AU2023219835B2 - Coupling device - Google Patents

Abstract

#$%^&*AU2023219835B220251002.pdf##### ABSTRACT The invention relates to a coupling device (1) for support poles (8), in particular for awning support legs, and comprises a connecting device (6) having one end aligned along a lon- gitudinal axis (L) and a second one which is releasably couplable to an end portion of the5 support pole (8), and an adapter means (5) operatively coupled to the first end and releas- ably fixable in a form-fitting manner to a ground fixing means (2). 20 23 21 98 35 2 2 A ug 2 02 32023 ABSTRACT Aug The invention relates to a coupling device (1) for support poles (8), in particular for lawning support legs, and comprises a connecting device (6) having one end aligned along a lon- 22 5 gitudinal axis (L) and a second one which is releasably couplable to an end portion of the support pole (8), and an adapter means (5) operatively coupled to the first end and releas- ably fixable in a form-fitting manner to a ground fixing means (2). TRANSFER ABSTRACT 2023219835 22 Aug 2023 The invention relates to a coupling device (1) for support poles (8), in particular for awning support legs, and comprises a connecting device (6) having one end aligned along a lon- 5 gitudinal axis (L) and a second one which is releasably couplable to an end portion of the support pole (8), and an adapter means (5) operatively coupled to the first end and releas- ably fixable in a form-fitting manner to a ground fixing means (2). 1/5 20 23 21 98 35 2 2 A ug 2 02 3 1/5 8 6 1 7 9 2 5 4 3 Fig. 1 1/5 Aug 2023 2023219835 22 8 1 7 6 9 2 5 4 3 Fig. 1

Description

1/5 1/5 1/5 22 Aug 2023 Aug 2023

2023219835 22 2023219835

8

1 7 6

9 2

5

4 3

Fig. Fig. 1

COUPLING DEVICE

The invention relates to a coupling device for support poles, by means of which a support pole can form a connection with a ground fastening device.

Background 5 Especially when camping, the support poles of awnings, tents are additionally braced by 2023219835

means of guy ropes. In this case, the support poles, in particular awning support legs, tent poles or the like, are connected to the ground in order to stabilise the awning, tent or the like or to secure them against the effects of the weather.

Some support poles have recesses or projections in order to be directly connected to the 10 ground. For example, awning support legs exist which are fastened to the ground by means of pegs in recesses provided for this purpose at one end of the support leg. There are also tent poles that have a spike at one end to improve the ground adhesion of the tent pole and to stabilise it.

The connection to the ground can also be made by means of a ground fastening device. 15 Such a ground fastening device can be designed as a base plate or anchor plate, which is connected to the ground by means of screw pegs, pegs or the like. There are ground plates or anchor plates which have suitably shaped location points for awning support legs.

Such a base plate is known, for example, from DE 20 2011 050 369 U1.

Furthermore, there are devices which serve to compensate for any unevenness of terrain 20 so that awning support legs of the same length can be used. Awning support legs are also known which have telescopic devices to compensate for at least part of these height dif- ferences. For example, document US 963794 B2 discloses a compressible upright for awning support legs. This compressible upright has an opening for a dowel pin to connect the awning support leg to the compressible upright. However, this compressible stand is 25 only suitable for awning support legs that have corresponding openings for dowel pins in the corresponding positions.

Furthermore, devices are also known that are not or cannot be connected to the ground (i.e., at best placed on the ground). These are usually weighted to hold down the awning support legs, which in turn hinders easy transport for camping purposes.

Simpler tent poles can also be simply stuck into the ground with a spike attached to the end of the pole.

Document US 7213869 B1 discloses a hold-down system for awnings. In this system, the awning support legs are each connected to a weighted foot with the aid of a locking device. 5 This locking device is designed to receive a dowel pin, which is located on an awning support leg, and to connect it positively by means of a rotary movement. The awning sup- 2023219835

port legs, which need to belong to the same system, are designed in such a way that they must have a correspondingly attached dowel pin. Furthermore, additional weights needed to be carried increase the total weight of the vehicle, which can mean that the permissible 10 total weight of the vehicle is exceeded and increase fuel consumption.

