US3656494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable tent pole
Assignee: Coleman Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved adjustable tent pole is provided of the kind utilizing telescoping tubes, which are releasably interlocked by a slot and key assembly, the outer tube being provided with a single slot through which the key extends for selective engagement with a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches of the inner tube. In the improvement, the key receiving slot of the outer tube is located at a sufficient distance from the end of the outer tube so that the outer tube fully covers the notches of the inner tube whenever any of the notches are in alignment with the slot of the outer tube. The outer tube also provides an elongated sight window overlying only the central portion of the notches as the tubes are telescopically adjusted. In a preferred embodiment, the locking and key means is in the form of an integral ring member of resilient plastic material, the ring member being split on the opposite side from the key providing portion so that the ring can be temporarily expanded to a diameter where the key is withdrawn from the slot. The key member is made more readily expandible by making it thicker adjacent the key and tapering its thickness towards the split.
Inventors
- 👤 Cecil J Cornett
- 👤 Glen D Dolton
- 👤 John R Kurtyka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:19
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/32; E04H15/60; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32426; Y10T403/32442; Y10T403/32451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
An improved adjustable tent pole having a first tubular member providing a longitudinal bore extending inwardly from an end thereof, a second tubular member providing an end portion telescopically received in said bore to permit varying the overall length of said members, said second member end portion providing a plurality of axially aligned, longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending notches, said bore-providing end portion having a circumferential slot therein alignable selectively with each of said notches, and locking means received on said first tubular member around said slot and providing a releasable key means extending through said slot and selectively engageable with said notches, wherein the improvement comprises: a. providing said second member end portion with at least five of said notches; b. positioning said slot in said first tubular memBer at a distance from the said end thereof at least as great as the longitudinal distance between the first and last of said notches so that the said bore-providing portion fully covers all of said notches wherever any of said notches are in alignment with said slot; and c. providing an elongated sight window in said first tubular member between said slot and said end thereof, said window being positioned in generally axial alignment with said slot and extending to a point adjacent thereto, said slot being relatively narrow compared to the circumferential length of said notches so that only the central portions of said notches can be viewed through said window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
An improved adjustable tent pole having a first tubular member providing a longitudinal bore extending inwardly from an end thereof, a second tubular member providing an end portion telescopically received in said bore to permit varying the overall length of said members, said second member end portion providing a plurality of axially aligned, longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending notches, said bore-providing end portion having a circumferential slot therein alignable selectively with each of said notches, and locking means received on said first tubular member around said slot and providing a releasable key means extending through said slot and selectively engageable with said notches, wherein the improvement comprises: a. providing said second member end portion with at least five of said notches; b. positioning said slot in said first tubular memBer at a distance from the said end thereof at least as great as the longitudinal distance between the first and last of said notches so that the said bore-providing portion fully covers all of said notches wherever any of said notches are in alignment with said slot; and c. providing an elongated sight window in said first tubular member between said slot and said end thereof, said window being positioned in generally axial alignment with said slot and extending to a point adjacent thereto, said slot being relatively narrow compared to the circumferential length of said notches so that only the central portions of said notches can be viewed through said window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The adjustable tent pole of claim 1 wherein said improvement also comprises providing said locking means and said key means as an integral ring member of resilient plastic material, said key means extending inwardly from one side of said ring member, said ring member being split longitudinally on the opposite side from said key means providing portion so that said ring can be temporarily expanded to a diameter where said key means is withdrawn from said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tent pole of claim 2 wherein said ring member provides a thicker portion adjacent said key means, and said ring member tapers in thickness toward said split, whereby said ring member may be more readily expanded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
241 words
An improved adjustable tent pole having a first tubular member providing a longitudinal bore extending inwardly from an end thereof, a second tubular member providing an end portion telescopically received in said base to permit varying the overall length of said members, said second member end portion providing a plurality of axially aligned, longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending notches, said bore providing end portion having a circumferential slot therein alignable selectively with each of said notches, and locking means received on said first tubular member around said slot and providing a releasable key means extending through said slot and selectively engageable with said notches, wherein the improvement comprises: a. providing said second member end portion with at least five of said notches; b. positioning said slot in said first tubular member at a distance from the said end thereof at least as great as the longitudinal distance between the first and last of said notches so that the said base-providing portion fully covers all of said notches wherever any of said notches are in alignment with said slot; and c. providing said locking means and said key means as an integral ring member of resilient plastic material, said key means extending inwardly from said ring member, said ring member being split longitudinally on the opposite side from said key means providing portion so that said ring can be temporarily expanded to a diameter where said key means is withdrawn from said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
241 words
An improved adjustable tent pole having a first tubular member providing a longitudinal bore extending inwardly from an end thereof, a second tubular member providing an end portion telescopically received in said base to permit varying the overall length of said members, said second member end portion providing a plurality of axially aligned, longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending notches, said bore providing end portion having a circumferential slot therein alignable selectively with each of said notches, and locking means received on said first tubular member around said slot and providing a releasable key means extending through said slot and selectively engageable with said notches, wherein the improvement comprises: a. providing said second member end portion with at least five of said notches; b. positioning said slot in said first tubular member at a distance from the said end thereof at least as great as the longitudinal distance between the first and last of said notches so that the said base-providing portion fully covers all of said notches wherever any of said notches are in alignment with said slot; and c. providing said locking means and said key means as an integral ring member of resilient plastic material, said key means extending inwardly from said ring member, said ring member being split longitudinally on the opposite side from said key means providing portion so that said ring can be temporarily expanded to a diameter where said key means is withdrawn from said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tent pole of claim 4 wherein said ring member provides a thicker portion adjacent said key means, and said ring member tapers in thickness toward said split, whereby said ring member may be more readily expanded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB189419943A
Cited
US3446523A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |