Quick opening awning

Abstract

The application discloses a quick-open sky curtain which comprises a sky curtain support and a curtain, the sky curtain support is provided with a center disc head, a plurality of center connecting rods, a fork connecting piece and a side cross rod, the fork connecting piece comprises a side disc head and a corner disc head. At least four corner portions of the sky curtain support are provided with vertical rods, the top ends of the vertical rods are hinged to the corner disc head. The vertical rods are configured to be folded and unfolded synchronously in response to the folding and unfolding movements of the sky curtain support. The vertical rods comprise a first rod body and a second rod body connected through a pivot, and are provided with a locking structure composed of a limiting block, a limiting groove, a locking sleeve and an elastic element, so that reliable locking and quick release folding in an unfolded state are realized. The utility model realizes synchronous linkage unfolding and folding of the sky curtain support and the vertical rods, completely saves the complicated manual operation of the traditional telescopic vertical rods, solves the problems of easy jamming and poor stability, and has the advantages of quick operation, stable structure and compact storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of outdoor products, and in particular to a quick-opening tarp. Background Technology

[0002] Outdoor awnings, as temporary outdoor equipment providing shade and rain protection, are popular among camping enthusiasts due to their ease of setup and the large space they offer. To improve setup efficiency, so-called "quick-opening" or "rapid-opening" awnings have emerged on the market. These awnings typically use an umbrella-ribbed radial support structure, with multiple radial poles connected by a central panel. The hinges and linkages between the poles allow for one-click opening and closing of the awning frame. Users simply lift the central panel to quickly unfold the entire awning frame and awning, greatly simplifying the operation.

[0003] However, existing quick-opening tarps still have significant structural limitations. For example, Chinese patent CN106065736B requires the tent poles to extend from inside the tent to outside, resulting in openings and poor ventilation and insulation. Furthermore, the tent poles extend by stretching the corner fabric through the upper inner pole and lower outer pole. Overcoming the tension of the corner fabric during the stretching and unfolding of the upper inner pole and lower outer pole makes it very difficult for users to deploy the poles. The poles also frequently experience difficulty, jamming, and unevenness when pulling out and retracting due to dust intrusion or mechanical wear, severely impacting the setup experience and efficiency. Moreover, the slight frame size at the joints of the telescopic poles is amplified by wind swaying, further weakening the overall structural stability. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of at least one specific embodiment of this utility model is to overcome the defects of the existing technology and provide a quick-opening skylight.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: A quick-opening tarpaulin includes a tarpaulin support frame and a tarpaulin screen. The tarpaulin support frame has a central disc head, a plurality of central connecting rods radiating outward from the central disc head, a forked connector connected to the outer end of the central connecting rod, and side crossbars connected between adjacent forked connectors to form an outer frame. The canopy support is provided with uprights at at least four corners, and the top of the uprights is hinged to the forked connector. The upright includes a first rod body, a second rod body, and a locking structure. The first rod body and the second rod body are rotatably connected by a pivot, and the locking structure is disposed at the connection between the first rod body and the second rod body. The top end of the second rod is hinged to the forked connector, and the bottom end of the first rod is used to support the ground and connect to the curtain; When the pole is in the unfolded state, the locking structure locks the first pole and the second pole in the same straight line position, restricting their relative rotation; When the canopy support changes from the retracted state to the extended state, the extension action of the uprights causes the forked connector to move outward, and the uprights are locked in the extended state by the locking structure, so that the canopy support and the uprights together tension the curtain. When the locking structure is triggered to release the lock, the first and second rods can rotate relative to each other, causing the uprights to fold and releasing the tension on the curtain as the canopy support is retracted.

[0006] Furthermore, when the canopy support changes from the unfolded state to the retracted state, the forked connectors converge towards the center, causing the uprights to move with their top hinge point as the axis. The upright pole folds itself to reduce the height of its top and move inward, thereby changing the upright pole from an upright state supported on the ground to a folded and retracted state that is close to the central connecting rod and / or the side crossbar. When the canopy support transitions from the retracted state to the extended state, the uprights stand upright as the forked connector moves outward and can be locked in the extended state by the locking structure to support the ground.

[0007] Furthermore, in the retracted state, the upright is shortened in length by folding itself, and the upright, the central connecting rod, and the side crossbar are retracted parallel to or coaxial with each other to form a compact rod bundle.

[0008] Furthermore, the locking structure includes: The first connector is fixedly connected to the first rod body; The second connector is fixedly connected to the second rod body and rotatably connected to the first connector via the pivot. A positioning component is disposed at the opposite ends of the first connector and the second connector. When the first rod and the second rod rotate to the unfolded state, the positioning component engages with each other to prevent the first connector and the second connector from continuing to rotate relative to each other. A locking sleeve is axially movable and disposed on the first connector or the second connector; An elastic element provides elastic force to keep the locking sleeve normally in a first position that covers and locks the positioning component; Specifically, when the locking sleeve is activated to overcome the elastic force and move to a second position that exposes and releases the positioning component, the locking of the positioning component can be released.

[0009] Furthermore, the positioning component includes a positioning recess disposed on one of the first connector and the second connector, and a positioning protrusion disposed on the other and adapted to the positioning recess.

[0010] Furthermore, both the locking sleeve and the positioning recess are disposed on the first connector. In the first position, the end of the locking sleeve covers the entrance of the positioning recess, forming a mechanical barrier to prevent the positioning protrusion from dislodging from the positioning recess.

[0011] Furthermore, in the second position, the locking sleeve moves axially and avoids the entrance of the positioning recess, providing a path for the positioning protrusion to disengage from the positioning recess.

[0012] Furthermore, the positioning recess includes a limiting surface located at its bottom for abutting against the positioning protrusion to achieve axial positioning, and an opening groove located at its top, the contour of which is adapted to the positioning protrusion for sliding in and out; the locking sleeve covers at least a portion of the opening groove when in the first position.