It is also possible to weigh down one end of the awning support legs using a refillable water container or water bag.

Therefore, there is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alterna- tive.

15 Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupling device for support poles, in particular for awning support legs, comprising:

a connecting device with one end aligned along a longitudinal axis, the other end being releasably couplable to an end portion of the support pole;

20 an adapter device operatively coupled to the first end, which can be detachably fixed in a form-fitting manner to a ground fastening device by means of a latching mechanism;

wherein the connecting device can be connected friction-fitting to an inner wall of a hollow support pole; and wherein the connecting device comprises at least one radially expandable connecting member arranged coaxially with respect to the longi- 25 tudinal axis, and at least one expander member displaceable along the longitudinal axis and thereby co-operable with the connecting member, and

wherein the adapter means is configured to be rotatable relative to the first end of the connecting device about at least one axis of rotation.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupling device for sup- 30 port poles, in particular for awning support legs, comprising:

a connecting device with one end aligned along a longitudinal axis, the other end being releasably couplable to an end portion of the support pole;

an adapter device operatively coupled to the first end, which can be detachably fixed in a form-fitting manner to a ground fastening device by means of a latching 5 mechanism, wherein the connecting device can be connected friction-fitting to an inner wall of a hollow support pole, and wherein the connecting device comprises at 2023219835

least one radially expandable connecting member arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at least one expander member displaceable along the lon- gitudinal axis (L) and thereby co-operable with the connecting member, and

10 wherein the adapter device can form a form-fit connection with the ground fas- tening device, which is designed as a ground fastening device that can be connected to screw pegs in the ground.

Such a coupling device can be attached in a simple and flexible manner to, for example, 15 support poles that are not specially designed to be connected to ground fastening devices.

This has the advantage that already purchased awnings or tents or the like with accompa- nying support poles or support legs can continue to be used and do not have to be re- purchased to be connected to an appropriate ground fastening device. This is in line with sustainability considerations. Furthermore, the user can select a preferred support pole for 20 the tent or awning without being limited to a specifically required "foot" for the ground fas- tening device.

Advantageously, the connecting device can be connected friction-fitting to an inner wall of a hollow support pole.

This offers the advantage that the interior space of the support pole is utilised and no 25 additional space or components may be required. Various support poles, especially awn- ing support legs, can be designed to be stowed inside the awning housing. The coupling device can thus also remain in the stowed state of the awning support leg and does not have to be reattached to the awning support leg when it is set up again.

The connecting device further comprises at least one radially expandable connecting 30 member arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at least one expander member displaceable along the longitudinal axis and thereby co-operable with the

connecting member. Preferably, the connecting member is designed as a tubular spring member with at least two segments extending tangentially in a meandering manner.

This offers the advantage that the connecting member (spring member) can be radially expanded by simply displacing at least one expander member along the longitudinal axis 5 in the direction of the connecting member and can thus form a relatively strong friction-fit connection with the support pole. Preferably, the spring member maintains a correspond- 2023219835

ingly thin diameter in a pre-assembly state, so that it can be easily inserted into the interior of a support pole. During assembly, the spring member is expanded to a diameter that corresponds approximately to the diameter of the cavity inside the support pole, so that in 10 the final assembly state, the connecting device is frictionally connected to the inner wall of the support pole.

The expansion of the elastically designed connecting member (spring member) can be reversed by pushing the expander member axially out of the connecting member again (or, if a thread is present, by turning it out), whereby the elastic spring member returns to 15 the original diameter (original shape). In this way, a releasable connection between the connecting member of the coupling device and the support pole is established by simple means.

