WO2005028784A1 - One-touch type foldable tent - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a one-touch type foldable tent, and in particular to an improved one-touch type foldable tent in which the whole poles are concurrently folded and unfolded based on an operation of a connection assembly in such a manner that a connection assembly is provided at an upper center of a tent for folding and unfolding the poles, and the upper sides of the poles are hinged at a center connection assembly.

Description

ONE-TOUCH TYPE FOLDABLE TENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a one-touch type foldable tent, and in

particular to an improved one-touch type foldable tent in which the whole poles

are concurrently folded and unfolded based on an operation of a connection

assembly in such a manner that a connection assembly is provided at an upper

center of a tent for folding and unfolding the poles, and the upper sides of the

poles are hinged at a center connection assembly.

Background Art

Generally, a tent is formed of a cloth connecting a bottom, a lateral side

and an upper side, and poles for supporting the same. The tent has been widely

used as equipment for sleeping during a leisure activity such as camping,

mountain climbing, finishing, etc. and for preventing rain and wind and direct

sunlight.

The tent is classified into various types based on an installed structure,

a folding method and a frame structure. Recently, the use of a one-touch type

foldable tent increases with its improved conveniences. The one touch type foldable tent is called an umbrella type tent and is

disclosed by the Korean utility model registered No. 20-315843 (automatic tent using snap through) and the Korean utility model registered No. 20-317335

(one-touch tent with detachable bottom cloth).

In the above conventional one-touch type foldable tent, a plurality of

frame poles are connected at a center connection assembly positioned at the

center of a roof, and a plurality of assistant poles are provided below the same

for supporting the frame poles.

However, the conventional tent is upwardly supported using the frame

poles and the assistant poles in an umbrella shape, so that many folding points

are needed. Therefore, many errors occur at the folding points, and the

structure is too heavy. The poles should be bent in a circular shape with a

certain electric force so that the tent is configured in a dome shape and is

supported stably. However, in the conventional one-touch type tent, a certain

height should be obtained between the connection assembly and the

connecting portions of the assistant poles. Therefore, an enough space is not

obtained for bending the poles in a circular shape, so that the poles are not bent

in a desired circular shape.

Therefore, the tent cloths are not maintained in a tight tensional state.

When the tent cloths are loosely fixed, the tent receives high resistance, so that

the whole structure of the tent gets unstable. Even when the conventional one-touch tent has a connection assembly

for achieving a one-touch operation, it is difficult to effectively perform the operation of the connection assembly, resulting in many problems for actual use. In the conventional one-touch tent, the poles are folded and unfolded

using the connection assembly installed at the center. Therefore, it is impossible

to fabricate a bigger size tent because it is needed to easily operate the center

portion. Namely, in the case that the tent is made in a bigger size, it is too high

and far for operating the center connection assembly of the upper center at the

edge portion of the tent. Therefore, it is impossible to perform a desired

operation.

The poles of the conventional one-touch foldable tent have the following

problems in the joint parts. The conventional foldable mechanisms are disclosed by the Korean

utility model application No. 1988-0014238 (lower joint folding prevention

apparatus of one-touch type dome shaped tent), and the Korean utility model

application No. 1991-0004601 (lower joint folding prevention apparatus of one-

touch type dome shaped tent). In the conventional foldable apparatus, in the former case, the upper

side joint part and the lower side joint part are connected using a hinge pin. A

spring is installed for pushing the hinge pin in a state that a hinge hole is formed

in a longitudinal shape. Here, the size of the spring is small, and the force for

pushing the pole is insufficient. Therefore, a desired function is not satisfied,

and a fabrication is not easy.

In the later case, the upper side joint part and the lower side joint part

are connected using a hinge pin. An engaging protrusion is formed in a state that the hinge hole is formed in a longitudinal shape. A spring is provided

between the pole and the lower side joint part, and a support ring is installed to

support the spring.

However, in the above structure, it is needed to control the lower side

joint part to move in the longitudinal direction and to exceed the range of the

engaging protrusion. Therefore, the operation is not easy. The constructions of

the parts for supporting the spring are complicated, so that the productivity is

decreased, and the fabrication cost is increased.

In the problems of the foldable poles, the joint part bites the tent cloths

when the joint part is unfolded. Therefore, the tent cloths may be damaged, and

the life span gets decreased.

In a state that the foldable poles are uprightly installed in a state that the

poles are folded, the rings of the tent cloths could move down along the lengths

of the poles and could be gathered at the lower side. In the above state, the poles are not easily unfolded when unfolding the tent (poles) again.

Disclosure of invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a one- touch type foldable tent that overcomes the problems encountered in the conventional art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a one-touch type foldable tent that is capable of concurrently unfolding all poles based on an operation of a compression plate in such a manner that a plurality of frame

poles are connected at a center connection assembly provided at a center

connection assembly, and the upper ends of the frame poles are connected with

the center connection assembly. It is further another object of the present invention to provide a one-

touch type foldable tent that is capable of achieving a tight connection of a tent

cloth in such a manner that the unfolded poles are bent in a certain circular

shape.

It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a one-

touch type foldable tent that is capable of allowing the poles to have a properly

bent state when the tent is unfolded and installed in such a manner that the

assistant poles of an umbrella shape are removed in the present invention.

It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a one-

touch type foldable tent in which an assembling and operation are achieved

easier by improving a structure of a pole joint part, and a folding work of a tent is fast performed for thereby achieving a convenient use.

