Pole support tube

Abstract

A pole support tube includes an inner tube having an outside diameter. The outside diameter has a textured surface finish. The pole support tube has an outer tube. A cam assembly is disposed on the outer pole and engages the textured surface finish of the inner tube. The cam assembly locks the inner tube in place with respect to the outer tube.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 667,621, filed on Apr. 1, 2005, entitled Pole Support Tube; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention pertains to a pole support tube which supports a canvas tarp or cover. More specifically, to a pole support tube that can support a tarp that has a load applied thereon. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Pole support tubes are generally used in the rear of a boat. One or more of the pole support tubes may be used to support a canvas. The pole support tube(s) serve to support the canvas to prevent weather (snow, ice, water etc.) from puddling or pooling on the canvas (FIG. 4). [0006] A pole support tube includes two sections; one section is an outer section and the other section is an inner section, such that the inner sect...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a pole support tube which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and which provides a pole support tube that is more versatile and easier to use.

[0010] The pole support tube is adjustable to infinite extended positions by the cam assembly. The cam assembly includes a lever that allows for quick and easy settings of the length of the pole support tube. The present invention also has the advantage that the inner section has a snap on one end and a tent pole type end on the other end. This makes the inner section reversible and allows the pole support tube to accommodate tarps with either a snap or a grommet. The present invention includes a roughening or surface texturing of the outside diameter of the inner section to increase the holding force with respect to the cam assembly of the pole support tube. It is also possible to adjust the holding force of the pole support tube by changing the durometer of a pressure pad of the cam assembly.

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantage of the locking pin and the spring-loaded ball is that the adjustment of the length of the pole support tube is limited to the locations where holes are provided.

The disadvantages of a setscrew and the rotational movement between the tubes is the amount of time to tighten and set the length, it is also possible that the adjusted length will slip because of awkwardness of setting the screw with the weight of the tarp being supported, and it is possible to lose the setscrew.

Images