The meandering segments of the connecting member offer the advantage of an improved adaptability of the connecting member (spring member) to the inner cross-sectional shape 20 of the support pole. This means that a suitable number of segments can adapt to any conceivable inner profile in order to form a friction-fit connection with the inner wall of the support pole caused by a suitable expander member.

Advantageously, at least one expander member is tapered on the side facing the spring member during assembly. When inserted in a tubular spring member, the taper offers the 25 advantage that the force acting on the spring member is more uniform, which may reduce the stress on the spring member when the connection between the connecting device and the support pole is closed and released several times. Another benefit of tapering is that it may require less force to expand the spring member to the desired width or diameter. Tapering enables a reduction in the force required to expand the spring member so that 30 manual force is sufficient to close and release the connection between the connecting device and the support pole. This means that no tools are used that would have to be transported.

Preferably, the end region of the connecting member facing the expander member is com- plementary to the taper of the expander member, so that the cooperative bilateral taper results in a better transmission of force, as well as a better sliding movement between the spring member and the expander member (the torque required at the expander member 5 is minimised).

Two or more axially opposing expander members have the advantage over one expander 2023219835

member that an improved adaptation and an optimised contact to the inner wall of the support pole may be ensured by an axially more uniform expansion.

It is preferable that at least one expander member is axially insertable into the tubular 10 spring member via a threaded bolt arranged coaxially with the connecting member and that the spring member can thereby be expanded radially.

Advantageously, the spring member has a cross-section (profile) that is complementary to the inner wall of the support pole, so that the connecting member (i.e., spring member) can be friction-fitted to the inner wall via the expander member.

15 Due to the complementary design, the segmented spring member can be even better adapted to individual inner wall profiles of the support pole. This means that a stronger friction-fit connection can be achieved, i.e., the more segments can adapt individually to the inner wall of the support pole, the better the shape adaptation and the stronger the frictional connection.

20 In an alternative aspect of the invention, the coupling device can be friction-fit connected to an outer wall of the support pole. This has the advantage that the coupling device can also be attached to support poles which are not hollow or have a non-detachable closure at one end of the support pole.

Preferably, the connecting device comprises at least one radially narrowable connecting 25 member arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis and at least one narrowing member displaceable along the longitudinal axis and thereby co-operable with the con- necting member.

Since both the connecting member and the narrowing member can be accessed from the outside, the connecting device can also be manipulated from the outside after assembly, 30 e.g. the height at which the connecting device is attached to the support pole can be

changed subsequently so that any unevenness of the terrain can be compensated for even more.

Advantageously, the connecting member comprises at least two functionally formed seg- ments.

5 At least two segments (preferably more than two) have the advantage that in an initial state 2023219835

the connecting member has a diameter that is larger than that of the support pole, so that the connecting member can slide over the support pole. In a fixed state, the inner diameter of the connecting member corresponds to the outer diameter of the support pole, and the connecting member is thus frictionally connected to the latter by a suitable pressure.

10 The connecting member can be formed from segments arranged next to each other in a spiral, helical or meandering tangential arrangement, which has the advantage that many suitably large segments can be arranged next to each other.

In general, the more segments a connecting member comprises, the stronger and more stable the friction-fit connection between the connecting member and the support pole, 15 both internally and externally is. The connecting device can be connected to the support pole in a friction-fitted manner and also released again without the use of tools by means of the above-described interaction of the connecting member and the expander member or narrowing member.

Advantageously, the adapter device is designed to be rotatable relative to the first end of 20 the connecting device about at least one axis of rotation. Preferably, at least the first axis of rotation is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In particular, the adapter device can be coupled to the first end of the connecting device via a suitable pivot bearing.

Due to the fact that the adapter device is designed to be movable in relation to the coupling device, it can be placed against the support pole in the stowed state in such a way that the 25 diameter of the support pole is not significantly widened. This has the particular advantage that the coupling device with the support pole can be easily transported and does not have to be removed. For example, there are awning support legs that can be stowed in the awning housing. This housing has only limited space available for the awning support legs. Therefore, because the adapter device can be placed against the support pole and does 30 not significantly widen its diameter, it is possible to stow the coupling device in the housing as well.