It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a one-

touch type foldable tent in which an assembly and productivity are enhanced in such a manner that the whole structures are made simpler, and the fabrication cost is lower.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a one-touch type foldable tent, comprising a center connection assembly that includes a shaft part that is formed of a plurality of compression pulling rope holes at a center

portion and a plurality of engaging protrusions formed at a lower side of the

same in a radial direction; a compression support part that is formed of an

upper plate part expanded from an upper side of the shaft part in a horizontal

direction; a vertical through hole that is configured to receive the shaft part of

the compression support part therein; a plurality of pulling rope holes that are

vertically formed at a surrounding portion of the through hole; a vertical pipe

part that is formed of a plurality of pulling rope fixing rings provided at a lower

side of the outer surface of the same; a plurality of rotation guide grooves that

are expanded from an upper side of the vertical pipe part in a horizontal

direction and are formed in a radial direction; a connection support part that is

formed of a pole support part having a hinge shaft support protrusion formed at

each rotation guide groove; and an elastic compression pulling rope that is

inserted into the compression pulling rope hole and is tied using a finishing plate

of the lower side of the same; a plurality of frame poles, wherein each frame

pole includes a pole member that is formed of upper and lower joint parts and,

and a molding part formed of a pulling rope engaging groove formed at an end

of the pole member; and a hinge shaft part formed at a portion distanced from

the engaging groove by a certain distance, wherein the hinge shaft part of the inner end part is inserted, using a pin P, into the hinge shaft support protrusion

formed at a rotation guide groove of the pole support part; and a tent cloth that is installed in such a manner that a ring is engaged to an intermediate portion of each frame pole.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a one-touch type

foldable tent, comprising a center connection assembly that includes a shaft

part that has a compression pulling rope hole at a center of the same and a

plurality of engaging protrusions formed at a lower side of the same in a radial

direction; a compression support part that is formed of an upper plate part

expanded from an upper side of the shaft part in a horizontal direction; a vertical

pipe part that has a vertical through hole for receiving the shaft part of the

compression support part; a plurality of rotation guide grooves that are

expanded from an upper side of the vertical pipe part in a horizontal direction

and are formed in a radial direction; a connection support part that is formed of

a hinge shaft support protrusion formed at each rotation guide groove; and an

elastic compression pulling rope that is inserted into the compression pulling

rope hole and is tied using a finishing plate of a lower side of the same; a

plurality of poles, wherein each pole includes a pole member that includes

upper and lower joint parts and is foldable; a spring insertion part that is inserted into an end of the pole member; and a molding part that has a hinge shaft part

at an intermediate portion; a plurality of opening springs wherein an outer end of

each spring is inserted into a spring insertion part of the molding part of each pole, and an inner end part closely contacts with a lower surface of the connection support part, and a ring part of the intermediate part is inserted into

the hinge shaft support protrusion using a pin P together with the hinge shaft part; and a tent cloth that is installed in such a manner that rings are engaged to

the intermediate portions of the frame poles.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a one-touch type

foldable tent, comprising a support assembly that includes a pole hinge support

formed in such a manner that a pair of the same are provided in all directions; a

support plate part that has an engaging hole vertically formed at the center of

each pole hinge support; and a pipe part that is extended in a lower direction of

the support plate part; a compression plate that is positioned at an upper side of

the support plate part and includes a mounting member that is engaged at an

engaging hole of the center using a shaft pin wherein an engaging protrusion of

the mounting member is caught by an engaging hole of the support assembly,

and a widening elastic member adapted to widen the mounting member; a

center connection assembly that includes a lifting and lowering member

including a lifting and lowering circular plate that is connected using a center

screw rod connected at a center portion of the compression plate and is

elastically supported by a mounting spring in the pipe part of the support

assembly; and a mounting releasing member that is guided by an extension

part inserted through a through hole of the lifting and lowering circular plate and is upwardly and downwardly movable; a plurality of poles, wherein each pole includes a pole member that includes upper and lower joint parts and is

foldable; and a molding part that inserted into an end portion of the pole

member and includes a spring insertion part; and a hinge shaft part formed at an intermediate portion; an opening spring of which one outer end is inserted

into a spring insertion part provided at the molding part of the poles, and one

inner end is closely contacted with a lower surfaced of the connection support

part, wherein a ring part of an intermediate portion is inserted into a hinge

support using a pin P together with the hinge shaft part; and a tent cloth that is

installed in such a manner that a ring is engaged at an intermediate of each

frame pole.

Brief Description of Drawings The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described

with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an unfolded state of a one-

touch type foldable tent according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view illustrating a structure of a folding state of a one-touch

type foldable tent according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a connection

assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating an exploded state of a connection assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating an exploding completed state of a connection assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a partial top cross sectional view illustrating a connection

assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view illustrating an upper side joint part

according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a lower side joint part

according to the present invention;

Figure 9 is a lateral cross sectional view illustrating a lower side of a

pole according to the present invention;

Figure 10 is a front cross sectional view illustrating a lower side of a

pole according to the present invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of a

protection part of a joint part according to the present invention;

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view illustrating an operation state of a

protection part of a joint part according to the present invention; Figure 13 is a partial view illustrating an engaging structure of a tent

cloth using a protection part of a joint part according to the present invention;

Figure 14 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a connection

assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view illustrating an exploded state of a

pole of a connection assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating a folding state of a pole of a connection assembly according to a second embodiment of the present

invention;

Figure 17 is a view illustrating an assembling state of an opening spring

of a pole according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 is a cross sectional view illustrating another construction of

according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 19 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a connection

assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 20 is a cross sectional view illustrating an exploded state of a

pole of a connection assembly according to a third embodiment of the present

invention;

Figure 21 is a cross sectional view illustrating a folding state of a pole of

a connection assembly according to a third embodiment of the present

invention; Figure 22 is a perspective view illustrating another construction

according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 is an exploded cross sectional view illustrating another

construction according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 24 is a cross sectional view illustrating a folding state of another construction according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described

with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is

implemented with three embodiments based on the construction of the center

connection assembly. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an unfolded

state of a one-touch type foldable tent according to the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a view illustrating a structure of a folding state of a one-touch type

foldable tent according to the present invention.

