US-12618426-B1 - Interlocking connector assembly for shading structure

US12618426B1US 12618426 B1US12618426 B1US 12618426B1US-12618426-B1

Abstract

An interlocking connector assembly for a shading structure includes at least one upper supporting pole; at least one lower supporting pole configured to support under the upper supporting pole; and at least one joint assembly configured to pivotally couple the upper supporting pole with the lower supporting pole; wherein each of the at least one joint assembly includes a first joint member pivotably coupled to a second joint member, and one of the at least one upper supporting pole is passed through the second joint member; wherein each of the first joint members includes at least one locking protrusion configured to slide inside at least one of sliding grooves of the second joint member, wherein the sliding grooves is configured to slidably receive the locking protrusion and retain the locking protrusion without rivet fastening.

Inventors

Mark J.S. MA
Yungcheng Ma

Assignees

Mark J.S. MA
Yungcheng Ma

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20251006

Claims (16)

1 . An interlocking connector assembly for a shading structure, comprising: at least one upper supporting pole; at least one lower supporting pole, each lower supporting pole configured to couple with a corresponding at least one upper supporting pole and arranged under the upper supporting pole; and at least one joint assembly, each joint assembly configured to pivotally couple a respective at least one upper supporting pole with a corresponding at least one lower supporting pole; wherein each joint assembly comprises a first joint member in which the at least one lower supporting pole is inserted inside and a second joint member rotatably coupled to the first joint member and coupled to the at least one upper supporting pole; wherein the first joint member is affixed to an upper end of the lower supporting pole and comprises at least one locking protrusion extending therefrom; wherein the second joint member is a hollow structure comprising a receiving cavity vertically extending therethrough between a second joint top opening and an opposing second joint bottom opening thereof, at least one sliding groove formed within the receiving cavity configured to slidably receive the at least one locking protrusion, and a transversal channel extending therethrough transverse to the receiving cavity; wherein a lower end of the lower supporting pole is vertically passed through the second joint top opening, the receiving cavity, and the second joint bottom opening such that the at least one locking protrusion is slidably and rotatable received within the at least one sliding groove, and the upper supporting pole is subsequently transversely passed through the transversal channel above the at least one locking protrusion to block the second joint top opening and to retain the at least one locking protrusion inside the second joint member.
2 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one locking protrusion is a cylindrical body and each of the at least one sliding groove is an arc-shaped groove, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the at least one locking protrusion is engaged with an inner wall of a second sliding groove of the at least one sliding groove to facilitate the locking protrusion being rotated along the sliding grooves.
3 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one upper supporting pole is not passed through the first joint member.
4 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the receiving cavity is tapered and communicates with the transversal channel.
5 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper supporting pole is pressed against the first joint member to secure the first joint member inside the second joint member.
6 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second joint member comprises a second joint main body, a front protruded portion protruding forwardly from the second joint main body, and a rear protruded portion protruding rearwardly from the second joint main body, wherein the receiving cavity is formed within the second joint main body and the transversal channel is formed by the front protruded portion, the second joint main body, and a rear protruded portion.
7 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one of sliding grooves of the second joint member is formed on an inner surface of the second joint member and arranged inside the second joint member and comprises a first sliding groove and a second sliding groove integrally extended from the first sliding groove, wherein the at least one locking protrusion slides along the first sliding groove and is received inside the second sliding groove.
8 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one sliding grooves comprises a first sliding groove and a second sliding groove integrally extended from the first sliding groove, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the at least one locking protrusion is engaged with the second sliding groove to facilitate the locking protrusion being rotated along the second sliding groove.
9 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one sliding grooves of the second joint member comprises a first sliding groove and a second sliding groove integrally extended from the first sliding groove, wherein a length of the second sliding groove is longer than a diameter of the at least one locking protrusion to ensure the whole locking protrusion being received inside the second sliding groove.
10 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second joint member comprises at least one pair of platforms inwardly extended from an inner surface of the second joint member, wherein one of the pair of the platforms may be integrally extended towards a rear protruded portion of the second joint member and the other one of the pair of the platforms may be integrally extended towards a front protruded portion of the second joint member, wherein a second sliding groove is naturally formed between the at least one pair of platforms.
11 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper supporting pole is affixed with the second joint member by a fastening member.
12 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first joint member comprises a first joint upper portion where the at least one locking protrusion is located and a first joint lower portion has a hollow structure to pass through the second joint member and be exposed outside the second joint member, wherein the first joint upper portion is received inside the second joint member.