Likewise, the adjustable connection of the adapter device and the connecting device makes it possible to set up the support poles at a desired angle, e.g. if the ground surface has a gradient or is otherwise uneven.

Advantageously, the adapter device can form a form-fit connection with the ground fas- 5 tening device, which is designed as a ground fastening device that can be connected with screw pegs in the ground. 2023219835

By connecting the adapter device and the ground fastening device, support poles that are not primarily designed for connection to a ground fastening device can also be connected to it.

10 Thus, a coupling device according to embodiments of the invention can offer the ad- vantage that no new support poles need to be purchased in order to be able to positively connect them to a specific (and perhaps already existing) ground fastening device. In line with sustainability considerations, it is therefore advantageous not to have to buy further support poles, but to be able to extend already existing support poles.

15 The connecting device of the coupling device can furthermore be combined with different adapter devices, which are designed for different base ground fastening devices. This means that an existing coupling device can be modified in such a way that it can also be connected to other floor plates (e.g. of a completely different shape), which in turn has the advantage that no new base plates have to be purchased. The user therefore only has to 20 buy a much cheaper adapter device (e.g. a different foot) and exchange it with the existing one. This is also an advantage if the existing adapter is damaged.

Brief description of the figures The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the drawings, serves to provide a more detailed explanation. It shows:

25 Figure 1 a perspective view of a complete assembly consisting of support pole, coupling device and ground fastening device;

Figure 2 (a) a side and (b) a side-front perspective view of a coupling device;

Figure 3 (a) a perspective view of the composition, and (b) an exploded view of a top view of a coupling device and ground fastening device;

Figure 4 a schematic representation of a coupling device during assembly with a support pole (a) insertion into the support pole tube, (b) and (c) tightening of the connection by turning / screwing in, (d) support pole with adapter foot ready for operation, and

Figure 5 a perspective view of an example with an awning, awning support leg, 5 coupling device and ground fastening device. 2023219835

Description of one or more embodiments Specific terms such as "right", "left", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "up" and "down" indicate directions in the accompanying figures with reference to the respective component, device or appliance when mounted ready for operation. The terms "inside" and "outside" indicate 10 directions with reference to a geometric central axis or centre of a respective component, device or appliance described, the meaning being obvious from the description.

Furthermore, the terms "connected", "attached", "coupled", "assembled" respectively de- scribe direct connections between two links or components, i.e., without an intervening link, but also, indirect connections between links or components, i.e., with at least one 15 intervening link.

Further, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first", "second", "third", etc. merely indicates different instances of the same objects and does not imply that these objects must be in any particular order, either temporally, spatially or in any particular order of precedence.

20 The example of an embodiment of the coupling device 1 described here is representative of all possible variations of the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, the coupling device 1 according to the invention is connected to a ground fastening device 2, e.g. a ground plate, which has a suitable recess 3 for the adapter foot 4 or the adapter device 5. However, it is clear to an appropriately skilled per- 25 son that the ground fastening device 2 or ground fastening device 2 and corresponding connection with an adapter device suitable therefore can take any shape.

The connecting device 6 is designed to form a releasable connection with the end area 7 of a support pole 8. The connecting device 6 can be connected frictionally to the support pole 8 by means of a connecting member 9. The connecting device 6 is coupled to an 30 adapter device 5 via a functional connection. The adapter device 5 is designed in such a way that it can be form-fit connected to a ground fastening device 2. A ground fastening

device 2 can be re-releasably connected to the ground (e.g. by pegs or ground spikes etc.). Furthermore, a ground fastening device 2 is characterised by the fact that it is de- signed to receive an adapter device 5, such as a rotatable adapter foot.

