US20090056782A1 - Swivel Tent Fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

A tent frame including at least one pivotal coupling for connecting a plurality of structural members is provided. The tent frame includes a plurality of structural members connected together to form a frame for supporting a fabric shell. The tent frame includes at least one coupling for connecting four of the structural members to one another. The coupling includes a plurality of connector portions adapted to engage corresponding connector portions of the structural members. The coupling permits pivotal movement of at least one of the structural members relative to other structural members connected to that coupling to facilitate assembly and erection of the tent frame.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention generally relates to tent frames and, more particularly, to fittings for tent frames.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A tent uses a fabric shell to define a sheltered useable space. Some tents can be extremely large having gabled peaks greater than 20 feet from the ground. To support the fabric shell, the tent incorporates a tent frame, which can be internal or external to the useable space defined by the fabric shell. The individual structural members forming the frame are configured to support the weight of the fabric shell, the weight of other support structural members and, typically, loading that may be provided by exterior environmental conditions such as snow loads, wind loads, and rain loads.
• Because a tent can be very large, the frame is typically able to be assembled and disassembled to facilitate easier transportation. Once at the desired location, the tent may be assembled onsite. The frame typically uses, among other things, a plurality of couplings that rigidly connect adjacent structural members to one another. Unfortunately, the use of standard couplings can be problematic as they can inhibit assembly of the frame. Particularly, rigid couplings prevent pivoting or movement of the structural members relative to one another. As such, connection of vertical structural members requires the roof section of the frame to be lifted off of the ground to a height substantially equal to, if not greater than, the length of the vertical structural members. To lift the roof sections, individuals on ladders or gin poles having pulley systems have been used in the past to lift the structural members. However, requiring assemblers to be on ladders or the use of gin poles present several problems.
• First, it may be beneficial, if not required due to location constraints, to have one or more of the walls of the tent positioned very close to a vertical obstruction, such as a vertical wall of another tent or another building. However, by being positioned close to the obstruction, assembly of the frame and tent can be difficult. More particularly, there may be insufficient room to position a ladder or gin pole to lift the roof section while connecting vertical structural members.
• Additionally, even when the tent is not being assembled proximate a wall and a gin pole can be used to elevate the roof sections prior to attaching the vertical support members, connecting the end of the vertical support members that connect proximate the peak can be difficult because the connection is being made at significant heights above the ground. This can require large ladders. Alternatively, a person standing on the ground may try to manipulate a long awkward pole having an end 15-20 feet above the ground to try to engage the end with an elevated coupling, a difficult task at best.
• There exists, therefore, a need in the art for a tent frame and structural member coupling that permits easier assembly and connection of vertical structural members. There also exists a need for a tent frame that can be more easily assembled in tight quarters proximate to obstructions. The invention provides such a tent frame and coupling. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved tent frame that overcomes the above-described and other problems existing in the art. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved tent frame that provides easier and simpler assembly. Still more particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved tent frame that provides for assembly or interconnection of structural members forming the roof of the tent frame proximate the ground. Even more particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved tent frame that allows vertical support members to be connected to coupled to other support members while extending at an angle and then to be pivoted, while being connected to the other members, to a vertical orientation. Other embodiments of the invention provide couplings that facilitate assembly of such embodiments of new and improved tent frames.
• One embodiment of the present invention provides a tent frame that provides a plurality of structural members coupled together by a coupling. Preferably, the coupling includes at least four connector portions for connecting to ends of the structural members. Further, the coupling preferably includes a hinge to permit one of the connector portions to pivot relative to the other connector portions. The hinge and connector portions of the coupling are formed independent of the structural members of the tent.
