초록 ▼

A support structure for use primarily as a lightweight, portable, strong, and fracture resistant tent support and the like, and method for making thereof. The support structure includes a fiberglass core and a resilient outer layer of material that is at least 0.2 millimeters thick. Preferably, the

A support structure for use primarily as a lightweight, portable, strong, and fracture resistant tent support and the like, and method for making thereof. The support structure includes a fiberglass core and a resilient outer layer of material that is at least 0.2 millimeters thick. Preferably, the outer layer is made of polyethylene that is between 0.5 to 0.6 millimeters thick, inclusive. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure is curved to conform with the shape of the tent it supports, thereby preventing the support structure from springing back when inadvertently released from the tent. More preferably, the support member includes a plurality of elongate curved sections that are detachably secured together to form the support member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tent assembly including:a flexible shell having support sleeves; a support structure having: discrete sections of an elongate fiberglass core; a layer of resilient material covering said fiberglass core and having a smooth external surface and selected from the group consisting of polyethylene,

1. A tent assembly including:a flexible shell having support sleeves; a support structure having: discrete sections of an elongate fiberglass core; a layer of resilient material covering said fiberglass core and having a smooth external surface and selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl, polypropylene, polyurethane, rubber and latex; and means for detachably securing said discrete sections together to form the elongate support structure defining an assembled position of the support structure; such that said support structure in its assembled position is inserted in said support sleeves of said shell to support said shell.