[First embodiment] Figure 3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a connection

assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a

cross sectional view illustrating an exploded state of a connection assembly

according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a cross

sectional view illustrating an exploding completed state of a connection

assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1 , a one-touch foldable tent includes a plurality of

frame poles 200 that are arranged in a radial shape for supporting the whole structure of a tent, and a center connection assembly 100A for connecting the poles, so that the poles concurrently get folded. At this time, as shown in Figure 3, the connection assembly 100A includes a connection support part 120 for arranging the poles in a radial direction for thereby allowing the poles to be movable with respect to a hinge shaft, and a compression support part 110 adapted to press the upper ends of

the poles supported by the connection support part for thereby unfolding the

poles.

Namely, the compression support part 110 includes a shaft part 111 that

has a compression pulling rope hole 112 at the center, and a plurality of

engaging protrusions 113 formed in a radial shape at a lower portion, and an

upper plate part 115 that is extended from the upper side of the shaft part in a

horizontal direction.

The connection support part 120 includes a vertical pipe part 121 that

has a vertical through hole 122 for receiving the shaft part 111 of the

compression support part 110 therein, a plurality of pulling rope holes 124 that

are vertically formed at a surrounding side of the through hole in the vertical

pipe part, a plurality of rotation position determination protrusions 126 that are

formed at a lower side of the vertical pipe part 121 , a plurality of rotation guide

grooves 129 that are formed in a radial direction in a state they are extended in

a horizontal direction at an upper side of the vertical pipe part 121 , and a pole

support part 128 that has a hinge shaft support protrusion 125 formed at each

rotation guide groove.

In addition, the compression support part 110 and the connection

support part 120 are tied using an elastic compression pulling rope 140 wherein

the rope 140 is inserted through the compression pulling rope hole 112 and is

tied using a finishing plate 114 of the lower side for thereby preventing an escape.

As shown in Figure 2, the frame poles 200 each include pole members

220 having joint parts 230 and 240, and a molding part 210 formed at an end of

the upper most pole member. Here, the molding part 210 includes a pulling rope engaging groove 211

formed at an end of the pole member, and a hinge shaft part 212 formed at a

portion moved from the engaging groove by a certain distance. The above

whole construction may be formed in a synthetic resin or aluminum material.

The assembling structure of the center connection assembly 100A and

the frame poles 200 according to the present invention will be described with

reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the frame pole 200 is assembled to each

rotation guide groove 129 formed in a radial direction on the pole support part

128 of the connection support part 120. The hinge shaft part 212 formed at the molding part 210 of the pole is assembled to the hinge shaft protrusion 125 by inserting a pin P.

In the thusly assembled frame poles 200, the both ends of the same are inserted through the pulling rope holes 124 of the vertical pipe part 121 by hanging the pole pulling rope 130 onto the pulling rope engaging groove 211 and are fixed to the pulling rope fixing ring 127 at a lower side of the vertical pipe part 121.

Here, the pulling rope 130 is preferably formed of a good quality rubber rope having a high elastic force and is adapted in such a manner that a front

end of the frame pole 200 is pulled down at usual time, so that the poles are

arranged in a slanted structure.

Thereafter, the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110 is

inserted into the vertical through hole 122 formed at the center of the vertical

pipe part 121 of the connection support part 120.

At this time, the engaging protrusion 113 is formed in all directions at a

lower side of the shaft part 111. The engaging protrusion 113 is guided along the

vertical groove 123 of the vertical through hole 122 for thereby being inserted.

In a fully inserted state, the compression pulling rope 140 is inserted into the

compression pulling rope hole 112 for thereby achieving an engaging operation

in a state that a finishing plate 114 is engaged at a lower side of the shaft part

111 .

Here, the compression pulling rope 140 is preferably formed of a good

quality durable rubber rope having a certain elastic force and applies a certain

force so that the compression support part 110 is not escaped from the

connection support part 120 at usual time and further presses the pole that is

first tightened by a pulling rope for thereby achieving a good unfolding of the

poles. When the center connection assembly 100A and the frame pole 200 are

assembled in the above manner, the rings 310 of the tens cloth 300 are hanged at the intermediate portions of the frame poles 200 for thereby finishing the tent. As shown in Figure 7, the upper side joint part 240 has a structure

formed of a joint support part 241 and a joint rotation part 242, so that the upper

side joint part 240 get folded using a hinge pin P. Here, an unfolding force is

always applied using the joint spring 243. Therefore, the folding operation is achieved using a certain force

externally applied thereto, and the unfolding operation is achieved using the

elastic force of the joint spring 243.

As shown in Figure 8, the lower side joint part 230 has a structure

formed of a pole support part 231 and a pole rotation part 232. Namely, the lower side joint part 231 includes a pole rotation part 232

that is inserted into a lower side of the pole member 220 and has a longitudinal

hole 232b extended from one outer side and a hinge protrusion 232a, a pole

support part 231 that is inserted into an upper side of another pole member 220

and has a semicircular cylinder part 231a surrounding a part of the pole rotation

part 232, a hinge part P that horizontally passes through the semicircular

cylinder part 231a and is inserted into the longitudinal hole 232b, and a plate spring 233 of which one end 233a is fixedly inserted into the pole support part

231 and the other end 233b is configured to push the pole rotation part 231 in

the semicircular cylinder part 231 a. The pole rotation part 232 is pulled in the longitudinal direction in cooperation with the plate spring 233 as shown in Figure 8 in order to fold the lower side joint part 230, and the hinge pin P is positioned at the front side of the longitudinal hole 232b, and it is rotated along the imaginary line in the

drawings.