• Another embodiment of the present invention provides a coupling for connecting a plurality of tent frame structural members. The coupling includes at least four connector portions adapted to mate with mating portions of structural members of a tent frame. The coupling includes a hinge pivotally connecting one of the connector portions to the other connector portions. Preferably, the connector portions and hinge are formed independent of any structural members, and the tent frame need not be assembled to form any parts of the coupling. In a preferred embodiment, three of the four connectors are formed in an integral body and cannot move relative to one another when the connector is in an assembled state.
• Other embodiments of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 illustrates a tent frame in its preferred shape having a gabled roof and being formed from a plurality of structural members;
• FIG. 2 a top view of the tent frame ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a gable coupling used for connecting a plurality of the structural members forming the tent frame ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an end of a gable member of the tent frame ofFIG. 1 illustrating the mating connection portion of the gable member that mates with embodiments of couplings according to the teachings of the present invention;
• FIG. 5 is a top view of the gable coupling ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 6 is cross-section of the gable fitting ofFIG. 5 about line6-6 having a gable member, peak member, and roof member connected to the gable fitting;
• FIGS. 7-9 are partial profile illustrations of a gable member, peak member, roof member coupled together by a gable member illustrating the progression of the connected structural members as the roof is raised while assembling the tent frame; and
• FIG. 10 illustrates a partial elevation of a gabled end wall of the tent frame ofFIG. 1; and
• FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate additional couplings according to embodiments of the present invention for interconnecting multiple structural members of the tent frame ofFIG. 1.
• While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• With reference now toFIGS. 1 and 2, atent frame10 for supporting a fabric shell (not shown) of a tent is illustrated. Embodiments of thetent frame10 according to the teachings of the present invention can be used as an internal skeleton for internally supporting the fabric shell. Alternatively, embodiments of thetent frame10, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, can be used to externally support a fabric shell. Thetent frame10 generally defines a pair of opposedgabled end walls14,15 a pair ofopposed sidewalls16,17 and a pitched roof having angledsides18,19. Thetent frame10 is comprised of a plurality of interconnected structural members, includingsidewall members22,gable members24,peak members26,roof members28 andtie members30.
• Thesidewall members22 form the vertical members of thesidewalls16,17 of thetent frame10. By forming part of thesidewalls16,17, thesidewall members22 provide vertical support for theroof sides18,19. More particularly, eachsidewall member22 supports and is connected to acorresponding roof member28, such as atcorner coupling34. When the fabric shell (not shown) is secured to thetent frame10, thesidewall members22 also provide lateral support for the fabric shell. Thesidewall members22 may rest directly on the surface of theground32, be staked into theground32, or rest on structural members (not shown) connecting bottom ends ofadjacent sidewall members22.
• Theroof members28 provide support for the portion of the fabric shell that forms roof sides18,19. Typically, eachroof member28 extends at an obtuse angle θ (see alsoFIG. 10) relative to itscorresponding sidewall member22 to provide the pitch of its respective roof side. Preferably, this angle θ is between about one-hundred ten degrees (correlating to a roof pitch of about twenty degrees) and one-hundred fifty degrees (correlating to a roof pitch of about sixty degrees), however, other angles may be incorporated. Additionally, the pitch of each of the opposed roof sides18,19 is typically the same, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the opposed roof sides18,19 can have different pitches.
• Individual pairs of theroof members28 forming portions of the opposed roof sides18,19 converge proximate apeak36 of thetent frame10 and support one end of apeak member26. The other end of thepeak member26 is supported by another pair of convergingroof members28. Agable coupling40 connects the pair of convergingroof members28 that form part of agabled end wall14,15 with apeak member26 as well as agable member24.
• Agable member24 extends vertically between theground32 and thepeak36 of thetent frame10 providing vertical support for thepeak36. Thegable members24 is laterally interposed between a pair ofsidewall members22, andcorresponding roof members28. In the illustrated embodiment,gable members24 are only included at theopposed end walls14,15.Individual gable members24 are interposed between thesidewall members22 androof members28 that form the corners of thetent frame10 where theend walls14,15 intersect sidewalls16,17. However, additional embodiments of thetent frame10 may include gable members interposed between each converging pair ofroof members28.
• Adding further stability to thetent frame10,tie members30 are interposed between adjacent vertical members. Thetie members40 may extend horizontally between a pair ofadjacent sidewall members22 forming a portion ofsidewall16 or between agable member24 andsidewall member22 forming a portion of anend wall14,15. Thetie members30 of theend walls14,15 are interposed betweencorner coupling34 and thegable member24.
