Foldable tent

Abstract

A foldable tent and connector devices for retaining a pair of pivotally connected tent poles. The tent comprises a pair of arched foldable frame members pivotally interconnected by way of a coupling member. The connector device comprises male and female components lockably pivotally coupled to one another to permit positioning of the poles such that the poles are axially aligned in an aligned configuration and such that the poles are pivoted 180 degrees substantially parallel and adjacent to each other in a folded configuration. The male component includes an axially extending first guiding member and a first locking member formed on the inner projection, and the female component includes a second guiding member and a second locking member. A release button is provided for ready set-up and/or folding of the tent. The first and second locking members secure the poles in alignment.

Please amend the claims as follows: 
     
         1 . A foldable tent for instant set-up and collapsing, comprising,
 a. a frame assembly attached to a tent cover;   b. the frame assembly including at least one pair of arched foldable frame members each having proximal and distal ends, corresponding proximal and distal ends of each of the arched frame members being pivotally connected to a lower coupling member;   c. each of the arched foldable frame members comprising an upper frame portion pivotally connected to a side frame;   d. each upper frame portion including a first pole section and a second pole section, wherein each first and second pole section has an inner end and an outer end, the inner ends of the first and second pole, sections of the upper frame portion being pivotally connected together by a first pivotal coupling member;   e. each of the side frame portions including a primary pole section and a secondary pole section, wherein each primary and secondary pole section has an innermost end and an outermost end, wherein the outermost end of the primary pole section is pivotally connected to a corresponding outer end of the upper frame portion by a second pivotal coupling member, wherein the innermost end of the primary pole section and the secondary pole section are slidingly coupled together, and wherein the outermost end of the secondary pole section is pivotally connected to the lower coupling member;   wherein the tent cover is adapted to become taut when the arched foldable frame members are erected, pulling the arched foldable frame members away from one another and retaining an erected configuration of the foldable tent.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable tent of  claim 1 , wherein a lower portion of the tent cover comprises securing members for securing the tent cover onto a surface. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable tent of  claim 1 , wherein the tent cover comprises sleeves, the foldable frame members secure within the sleeves. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable tent structure of  claim 1 , wherein the each lower coupling member comprises an elongated base plate and an inner chassis, the proximal and distal ends of each of the arched frame members pivotally connected to the inner chassis. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable tent structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first pole section and a second pole section of the upper frame portion of the arched foldable frame members are flexible. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable tent structure of  claim 1 , wherein the primary pole section and the secondary pole section are coupled together telescopically. 
     
     
         7 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A foldable tent comprising:
 a tent cover comprising a plurality of side walls;   a plurality of pole assemblies slidably coupled to the tent cover, each pole assembly comprising: an upper frame having a plurality of upper sections collapsibly coupled together, the upper frame having opposing free ends; and first and second side frames, each side frame having a plurality of collapsible side sections, each side frame having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each side frame pivotally coupled with a corresponding free end of the upper frame such that each pole assembly is substantially U-shaped, each first side frame positioned adjacent a first side wall of the tent cover and each second side frame positioned adjacent an opposing second side wall of the tent cover; and   a plurality of lower coupling members, at least two first side frame lower ends pivotally coupled to a first lower coupling member and at least two second side frame lower ends pivotally coupled to a second lower coupling member.   
     
     
         13 . The foldable tent of  claim 12 , wherein the pole assemblies are coupled to an outer surface of the tent cover. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable tent of  claim 12 , wherein at least two of the side sections of each side frame are slidably collapsible. 
     
     
         15 . The foldable tent of  claim 12 , wherein the upper sections are coupled together pivotally. 
     
     
         16 . The foldable tent of  claim 12 , wherein in an open state the plurality of frame assemblies are extended and the tent cover is substantially taut. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable tent of  claim 12 , wherein in a folded state, each of the plurality of frame assemblies are collapsed and the tent cover is folded with the plurality of collapsed frame assemblies. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable tent of  claim 12 , wherein each lower coupling member comprises a base having first and second ends and at least one support wall extending upwardly from the base, each side frame lower end coupled to the at least one support wall. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable tent of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of securing members extending from a lower portion of the tent cover, each securing member fixedly coupled to a corresponding lower coupling member, each securing member configured to be fixed to a support surface. 
     
     
         20 . A foldable tent comprising:
 a tent cover, an outer surface of the tent cover having a plurality of connecting members extending therefrom, lower portions of the tent cover having a plurality of securing members extending therefrom, the tent cover having a plurality of sides;   a plurality of pole assemblies each pole assembly comprising: an upper frame having a plurality of upper sections pivotally coupled together, the upper frame having opposing free ends; and a pair side frames, each side frame having a plurality of collapsible side sections, each side frame having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each side frame pivotally coupled with a corresponding free end of the upper frame such that each pole assembly is substantially U-shaped, each pole assembly slidably coupled to corresponding connecting members of the tent cover such that opposing side frames of each pole assembly are positioned on opposing sides of the tent cover; and   a plurality of lower coupling members, each lower coupling member positioned adjacent the lower portions of the tent cover, each side frame lower end on a corresponding side of the tent cover pivotally coupled to a lower coupling member.   
     
     
         21 . The foldable tent of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the connecting members is a sleeve. 
     
     
         22 . The foldable tent of  claim 20 , wherein at least two of the side sections of each side frame are slidably collapsible. 
     
     
         23 . The foldable tent of  claim 20 , wherein each lower coupling member comprises a base having first and second ends and at least one support wall extending upwardly from the base, each side frame lower end coupled to the at least one support wall. 
     
     
         24 . The foldable tent of  claim 20 , wherein in an open state the securing members of the tent cover are secured to a support surface and the pole assemblies are extended such that the tent cover is substantially taut. 
     
     
         25 . The foldable tent of  claim 20 , wherein in a folded state the securing members of the tent cover are free and the pole assemblies are collapsed and folded with the tent cover.