On the contrary, when unfolding the poles 200, the pole rotation part

232 is downwardly moved by the weight itself, and the hinge pin P is positioned

at a lower side of the longitudinal hole 232b for thereby preventing the rotation. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, an insertion member 234 having a

rectangular engaging protrusion 234a is provided at a lower end of the pole 200

of the present invention. The support member 325 is connected using a support

and 236 at a corner bottom portion of the tent cloth 300. The support member 235 has a nail hole 235a formed at the outer most

portion for receiving a nail 237, a rectangular engaging hole 235b for receiving

an insertion member 234, and a band hole 235c for inserting and connecting

the support band 236.

At this time, inwardly bent engaging pieces 235d are formed at a lower

side of the rectangular engaging hole 235d for thereby preventing an easier escape, so that it is possible to achieve a desired direction based on its rectangular construction.

As shown in Figures 11 through 13, the poles 200 according to the present invention may be implemented in such a manner that the joint protection members 250 are adapted at the upper and lower side joint parts 240 and 230.

For example, in the case of the lower side joint part 230, the joint part may be configured using the pole support part 231 formed at the end of the pole,

the pole rotation part 232 formed at an end of the other side pole, and the hinge

pin P connecting the same. A protection member 250 is configured with a

certain width, surrounding the upper side joint part 230 of the pole. A connection

hole 251 is formed at the both ends of the width wise portion. The hinge pin P is

inserted into the connection hole 251 for thereby fixing the same based on a

rivet method.

At this time, the protection member 250 is formed of a flexible resin

material or a woven material or a member combined with the above materials.

As shown in Figure 11 , one end of the same is extended, and a band part 252

having a Velcro tape (or rope) is fixed at the extended portion. The band part

252 is wound onto the pole member 220 for thereby achieving a stable fixing.

Figure 12 is a view illustrating the state of use of the protection member

250. In the case that the protection member 250 is used, as shown in Figure

13, the protection member 250 has a binding rope 253 of which an intermediate

portion if fixed at one side of the surface. A support rope 320 is provided at the

tent cloth 300, in which the protection member is provided, for thereby binding

each other. Even when the joint part 230 of the pole is folded and erected by

binding the engaging rope 253 and the support rope 320, since the engaging rope 253 and the support rope 320 support the tent cloth, it is possible to prevent the tent cloth 300 from be slanted in a downward direction. Therefore,

since the tent cloth 300 is not slanted in the downward direction, it is possible to

prevent any interference when unfolding the tent.

The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be

described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the unfolded state of the tent will be described. When the frame

poles 200 connected with the center connection assembly 100A are unfolded

based on a compression operation of the compression support part 110, the

poles get bent like a bow. As shown in Figure 1 , the poles are unfolded as if the

tent cloth 300 is tightly fastened. On the contrary, when the poles are folded

based on a releasing operation of the compression support part 110, the joint

parts of the frame poles 200 are concurrently folded, so that the tent is folded.

The operation of the connection assembly 100A will be described with

reference to Figures 4 and 5. At usual time, the frame poles 200 remains in a state that the pulling rope engaging groove 211 are slightly lifted in a state that the hinge shaft part

212 of the molding part 210 is assembled to the hinge shaft protrusion 125 of

the pole support part 128 using the pin P. In the above state, since the pulling rope 130 holds the pulling rope engaging groove 211 , the compression support part 110 is vertically pressed.

Therefore, in the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110, the engaging protrusion 113 of the lower side is exposed through the vertical through hole 122 of the connection support part 120. In this state, the

compression support part 110 is rotated in the clockwise direction.

When the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110 is rotated,

the engaging protrusion 113 of the lower side is caught by the rotation position

determination protrusion 126 at a lower side of the vertical pipe part 121 and is

stopped. At this time, the upper plate part 115 presses the upper sides of the

frame poles 200. The pressed frame poles 200 are lifted most in the direction of

the hinge shaft part 212 and are bent like a bow, so that the tent cloth 300 is

exploded. When folding the tent, the upper plate part 115 of the compression

support part 110 is pressed and rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

When the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110 is rotated in the reverse direction, the engaging protrusions 113 of the lower sides are arranged with the vertical grooves 123 of the vertical through hole 122. The compression support part 110 is easily moved up by a force that the front ends of the frame poles 200 are intended to be lifted. Therefore, since the tensioning

force between the frame poles 200 is released. When the joint parts 230 and 240 are folded, the tent cloth 300 is easily folded.

In the one-touch foldable tent according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the center connection assembly is formed of a support part and a compression support part. In a state that the hinge shaft parts of the frame poles are inserted into the hinge shaft support protrusion of the connection support part, all the frame poles arranged in a radial shape are

concurrently folded and unfolded based on a simple operation that the

compression support part is pressed and rotated. Therefore, it is possible to

easily fold and unfold the tent based on a one-touch method.

[Second embodiment]

Figure 14 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a connection

assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure

15 is a cross sectional view illustrating an exploded state of a pole of a

connection assembly according to a second embodiment of the present

invention, and Figure 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating a folding state of a

pole of a connection assembly according to a second embodiment of the

present invention.

As shown in Figure 14, the center connection assembly 100B according

to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a connection

support part 120 configured to allow the poles to be arranged in a radial

direction and to support the poles rotatable with respect to a hinge shaft part of

the end of the same, and a compression support part 110 configured to press

the upper ends of the poles supported by the connection support part and to unfold the same.