• Theimproved tent frame10 provides pivoting connections between adjacent structural members to make assembly and erection of thetent frame10 simpler and easier. By allowing selective structural members to pivot, connection of the structural members during assembly can be performed closer to the ground as the vertical member may be connected, oriented at an angle relative to vertical, and then pivoted to a vertical orientation. Additionally, the ability of the structural members to pivot allows easier assembly and erection of the frame proximate obstructions such as other tents or buildings, as will be more fully described below.
• FIG. 3 illustrates animproved gable coupling40 for connecting structural members while permitting at least one structural member to pivot relative to the other structural members. Thegable coupling40 connects structural members forming one of theopposed end walls14,15 at thepeak36. More particularly, thegable coupling40 connects tworoof members28, agable member24 and apeak member26, such as at the peak ofsidewall14. (SeeFIG. 1 orFIG. 10)
• Thegable coupling40 includes a plurality of connector portions, namely gablemember connector portion44, a peakmember connector portion46 and a pair of roofmember connector portions48,49. Theconnector portions44,46,48,49 are adapted to releasably mate with corresponding connector ends of the respective structural members (seeFIG. 4 illustrating arepresentative connector end60 of a gable member24) such that thetent frame10 can be assembled and disassembled. The configuration of thegable coupling40 improves assembly and erection of thetent frame10, more particularly, assembly and erection proximate to vertical obstructions such as adjacent buildings or tents.
• In the illustrated embodiment,connector portions46,48,49 are rigidly connected to one another to form an integral body. The gablemember connector portion44 is pivotally connected to the integral body bypivot hinge50. Thus,connector portions46,48,49 have fixed positions relative to one another, while the gablemember connector portion44 can pivot and alter its position relative to the rest of the gable coupling40 (i.e.connector portions46,48,49 and the structure interconnecting thoseconnector portions46,48,49). When thetent frame10 is assembled and erect, thepivot hinge50 and gablemember connector portion44 are generally positioned below theother connector portions46,48,49.
• It should be noted that the term “connected” as used in the present application is broad enough such that two “connected” components do not need to be directly in contact with each other but can be indirectly coupled via intervening structure. Further, an integral body, does not need to be formed from a unitary piece, but can be formed by a plurality of pieces connected together such as by welds, bolts, screws, etc. Additionally, when two components are in fixed positions relative to another, this does not mean that the components are permanently fixed, but two components can be in fixed positions relative to one another such as by being bolted together such that they do not move relative to one another when fully assembled.
• In the illustrated embodiment, each of theconnector portions44,46,48,49 includes a mating portion, as illustrated, formed by a pair ofcylindrical portions54. Thecylindrical portions54 of a pair extend substantially parallel to each other and are connected to each other via abase portion56. Thecylindrical portions54 are sized to be received in the connector end of a structural member.
• FIG. 4 illustrates arepresentative connector end60 of agable member24 for reference. Theconnector end60 is illustrative of connector ends for the other structural members as well. Theconnector end60 includes similarly shaped spaced apartcylindrical cavities62 for slidingly receiving thecylindrical portions54. As illustrated, thecylindrical cavities62 are separated bywall63. While thecylindrical cavities62 are illustrated as being separated bywall63, alternative embodiments and configurations of theconnector end60 may not includewall63 such that the pair of cylindrical cavities merge generally forming a single cavity having the general outer peripheral shape sized to receive the cylindrical portions of the connectors. Thecylindrical cavities62 may extend the entire length of thegable member24 or may only extend a sufficient depth to adequately receive thecylindrical portions54. Preferably the outside diameter of thecylindrical portions54 is closely sized to the inside diameter of thecylindrical cavities62 to limit relative movement between an insertedconnector portion44 and thegable member24.
• With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, each of theconnector portions44,46,48,49 are illustrated as being a male component that inserts into a female connector end of a structural member. However, other mating configurations could be incorporated to practice the present invention. For example, the structural members could incorporate the male cylindrical portions while the connector portions form the corresponding female cylindrical cavities. Alternatively, each connector portion could be formed by individual sleeves sized to receive an end of a structural member. Further, other shapes such as rectangles, triangles, other polygons, double-D or configurations of the connectors and mating portion of the structural members may be used in other embodiments.