In the present embodiment, which is schematically illustrated in Figure 2a, the coupling 5 device 1 is arranged with respect to a central longitudinal axis L. The upper side O of the longitudinal axis L points towards the support pole 8 and its upper end, which points to- 2023219835

wards the device to be supported. The lower side U of the longitudinal axis L is directed towards the ground fastening device 2.

The connecting device 6 is arranged to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis L within 10 the end area 7 of the support pole 8. From the displaceability within the support pole 8, a telescopability, i.e., a height locking along the longitudinal axis L can be derived. The con- necting device 6 comprises a connecting member 9, which is designed as a spring member 9a, can be inserted axially into the end region 7 of a support pole 8, which is hollow, and can be expanded radially with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

15 The connecting member 9 of the exemplary embodiment comprises between sixteen (cy- lindrical embodiment 9a in Fig.2(a)) and twelve (cuboid embodiment 9b in Fig.2(b)) mean- dering tangentially extending segments 10. However, depending on use, the spring mem- ber 9 may have more or fewer segments forming any suitable profile. In one embodiment, the connecting member 9 is formed as a tubular spring member 9. The designation spring 20 member already implies that the spring member 9 behaves elastically, i.e. that it returns to its original shape after being expanded by one or more expander members 11. This elas- ticity is firstly due to the meandering tangentially extending segments 10 of the tubular spring member 9, whereby an elastic material is also used for the spring member 9 (e.g. spring steel or similar). Such a spring member 9 can be manufactured, for example, by an 25 injection moulding process or an additive manufacturing process. The thinner and more intricate the individual segments 10 are, the more advantageous it is to manufacture such a spring member 9 using an additive manufacturing process. The segments 10 are ar- ranged circumferentially on the outer surface of the spring member 9. In the centre of the spring member 9 there is a hollow space, also tubular, which is designed to complement 30 an expander member 11.

An expander member 11 is arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis L on the upper and lower side of the connecting member 9. The expander members 11 are each tapered in

the direction of the connecting member (spring member) 9. The taper makes it easier to insert the expander member(s) 11 into the tubular spring member 9.

A connecting device 6 can also be designed to function with only one expander member 11, or even with more than two expander members 11 to achieve the radial expansion of 5 the spring member 9. 2023219835

In the example shown, the expander members 11 penetrate the connecting member 9 (spring member) by external force, whereby the (two opposing) expander members 11 are moved towards each other, so that the connecting member 9 undergoes radial expansion. The expander member(s) 11 are made of a rigid material, e.g. metal or plastic, which do 10 not deform during radial expansion.

In the present embodiment, the expander member 11 is designed as an expansion nut 12, which can be moved axially via a bolt thread 13 and thereby penetrates into the connecting member 9 and expands it axially. In other embodiments, the expander member(s) 11 can also be designed as magnetic members, for example, which can expand the connecting 15 member 9 by magnetic attraction to each other (e.g. electrically controlled magnets).

Along the longitudinal axis L, an adapter device 5 or adapter foot 4 is arranged below the connecting device 6. The connecting device 6 and the adapter device 5 are functionally connected to each other, i.e. movable with respect to each other (rotatable with respect to one, two or three axes). The coupling connection 14 is arranged centrally along the longi- 20 tudinal axis L under the connecting device 6. The coupling connection 14 can be made, for example, by means of a dowel pin, a screw-nut connection, rivets or the like. In the present embodiment, the coupling connection 14 is designed as a pivot bearing in order to couple the adapter device 5 to the connecting device 6 at its first end and in order to make the adapter device foldable with respect to the longitudinal axis L (i.e. rotatable with 25 respect to an axis of rotation arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L).

Furthermore, it is possible to design the coupling connection 14 as a quick-release mem- ber, so that in a transport state both the connecting device 6 in the support pole 8 and the adapter device 5 can remain on the ground fastening device 2 and only the coupling device 1 can be released. For example, a quick-release member can be designed as a magnetic 30 coupling, a plug-in latching mechanism or the like.