Namely, the compression support part 110 includes a shaft part 111 that has a compression pulling rope hole 112 at a center portion and a plurality of engaging protrusions 113 arranged at a lower side of the same in a radial

direction, and an upper plate part 115 that is expanded from an upper side of

the shaft part in a horizontal direction.

In addition, the connection support part 120 includes a vertical pipe part

121 having a vertical through hole 122 for receiving a shaft part 111 of the

compression support part . 110 therein, a plurality of rotation position

determination protrusions 126 formed on a bottom of the vertical pipe part 121 ,

a plurality of rotation guide grooves 129 that are expanded from an upper side

of the vertical pipe part 121 in a horizontal direction from and are formed in a

radial direction, and a hinge shaft support protrusion 125 that is formed at each

rotation guide groove.

The compression support part 110 and the connection support part 120

are tied using an elastic compression pulling rope 140 that is inserted into the

compression pulling rope hole 112 for thereby binding the same in cooperation

with a finishing plate 114 of a lower side and preventing an escape from each

other.

The constructions of the frame poles 200, the upper side joint part and

the lower side joint part of the poles are the same as the first embodiment of the

present invention. However, the upper side for connecting an opening spring 214 is

different as shown in Figure 17.

Namely, the frame poles 200 are rotatably connected by forming a molding part 210 at an upper side of the pole member 220.

The molding part 210 is formed at an end of the pole member and

includes a spring insertion part 213, a hinge shaft part 212 formed at an

intermediate portion, and an opening spring 214 of which an end is inserted into

the spring insertion part 213 of the molding part 210 wherein it has a ring part

214a at an intermediate portion. When the ring part 214a of the opening spring

214 is inserted into the hinge shaft support protrusion 125 together with the

hinge shaft part 212 using a pin P, the opening spring 214 allows the poles 200

to be lifted up. The assembling structure of the center connection assembly 100B and

the frame poles 200 according to the second embodiment of the present

invention will be described.

The frame pole 200 is assembled to each rotation guide groove 129

formed on the connection support part 120 in a radial direction, and the ring part

214a of the opening spring 214 is inserted into the hinge shaft part 212 formed

at the molding part 210 of the pole. The inserted portion is inserted into the

hinge shaft support protrusion 125 using a pin P based on a rotatable method. Thereafter, the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110 is

inserted into the vertical through hole 122 formed at the center of the vertical

pipe part 121 of the connection support part 120.

The engaging protrusions 113 are protruded from a lower side of the

shaft part 111 in all directions. The engaging protrusions 113 are guided along the vertical groove 123 of the vertical through hole 122 and are inserted. When

the engaging protrusions 113 are fully inserted, the compression pulling rope

140 is inserted into the vertical compression pulling rope hole 112 and is tied by

disposing the finishing plate 114 at a lower side of the shaft part 111. The compression pulling rope 140 is formed of a good quality durable

rubber rope and provides a certain elastic force at usual time so that the

compression support part 110 is not escaped from the connection support part

120. The compression pulling rope 140 further presses the poles first pulled by

the pulling rope for thereby achieving a good unfolding. When the center connection assembly 100B and the frame poles 200

are assembled in the above method, the rings 310 of the tent cloth 300 are

hanged to the intermediate portions of the frame poles 200 for thereby finishing a tent.

As shown in Figure 18, the elastic compression pulling rope 140 according to the second embodiment of the present invention could be substituted with a tensional coil spring 140a. At this time, a through hole is formed instead of the compression pulling tope hole 112 of the upper plate part 115. An engaging ring 114a is formed at the finishing plate 114 for engaging both ends of the coil spring 140a inserted into the through hole. An engaging washer 114b is formed at an upper side.

The tent according to the second embodiment of the present invention is folded and unfolded in the same manner as the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the frame poles 200 connected with the center connection

assembly 100B are unfolded based on a compression operation of the

compression support part 110 like the first embodiment of the present invention,

the poles are bent like a bow, so that the tent cloth 300 gets tensioned. On the

contrary, when the poles are folded based on the releasing operation of the

compression support part 110, the joint parts of the frame poles 200 are

concurrently folded, and the tent is folded.

The operation of the center connection assembly 100B will be

described with reference to Figure 16.

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating the folding operation

according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The frame poles 200 vertically compresses the compression support

part 110 at usual time in a state that the hinge shaft part 212 of the molding part

210 is assembled using the pin P together with the opening spring 214 at the

hinge shaft support protrusion 125.

The shaft part 111 of the pressed compression support part 110 allows

the compression support part 110 to rotate in the clockwise direction in a state

that the engaging protrusion 113 of the lower side is exposed to the outside

through the vertical through hole 122 of the connection support part 120.

When the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110 is rotated,

the engaging protrusion 113 of the lower side is caught by the rotation position determination protrusion 126 of the lower side of the vertical pipe part 121 and

is not rotated. In the above state, the upper plate part 115 most presses the

upper sides of the frame poles 200, and the pressed frame poles 200 are lifted

up most with respect to the hinge shaft part 212 in cooperation with the opening

spring 214, so that the poles are bent in a shape of a bow for thereby unfolding

the tent cloth 300.

In this case, when folding the tent, the upper plate part 115 of the

compression support part 110 is pressed and rotated in the counterclockwise

direction. When the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110 is rotated

in the counterclockwise direction, the engaging protrusions 113 formed at the

lower ends are matched with the vertical grooves 123 of the vertical through

holes 122. In this state, the elastic compression pulling rope 140 gets loosened,

and a force for lifting up the front ends of the frame poles 200 is generated.

Therefore, the whole construction of the compression support port 110 is lifted.

