Adjustable Telescopic Structure for Dome Tents and Canopies

Abstract

A tent pole structure designed for us with dome tents and canopies. The tent pole structure is comprised of telescoping pole sections that are affixed to a hinge device located at the apex of the dome. When in use the telescoping pole sections are extended and attached to the tent canopy. When attached to the tent canopy the tent poles are contoured to form a dome shape. For storage the telescoping pole sections are collapsed and folded around the hinge member, for ease of storage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tent pole structure comprising:
 a hinge member comprised of one or more means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles and a tongue member with top and bottom sides which protrudes outwardly from said means and underneath said tent poles;   one or more tent poles each with top and bottom sides, each located rotatively attached to said means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles, each pole including an end with a means for connecting the tent pole to said hinge member and a ground contacting end;   said hinge member and tent poles arranged such that when the tent pole is rotatively connected to the hinge member the top side of the tongue member will come into contact with the bottom side of the tent pole providing an anchor point to create a moment which will cause the tent pole to form an arch shape when flexed in the direction opposite the tab side of the hinge member.   
     
     
         2 . The tent pole structure of  claim 1 , wherein each tent pole is further comprised of a plurality or collapsible, telescoping sections. 
     
     
         3 . The tent pole structure of  claim 2 , wherein said means for connecting the hinge member to said tent poles is comprised of a rigid flat section with top and bottom sides from which said tongue protrudes, a hinge with one side mounted to the top side of rigid flat section and the other rotatively connected to the non-ground contacting side of the tent pole. 
     
     
         4 . The tent pole structure of  claim 3 , wherein said rigid flat section further comprises a means for connecting multiple tent poles together. 
     
     
         5 . The tent pole structure of  claim 4 , wherein said means for connecting multiple tent poles together comprises a hole through the rigid flat section through which a connecting device, such as a bolt or pin can be inserted through. 
     
     
         6 . A tent frame comprised of a plurality of tent pole structures connected together at the apex of the tent pole structure, forming a dome shape to which a tent or canopy fabric can be attached, each tent pole structure comprising:
 a hinge member comprised of one or more means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles and a tongue member with top and bottom sides which protrudes outwardly from said means and underneath said tent poles;   one or more telescoping tent poles each with top and bottom sides, each located rotatively attached to said means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles, each pole including an end with a means for connecting the tent pole to said hinge member and a ground contacting end;   said hinge member and tent poles arranged such that when the tent pole is rotatively connected to the hinge member the top side of the tongue member will come into contact with the bottom side of the tent pole providing an anchor point to create a moment which will cause the tent pole to form an arch shape when flexed in the direction opposite the tab side of the hinge member.   
     
     
         7 . The tent frame of  claim 6 , wherein said means for connecting the hinge member to said tent poles is comprised of a rigid flat section with top and bottom sides from which said tongue protrudes, a hinge with one side mounted to the top side of rigid flat section and the other rotatively connected to the non-ground contacting side of the tent pole. 
     
     
         8 . The tent frame of  claim 7 , wherein said rigid flat section further comprises a means for connecting multiple tent poles together. 
     
     
         9 . The tent frame of  claim 8 , wherein said means for connecting the tent poles together comprises a hole through the rigid flat section through which a connecting device, such as a bolt or pin can be inserted through.