It is also possible for the coupling connection 14 to be non-movable, or merely rotatable about one axis of rotation coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

In the example shown, the adapter device 5 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L in the assembly state M2 (folded out). In a transport state, which is required for stowing and transporting the support pole 8 when travelling, the adapter device 6 can be arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis L (folded in). The transformation between assembly and 5 transport state is ensured via the coupling connection 14 (can be a snap-in or snap-off bearing, for example). 2023219835

The adapter device 5 comprises a part of the coupling connection 14 and an adapter foot 4, which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L in the assembly state M2. The adapter foot 4 has a shape so that it can be positively connected to the ground fastening 10 device 2. In the present embodiment, the adapter foot 4 is curved at one end and extended at a second end in a radial direction from the longitudinal axis L in order to be better con- nected to the ground fastening device 2 by this particular shaping. In other embodiments, the adapter foot 4 can also be of the same design at both ends, be bent up at both ends or have protruding components or undercuts in order to be positively connected to the 15 ground fastening device 2. Furthermore, the adapter foot 4 and the adapter device 5 are made of a rigid material, e.g. metal or plastic or the like. The adapter device 5 can be manufactured from rigid plastic or metal by means of injection moulding, additive manu- facturing, milling, drawing, bending or a suitable combination of these processes.

In an alternative embodiment, the adapter device 5 can be designed as a connecting de- 20 vice to another support pole 8, so that the coupling device 1 can be used to connect two support poles 8. For example, the adapter device 5 could have the same members as a connecting device 6.

In an alternative, second embodiment, the connecting device 6 is configured to be con- nectable to the outer wall of a support pole 8. The connecting device 6 comprises a con- 25 necting member 9 and a narrowing member. With respect to the central longitudinal axis L, the connecting member 9 is arranged to be coaxially displaceable, at least one narrow- ing member is arranged at one end of the connecting member 9 along the longitudinal axis L.

The connecting member 9 is designed in such a way that it can be radially narrowed so 30 that the inner wall of the connecting member 9 corresponds approximately to the same diameter as the diameter of the outer wall of the support pole 8. The connecting member 9 comprises at least two (whereby more segments can produce a better form-fit) segments

10, which are arranged next to each other extending tangentially in a meandering pattern. These segments 10 can also be arranged next to each other extending tangentially like a spiral or helix. In other words, an opposite twisting of the opposite ends of the connecting member 9 (spring member) can change (contract or spread apart) the inner diameter ac- 5 cordingly.

In the case of segments arranged side by side and extending tangentially in a meandering 2023219835

manner, the narrowing member is arranged so that it can be displaced via the connecting member 9. The displaceability can be achieved, for example, by means of a screw con- nection. For example, the connecting member is designed as a union nut.

10 Function/use

The coupling device 1 can generally be used for support poles 8 and ground fastening devices 2. Such support poles 8 are found on awnings as awning support legs, on sun sails, on party tents, on so-called 270-degree awnings, on awnings and the like. Ground fastening devices 2 can be friction-fitted to the loose ground by means of screw pegs, 15 pegs, ground spikes and/or the like, as well as to other ground coverings or ground foun- dations by means of screws, rock bolts, carabiners and/or shackles.

It is also possible to use the coupling device 1 on boats. Often, boats are equipped with so-called biminis or other shading devices, which also comprise supporting poles 5. The adapter device 5 is adapted accordingly so that it can form a form-fit and/or friction-fit con- 20 nection with other boat parts or the hull.

Furthermore, the adapter device 5 can also be designed for attachment to furniture, such as fixed benches or other seating furniture that is firmly connected to the ground.

In the present embodiment, the coupling device 1 is mounted on a support pole 8 as shown in Figure 4 by connecting the connecting device 6 to the support pole 8 in a first step. For 25 this purpose, the connecting device 6, which is in a pre-assembly state M1, is inserted into one end of the hollow support pole 8. In this pre-assembly state M1, the connecting mem- ber 9 has a smaller diameter than the hollow space inside the support pole. This allows the connecting device 6 to be easily inserted into the interior of the support pole 8. The connecting member 9, which in this embodiment example is designed as a tubular spring 30 member 9a or 9b, and the expander member 11, which in this embodiment example is designed as an expanding nut 12 and as a bolt thread 13, are arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis L in the pre-assembly state M1.