Since the tensioning force of the frame poles 200 is released, when the joint

parts 230 and 240 are folded, it is possible to easily fold the tent cloth 300.

In the one-touch type foldable tent according to a second embodiment

of the present invention, the central connection assembly is formed of a

connection support part and a compression support part. The hinge shaft part of

the frame poles is inserted into the hinge shaft support protrusion of the connection support part. In this state, the compression support part is pressed and rotated, so that all the frame poles arranged in a radial direction are

concurrently folded and unfolded based on a simple operation. Therefore, it is

possible to easily fold the tent based on a one-touch method.

[Third embodiment]

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 19 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a connection

assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 20 is

a cross sectional view illustrating an exploded state of a pole of a connection

assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure

21 is a cross sectional view illustrating a folding state of a pole of a connection

assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The third embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of

frame poles 200 for supporting the whole construction of the tent like the first

and second embodiments of the present invention, wherein the poles are

connected using the center connection assembly 100C for thereby concurrently

folding and unfolding the poles.

At this time, as shown in Figure 20, the center connection assembly

100C of the third embodiment of the present invention includes a connection

support part 160 capable of supporting the poles arranged in a radial shape

wherein the poles are rotatable with respect to the hinge shaft part of the ends,

a compression plate 150 capable of pressing and the upper ends of the poles supported by the connection support part and unfolding the same, a lifting and

lowering member 170 for achieving an operation of the compression plate.

The support part 160 of the center connection assembly 100C includes

a pole hinge support 165 in all directions for thereby connecting the poles 200,

a support plate part 161 having an engaging hole 161a at a center, and a pipe

part 162 that is extended from a lower side of the support plate part.

The compression plate 150 includes a mounting member 152 that is

located on an upper side of the support plate part 161 and is inserted at the

engaging hole 151 of the center using a shaft pin 153 wherein the engaging

protrusion 152a is caught by the engaging hole 161a of the support part, and a

widening elastic part 154 adapted to widen the mounting member.

In addition, the lifting and lowering member 170 includes a lifting and

lowering circular plate 174 that is connected using a center screw rod 171

connected at the center of the compression plate and is elastically supported by

a mounting spring 172 supported in the pipe assembly 162 of the support part,

and a mounting releasing member 173 that is guided by an extension 173a inserted through the through hole 174a of the lifting and lowering circular plate

and is movable up and down.

The mounting releasing member 173 is formed of an upper part 173a

and a lower part 173b for thereby forming one structure. Namely, the mounting releasing member 173 is assembled in such a manner that the extension 173c is inserted into the through hole 174a of the lifting and lowering circular plate 174. The mounting releasing member 173 is configured to push the engaging

protrusion 152a of the mounting member 152 irrespective of the lifting and

lowering operation of the lifting and lowering circular plate 174 supported by the

mounting spring 172. Here, a stopper nut 171a is provided at the center screw rod 171 for

limiting the rising height of the mounting member 152. The lifting and lowering

member 170 includes an assistant connection line member 175 provided for

easily connecting the center of the tent cloth at the lower surface.

The assistant connection line member 175 is configured in such a

manner that the lifting and lowering member 170 can be easily pulled down in

the pipe part 162 of the support part 160 in a horizontal state.

The constructions of the frame poles 200, the upper joint parts 230 and

the lower joint parts 240 are the same as the first embodiment of the present

invention.

In addition, the upper side for connecting the opening spring 214 is the same as

the second embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 17.

Namely, the frame poles 200 are rotatably connected by providing the

molding part 210 at the upper side of the pole member 220.

The molding part 210 is formed at the end of the pole member and

includes a spring inserting part 213, a hinge shaft part 212 of the intermediate

part, and an opening spring 214 of which an end is inserted into the spring inserting part 213, wherein the opening spring 214 has a ring part 214a at an intermediate portion. The molding part 120 is adapted in such a manner that the

opening spring 214 lifts up the poles 200 when the ring part 214a of the opening

spring 214 is inserted into the hinge shaft support protrusion 125 together with

the hinge shaft part 212. The operation of the center connection assembly 100C and the frame

pole 200 according to the present invention will be described with reference to

the accompanying drawings.

Figure 20 is a view illustrating a state that the poles are widened as the

center connection assembly 100C according to the present invention presses

the upper sides of the frame poles 200, and the tent is unfolded.

At this time, when the tent is folded, the mounting releasing member

173 of the lifting and lowering member 170 is hit upwardly from the inside of the

tent (or outside of the same).

In the above state, the lifting and lowering member 170 fixed with the

mounting releasing member 175 is moved up irrespective of the mounting

spring 172, and the upper side 170a pushes the engaging protrusion 152a of

the mounting member 152.

Therefore, when the engaging protrusion 152a of the mounting member

152 is inwardly pushed, the front end lifts up the hinge support 1654 based on

the self-weight of the poles 200. Therefore, as shown in Figure 20, the poles

200 are folded in the direction parallel with the center screw rod 171 for thereby

folding the tent cloth. On the contrary, when folding the tent, the assistant connection line

member 175 of the lifting and lowering member 170 is pulled from the inner side

of the tent (or from the outside of the same).

When the assistant connection line member 175 is pulled, the mounting

releasing member 173 of the lifting and lowering member 170 is moved down,

dragging the compression plate 150 connected with the center screw rod 171.

In the mounting member 152 installed at the compression plate 150, since the

engaging protrusion 152a formed at the intermediate portion is widened by the

widening elastic member 154 capable of generating an outwardly applying force,

the engaging protrusions 152a are caught by the inner side of the engaging

hole 161a of the support part 160.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 20, the poles 200 lift the hinge support

165 up to the hinge point, so that the tent cloth hanged over the poles 200 is

widely unfolded. As shown in Figures 22 through 24, the parts of the compression plate

150 and the lifting and lowering member 170 according to the third embodiment

of the present invention will be improved.

