Mating hinge for a portable structure

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a device and method to secure spherical rod ends that are used to support a portable structure, such as a tent. These improved interconnection means, which are generally hinges, are adapted to allow limited movement of the rods by way of a ball and socket type connection, thereby facilitating installation of the portable structure.

1 . A support rod interconnection system adapted for use with a flexible portable structure, the support rods having spherical ball ends interconnected thereto, comprising: 
 a first hinge of a generally rectangular shape, comprising: 
 a socket having a surface for engagement with a spherical ball end,  
 an upper opening providing access to said socket, said upper opening having a dimension being equal to or greater than the diameter of the spherical ball end,  
 a side opening providing access to said socket, said side opening having a dimension being less than the diameter of the spherical ball end;  
   a second hinge of a generally rectangular shape for interconnection with said first hinge, comprising: 
 a socket having a surface for engagement with a spherical ball end,  
 an upper opening providing access to said socket, said upper opening having a dimension equal to or greater than the diameter of the spherical ball end,  
 a side opening providing access to said socket, said side opening having a dimension less than the diameter of the spherical ball end; and  
   wherein said first hinge is adapted to receive and rotatably secure the ball ends of at least two rods and said second hinge is adapted to receive and rotatably secure the ball ends of at least two rods, all rods having opposite ends being secured to a wall of the portable structure to form a semi ridged structure.    
   
   
       2 . The support rod interconnection system of  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a pad interconnected to said second hinge, said pad having a cover that generally obstructs said upper opening of said socket of said second hinge, thereby preventing removal of the rods situated therein.    
   
   
       3 . The support rod interconnection system of  claim 1 , wherein said first hinge and said second hinge are constructed from at least one of a plastic, a metal, and a teflon.  
   
   
       4 . The support rod interconnection system of  claim 1 , wherein said first hinge includes at least two recesses to facilitate insertion of the rods into said second hinge.  
   
   
       5 . The support rod interconnection system of  claim 1 , wherein said first hinge includes a mating protrusion for engagement into a recess integrated into said second hinge.  
   
   
       6 . The support rod interconnection system of  claim 1 , wherein said first hinge includes a second hinge mating surface located a distance below the top surface thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The support rod interconnection system of  claim 1 , wherein said surface situated in said socket of each of said first hinge and said second hinge is located at least about fifty percent below the top surface thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A support assembly for a portable structure, comprising: 
 a first hinge device with an aperture that has a seating surface positioned therein;    a second hinge device with an aperture that has a seating surface positioned therein, said second hinge device interconnected to said first hinge device;    a first support rod, having a first end and a second end, said first end having a generally spherical shape that is operably interconnected to said first aperture, wherein said first end is in contact with said seating surface of said first aperture and free to rotate;    a second support rod, having a first and a second end, said first end having a generally spherical shape that is operably interconnected to said second hinge, wherein said first end is in contact with said seating surface of said first aperture and free to rotate;    wherein said first support rod and said second support rod are oriented at a predetermined angle to form a portion of a stable skeletal structure adapted to support the portable structure.    
   
   
       9 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said means for interconnecting said first hinge device to said second hinge device is a selectively removable fastener.  
   
   
       10 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said aperture of said first hinge and said aperture of said second hinge have a tapered geometric profile, wherein the diameter thereof reduces from a length that allows said first ends of said first support rod and said second support rod to enter thereto, but be seated on a smaller diameter.  
   
   
       11 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a pad interconnected to said second hinge device, said pad having a cover that generally obstructs said aperture of said second hinge, thereby preventing removal of the support rods situated therein.  
   
   
       12 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said first hinge device and said second hinge device are constructed from at least one of a plastic, a metal, and a teflon.  
   
   
       13 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said first hinge device includes at least two recesses to facilitate insertion of the rods into said second hinge device.  
   
   
       14 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said first hinge device includes a mating protrusion for engagement into a recess integrated into said second hinge device.  
   
   
       15 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said first hinge device includes a second hinge device mating surface located a distance below the top surface thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said seating surface situated in said aperture of said first hinge device and said second hinge device is located at least about fifty percent below the top surface thereof.