US4979531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tent pole and method of manufacture therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-12-15
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 2008-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A flexible, multi-segmented support structure, and method for manufacturing same, particularly suited for use as a tent pole, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of tubular segments and each segment is connected to its adjacent segment or segments by lengths of elastic shock cord, the cord having sleeves affixed to each end thereof which can be affixed in partly or fully automated fashion to the respective segments. A novel ferrule is included to provide rigidity at the junctions of the segments, without providing undue stress concentration and to further assist in automating the manufacturing process.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Toor
- 👤 James E. Sacherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:24
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/32; E04H15/60; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S135/00; Y10S135/905; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32319; Y10T403/32385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for manufacturing multi-segmented poles comprising providing a plurality of tubing segments, providing a length of elastic cord, crimping a first sleeve onto the elastic cord at a first location, terminating the elastic cord at a second location, passing the length of elastic cord through a ferrule, driving the first sleeve into the end of one of the plurality of tubing segments, attaching the ferrule to a second of the plurality of tubing segments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for manufacturing multi-segmented poles comprising providing a plurality of tubing segments, providing a length of elastic cord, crimping a first sleeve onto the elastic cord at a first location, terminating the elastic cord at a second location, passing the length of elastic cord through a ferrule, driving the first sleeve into the end of one of the plurality of tubing segments, attaching the ferrule to a second of the plurality of tubing segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
A multi-segmented support structure or pole comprising a plurality of tubing segments, each tubing segment having first and second ends. at least one ferrule, each affixed to the second end of a tubing segment, and at least one length of elastic shock cord, each length having a first sleeve at one end and a termination at the other end, the first sleeve being affixed to the first end of one of the plurality of tubing segments and the termination being retained by an associated one of the plurality of ferrules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A multi-segmented support structure or pole comprising a plurality of tubing segments, each tubing segment having first and second ends. at least one ferrule, each affixed to the second end of a tubing segment, and at least one length of elastic shock cord, each length having a first sleeve at one end and a termination at the other end, the first sleeve being affixed to the first end of one of the plurality of tubing segments and the termination being retained by an associated one of the plurality of ferrules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
A ferrule for use with a multi-segmented pole comprising a first conical section having a base of a first diameter and an end of a smaller diameter, there being a bore of a first diameter and a predetermined depth in the end thereof for being press-fit over a piece of tubing, a second conical section having a base of substantially the same diameter as the base of the first conical section and an end of a smaller diameter, there being a bore of a predetermined diameter and depth in the end thereof for removably fitting over a piece of tubing, and the first and second conical sections being plastic and being formed as a unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
A ferrule for use with a multi-segmented pole comprising a first conical section having a base of a first diameter and an end of a smaller diameter, there being a bore of a first diameter and a predetermined depth in the end thereof for being press-fit over a piece of tubing, a second conical section having a base of substantially the same diameter as the base of the first conical section and an end of a smaller diameter, there being a bore of a predetermined diameter and depth in the end thereof for removably fitting over a piece of tubing, and the first and second conical sections being plastic and being formed as a unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the step of terminating the elastic cord is done by tying a knot therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the step of attaching the ferrule to the second of the plurality of tubing segments is accomplished by press-fitting the ferrule onto such tubing segment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the step of passing the length of elastic cord through the ferrule occurs after the steps of crimping the first and second sleeves onto the elastic cord.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the ferrule is plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the plastic ferrule is formed by molding.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the ferrules are plastic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the ferrules are tapered such that the diameter at the midpoint of the ferrule is greater than the diameter at either end of the ferrule.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the tubing segments are formed of pultruded fiberglass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the first sleeve is a friction sleeve, and is affixed to the associated tubing segment by being driven a predetermined distance into the first end of such tubing segment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the first sleeve is at least one-half inch long.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
A multi-segmented support structure or pole comprising a plurality of tubing segments, each tubing segment having first and second ends, a plurality of ferrules, each affixed to the first end of a tubing segment, and plurality of lengths of elastic shock cord, each length extending through one of the plurality of ferrules and having a first sleeve at one end and a second sleeve at the other end, the first sleeve being affixed to the first end of one of the plurality of tubing segments and the second sleeve being affixed to the second end of the adjacent one of the plurality of tubing segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A multi-segmented support structure or pole comprising a plurality of tubing segments, each tubing segment having first and second ends, a plurality of ferrules, each affixed to the first end of a tubing segment, and plurality of lengths of elastic shock cord, each length extending through one of the plurality of ferrules and having a first sleeve at one end and a second sleeve at the other end, the first sleeve being affixed to the first end of one of the plurality of tubing segments and the second sleeve being affixed to the second end of the adjacent one of the plurality of tubing segments.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the ferrule is formed by molding.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein deformable element means are molded into the end bore of the first conical section for aiding in press-fitting the ferrule over a piece of tubing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein the deformable element means are ribs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein the deformable elements are polygonal elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim wherein the step of terminating the elastic cord is done by affixing a second sleeve thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1182052A
Cited
FR1301413A
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US3448748A
Cited
US3635233A
Cited
US3730544A
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US3794054A
Cited
US3834410A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |