Tent Canvas Coupling Profiles for Watertight Sliding Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tent canvas coupling methods are hazardous, prone to wear, and difficult to connect securely and watertight, especially when large tents are assembled, as they require walking on rafters and involve loose connector profiles that can shift during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A tent canvas coupling system with a male and female connector profile design featuring a thickened portion and recess, along with protrusions and upstanding edges, allows for a simple, quick, and secure watertight connection by sliding the male profile into the female profile, facilitated by an assembly aid with guide channels, eliminating the need to walk on rafters and ensuring easy disconnection without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hook-and-loop fasteners are used to attach flaps to tent canvases, then the coupling can be adjusted and repositioned, but the fasteners are highly subject to wear and the flap does not always lie neatly over the coupling over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of flap positioningVSAvoiddurability of hook-and-loop fastener

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hook-and-loop fastener system with a mechanical interlocking system using connector profiles. The connector profiles feature engagement elements that provide a secure, wear-resistant mechanical connection between tent canvases, eliminating the wear problems of hook-and-loop fasteners while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector profiles incorporate curved or rounded engagement surfaces that allow the flap to lie neatly and conform to the coupling geometry. This curvature ensures proper alignment and prevents the flap from becoming misaligned over time, while the rounded surfaces reduce stress concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If a loose female connector profile is used in the coupling system, then the male connector profiles can be easily inserted, but it becomes difficult to connect two adjacent tent canvases securely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inserting male connectorVSAvoidsecurity of canvas connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The female connector profile is pre-positioned and secured to the tent canvas before the male connector is inserted. This preliminary securing prevents the female connector from shifting during assembly, ensuring that the connection point remains fixed and secure while still allowing easy insertion of the male connector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connector profile system acts as an intermediary between the male and female connectors, providing a stable interface. The female connector serves as a fixed reference point that mediates the connection, ensuring both ease of insertion and secure attachment through the standardized interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If two male connector profiles must be perfectly connected to one female connector profile, then a watertight connection can be achieved, but the connection becomes difficult to assemble with high precision requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewatertightness of connectionVSAvoiddifficulty of assembly with perfect alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector profiles utilize asymmetric geometry where the male connector has a specific shape that complements the female connector's receptacle. This asymmetry provides natural alignment guidance, ensuring that the connectors mate in the correct orientation while tolerating minor misalignments during assembly. The asymmetric design maintains watertightness through sealed engagement surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The connector profile system serves as an intermediary that bridges the two tent canvases with built-in alignment features. These features include guide surfaces and positioning elements that automatically align the male and female connectors during assembly, reducing the precision requirements while maintaining the watertight seal through the intermediate connector structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4696853A1Tent canvas coupling element, tent canvas assembly kit, and method for waterproof coupling of tent canvases

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 EURO FUTURE STRUCTURES NV

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tent canvas coupling comprising a male connector profile and a female connector profile, the male and female connector profiles extending in a longitudinal direction; the male connector profile comprising, on a first side, a thickened portion, and the female connector profile comprising a recess for receiving the thickened portion, the thickened portion and the recess extending along the first side in the longitudinal direction; the male connector profile further comprising, on the first side and spaced from the thickened portion, a first protrusion, and the female connector profile comprising, adjacent to the recess, an upstanding edge for pressing the male connector profile and the female connector profile together. The invention also relates to a tent canvas assembly and an assembly aid (collectively referred to in the title as a "tent canvas assembly kit"), and to a method.