Tent pole apparatus with pin member and pole cap

Abstract

A tent pole apparatus includes a tent pole member having a first, distal end spaced from a second, proximal end along a longitudinal axis thereof. A pin member is disposed at the distal end of the tent pole member. A proximal end of the pin member is at least partially inserted into a tent pole member cavity defined by a portion of the distal end of the tent pole member. A pole cap is affixed to a portion of the distal end of the tent pole member by each of an adhesive and welding. A portion of the pin member is welded to a portion of the pole cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tent pole apparatus, comprising:
 a tent pole member having a first end spaced from a second end along a longitudinal axis thereof;   a pin member disposed at the first end of the tent pole member, a first end of the pin member being at least partially received into a tent pole member cavity defined by a portion of the first end of the tent pole member; and   a pole cap affixed to the tent pole member, a portion of the pin member being welded to a portion of the pole cap.   
     
     
         2 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pole cap is affixed to the first end of the tent pole member by each of an adhesive and one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 1 , further including an adhesive disposed within the tent pole member cavity to secure the pin member therewithin. 
     
     
         4 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pole cap includes a pole cap plate with a plurality of sidewalls extending therefrom to form a pole cap cavity, the pole cap cavity being sized and dimensioned for a friction-fit over the first end of the tent pole member. 
     
     
         5 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a distal end of the pin member is welded to the pole cap plate. 
     
     
         6 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein approximately half of the pin member is embedded within the tent pole member cavity and approximately half of the pin member is exposed when the pole cap is affixed to the first end of the tent pole member. 
     
     
         7 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a base plate secured to the second end of the tent pole member by at least one of an adhesive and one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the pin member, the pole cap, and the base plate are each made from steel, and the tent pole member is made from wood. 
     
     
         9 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 1 , having a width of approximately 5.5 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The tent pole apparatus of  claim 1 , having one of:
 a compression load of approximately 9,000 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 25 feet;   a compression load of approximately 11,000 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 24 feet;   a compression load of approximately 7,500 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 22 feet;   a compression load of approximately 4,600 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 21 feet;   a compression load of approximately 7,500 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 19 feet; and   a compression load of approximately 3,000 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 8 feet.   
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a tent pole apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a tent pole member having a first end spaced from a second end along a longitudinal axis thereof;   forming a tent pole member cavity at the first end of the tent pole member;   providing a pin member and a pole cap;   welding the pin member to a portion of the pole cap such that a first end of the pin member extends distally from the pole cap and a second end of the pin member extends proximally from the pole cap;   inserting the second end of the pin member into the tent pole member cavity; and   affixing the pole cap to the first end of the tent pole member by at least one of an adhesive and fasteners.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including affixing the pole cap to the first end of the tent pole member by each of an adhesive and one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further including disposing an adhesive within the tent pole member cavity to secure the pin member therewithin. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further including providing the pole cap with pole cap plate with a plurality of sidewalls extending therefrom to form a pole cap cavity, the pole cap cavity being sized and dimensioned for a friction-fit over the first end of the tent pole member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further including welding the first end of the pin member to the pole cap plate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further including:
 embedding approximately half of the pin member within the tent pole member cavity; and   exposing approximately half of the pin member when the pole cap is affixed to the first end of the tent pole member.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further including securing a base plate to the second end of the tent pole member by at least one of an adhesive and one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tent pole apparatus has one of:
 a compression load of approximately 9,000 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 25 feet;   a compression load of approximately 11,000 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 24 feet;   a compression load of approximately 7,500 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 22 feet;   a compression load of approximately 4,600 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 21 feet;   a compression load of approximately 7,500 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 19 feet; and   a compression load of approximately 3,000 pounds when the tent pole apparatus has a total length of approximately 8 feet.