[0013] Furthermore, when the positioning protrusion abuts against the limiting surface, the axes of the first rod and the second rod are confined to the same straight line.

[0014] Furthermore, the locking sleeve is disposed on the first connecting member, and the elastic force is provided by the elastic element, which acts between the locking sleeve and a support portion fixed on the first connecting member.

[0015] Furthermore, when the first rod and the second rod rotate relative to each other around the pivot to the unfolded state, the positioning protrusion slides into the opening groove of the positioning recess and abuts against the limiting surface; When the first rod and the second rod rotate relative to each other to a folded state, the positioning protrusion slides out of the positioning recess along the opening groove.

[0016] Furthermore, the forked connector includes a corner plate head, which is configured as a corner connection node of the canopy support and is hinged to the side crossbar extending to the corner of the canopy and the first rod of the upright.

[0017] Furthermore, the forked connector also includes a side plate head, which is configured as an edge connection node of the canopy support and simultaneously hinges the central connecting rod and the side crossbar.

[0018] Furthermore, the multiple side panels and multiple corner panels are hinged together by the side crossbars to form the outer ring frame of the canopy support.

[0019] Furthermore, the central disc head, central connecting rod, forked connector, side crossbar, and upright are all located inside the curtain.

[0020] Compared to existing technologies, the advantages of this application are as follows: By hinged the top of the pole to the bifurcated connector of the canopy support and designing a structure with foldable and locking functions, this application achieves a high degree of integration between the operation of the pole and the unfolding and retraction of the canopy support. When the user performs the overall operation of the canopy support, the pole can be driven to stand upright or fold up, thus eliminating the cumbersome steps of pulling, adjusting, locking, and disassembling required by traditional telescopic poles, greatly simplifying the operation process. In particular, when traditional telescopic poles are unfolded in a quick-opening canopy, they need to be stretched along the length of the canopy section on one side of the pole, which requires overcoming the tension of the canopy, making the stretching and unfolding process very strenuous. In this application, the pole adopts a combination of pivot rotation connection and locking structure, effectively avoiding the jamming, wear, shaking, and tension problems that are prone to occur in traditional multi-section telescopic poles, as well as the problem of overcoming tension in the same direction as the canopy. It is relatively less strenuous when unfolding, and forms a rigid support after unfolding and locking, significantly enhancing the overall stability of the canopy in complex usage environments. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the quick-opening canopy of this application.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the canopy support structure of this application.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the canopy support structure when the poles of this application are in a semi-folded state.

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a partial explosion.

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of area A in the image.

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of area B in the image.

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 4Enlarged view of area C in the image.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the canopy support structure in the semi-closed state of this application.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the canopy support structure in the fully retracted state.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of the canopy support structure in this application from unfolding to retracting.

[0032] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of the canopy support structure in this application from retraction to deployment.

[0033] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the forces acting on the support poles after the canopy of this application is deployed.

[0034] Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of the pole in the unfolded state of this application.

[0035] Figure 14 This is a partial structural diagram of the pole in the unfolded state of this application.

[0036] Figure 15 This is a structural diagram of the pole in the semi-folded state of this application.

[0037] Figure 16 This is a structural diagram of the upright pole in the fully folded state.

[0038] Figure 17 This is an assembly diagram of the first connector, the second connector, and the locking sleeve of the pole in this application.

[0039] Figure 18 for Figure 17 An explosion diagram.

[0040] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram from another angle showing the first connector, second connector, and locking sleeve of the pole in this application after assembly.

[0041] Figure 20 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the pole in the unfolded state of this application.

[0042] Figure 21 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the pole in the present application when it is in a semi-folded state.

[0043] Figure 22 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the pole in the fully folded state of this application.

[0044] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram showing the state changes of the pole as it is unfolded to fully folded.

[0045] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the state change of the pole in this application from fully folded to unfolded. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 This embodiment discloses a quick-opening canopy 1000, which includes a canopy support 400 as the core supporting skeleton, and a curtain 400a tightly laid and fixed to the outside of the canopy support 400. The canopy support 400 is a foldable spatial frame system with a specific movement trajectory, connected by a series of precisely calculated hinge points. The realization of this system relies on the synergistic effect of multiple key components, specifically including: a central plate head 500 as the hub of the entire structure, multiple central connecting rods 600 as the main radial support members, multiple side crossbars 700 for forming the outer frame, multiple uprights 100 providing vertical support, and branched connectors that realize complex node connection functions. The branched connectors are further specified into two types: side plate heads 800 and corner plate heads 900.

[0048] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The central disc head 500 is the geometric center and mechanical hub of the entire canopy structure. It is usually made of high-strength engineering plastic or metal. Its body is designed as a multi-directional connector with multiple central disc hinge interfaces 510 precisely machined on it. These central disc hinge interfaces 510 are distributed in a strict ring shape around the center of the central disc head 500.

[0049] In this embodiment, the four central connecting rods 600 are arranged in a strictly radial pattern around the central pan head 500 as the axis, along a specific radial direction. Each central connecting rod 600 is a rigid rod, and both ends are equipped with specially designed connecting joints: the one located closer to the central pan head 500 is the first connecting joint 610, and the one located further away from the central pan head is the second connecting joint 620.

[0050] A first central pivot 610a is fixedly provided on the side of the first joint 610 of the central rod, and a second central pivot 620a is fixedly provided on the side of the second joint 620 of the central rod. During assembly, the first joint 610 of the central rod carrying the first central pivot 610a is precisely embedded and hinged in a corresponding central disc hinge interface 510 on the central disc head 500, thereby enabling the central connecting rod 600 to rotate smoothly relative to the central disc head 500 in a defined motion plane. This is the primary key hinge structure for the entire bracket to achieve the folding and unfolding actions.