13 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first joint member comprises a pair of locking protrusions symmetrically and outwardly extended from a first joint upper portion of the first joint member and the second joint member comprises a pair of sliding grooves, wherein one of the pair of the sliding grooves is formed on an opposite side of the other one of the pair of the sliding grooves.
14 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first joint member comprises a first joint upper portion and a first joint lower portion integrally tapered and extended from the first joint upper portion.
15 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the second joint top opening of the second joint member is larger than a diameter of the second joint bottom opening of the second joint member, and a cross-sectional length of a first joint upper portion of the first joint member is larger than a cross-sectional length of a first joint lower portion of a first joint member to facilitate the first joint upper portion being locked within the second joint member.
16 . The interlocking connector assembly of claim 15 , wherein the diameter of the second joint top opening is the same as the cross-sectional length of the first joint upper portion of the first joint member, and the diameter of the second joint bottom opening of the second joint member is the same as the cross-sectional length of a first joint lower portion of a first joint member to facilitate the first joint lower portion being passed through the second joint top opening and the second joint bottom opening.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to connector assemblies for shading structures, and more particularly to an interlocking connector assembly that allows supporting poles to be pivotally connected and retained without the use of rivet fastening. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Generally, conventional shading structures, such as outdoor umbrellas, awnings, and tent frames, typically require connector assemblies to join upper and lower supporting poles. In many existing designs, rivets are widely employed to secure joint members together. While rivet fastening provides stable fixation, it also introduces several drawbacks. First, rivet-based assemblies are generally permanent, which limits the disassembly, repair, or replacement of individual components. Second, riveting requires additional tools and manufacturing steps, which can increase assembly complexity and production cost. Moreover, riveted joints may loosen over time due to repeated loading, vibration, or environmental influences, thereby reducing long-term structural reliability. Accordingly, there is a need for improved connector assemblies that can provide a secure coupling of supporting poles without relying on rivets. The disclosed embodiments address this need by introducing interlocking protrusions and sliding grooves that enable pivotable engagement and retention between joint members. This configuration not only reduces dependence on rivets but also simplifies assembly and enhances the versatility of shading structures. All referenced patents, applications, and literature are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies, and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. The disclosed embodiments may seek to satisfy one or more of the above-mentioned desires. Although the present embodiments may obviate one or more of the above-mentioned desires, it should be understood that some aspects of the embodiments might not necessarily obviate them. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In a general implementation, an interlocking connector assembly for a shading structure may comprise at least one upper supporting pole; at least one lower supporting pole configured to support the upper supporting pole and arranged under the upper supporting pole; at least one joint assembly configured to pivotally couple the upper supporting pole with the lower supporting pole; wherein each of the at least one joint assembly comprises a first joint member pivotably coupled to a second joint member, and one of the at least one upper supporting pole is passed through the second joint member; wherein each of the first joint members comprises at least one locking protrusion configured to slide inside at least one of sliding grooves of the second joint member, wherein the sliding grooves is configured to slidably receive the locking protrusion and retain the locking protrusion without rivet fastening. In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, at least one locking protrusion is rotatable with respect to at least one sliding groove, wherein the first joint member is rotatable with respect to the second joint member to form a rotation angle of 0 to 180 degrees. Further, it is contemplated that each of the at least one locking protrusion is a cylindrical body and each of the at least one sliding groove is an arc-shaped groove, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the at least one locking protrusion is engaged with the at least one sliding groove to facilitate the locking protrusion being rotated along the sliding grooves. In the alternative, at least one of the upper supporting poles is not passed through the first joint member. It is still further contemplated that the second joint member comprises a receiving cavity configured to receive the first joint member and a transversal channel configured to receive the upper supporting pole, wherein the receiving cavity is communicated with the transversal channel. In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the first joint member is horizontally passed through a receiving cavity of the second joint member and the upper supporting pole is transversely passed through and moved along a transversal channel of the second joint member, wherein the upper supporting pole is arranged above the at least one locking protrusion to retina the at least one locking protrusion inside the second joint member. In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the first joint member is horizontally passed through a receiving cavity of the second joint member and the upper supporting pole is transversely passed through and moved along a transversal channel of the second joint member, wherein the upper supporting pole is bias