Connector plate for tent assembly

Abstract

A connector plate for quickly and easily securing tent guide ropes and/or straps for facilitating a tent's assembly includes: a base portion, a trunk portion extending longitudinally from the base portion, and a number of branches extending radially from the trunk portion. The base portion has dimensions that are greater in the transverse direction than the longitudinal direction (that is, has a greater width than length) and defines therethrough a slot opening that receives a tent strap. The branches, which may be grouped as oppositely disposed pairs, terminate in geometric shaped end portions, around which end portions a tent guide rope may be wrapped. A method of assembling a tent using the present connector plate is also provided.

1 . A connector plate for securing a tent or tarp, the connector plate comprising:
 a base portion, the base portion having dimensions greater in a transverse direction than in a longitudinal direction and defining therethrough a slot in the transverse direction;   a trunk portion extending longitudinally from the base portion;   a plurality of branches extending from the trunk, each branch having a terminal end distal to the trunk portion, the terminal end defining a geometric-shaped profile configured to engage a rope threaded therearound.   
     
     
         2 . The connector plate of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion, the trunk portion, and the branches are co-planar. 
     
     
         3 . The connector plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of branches comprises four branches organized as a first pair and a second pair, the branches in each pair being oppositely disposed from one another and extending radially from the trunk portion, and wherein crevices are defined between the base portion and each of the first pair of branches and between the first pair of branches and the second pair of branches. 
     
     
         4 . The connector plate of  claim 3 , wherein the first pair of branches is proximate the base portion, and wherein the terminal ends of the first pair of branches comprise an irregular surface configured to engage a rope threaded through the crevice between the base portion and the first pair of branches. 
     
     
         5 . The connector plate of  claim 4 , wherein the irregular surface comprises saw tooth-shaped protrusions. 
     
     
         6 . The connector plate of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal ends of the branches generally define a geometric shape corresponding to one of a triangle, an oval, a circle, a parallelogram, and a trapezoid. 
     
     
         7 . The connector plate of  claim 6 , wherein the terminal ends of the branches define a triangular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The connector plate of  claim 6 , wherein the first pair of branches defines a first terminal end shape and the second pair of branches defines a second terminal end shape different from the first terminal end shape. 
     
     
         9 . The connector plate of  claim 1 , wherein the connector plate is constructed of a non-malleable metal. 
     
     
         10 . A method for quickly assembling a tent, the method comprising:
 providing a tent awning having a strap attached thereto;   securing a connector plate to the strap, the connector plate comprising a base portion, the base portion defining therethrough a slot in the transverse direction, the strap being secured through the slot; a trunk portion extending longitudinally from the base portion; a plurality of branches extending from the trunk, each branch having a terminal end distal to the trunk portion, a plurality of crevices being defined between adjacent branches and between a pair of branches and the base portion, the terminal ends of the branches defining a geometric-shaped profile configured to engage a rope threaded into the crevices;   securing a rope, from a first direction, around a first branch distal to the base portion;   wrapping the rope around the terminal end of the connector plate and, from a second direction, threading the rope into a second crevice between a second branch and a third branch;   extending the rope diagonally across the trunk portion of the connector plate and into a third crevice between the fourth branch and the base portion;   threading the rope across the trunk portion in the opposite direction into an oppositely disposed fourth crevice between a third branch and the base portion and wrapping the rope around the trunk portion and into the third crevice; and   securing the loose ends of the rope to a tent pole or stake.