[0051] As key components for structural branching and force transmission, the bifurcated connectors are specifically embodied in two forms: side plate heads 800 and corner plate heads 900. The side plate head 800 typically has multiple side plate hinge interfaces 810 (e.g., three) on its body, their spatial orientation specially designed to accommodate the connection angles of different members. Similarly, the corner plate head 900 also has multiple corner plate hinge interfaces 910 (e.g., three) on its body, its layout designed to simultaneously accommodate side crossbars 700 and uprights 100. The entire support system comprises eight side crossbars 700, which together form the peripheral main frame of the canopy. Each side crossbar 700 is also equipped with dedicated connecting joints at both ends: one end is a side bar first connector 710 with a side bar first pivot 710a, and the other end is a side bar second connector 720 with a side bar second pivot 720a. In addition, the entire support system includes four uprights 100, which are typically telescopic or rotatable and foldable with pointed ends for insertion into the ground. Each pole 100 is fitted with a pole joint 110 at its top (or end), and a pole pivot 110a is fixedly provided on the side of the pole joint 110 for forming a hinge with the corner head 900.

[0052] The connection relationships of the above components are as follows: The ends of the four central connecting rods 600 furthest from the central pan head 500, i.e., their central rod second joints 620, extend into the specific side disc hinge interfaces 810 of the four corresponding side pan heads 800, and are hinged to the side pan heads 800 through their second central pivots 620a, thereby ensuring that each side pan head 800 is stably connected to one and only one central connecting rod 600. Meanwhile, the remaining side disc hinge interfaces 810 on each side pan head 800 are used to connect the side crossbars 700. Specifically, the side rod first joint 710 at one end of each side crossbar 700, carrying its side rod first pivot 710a, extends into the empty side disc hinge interface 810 on one side pan head 800 to complete the hinge connection. The other end of the side crossbar 700, namely its second side bar connector 720, carries the second side bar pivot 720a and extends into a specific corner plate hinge interface 910 on a corner plate head 900 to achieve hinge connection. The connection between the upright 100 and the corner plate head 900 is accomplished by extending its top upright joint 110, carrying the upright pivot 110a, into the last pre-reserved corner plate hinge interface 910 on the corner plate head 900. This allows each corner plate head 900 to ultimately form a stable spatial hinge relationship with two side crossbars 700 from different directions and one upright 100 simultaneously, constituting a robust corner support node.

[0053] From the perspective of overall spatial layout and configuration, when the entire canopy support 400 is fully deployed and locked, if viewed directly downward from the top of the canopy support 400, its overall form presents a very regular "tian"-shaped (field-shaped) structure. In this structure, the central hub 500 is precisely located at the exact center point of the "tian" shape; four central connecting rods 600 extend outward from the central hub 500, forming the prominent cross part at the center of the "tian" shape; four side hubs 800 are respectively located at the center positions of the four sides of the "tian" shape, and they are connected to the central hub 500 through the central connecting rods 600; eight side crossbars 700 are connected end to end, jointly and precisely forming the four outer frames of the "tian" shape, which effectively connect the side hubs 800 and the corner hubs 900 located at the four corner points of the "tian" shape; four vertical rods 100 are respectively approximately vertically hinged below the four corner hubs 900, providing crucial vertical support and ground anchoring points for the entire structure. If the fully deployed canopy support 400 is observed from a side perspective, its overall outline can be clearly seen to present an elegant arched or umbrella-shaped structure, wherein the central hub 500 is at the highest position of the entire structure, the side hubs 800 are at the next height level, the corner hubs 900 are at the subsequent height level, and finally the vertical rods 100 support the structure on the ground. This stepwise height difference design with sequentially decreasing heights not only endows the canopy support 400 with good structural stability and force flow distribution, but more importantly, provides an ideal and uniform three-dimensional tensioned curved surface for the curtain 400a covering it. This curved surface can ensure that the curtain is naturally tensioned by the form of the structure itself after deployment, so as to always maintain optimal flatness, and effectively avoid problems such as slack, wrinkles or local deformation that may be caused by factors such as wind force, rainwater accumulation or self-gravity, while also facilitating the rapid sliding of rainwater. The linkage of the entire system enables that during folding, by applying a concentrated acting force to the central hub 500, all the rods can be driven to gather toward the center through the coordinated rotation of each hinge point, achieving fast and orderly folding, which is the structural mechanism of its "quick-opening" function.

[0054] With reference to Figure 3 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , the deployment principle of the present application is based on the hinge relationships and geometric motions of the components. When a user applies an external force (such as lifting the central hub 500), the canopy support 400 gradually expands from the folded state to a stable arched structure. The deployment process can be divided into several stages: the rising of the central hub 500, the rotation of the central connecting rods 600, the outward movement of the side hubs 800, the straightening of the side crossbars 700, the positioning of the corner hubs 900, and the erecting of the vertical rods 100. The entire process relies on the free rotation of the hinge points and the linkage between the components.

[0055] With reference to Figure 11At the start of deployment, the central hub 500 is lifted upward (for example, by manual pulling of a user or with the aid of an elastic element). Since the central hub is hinged to four central connecting rods 600, the rising of the central hub 500 causes the central connecting rods 600 to rotate around the first central rotating shaft 610a. The central connecting rods 600 gradually turn from the inclined state in the folded configuration (nearly perpendicular to the ground) to a horizontal or nearly horizontal state. This rotational motion is the starting point of deployment, which transmits force to the side hub 800.

[0056] Since the second central rod joint 620 of each central connecting rod 600 is hinged to the side hub 800, the rotation of the central connecting rods 600 pushes the side hubs 800 to move outward. The side hub 800, as a branching point, connects two side crossbars 700 at the same time, and its outward movement pulls the side crossbars 700. The motion trajectory of the side hub 800 is determined by the length and rotation angle of the central connecting rod 600. During the deployment process, the side hub 800 moves from a position close to the center to the center positions of the four sides of a "field" shape, forming a second high point.