The compression plate 150 of Figure 22 is configured to prevent the left

and right movements when it is inserted into the center of the support assembly 160 by forming the support rod part 155 extended from the lower center portion.

A vertical groove 155a for the vertical direction mounting member 152 is

provided at the surrounding portion of the support rod part 155 for thereby preventing a movement of the mounting member 152.

The lifting and lowering member 170 of Figure 22 may include a new

widening elastic member 154 that operates at the upper center portion of the

lifting and lowering circular plate 174, omitting the lower cylinder part of the

mounting releasing member 173 that is difficult to assemble. The lower side of

the mounting releasing member 173 is configured to be pressed by the pressing

member 177 provided at the center of the ceiling of the tent cloth 300.

In Figures 22 through 24, reference numeral 156 represents an outer

cover, and 176 represents a washer for fixing the widening elastic member 154

and binding the assistant connection line material 175.

Since the one-touch foldable tent according to the third embodiment of

the present invention is configured to be foldable by operating the inner or outer

side of the tent or the center upper side of the tent, even when the tent has a

big size, it is easy to operate the tent. A small size user can also easily handle

the tent according to the present invention. Namely, even when the tent has a

big size or a user is small, it is possible to easily fold or unfold the poles from

the center connection assembly based on a simple operation that the poles are pulled down from the inner center of the tent or the ceiling is hit up.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, in the one-touch foldable tent according to the present invention, the center connection assembly provided for connecting the poles is formed of a circular connection support part and a compression support

part. In the present invention, it is possible to easily unfold and fold all the frame

poles arranged in a radial direction in a state that the hinge shaft parts of the

frame poles are inserted into the hinge shaft support protrusions of the

connection support part. Therefore, it is possible to easily fold and unfold the

tent based on a one-touch method.

In particular, since the present invention does not need an assistant

pole for supporting the frame poles as compared to the conventional art. The

fabrication is easy, and the fabrication cost is low. In the present invention, since the lower sides below the hinge shaft

part are bent and widened like a bow by pressing the upper sides of the frame

poles, the tent cloth is unfolded with a full tension for thereby achieving a good

outer look. The wind effects are minimized, so that it is possible to achieve a

stable unfolded state. Since the tent cloth is not bitten by the joint parts, it is possible to prevent any damage of the tent cloth. In a state that the poles are folded, since

the tent cloths don't go down even when the tent is vertically erected, it is possible to achieve a stable and smooth exploding operation.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the

appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within

the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds

are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A one-touch type foldable tent, comprising: a center connection assembly 100A that includes: a shaft part 111 that has a plurality of compression pulling rope

holes 112 at a center portion and has a plurality of engaging protrusions 113 at

a lower side of the shaft part 111 in a radial direction; a compression support part 110 that is formed of an upper plate

part 115 expanded from an upper side of the shaft part 111 in a horizontal

direction; a vertical through hole 122 that is configured to receive the

shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110 therein; a plurality of pulling rope holes 124 that are vertically formed at

a surrounding portion of the vertical through hole 122; a vertical pipe part 121 that has a plurality of pulling rope fixing

rings 127 at a lower side of the outer surface of the vertical pipe part 121 ; a plurality of rotation guide grooves 129 that are expanded from

an upper side of the vertical pipe part 121 in a horizontal direction and are

formed in a radial direction; a connection support part 120 that is formed of a pole support part 128 having a hinge shaft support protrusion 125 formed at each rotation guide groove; and an elastic compression pulling rope 140 that is inserted into the compression pulling rope hole 112 and is tied using a finishing plate 114 of the

lower side of the center connection assembly 100A; a plurality of frame poles 200, wherein each frame pole 200 includes: a pole member 220 that is formed of upper and lower joint parts

240 and 230, and a molding part 210 having a pulling rope engaging groove 211

formed at an end of the pole member and a hinge shaft part 212 formed at a

portion distanced from the pulling rope engaging groove by a certain distance,

wherein the hinge shaft part 212 of the inner end part is inserted, using a pin P,

into the hinge shaft support protrusion 125 formed at a rotation guide groove

129 of the pole support part 128; and a pole pulling rope 130 that is hung onto the pulling rope engaging

groove 211 and is inserted through the pulling rope holes 124 of the vertical

pipe part 121 and is hung onto the pulling rope fixing ring 127 repeatedly; a tent cloth 300 that is installed in such a manner that a ring 310 is

engaged to an intermediate portion of each frame pole 200.

2. A one-touch type foldable tent, comprising: a center connection assembly 100B that includes: a shaft part 111 that has a compression pulling rope hole 112 at

a center portion and has a plurality of engaging protrusions 113 at a lower side

of the shaft part 111 in a radial direction; a compression support part 110 that is formed of an upper plate part 115 expanded from an upper side of the shaft part 111 in a horizontal

direction; a vertical pipe part 121 that has a vertical through hole 122 for

receiving the shaft part 111 of the compression support part 110; a plurality of rotation guide grooves 129 that are expanded from

an upper side of the vertical pipe part 121 in a horizontal direction and are

formed in a radial direction; a connection support part 120 that is formed of a hinge shaft

support protrusion 125 formed at each rotation guide groove; and an elastic compression pulling rope 140 that is inserted into the

compression pulling rope hole 112 and is tied using a finishing plate 114 of a

lower side of the center connection assembly 100B; a plurality of poles 200, wherein each pole 200 includes: a pole member 220 that includes upper and lower joint parts

240 and 230 and is foldable; a spring insertion part 213 that is inserted into an end of the

pole member 220; and a molding part 210 that is inserted into an end of the pole

member 220 and has a spring insertion part 213 and a hinge shaft part 212 at

an intermediate portion; a plurality of opening springs 214 wherein an outer end of each spring

214 is inserted into a spring insertion part 213 of the molding part 210 of each pole 200, and an inner end part of the spring 214 closely contacts with a lower

surface of the connection support part 120, and a ring part 214a of the

intermediate part is inserted into the hinge shaft support protrusion 125 using a

pin P together with the hinge shaft part 212; and a tent cloth 300 that is installed in such a manner that rings 310 are

engaged to the intermediate portions of the frame poles 200.

