the insertion grooves 120 and are connected to the frame pinholes 112, a concave housing groove 128, which is formed in a side surface of each of the insertion grooves 120, a hinge pin 60 which penetrates through each of the housing pinholes 122 and 124 and the frame pinholes 112, and a coupling bracket 70 which is inserted into the housing groove 128. The frame pinhole 112 penetrates through the end of each of the folding frames 110, more precisely, is formed at a position located a predetermined distance away from the end of each of the folding frames 110 and has a diameter large enough to allow the hinge pin 60 to be inserted thereinto.

[38] The frame housings 100 through 300 are formed on upper and middle parts of the prop and connect the folding frames 110 to one another. The frame housing 100, 200 or 300 formed on the upper part of the prop is fixed to the upper part thereof. The frame housing 100, 200 or 300 formed on the middle part of the prop slides along the prop. The number of the folding frames 110 connected to each of the frame housings 100 through 300 varies according to a position of each of the frame housings 100 through 300. That is, the frame housing 100 formed at each outer corner of the folding tent is connected to the two folding frames 110 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The frame housing 200 formed at each edge of the folding tent is connected to the three folding frames 110 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In addition, the frame housing 300 formed at the center of the folding tent is connected to the four folding frames 110 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[39] The concave insertion grooves 120, into which the ends of the folding frames 110 are inserted, are formed on the outer surfaces of the frame housings 100 through 300. Here, the number of the insertion grooves 120 varies according to a position of each of the frame housings 100 through 300. As described above, if a frame housing has a square circumferential surface, four folding frames may be connected to the frame housing. If the frame housing has a hexagonal circumferential surface, six folding frames may be connected to the housing frame.

[40] The concave housing groove 128 is formed in a side surface of each of the insertion grooves 120 into which the ends of the folding frames 110 are inserted. In FIGS. 5 through 7, the housing groove 128 is parallel to each of the insertion grooves 120. However, the housing groove 128 may also be perpendicular to each of the insertion grooves 120. The coupling bracket 70 for fixing the hinge pins 60 is inserted into the housing groove 128, like the cover groove 46 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[41] As in the first embodiment of the present invention, a flange 62 is formed at one end of the hinge pins 60, and a concave hinge groove 64 is formed at the other end of the hinge pin 60. In addition, a concave hinge groove 126 on which the flange 62 is accommodated may be formed on each of the outer circumferential surfaces of the frame housings 100 through 300.

[42] As in the first embodiment of the present invention, the coupling bracket 70 inserted into the housing groove 128 includes a concave coupling groove 72. The coupling groove 72 elastically covers the hinge groove 64 and extends from an end of the coupling bracket 70 to a middle part thereof. The coupling groove 72 is composed of a guide groove 74, which guides the hinge groove 64, and an accommodating groove 76 which extends from the guide groove 74 and in which the hinge groove 64 is accommodated.

[43] An assembling process of the frame structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

[44] First of all, the ends of the folding frames 110 are respectively inserted into the insertion grooves 120 of the frame housings 100 through 300 which are attached to the upper and middle parts of each prop. Here, the frame pinholes 112 and the housing pinholes 122 and 124 are connected to each other. Then, the hinge pin 60 is inserted into each of the housing pinholes 122 and 124 and the frame pinholes 112. Finally, the coupling bracket 70 is inserted into the housing groove 128, and the coupling groove 72 is coupled to the hinge groove 64. In so doing, the frame structure is completed.

[45] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Industrial Applicability

[46] According to the present invention described above, since folding frames are not fastened too tightly with hinge pins, each folding frame can freely rotate.

[47] In addition, according to the present invention, the folding frames are fixed not by bolts and nuts, but by hinge pins and coupling brackets. Therefore, the hinge pins cannot come loose no matter how many times the folding frames are rotated.

Claims

[1] A structure for connecting frame of folding tent, which comprises a plurality of props supporting the folding tent with respect to a ground surface and a plurality of folding frames 10 and 20 rotatably connected to each other and crossing each other in an "X" form between the props, the structure for connecting frame comprising: frame pinholes 12 and 22 respectively penetrating through middle parts of the folding frames 10 and 20; frame covers 30 and 40 comprising concave insertion grooves 34 and 44, which cover the middle parts of the adjacent folding frames 10 and 20 and are formed in inner surfaces of the frame covers 30 and 40, respectively, and cover pinholes 32 and 42 which penetrate through the centers of the frame covers 30 and 40 and are connected to the frame pinholes 12 and 22, respectively; a concave cover groove 46 formed in a side of the frame cover 40; a hinge pin 60 penetrating through the cover pinholes 32 and 42 and the frames pinholes 12 and 22 and having a concave hinge groove 64 formed at an end thereof; and a coupling bracket 70 inserted into the cover groove 46 and having a concave coupling groove 72 which elastically covers the hinge groove 64.

[2] The structure for connecting frame of claim 1, further comprising a washer 50 interposed between the adjacent folding frames 10 and 20 and having a washer pinhole 52 which penetrates through the center of the washer 50 and through which the hinge pin 60 penetrates.

[3] A structure for connecting frame of a folding tent, which comprises a plurality of props supporting the folding tent with respect to a ground surface and a plurality of folding frames 110 rotatably connected to each other and crossing each other in an "X" form between the props, the structure for connecting frame comprising: frame pinholes 112 respectively penetrating through ends of the folding frames 110; frame housings 100 through 300 attached to upper and middle parts of the props and comprising a plurality of insertion grooves 120, which are formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the frame housings 100 through 300 and into which the ends of the folding frames 110 are inserted, and housing pinholes 122 and 124 which penetrate through both side surfaces of each of the insertion grooves 120 and are connected to the frame pinholes 112; a concave housing groove 128 formed in a side surface of each of the insertion grooves 120; a hinge pin 60 penetrating through each of the housing pinholes 122 and 124 and the frame pinholes 112 and having a concave hinge groove 64 formed at an end thereof; and a coupling bracket 70 inserted into the housing groove 128 and having a concave coupling groove 72 which elastically covers the hinge groove 64.

[4] The structure for connecting frame of any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the coupling groove 72 of the coupling bracket 70 comprises: an accommodating groove 76 which is formed in the middle part of the coupling bracket 70 and in which the hinge groove 64 is accommodated; and a guide groove 74 having a diameter gradually reduced toward the inside of the coupling bracket 70 and elastically widening to guide the hinge groove 64 to the accommodating groove 76.