[0057] The side crossbar 700 is double-hinged to the side hub 800 and the corner hub 900. When the side hub 800 moves outward, the side crossbar 700 is gradually straightened from the folded state in the stowed configuration. The straightening process of the side crossbar 700 involves the rotation of the first side rod rotating shaft 710a and the second side rod rotating shaft 720a, eventually making the side crossbar 700 form an approximately straight segment (the two side crossbars 700 connected on the side hub 800 generally form an angle of 135 degrees), connecting the side hub 800 and the corner hub 900. The corner hub 900 is driven by the side crossbars 700 to move outward, reaching the four corner positions of the "field" shape. The movement of the corner hub 900 simultaneously affects the vertical rod 100 (since the vertical rod 100 is hinged to the corner hub 900).

[0058] As the corner hubs 900 are positioned at the four corners, the vertical rods 100 rotate around the vertical rod rotating shafts 110a, transitioning to a state that is nearly perpendicular to the ground. The user inserts the vertical rods 100 into the ground to provide stable anchoring points. The upright position of the vertical rods 100 not only supports the corner hubs, but also transmits force back to the center through the side crossbars 700 and the side hubs 800, forming a self-locking effect and enhancing the overall stability.

[0059] When all components are fully deployed, viewed from the side, the central hub 500 is at the highest point, the side hubs 800 are at the second highest positions, and the corner hubs 900 are at the lowest positions, forming a smooth arch as a whole. This arch structure originates from the length ratios and hinge angles of the central connecting rods 600, side crossbars 700 and vertical rods 100, which can disperse external forces (such as wind force) and improve the durability of the awning. The deployed support is like a dome skeleton, providing internal support for the awning fabric 400a.

[0060] The driving force for the unfolding process mainly comes from user operation. In some designs, return springs or pneumatic devices can be added at the hinged positions of each rod to assist unfolding, but the present solution relies on purely mechanical hinges. After unfolding, the "field"-shaped geometry of the bracket ensures uniform weight distribution, avoids local stress concentration, and enables the awning to bear a certain load.

[0061] Refer to Figure 10 , the folding principle of the awning bracket 400 is opposite to the unfolding process. By pulling the central disc head 500 downward, a chain folding reaction is triggered, causing the awning bracket 400 to contract from the unfolded state into a compact bundle. The folding process is efficient and fast, usually requiring only one person to operate, which reflects the convenience of the "quick-open" awning. The folding can be divided into several stages: the descent of the central disc head 500, the inward rotation of the central connecting rod 600, the inward movement of the side disc heads 800, the folding of the side cross bars 700, the inward retraction of the corner disc heads 800, and the folding of the vertical rods 100.

[0062] When folding, the user stands inside the awning and pulls the central disc head 500 downward. The central disc head 500 moves downward, driving the central connecting rod 600 hinged thereto. The central connecting rod 600 rotates around the first central rotating shaft 610a, changing from a nearly horizontal state to an inclined state. This rotation is the starting point of folding, and the inward rotation of the central connecting rod 600 pulls the side disc heads 800 to move towards the center.

[0063] The rotation of the central connecting rod 600 causes the second central rod joint 620 to move towards the center, thereby dragging the side disc heads 800 inward. As a key branching point, the inward movement of the side disc head 800 causes the side cross bars 700 hinged thereto to start folding. The side cross bar 700 rotates around the first side rod rotating shaft 710a, changing from a substantially straight state to a V-shaped or overlapping state. During the folding process, the side disc head 800 moves from the center positions of the four sides of the "field" shape to a position close to the central disc head 500, forming a high point after folding.

[0064] The double-hinge design of the side cross bar 700 allows it to fold freely. When the side disc head 800 moves inward, the first side rod joint 710 of the side cross bar 700 rotates inward, and at the same time, the second side rod joint 720 drives the corner disc head 900 to move towards the center. The corner disc heads 900 retract inward from the four corner positions and meet with the side disc heads 800. The movement of the corner disc heads 900 immediately causes the vertical rods 100 hinged thereto to start folding. The vertical rod 100 rotates around the vertical rod rotating shaft 110a, changing from the unfolded state to a reversely retracted and folded state.

[0065] The folding of the vertical rods 100 is the final stage of folding. As the corner disc heads 900 retract inward, the vertical rods 100 separate from the ground, rotate inward and attach to other rods. After folding, all components are tightly stacked, the central disc head 500 and the corner disc heads 900 are at low points and contact the ground, while the side disc heads 800 are at high points, forming a stable triangular support that facilitates storage and transportation.

[0066] Viewed from the side, the retracted canopy support 400 forms an inverted arch, with the central panel 500 and corner panels 900 supported on the ground, while the side panels 800 are positioned higher, significantly reducing the overall volume. This layout prevents components from interfering with each other during folding and avoids accidental deployment through a self-locking mechanism at the hinge points.

[0067] The core of the folding process lies in the coordinated movement of the hinge points. When the central panel is pulled down 500 degrees, each component folds along a predetermined path without the need for additional tools. This design not only saves time but also reduces wear and tear on the tarpaulin during folding, extending its lifespan. Furthermore, the compact form of the folded support makes it easy to pack into a carrying bag, making it suitable for outdoor activities.

[0068] Understandably, the curtain 400a is laid on the outside of the tarpaulin support 400, and its tension directly affects the tarpaulin's wind and rain protection performance and comfort. The tensioning principle relies on the geometry of the tarpaulin support 400 after it is unfolded and the way the curtain is connected. When the tarpaulin support 400 is unfolded, the curtain 400a is stretched into a smooth curved surface; when the tarpaulin support 400 is retracted, the curtain 400a automatically relaxes. The tensioning process is automatic and synchronized with the movement of the support, requiring no manual adjustment.