• Referring toFIG. 3, thegable coupling40 further includes acentral portion64. Thebase portions56 ofconnector portions46,48,49 are rigidly fixed to thecentral portion64 thereby rigidly fixing theconnector portions46,48,49 to one another.Central portion64 is in the form of a cruciform and theindividual base portions56 are interposed between adjacent legs of the cruciform. However, thecentral portion64 could take on other shapes, such as, for example, being rectangular. Additionally, thecentral portion64 may be entirely omitted such as, for example, if thebase portions56 ofconnector portions46,48,49 are directly connected to one another. In the embodiment where two connector portions, such asconnector portions48,49 are substantially aligned with one another in a back-to-back relation, thebase portions56 of therespective connector portions48,49 could be formed from a unitary piece. Thebase portions56 ofconnector portions46,48,49 may be rigidly connected to one another by welding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, bolting, etc. or formed from a unitary piece of material.
• In the illustrated embodiment, thebase portion56 of peakmember connector portion46 further forms part of thepivot hinge50. Aportion65 of thebase portion56 of the gablemember connector portion44 forms a clevis in which aportion67 of thebase portion56 of peakmember connector portion46 inserts. Ahinge pin66 passes through aligned apertures (not shown) in themating base portions56 to connect the two components. Thehinge pin66 allows the gablemember connector portion44 to pivot relative to theother connector portions46,48,49. Thehinge pin66 may be in the form of a bolt or other similar device to pivotally connect the components. Alternative pivotal connections, other than the clevis configuration, may be used to interconnect the gablemember connector portion44 to the rest of thegable coupling40.
• It will be noted that the parts of thegable coupling40 in an embodiment are formed entirely independent of the structural members of thetent frame10. As such, theconnector portions44,46,48,49 and hinge50 are not formed by portions of the structural members. This allows individual structural members to be easily replaced or interchanged and for a plurality of similarly shaped structural members to be easily manufactured.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a top view ofgable coupling40.FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate the two roofmember connector portions48,49 positioned in a substantially back-to-back relation on opposed sides ofcentral portion64. In this position, thecylindrical portions54 of the opposed roofmember connector portions48,49 extend away from each other generally parallel toaxes68,69, respectively.FIG. 5 illustrates, in a preferred embodiment, that the two roofmember connector portions48,49 are substantially aligned, extend away from one another and are substantially co-planer, such as in a vertical plane that aligns withaxes68 and69 and extends perpendicular out of the page. With primary reference to FIG.3, it will be understood thataxes68,69 extend away from one another at an angle forming a v-shape. This angle correlates with the pitch of the roof sides18,19. The peakmember connector portion46 extends substantially perpendicular to the two roofmember connector portions48,49.
• With reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, in a preferred embodiment, the roofmember connector portions48,49 are aligned with the gablemember connector portion44 such that when thetent frame10 is fully assembled and erect, the outermost portion of thesurfaces72,70 of thestructural members24,28, respectively, connected to thoseconnector portions44,48,49 would be substantially co-planar in a vertical plane, illustrated by dashed line74 (See alsoFIGS. 7-9).
• In the illustrated embodiment, thegable member connector44 and thepeak member connector46 are substantially co-planer. As such, a vertical plane, illustrated by dashedline76 passing generally through the center of the twoconnectors44,46, generally includes the twoconnectors44,46.Vertical plane76 is substantially perpendicular tovertical plane74. In this embodiment, thepeak member connector46 extends substantially perpendicular to the tworoof member connector48,49.
• It will be understood with reference toFIGS. 3 and 6 that pivot hinge50 has its axis ofrotation80 aligned substantially parallel tovertical plane74 and orthogonal tovertical plane76. As such, thegable member connector44 is permitted to pivot withinplane76. Preferred embodiments of thegable coupling40 permit thegable member connector44, and consequently an attachedgable member24, to pivot through an angle α of approximately forty five degrees out ofplane74 towards the peak member connector46 (SeeFIG. 6). However, alternative embodiments may have alternative pivotal ranges depending on the location of thepivot hinge50, the size of the connector portions, and size of attached structural members. Additionally, thepivot hinge50 may be configured such that the axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to plane74 such that thegable member connector44 pivots within or parallel to plane74 and perpendicular to plane76.
• With reference toFIGS. 7 to 9, thegable coupling40 assists assembly and erection of the tent frame, particularly, proximate awall92 or other structure. In the past, with rigid couplings, the roof section of the frame would have to be lifted high enough that a substantially vertical gable member could be positioned between the coupling and the ground on which the tent was positioned. Typically, this was done using a gin pole or other lifting mechanism to hold the portions of the tent frame that formed the roof above theground32. However, as indicated previously, next to awall92 there is limited room for setting up a gin pole or for positioning other lifting structure.