3. The tent of either claims 1 or 2, wherein said vertical through hole 122

of the connection support part 120 includes a rotation prevention vertical groove

123 so that an engaging protrusion 113 formed at an end portion of the shaft

part 111 of the compression support part 110 passes through the vertical

through hole 122.

4. A one-touch type foldable tent, comprising: a support assembly 160 that includes: a pole hinge support 165 formed in such a manner that a pair of

the pole hinge support 165 are provided in all directions; a support plate part 161 that has an engaging hole 161 a vertically formed at the center of each pole hinge support 165; and a pipe part 162 that is extended in a lower direction of the support plate part 161 ; a compression plate 150 that is positioned at an upper side of the support plate part 161 and includes a mounting member 152 that is engaged at

an engaging hole 151 of the center using a shaft pin 153 wherein an engaging

protrusion 152a of the mounting member 152 is caught by an engaging hole

161a of the support assembly 160, and a widening elastic member 154 adapted

to widen the mounting member 152; a center connection assembly 100C that includes: a lifting and lowering member 170 including: a lifting and lowering circular plate 174 that is connected using a

center screw rod 171 connected at a center portion of the compression plate

150 and is elastically supported by a mounting spring 172 in the pipe part 162 of

the support assembly 160; and a mounting releasing member 173 that is guided by an

extension part 173c inserted through a through hole 174a of the lifting and

lowering circular plate 174 and is upwardly and downwardly movable; a plurality of poles 200, wherein each pole 200 includes: a pole member 220 that includes upper and lower joint parts

240 and 230 and is foldable; and a molding part 210 that is inserted into an end portion of the

pole member 220 and has a spring insertion part 213 and has a hinge shaft part

212 formed at an intermediate portion; an opening spring 214 of which one outer end is inserted into a spring insertion part 213 provided at the molding part 210 of the poles, and one inner end is closely contacted with a lower surfaced of the connection support part

160, wherein a ring part 214a of an intermediate portion is inserted into a hinge

support 165 using a pin P together with the hinge shaft part 212; and a tent cloth 300 that is installed in such a manner that a ring 310 is

engaged at an intermediate of each frame pole 200.

5. The tent of claim 4, wherein said compression plate 150 includes a

support rod part 155 extended from a center lower surface wherein said support

rod part 155 is inserted into a center portion of the support assembly 160, and

said support rod part 155 includes a vertical groove 155a formed for the

mounting member 152.

6. The tent of claim 4, wherein said lifting and lowering member 170

includes a plurality of widening elastic members 154 inserted from a lower

surface of the lifting and lowering circular plate 174, and a washer 176 provided

for fixing the widening elastic member and connecting the assistant connection

wire material 175.

7. The tent as in claims 1 , 2, or 4, wherein said upper side joint part 240 of

the poles 200 which is configured in a structure formed of a joint support part

241 and a joint rotation part 242 at both ends of the opposite pole member and is foldable using a hinge pin P is capable of generating a force allowing the poles to be unfolded by disposing a joint spring 243.

8. The tent as in claims 1 , 2, or 4, wherein said pole 200 which is foldable

with a lower side joint part 230 includes: a pole rotation part 232 that is inserted at a lower side of the pole

member 220 and has a hinge protrusion 233b for thereby forming a longitudinal

hole 232b at one side of an outer surface; a pole support part 231 that is inserted into an upper side of another

pole member 220 and has a semicircular cylinder part 231a for thereby

surrounding a part of the pole rotation part 232; a hinge pin P that passes through the semicircular cylinder part 231a

and is inserted into the longitudinal hole 232b; and a plate spring 233 by which one end 233a is fixedly inserted into the

pole support part 231 , and the other end 233b is configured to push the pole

rotation part 232 in the semicircular cylinder part 231 a.

9. The tent as in claims 1 , 2, or 4, wherein said upper and lower joint parts

240 and 230 each include a protection part 250 that surrounds the surrounding portions of the upper and lower joint parts 240 and 230 and has a connection hole 251 so that both ends are fixed by a riveting method together with a hinge pin P.

10. The tent of claim 9, wherein said protection part 250 is longitudinally

extended, and is wound at an intermediate portion of each pole by providing a

band part 252 at an end portion of the protection part 250.

11. The tent of claim 9, wherein said protection part 250 includes a binding

rope 253 of which an intermediate portion is fixed at one side surface for

thereby binding a support rope 320 of the tent cloth.

12. The tent as in claims 1 , 2, or 4, wherein said pole 200 includes an

insertion member 234 at a lower end, so that the insertion member 234 is

inserted into a support member 235 connected using a support band 236 at a

corner bottom portion of the tent cloth 300, and said insertion member 234 has

a rectangular engaging protrusion 234a, and said support member 235 having a

nail hole 235a for nailing a nail 237 at an outer side and a rectangular engaging

hole 235b for inserting the insertion member 234 and a band hole 235c for

inserting and connecting the support band 236 and an inwardly bent engaging

piece 235d formed at a lower side of the rectangular engaging hole 235b.