[0069] The curtain 400a is typically attached to specific locations on the cyclorama support 400 via hooks, buckles, or stitching, including the center plate 500, side plates 800, corner plates 900, and uprights 100. These connection points are distributed along the edges and center of the curtain 400a to ensure even force distribution. During deployment, as the cyclorama support 400 expands, the relative distance between the connection points increases, applying tension to the curtain 400a.

[0070] When the cyclorama support 400 is deployed, the central panel 500 rises, the central connecting rod 600 pushes the side panels 800 outward, the side crossbars 700 straighten, the corner panels 900 move outward, and the uprights 100 stand upright. This series of movements increases the overall dimensions of the cyclorama support 400, for example, maximizing the diagonal distance from the central panel 500 to the corner panels 900. When the cyclorama support 400 reaches its maximum extension, the curtain 400a naturally taut, without slack or wrinkles.

[0071] The arched design of the canopy support 400 provides an ideal taut curvature for the curtain 400a. The central panel 500, as the highest point, pulls the center of the curtain 400a upwards; the side panels 800 and corner panels 900 form secondary high points, allowing the curtain 400a to smoothly transition from the center to the edges. This stepped height difference creates a dome effect, allowing the curtain to sag naturally under gravity while remaining taut, preventing water accumulation and promoting rainwater runoff. Simultaneously, the arched structure disperses wind force, making the curtain less prone to loosening in the wind and improving stability.

[0072] The entire system is designed to ensure that the 400a canopy automatically tauts when unfolded and automatically relaxes when retracted. No additional user intervention is required, greatly improving the ease of use of the canopy. The taut 400a not only provides better shading but also enhances the canopy's aesthetics, creating a comfortable outdoor space.

[0073] Furthermore, to facilitate the folding, unfolding, and storage of the entire quick-opening canopy, the support pole 100 can typically be designed as a telescopic or foldable structure, as shown in the reference. Figures 13 to 16 In this embodiment, the upright 100 is designed as a foldable structure. Specifically, it mainly includes a first rod 10 and a second rod 20. The two rods are locked together by a locking structure to achieve relative rotation and locking. The angle can be flexibly adjusted according to the usage requirements to achieve the functions of quick folding and stable unfolding.

[0074] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the pole joint 110 is installed at the top of the second pole 20, and the pole 100 is mainly hinged to the angle plate head 900 through the pole joint 110 at the top of the second pole 20.

[0075] The locking structure includes a first connector 30 at the end of the first pole 10 and a second connector 40 at the end of the second pole 20. The first pole 10 is typically made of lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloy or composite material, and one end is securely connected to the first connector 30 via mechanical fixing or interference fit. Similarly, the second pole 20 is made of the same material and manufactured using the same process as the first pole, and its corresponding end is fixedly connected to the second connector 40. The first connector 30 and the second connector 40 are connected by a high-strength pivot 60, which ensures durability and reliability under repeated use and heavy loads. This connection method allows the first pole 10 and the second pole 20 to rotate relative to each other around the pivot 60, providing users with convenient angle adjustment and storage capabilities, making it particularly suitable for outdoor applications such as tent poles.

[0076] The pole 100 is hinged to the corner head 900, which is a forked connector, through the top of its first pole 10, so that its upper end and the canopy support 400 form a moving whole; the bottom end of the second pole 20 is directly supported on the ground and connected to the corner of the curtain 400a, thus forming a complete path for the force to be transmitted from the canopy support 400 to the curtain 400a and finally to the ground.

[0077] When the user pulls the canopy support 400 out of its folded state, the branch connectors (side plate 800, corner plate 900) move outward, causing the hinged uprights 100 to move from their folded, tilted state to an upright position. Once the uprights 100 are fully upright, the user operates the locking mechanism to rigidly lock the first rod 10 and the second rod 20 in a straight line, forming a stable support column. At this point, the fully extended canopy support 400 and all the locked uprights 100 together form a tensioned three-dimensional spatial frame, working synergistically to tension the curtain 400a evenly and fully, achieving optimal shading effect and structural stability.

[0078] When the canopy needs to be retracted, the user first triggers the locking mechanism on the upright 100 to release its locked state. This operation allows the first pole 10 and the second pole 20 to rotate relative to each other around the pivot 60. Subsequently, when the user pulls down the center plate 500 of the canopy bracket 400 to convert it to the retracted state, the user's hand moves to the second pole 20, causing the first pole 10 and the second pole 20 to bend relative to each other, realizing the folding of the upright 100 itself. This folding action directly shortens the effective support length of the upright 100 and quickly releases the tension on the curtain 400a. The curtain 400a then relaxes, and finally all the poles and the curtain 400a can be tightly retracted together.

[0079] Furthermore, refer to Figure 12 The upright pole 100 in this quick-opening tarp opens by hinged rotation between the first pole 10 and the second pole 20. During the opening process, when the tension of the curtain 400a begins to act on the upright pole 100, the user only needs to push the hinge of the first pole 10 and the second pole 20 toward the curtain 400a to open the curtain 400a. When the upright pole 100 is unfolded, the force acting on the curtain 400a is offset from the tension of the curtain 400a, making it easier and more convenient for the user to unfold the upright pole 100.

[0080] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the central panel 500, central connecting rod 600, bifurcated connectors (side panel 800 / corner panel 900), side crossbars 700, and uprights 100 of this quick-opening tarpaulin are all located inside the curtain 400a. When the quick-opening tarpaulin is unfolded, the dome portion of the tarpaulin needs to be tensioned through the central panel 500, central connecting rod 600, and side crossbars 700. The uprights 100 tension the curtains located on one side of the uprights 100, and the top of the uprights 100 acts on the corner panels 900, so that the entire quick-opening tarpaulin can be kept in a taut state, achieving a stable support effect.

