Apparatus And Methods For Joining Poles For Supporting A Structure

Abstract

An apparatus and system allows for poles, for example, tent poles, to be interlocked after they have been assembled into the desired supporting structure. The apparatus includes a body with a bore extending through the body for accommodating a pole and a channel extending into the body for accommodating another pole. The channel facilitates attachment of the pole in a snap-fit or other interlocking fit. The poles may be formed of segments, for example, that join together in male-female fits.

1 . An apparatus for connecting at least a first pole and a second pole, comprising:
 a body including:
 a bore extending through the body, the bore configured for receiving a first pole and retaining the first pole; and, 
 a channel extending into the body for receiving a second pole in a snap-fit and retaining the pole in the channel in a locking manner. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is of a resilient material. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel includes a partially cylindrical portion that extends along the body between ends of the body. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the partially cylindrical portion is round in cross section and is of an arc of greater then 180°. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bore and the channel are oriented substantially perpendicularly to each other. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the channel includes a groove extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the channel, the groove for receiving a ring attached to the second pole. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the channel includes a protrusion extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the channel, the protrusion for receipt by a groove on the second pole. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bore includes a plurality of large diameter portions and a small diameter portion, intermediate the large diameter portions, the small diameter portion configured to retain the first pole, to inhibit sliding in the direction of the extension of the bore. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the smaller diameter portion joins the larger diameter portions to define shoulders, the shoulders serving as travel limits for segments of the first pole that attach in the bore to form the first pole. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bore includes large diameter portion of widths greater than the width of a first pole and the small diameter portion includes at least one cam surface, the at least one cam surface defining a guide for allowing pivoting of a first pole about the at least one cam surface. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one cam surface includes two cam surfaces, oppositely disposed from each other. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a foot, the foot configured for attaching to a clip member. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the channel includes a partially cylindrical portion that extends along the body between ends of the body, and the body includes opening proximate to the lateral sides of the channel for providing additional elastic behavior to the body.