• However, with agable coupling40 according to the teachings of the present invention, the roof section does not need to be lifted to its ultimate elevated position to connect thegable member24 to the rest of the structural members (i.e.peak member26 and roof members28). Using thegable coupling40, thegable member connector44 can be pivoted so that thegable member24 can be connected to thepeak member26 androof members28 proximate theground32. As such, thegable member24 is connected to thegable coupling40 while at an angle α relative to its ultimate vertical position. Typically, the angle α is approximately forty-five degrees. However, this angle α can be less or greater depending on the tent configuration. Once thepeak member26,gable member24, and tworoof members28 are connected together by thegable coupling40, thegable member24 can be pivoted via thepivot hinge50 to the upright position.
• The progression of thegable member24 from an initial position to a fully erect position is illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 9.FIG. 7 illustrates thegable member24 after it has been connected to thegable coupling40, prior to beginning pivoting towards an upright/erect positioning.FIG. 8 is an intermediate position. In this position, thegable member24 has been pivoted partially towards its ultimate upright position. As the gable member is pivoted to the vertical/upright position, angle α decreases while the height, H, of the roof members (such aspeak member26 and roof members28) above theground32 increases.FIG. 9 illustrates thegable member24 in its fully upright position. After thegable member24 is in the upright position, thesidewall members22 can be attached to the ends of theroof members24 usingcorner couplings34, as illustrated inFIG. 10.
• Typically, thegable member24 slides across theground surface32 as it is pivoted to the upright position. As such, thegable member24 includes aboot90 connected to the end of the gable member24 (SeeFIGS. 7-9). To prevent theboot90 from digging into theground32, it includes anupturned end94. Theboot90 may be welded, bolted or otherwise attached to the bottom of thegable member24. Alternatively, theboot90 could include a connector portion (not shown) similar to connector portions44-49 such that it can be removably attached to the end of thegable member24. In an alternative embodiment, theboot90 could include a wheel to allow theboot90 to roll across theground32 rather than slide.
• While it is beneficial to have at least thegable coupling40 include a pivotal connector portion, i.e.connector portion44, other fittings of thetent frame10 can incorporate a pivotal connector portion. As illustrated inFIG. 11,corner coupling34 include a roofmember connector portion94, a sidewall supportmember connector portion96, and two tiemember connector portions98,99. Theseconnector portions94,96,98,99 are substantially similar to those of thegable coupling40 explained previously.Connector portions94,96,98 are rigidly connected to one another forming a rigid body. Tiemember connector portion99 is pivotally connected to the rest of thecorner coupling34 bypivot hinge100. Tiemember connector portion98 extends substantially perpendicular to, both, the roofmember connector portion94 which extends generally alongaxis102 and the sidewallmember connector portion96 which extends alongaxis104. In a preferred embodiment, the roofmember connector portion94, sidewallmember connector portion96 and tiemember connector portion99 are substantially co-planar, while tiemember connector portion98 extends substantially perpendicular to that plane (not shown).
• With further reference toFIG. 10, thepivot hinge100 facilitates horizontally positioning thetie member30, which forms part ofend wall14, between thecorner coupling34 and thevertical gable member24. Thehinge100 permits thetie member connector99 to pivot between an angle β. More particularly, thetie member connector99 can pivot vertically above a horizontal position such that the end of thetie member30, which includeshook connector106, can be lifted vertically abovehoop connector108 of thegable member24 and then lowered such that thehook connector106 engageshoop connector108.
• As illustrated inFIG. 10, thegable member24 is interposed between twotie members30. Thetie members30 provide lateral support for thegable member24. The incorporation of thecorner coupling34 having pivot hinge100 facilitates easily installing eachtie member30 between thecorner coupling34 and thegable member24.
• Asidewall coupling112 is illustrated inFIG. 12. Thesidewall coupling112 is similar to thegable coupling40 ofFIG. 3. Thesidewall coupling112 includes two tiemember connector portions114,116, a roofmember connector portion118 and a sidewall supportmember connector portion120. The two tiemember connector portions114,116 and the roofmember connector portion118 are rigidly connected to one another.Pivot hinge122 pivotally connects the sidewallmember connector portion120 to theother connector portions114,116,118.
• With further reference toFIG. 1, thesidewall coupling112, connects aroof member28, twohorizontal tie members30 and avertical sidewall member22. As such, the two tiemember connector portions114,116 are positioned in substantially back-to-back relation and extend outward substantially co-axial. As such, the twotie members30 connected on opposite sides of thesidewall coupling112 are substantially aligned end-to-end.
• With primary reference toFIG. 1, thetent frame10 may include a plurality ofcouplings34,40,112 that allow individual structural members to pivot. In particular, some frames may include all pivotal couplings while other tent frames may include pivotal couplings in only a selected few locations.
• All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
• The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
• Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims (26)