[0081] Meanwhile, since all support rods are located inside the curtain 400a, and there are no openings on the curtain 400a for the rods to pass through, the overall sealing performance is improved. This sealing advantage is mainly reflected in the fact that when the curtain of the quick-opening tarp is closed, its interior can form a complete sheltered space, which can be used as a tent. In contrast, if there were openings on the curtain 400a for the uprights 100 to extend from, it would affect its sealing and insulation performance.

[0082] Furthermore, refer to Figure 17 , Figure 18 , Figure 19 The first connector 30 includes a first rotating connection portion 301 and a first connecting portion 302, which are integrally formed or separately. Similarly, the second connector 40 includes a second rotating connection portion 401 and a second connecting portion 402. The first rotating connection portion 301 is provided with a precision-formed mounting opening 303, the shape and size of which match the connecting body 403 on the second rotating connection portion 401.

[0083] When the pole is in the assembled state, the main body 403 of the second rotating connection part 401 extends into the mounting port 303 of the first rotating connection part 301, and the two are rotated together by the pivot 60 to ensure that the rotation process is smooth and without shaking.

[0084] When the upright is in the extended state, the first rod 10 is fixed to the first connecting member 30 by inserting the end of the first rod 10 into the first connecting part 302 and fastening it with a first fastener 200. The first fastener 200 is preferably an internal hex bolt or screw, which can provide sufficient clamping force and prevent loosening. Similarly, the second rod 20 is connected to the second connecting member 40 by inserting the end of the second rod 20 into the second connecting part 402 and fixing it with a second fastener 300. The second fastener 300 is also preferably an internal hex bolt or screw, which can provide sufficient clamping force and prevent loosening. To prevent circumferential relative rotation between the first rod 10 and the first connecting member 30, the outer wall of the first rod 10 and the inner wall of the first connecting member 30 are provided with mutually cooperating first limiting planes 10a. These limiting planes are milled or molded to ensure precise fit. Similarly, the outer wall of the second rod 20 and the inner wall of the second connector 40 are provided with a second limiting plane 20a, which effectively suppresses circumferential rotation through planar cooperation, ensuring the stability of the rod posture and the directness of force transmission during use.

[0085] Continue to refer to Figure 18To further define the unfolded state and improve the stability and continuity of the unfolding of the first rod 10 and the second rod 20, one of the first rotating connecting portion 301 and the second rotating connecting portion 401 is provided with a limiting block 404, and the other is provided with a limiting groove 304. The limiting block 404 and the limiting groove 304 are constructed as a specific embodiment of a positioning assembly, that is, the positioning assembly includes a positioning recess on one and a positioning protrusion on the other. In this embodiment, the positioning recess is the limiting groove 304, and the positioning protrusion is the limiting block 404.

[0086] In this embodiment, a limiting block 404 is disposed on the second rotating connection portion 401. It is a protruding structure that can be manufactured by stamping, casting, or machining. A limiting groove 304 is located on the first rotating connection portion 301 and extends to the area of ​​the first connecting portion 302. Its contour is complementary to that of the limiting block 404. A limiting surface 304a is provided at the bottom of the limiting groove 304, which can effectively prevent further movement of the limiting block 404. The top of the limiting groove 304 is provided with an opening groove 304b, which facilitates the entry and exit of the limiting block 404. When the first rod 10 and the second rod 20 are fully extended and their axes are on the same straight line, the limiting block 404 is embedded in the limiting groove 304, and the limiting surface 304a abuts against the limiting block 404, preventing it from continuing to rotate, thereby keeping the two rods in a stable straight state. The axes of the first rod 10 and the second rod 20 are limited to the same straight line, and no accidental bending will occur when bearing axial load. Moreover, the positioning protrusion (limiting block 404) on the second connector 40 has a predetermined radial distance from the axis of the pivot 60, so that when the positioning protrusion (limiting block 404) abuts against the limiting surface 304a, a solid mechanical lock is formed, which greatly enhances the stability of the extended state.

[0087] To improve reliability and safety, an elastic element 70 and a locking sleeve 80 are sequentially fitted onto the outside of the first connecting portion 302. A support portion 305 is provided at the end of the first connecting portion 302. This support portion 305 can be fixed to the end as an independent component by a first fastener 200, or it can be integrally formed with the first connecting portion 302. The locking sleeve 80 is typically made of engineering plastic or metal, and its inner wall has a boss 801 for positioning the elastic element 70. The elastic element 70 is typically a stainless steel compression spring or disc spring, which is installed between the locking sleeve 80 and the support portion 305 to provide continuous restoring force.

[0088] Reference Figure 20 , Figure 21 , Figure 22During assembly, first, the locking sleeve 80 is fitted onto the outside of the first connecting portion 302, then the elastic element 70 is fitted onto the outside, with one end abutting against the boss 801, and finally the support portion 305 is installed to support the other end of the elastic element 70. After assembly, the locking sleeve 80 can slide axially along the first connecting portion 302. In its natural state, the elastic force of the elastic element 70 keeps the locking sleeve 80 in a position covering a portion of the limiting groove 304. That is, the locking sleeve 80 is in the first position covering and locking the positioning assembly. When the pole is fully extended, the limiting block 404 is located inside the limiting groove 304, and the locking sleeve 80 covers its outside. Its end covers the entrance (i.e., the opening groove 304b) of the positioning recess (limiting groove 304), forming a mechanical block to prevent the positioning protrusion (limiting block 404) from falling out of the positioning recess (limiting groove 304), thus forming a mechanical lock. This effectively prevents the limiting block 404 from falling out, avoids accidental folding of the two poles, and greatly improves the safety and reliability of use, especially in steep or slippery environments. Moreover, the locking sleeve 80 always covers the locking component under normal conditions, forming a physical shield. This not only plays a role in mechanical locking but also prevents mud and sand from entering the limiting groove 304 to a certain extent, improving the product's adaptability to harsh environments and its long-term safe service life.

