Shelter having a tarpaulin supported by a cable assembly that is selectively tightened

Abstract

A roof assembly for a shelter having an eave assembly and a cable assembly with a first cable portion extending between corners of the eave assembly horizontally and a second cable portion extending from each corner to an apex. A center post has a lower end coupled to the first cable portion and an upper end coupled to the second cable portion. When the cable assembly is tightened, the center post supports a tarpaulin. A mechanism, integral to the eave assembly, includes a lever rotatably mounted to a first elongated tube of the roof assembly, the first tube defining an elongated slot and receives a second tube. An arm extends from the lever and through the elongated slot to engage the second tube such that when the lever moves, the eave assembly expands to tension the cable assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020871.1, filed Mar. 5, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 793,369 filed Mar. 4, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The subject disclosure relates generally to shelters, and more particularly to an improved shelter having a covering supported by a cord structure that can be tightened. [0004] 2. Background of the Related Art [0005] Over the years, many tents and other shelters for providing protection from the elements have been introduced. Such structures are commonly used to provide shelter during camping trips, picnics, parties, military operations and other like outdoor activities. A common structure includes a plurality of tubular portions interconnected to form a supporting frame such as that shown in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Another embodiment is directed to a tightening mechanism for a shelter having a roof assembly at least partially supported by cable. The tightening mechanism includes a lever rotatably mounted to a first elongated tube of the roof assembly, the first tube defining an elongated slot and an interior for receiving a second tube and an arm extending from the lever and through the elongated slot to engage the second tube such that when the lever moves, the arm moves between first and second positions. Wherein at the first position, the second tube is urged out of the first elongated tube so that a size of the roof assembly is increased and, at the second position, the second tube is urged into the first elongated tube so that the size of the roof assembly is reduced.

[0011] It is an object of the subject disclosure to provide an inexpensive and efficient method for effectively assembling a shelter with a canopy securely and aesthetically secured to a frame.

[0012] It is another object of the subject disclosure to provide a shelter which, upon tensioning a roof supporting strucutre, results in easy assemble and ample strength to support the cover.

[0013] It is another object of the subject disclosure to provide a shelter which does not pucker or hang loosely in the corners.

[0014] It is another object of the subject disclosure to provide a shelter which has inherent flexibility in the roof to reduce the risk of blowing over.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are problems associated with shelters that have been introduced heretofore.

The supporting frame tends to be difficult to assemble as assembling the roof eaves is a challenging, multiple person task that requires multiple step ladders.

Similarly, disassembly is equally as difficult.

For example, the collapsible shelters do not provide the strength and rigidity required for withstanding harsh outdoor winter conditions.

Images