Hub assembly for a foldable tent

Abstract

A hub assembly for a foldable tent includes a base and a plurality of slots formed on the base. Each slot is formed by a pair of side walls which are integrally formed on the base and includes a pivoting axis substantially normal between the corresponding pair of side walls. Poles are connected to opposing side walls of each corresponding slot for pivotal movement about the pivoting axis. In an open configuration of the tent inner ends of each of the poles engages the engaging surface of the base and is restricted from pivotal movement beyond the engaging surface, and in the closed configuration the inner ends of each pole is disengaged from the engaging surface of the base such that each pole is pivotable to a position substantially perpendicular to each corresponding engaging surface of the base.

1 . A hub assembly for opening and closing a tent between an open configuration and a closed configuration comprising:
 a substantially circular first bottom support having a top surface and a bottom surface, the first bottom support having at least one opening positioned along an outer periphery of the first bottom support;   a substantially cylindrical first inner wall extending upwardly from a radially inner section of the first bottom support, the first inner wall being formed integrally with the first bottom support;   a first set of slots, each slot of the first set spaced apart circumferentially above the first bottom support and integrally formed therewith, each slot of the first set formed by a pair of opposing first side walls extending upwardly from the first bottom support top surface and radially outwardly from the first inner wall, each pair of first side walls substantially parallel to each other;   a second set of slots, each slot of the second set positioned below the at least one opening of the first bottom support and integrally formed therewith, each slot of the second set formed by a pair of opposing second side walls extending downwardly from the first bottom support bottom surface and radially outwardly toward the outer periphery of the first bottom support, each pair of second side walls being substantially parallel to each other, each pair of second side walls connected by a second bottom support having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a plurality of poles corresponding to the number of slots, each pole having an inner end and an outer end, each pole inner end pivotally connected to each pair of first and second side walls for pivotal movement about a pivoting axis normal to the side walls;   wherein in the open configuration the inner end of each pole engages the top surface of each bottom support such that each pole is restricted from pivotal movement beyond said bottom supports, and in the closed configuration the inner end of each pole is disengaged from a corresponding bottom support such that each pole is pivotable to a position substantially perpendicular thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein radially inner ends of each pair of second side walls are connected with a second inner wall extending downwardly from the first bottom support bottom surface, each second inner wall formed integrally with the first bottom support and corresponding pair of second side walls. 
     
     
         3 . The hub assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertical void extending through the first bottom support, the void bordered by the first inner wall. 
     
     
         4 . The hub assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising an auxiliary support extending diametrically through the void and connected to an inner surface of the first inner wall, the auxiliary support being integrally formed with the first inner wall. 
     
     
         5 . The hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein in the closed configuration each pole inner end is pivotable to a position directly above each corresponding bottom support. 
     
     
         6 . The hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting axes of the first set of slots are positioned radially inward relative to the pivoting axes of the second set of slots. 
     
     
         7 . A hub assembly for opening and closing a tent between an open configuration and a closed configuration comprising:
 a substantially circular bottom support;   a substantially cylindrical inner wall extending upwardly from a radially inner section of the bottom support, the inner wall being formed integrally with the bottom support;   a plurality of slots, each slot spaced apart circumferentially along the bottom support and integrally formed therewith, each slot formed by a pair of opposing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom support and radially outwardly from the inner wall, each pair of side walls substantially parallel to each other, top ends of each pair of side walls being connected by a top support having top and bottom surfaces, bottom ends of each pair of side walls being unconnected such that an opening is formed under each top support, opposing side walls of each pair having matching indentations to define a pivoting axis substantially normal between the opposing pair of walls;   a plurality of poles corresponding to the number of slots, each pole having an inner end and an outer end, opposing sides of the inner ends of each pole each having a substantially cylindrical pin integrally extending therefrom, each opposing pin pivotally connected to the opposing indentations of each corresponding slot;   wherein in the open configuration the inner end of each pole engages a bottom surface of the top support of a corresponding slot such that the pole inner end is restricted from pivotal movement beyond said top support, and in the closed configuration the inner end of each pole is disengaged from the top support such that the poles are pivotable to a position substantially perpendicular to the top support.   
     
     
         8 . The hub assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each side wall extends radially outwardly beyond a corresponding top support. 
     
     
         9 . The hub assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each indentation is disposed on each side wall substantially perpendicular to a corresponding top support, each indentation extending downwardly from an upper end of each side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The hub assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each indentation comprises a ridge, each indentation having:
 an upper channel between the side wall upper end and the ridge, the width of the upper channel being greater than or equal to the diameter of each pin;   a lower channel between the ridge and a lower end of the side wall, the width of the lower channel being substantially similar to the diameter of each pin; and   a space defining the width of the indentation at an apex of the ridge, the space being slightly less than the diameter of each pin such that each pole is inserted through the upper channel, snap-fit past the apex of the ridge and secured within the lower channel.   
     
     
         11 . The hub assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising an auxiliary support diametrically connected to an inner surface of the inner wall, the auxiliary support being integrally formed with the inner wall. 
     
     
         12 . A hub assembly for opening and closing a tent between an open configuration and a closed configuration comprising:
 a base having at least one planar engaging surface;   a plurality of slots formed on the base, each slot formed by a pair of side walls extending substantially normal from the plane of the engaging surface and integrally formed on the base, the side walls of each pair being substantially parallel to each other, each slot including a pivoting axis formed substantially normal between the corresponding pair of side walls;   a plurality of poles corresponding to the number of slots, each pole having an inner end and an outer end, the inner ends of each pole connected to opposing side walls of each corresponding slot for pivotal movement about the pivoting axis;   wherein in the open configuration the inner ends of each of the plurality of poles engages the at least one engaging surface of the base and is restricted from pivotal movement beyond said at least one engaging surface, and in the closed configuration the inner end of each of the plurality of poles are disengaged from the at least one engaging surface of the base such that each of the plurality of poles is pivotable to a position substantially perpendicular to each corresponding at least one engaging surface of the base.   
     
     
         13 . The hub assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of slots includes a first set of slots, each slot of the first set spaced apart circumferentially on a top surface of the base, the top surface of the base defining one of the at least one planar engaging surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The hub assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of slots includes a second set of slots, each slot of the second set spaced apart circumferentially on a bottom surface of the base, the bottom surface of the base defining another one of the at least one planar engaging surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The hub assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the pivoting axes of the first set of slots are positioned radially inward relative to the pivoting axes of the second set of slots. 
     
     
         16 . The hub assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each opposing side wall of each pair comprises matching indentations to define a pivoting axis substantially normal between the opposing side walls. 
     
     
         17 . The hub assembly of  claim 16 , wherein each indentation is disposed on each side wall substantially perpendicular to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The hub assembly of  claim 16 , wherein opposing sides of the inner ends of each of the plurality of poles comprises a substantially cylindrical pin integrally extending therefrom, each opposing pin pivotally connected to the opposing indentations of each slot. 
     
     
         19 . The hub assembly of  claim 18 , wherein each indentation is disposed on each side wall substantially perpendicular to the base, each indentation extending downwardly from an upper end of each side wall. 
     
     
         20 . The hub assembly of  claim 19 , wherein each indentation comprises a ridge, each indentation having:
 an upper channel between the side wall upper end and the ridge, the width of the upper channel being greater than or equal to the diameter of each pin;   a lower channel between the ridge and a lower end of the side wall, the width of the lower channel being substantially similar to the diameter of each pin; and   a space defining the width of the indentation at an apex of the ridge, the space being slightly less than the diameter of each pin such that each pole is inserted through the upper channel, snap-fit past the apex of the ridge and secured within the lower channel.