[0089] Reference Figure 23 When the user needs to change the upright from the unfolded state to the folded state, they must first touch (e.g., press) the locking sleeve 80 by hand, causing it to slide towards the support part 305. At this time, the elastic element 70 is compressed, and the locking sleeve 80 gradually disengages from the limiting groove 304 area, that is, moves to the second position where the positioning component is exposed and released. In this position, the locking sleeve 80 moves axially and avoids the entrance (opening groove 304b) of the positioning recess (limiting groove 304), providing a path for the positioning protrusion (limiting block 404) to disengage from the positioning recess, thus releasing the covering restriction on the limiting block 404. Subsequently, the user holds the second rod body 20 and rotates it in the first direction W1, causing the first connecting member 30 and the second connecting member 40 to rotate relative to each other around the pivot 60. The positioning protrusion (limiting block 404) slides out of the positioning recess (limiting groove 304) along the opening groove 304b, that is, the limiting block 404 disengages from the opening groove 304b at the top of the limiting groove 304. After the locking sleeve 80 is released, the elastic element 70 rebounds, pushing the locking sleeve 80 back to its original position. At this time, the two rods can rotate freely relative to each other, achieving compact folding, which is convenient for storage and carrying. The entire folding process is simple and intuitive to operate.

[0090] Reference Figure 24When the pole needs to be restored to its unfolded state, the user holds the second pole 20 and rotates it in a second direction W2, opposite to the first direction W1. The two poles rotate relative to each other around the pivot 60 until the limiting block 404 approaches the limiting groove 304. At this point, the locking sleeve 80 needs to be touched (e.g., pressed) again to avoid the entrance of the limiting groove 304, allowing the limiting block 404 to smoothly embed into the limiting groove 304. When the axes of the two poles return to the same straight line, the limiting surface 304a prevents the limiting block 404 from continuing to rotate, ensuring that the unfolded angle is 180°. After releasing the locking sleeve 80, the elastic element 70 pushes it back to its original position, re-covering the limiting groove 304 and the limiting block 404, restoring the mechanical locking state and preventing accidental folding. This process is accompanied by a clear sense of completion, providing the user with clear feedback.

[0091] The foldable pole 100 achieves precise positioning and angle maintenance in its unfolded state through the structural cooperation of the limiting groove 304 and the limiting block 404. The locking structure composed of the locking sleeve 80 and the elastic element 70 provides continuous locking force under normal use, effectively preventing accidental folding of the pole due to external impact, vibration, or misoperation, significantly improving the safety and reliability of the product. At the same time, the overall structure also considers ease of operation, allowing users to easily switch between states.

[0092] In the overall operation of the quick-opening canopy, the uprights 100, as key vertical load-bearing components supporting the four corners, have a unique foldable design that is closely linked to the folding and retraction process of the canopy support 400, forming one of the core elements for achieving the "quick opening" and "quick retraction" functions. When the user needs to retract the canopy, they usually first disconnect the uprights 100 from the ground, and then apply a downward pulling force concentrated on the central panel 500 to the canopy support 400. This action is transmitted to the side panels 800 through the central connecting rod 600, which in turn drives the side crossbars 700 to move. At this time, the uprights 100, which are hinged to the corner panels 900, will tilt inward around their hinge point (upright pivot 110a) when the canopy support 400 begins to retract, due to the hinge point between the uprights 100 and the corner panels 900 via their second rod 20. During this tilting process, the locking structure of the upright pole 100 itself is triggered or is about to be triggered. Specifically, as the upright pole 100 leaves the ground and gradually becomes more horizontal as the canopy support 400 retracts, the user can easily touch the locking sleeve 80 in the middle of the upright pole 100 to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element 70 and release the mechanical lock on the limiting block 404. Subsequently, the user can hold the first pole 10 and rotate it around the pivot 60 relative to the second pole 20, causing the limiting block 404 to slide out of the opening slot 304b of the limiting groove 304, thus bending the middle of the upright pole 100. This folding action roughly halves the length of the upright pole 100, greatly reducing the volume of the entire canopy after folding and avoiding storage inconvenience caused by an excessively long upright pole 100. When fully folded, the upright 100 can fit snugly around the bundle of rods formed by the central connecting rod 600, side crossbars 700, etc., so that the entire canopy support 400 can form a neat and compact package, which is easy to put into the accompanying storage bag.

[0093] Conversely, when the canopy is deployed, as the user opens the retracted canopy support 400, the various components tend to unfold under the influence of gravity and inertia. Specifically, the automatic deployment process of the uprights 100 is closely dependent on the overall deployment movement of the canopy support 400, making it an efficient and reliable semi-automatic process. When the user opens the retracted canopy support 400 and lifts the central panel 500, the entire support system begins to expand under the linkage, and the uprights 100, which are hinged to the corner panels 900 via the upright pivot 110a, move passively accordingly. Under the influence of gravity, the first rod 10 of the uprights 100 naturally droops, causing its posture to tend towards perpendicularity to the ground. At the same time, the first rod 10 and the second rod 20 initially approach the same straight line in the inertia of motion around the pivot 60. As the canopy support 400 unfolds further to near completion, the corner head 900 is fixed in position, and the upright 100 is gently straightened as the user prepares to insert it into the ground. At this time, the limiting block 404 on the second connector 40 moves to the entrance of the opening slot 304b near the upper limit groove 304 of the first connector 30. The user then touches and presses the locking sleeve 80, causing it to slide towards the support part 305 against the elastic force of the elastic element 70, thereby opening the entrance of the limiting groove 304 and clearing the obstruction for the insertion of the limiting block 404. Under the continuous application of a small axial pulling force by the user, the limiting block 404 slides smoothly into the limiting groove 304 and finally comes into close contact with the limiting surface 304a, producing a clear "click" sound and a feeling of being in place, clearly indicating that the pole 100 has reached the fully extended position. At this time, the user releases the locking sleeve 80, and the elastic element 70 immediately rebounds, pushing the locking sleeve 80 to automatically return to its original position. Its end covers and locks the entrance of the limiting groove 304 again, forming a solid mechanical barrier, firmly locking the limiting block 404 in the groove. The pole 100 instantly transforms into a stable, straight, rigid state, and can be immediately inserted into the ground to provide stable corner support for the canopy. This series of actions is completed in one go, realizing a fast, intuitive, and safe transition of the pole 100 from retraction to extension and locking.