1. A coupling for connecting a plurality of tent frame structural members, comprising:

first, second, third and fourth connector portions, each connector portion including a mating portion adapted to mate with a corresponding mating portion of a tent frame structural member;

a hinge pivotally connecting the fourth connector portion to the first, second and third connector portions, the hinge being independent of any of the tent frame structural members and further including a pivot axis, the fourth connector portion pivoting within a first plane perpendicular to the pivot axis.

2. The coupling ofclaim 1, wherein the first, second and third connectors are fixed to one another such that the first, second and third connectors are prevented from moving relative to one another forming a rigid body.

3. The coupling ofclaim 2, wherein the first, second and third connectors are permanently fixed to one another.

4. The coupling ofclaim 1, wherein the mating portions of the first and second connector portions extend perpendicularly to one another, the mating portions of the second and third connector portions extend perpendicular to one another.

5. The coupling ofclaim 4, wherein the mating portions of the first and third connector portions extend within a second plane, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane.

6. The coupling ofclaim 4, wherein the mating portions of the first and third connector portions extend within one of the first plane or a second plane that is parallel to the first plane.

7. The coupling ofclaim 4, wherein the mating portions of the first and third connector portions extend substantially coaxial.

8. The coupling ofclaim 4, wherein the mating portions of the first and third portions extend at an angle relative to each other of between about 90 and 150 degrees.

9. The coupling ofclaim 4, wherein the mating portions of the first, second, third and fourth connector portions are male mating portions.

10. The coupling ofclaim 9, wherein each male mating portion includes a pair of spaced apart parallel extending cylindrical portions.

11. The coupling ofclaim 1, wherein the mating portions of the first, second, third and fourth connector portions are female mating portions.

12. A tent frame assembly comprising:

a plurality of structural members including first, second, third and fourth structural members, at least one end of each structural member including a mating portion;

at least one coupling connecting the first, second, third and fourth structural members comprising:

first, second, third and fourth connector portions, each connector portion including a mating portion adapted to mate with a corresponding mating portion of the first, second, third and fourth frame member, respectively;

a hinge pivotally connecting the fourth connector portion to the first, second and third connector portions, the hinge being independent of the plurality of elongated frame members and further including a pivot axis, the fourth connector portion pivoting relative to the first, second and third connector portions within a first plane perpendicular to the pivot axis.

13. The assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the first and second connector portions are positioned in a substantially back-to-back relation such that in an assembled state the first and second structural members are positioned within a second plane and generally extend away from each other.

14. The frame ofclaim 13, wherein the first plane is orthogonal to the second plane, the first plane being at least one of inclusive of or parallel to the third structural member that is connected to the third connector portion.

15. The frame ofclaim 13, wherein the first and second structural members extend away from one another at an angle between about 90 and 150 degrees within the second plane.

16. The frame ofclaim 14, wherein the fourth structural member is pivotable via the hinge between a first position wherein a surface of the fourth structural member is positioned substantially within the second plane and a second position wherein the fourth structural member extends at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to the second plane.

17. The frame ofclaim 12, wherein the first, second and third connector portions are fixed to one another such that the first, second and third connectors are prevented from moving relative to one another forming a rigid body.

18. The frame ofclaim 12, wherein the mating portions of the connector portions are male and the mating portions of the structural members are female, each female portion slidingly receiving a male portion of a structural member in an assembled state.

19. The frame ofclaim 18, wherein each female portion is formed by a pair of cylindrical pockets separated by a common wall, and each male portion includes a pair of spaced apart parallel-extending cylindrical portions sized to be slidingly received in the female portions.

20. The frame ofclaim 12, wherein the fourth structural member further includes a boot coupled to an end opposite an end that couples to the fourth connector portion.

21. The frame ofclaim 12, further comprising a plurality of couplings, each coupling connecting one end of four structural members proximate one another.

22. The frame ofclaim 12, wherein the first, second, and fourth connector portions are aligned such that in an assembled and erect state a surface of the first, second and fourth structural members is co-planar.

23. The frame ofclaim 22, wherein the co-planar surfaces of the first, second and fourth structural members are co-planar in the first plane.

24. The frame ofclaim 22, wherein the co-planar surfaces of the first, second and fourth structural members are co-planar in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

25. (canceled)

26. A method of assembling a tent frame comprising:

connecting first, second, third and fourth structural members to a coupling;

pivoting the fourth structural member through a hinge of the coupling to a vertical position; and

wherein the first, second and third structural members are lifted from a first position proximate the ground to a second position above the ground as the fourth structural member is pivoted.

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