[0094] The 100 pole typically employs a "one-click locking" or similar mechanism to achieve near-instantaneous unfolding and locking, as well as quick press-to-unlock and folding, which aligns perfectly with the overall rapid deployment and storage concept pursued by the Quick Open Sky Canopy.

[0095] After the pole 100 is fully extended and locked, it forms a very stable whole through the rigid cooperation between the limiting block 404 and the limiting groove 304 and the mechanical blocking of the locking sleeve 80. It has strong resistance to bending and torsion, and performs particularly well when bearing the tension of the diagonal of the canopy.

[0096] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A quick-opening tarpaulin, comprising a tarpaulin support and a curtain, wherein the tarpaulin support has a central disc, a plurality of central connecting rods radiating outward from the central disc, a forked connector connected to the outer end of the central connecting rod, and side crossbars connected between adjacent forked connectors to form an outer frame. The canopy support is provided with uprights at at least four corners, and the top of the uprights is hinged to the forked connector. Its features are, The upright includes a first rod body, a second rod body, and a locking structure. The first rod body and the second rod body are rotatably connected by a pivot, and the locking structure is disposed at the connection between the first rod body and the second rod body. The top end of the second rod is hinged to the forked connector, and the bottom end of the first rod is used to support the ground and connect to the curtain; When the pole is in the unfolded state, the locking structure locks the first pole and the second pole in the same straight line position, restricting their relative rotation; When the canopy support changes from the retracted state to the extended state, the extension action of the uprights causes the forked connector to move outward, and the uprights are locked in the extended state by the locking structure, so that the canopy support and the uprights together tension the curtain. When the locking structure is triggered to release the lock, the first and second rods can rotate relative to each other, causing the uprights to fold and releasing the tension on the curtain as the canopy support is retracted.

2. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the canopy support changes from the unfolded state to the retracted state, the forked connectors converge towards the center, causing the uprights to move around their top hinge point as the axis. The upright pole folds itself to reduce the height of its top and move inward, thereby changing the upright pole from an upright state supported on the ground to a folded and retracted state that is close to the central connecting rod and / or the side crossbar. When the canopy support transitions from the retracted state to the extended state, the uprights stand upright as the forked connector moves outward and can be locked in the extended state by the locking structure to support the ground.

3. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the retracted state, the upright is shortened in length by folding itself, and the upright, the central connecting rod, and the side crossbar are retracted parallel to or coaxial with each other to form a compact rod bundle.

4. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking structure includes: The first connector is fixedly connected to the first rod body; The second connector is fixedly connected to the second rod body and rotatably connected to the first connector via the pivot. A positioning component is disposed at the opposite ends of the first connector and the second connector. When the first rod and the second rod rotate to the unfolded state, the positioning component engages with each other to prevent the first connector and the second connector from continuing to rotate relative to each other. A locking sleeve is axially movable and disposed on the first connector or the second connector; An elastic element provides elastic force to keep the locking sleeve normally in a first position that covers and locks the positioning component; Specifically, when the locking sleeve is activated to overcome the elastic force and move to a second position that exposes and releases the positioning component, the locking of the positioning component can be released.

5. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 4, characterized in that, The positioning component includes a positioning recess on one of the first connector and the second connector, and a positioning protrusion on the other connector that is adapted to the positioning recess.

6. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both the locking sleeve and the positioning recess are disposed on the first connector. In the first position, the end of the locking sleeve covers the entrance of the positioning recess, forming a mechanical barrier to prevent the positioning protrusion from dislodging from the positioning recess.

7. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the second position, the locking sleeve moves axially and avoids the entrance of the positioning recess, providing a path for the positioning protrusion to disengage from the positioning recess.

8. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 5, characterized in that, The positioning recess includes a limiting surface located at its bottom for abutting against the positioning protrusion to achieve axial positioning, and an opening groove located at its top, the contour of which is adapted to the positioning protrusion for sliding in and out; the locking sleeve covers at least a portion of the opening groove when in the first position.

9. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the positioning protrusion abuts against the limiting surface, the axes of the first rod and the second rod are confined to the same straight line.

10. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking sleeve is disposed on the first connector, and the elastic force is provided by the elastic element, which acts between the locking sleeve and a support portion fixed to the first connector.

11. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the first rod and the second rod rotate relative to each other around the pivot to the unfolded state, the positioning protrusion slides into the opening groove of the positioning recess and abuts against the limiting surface; When the first rod and the second rod rotate relative to each other to a folded state, the positioning protrusion slides out of the positioning recess along the opening groove.

12. The quick-opening skylight according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The bifurcated connector includes a corner plate head, which is configured as a corner connection node of the canopy support and is hinged to the side crossbar extending to the corner of the canopy and the first rod of the upright.

13. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 12, characterized in that, The bifurcated connector also includes a side plate head, which is configured as an edge connection node of the canopy support and hinges the central connecting rod and the side crossbar.

14. The quick-opening skylight according to claim 13, characterized in that, Multiple side panels and multiple corner panels are hinged together by the side crossbars to form the outer ring frame of the canopy support.

15. The quick-opening skylight according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The central head, central connecting rod, forked connector, side crossbars, and uprights are all located inside the curtain.

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