During assembly M2, the bolt thread 13 is rotated axially in a direction of rotation 15, caus- ing the expander members 9 to penetrate into the spring member 9, thereby expanding it radially.

In a final assembly state M3, the diameter of the spring member 9 corresponds approxi- 5 mately to the diameter of the inner cavity of the support pole 8. As a result, the connecting device 6 is frictionally connected to the inner wall of the support pole 8. (Figure 4) 2023219835

The cross-section of the expander member 11 can also be designed in such a way that it can be combined with other tubular profiles. For example, it is possible to design an ex- pander member 11b in such a way that its cross-section is cuboid-shaped and can be 10 connected into a support pole 8 with a cuboid-shaped cross-section. (Figures 2b and 3b)

Furthermore, as the number of segments 10 increases, spring members 9 are more adapt- able to the cross-sections of the hollow support poles 8.

The connecting device 6 is already connected to the adapter device 5 via the coupling connection 14 during assembly M2 on the support pole 8. The coupling connection 14 15 allows the adapter device 5 to move in relation to the connecting device 6. The adapter device 5 can thus be placed against the support pole 8, i.e., the adapter device 5 can be folded parallel to the central longitudinal axis L. For connection to a ground fastening de- vice 2, the adapter device 5 is brought into a perpendicular position to the central longitu- dinal axis L.

20 The adapter device 5 is hooked into the ground fastening device 2, an embodiment of the ground fastening device 2, via the curved end of the adapter foot 4 and is then positively and planarly connected to the ground fastening device 2.

It is also conceivable that the adapter foot 4 is available in different embodiments in order to be connected to different ground fastening devices 2. For example, the adapter foot 4 25 can have special recesses or protrusions that are particularly compatible with the ground fastening device or base plate 2 to be attached to it.

In an embodiment example, only the adapter device 5 is detached from the base plate 2 for disassembly. Due to the fact that the adapter device 5 is designed to rotate around an axis of rotation relative to the connecting device 6, the adapter foot 4 can be folded relative 30 to the support pole 8 and rests against the support pole 8, while the connecting device 6 remains in the hollow support pole 8. The coupling device 1 can thus be transported in a

compact state with the support pole 8 in, for example, an awning box or awning cassette or in a stowage box for tent poles or the like.

In another embodiment, the positive connection of the adapter device 5 with the base plate 2 is released before the connecting device 6 is rotated against the direction of rotation 15 5 with the aid of the adapter device 5, which is coupled to the connecting device 6 by the coupling connection 14 and in this case is used as a lever, to remove out of the end region 2023219835

7 of the hollow support pole 8 and is thus dismantled. In doing so, the expansion members 11 axially retract from the interior of the connection member 9 and thus the diameter of the connecting device 9 is reduced to a size smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow 10 support pole 8. Thus, the connecting device 6 can be detached from the support pole 8.

It is also possible, as mentioned above, to release the coupling connection 14, which is designed as a quick-release member, in order to dismantle the entire assembly of support pole 8, coupling device 1 and ground fastening device 2. In this way, both the connecting device 6 and the supporting pole 8 and the adapter device 5 and the floor fastening device 15 2 can remain connected in the stowed state or in the transport state.

The base plate 2 is already known from the utility model DE 2020/11050369 U1. It has a latching mechanism with which the adapter device 5 can be gripped so that a stable con- nection can be formed. The base plate 2 is then fastened to the ground with screw pegs.

The coupling device 1 thus makes it possible to connect different types of support poles 8 20 to various ground fastening devices 2, for example, in order to set up awnings 16 in a way that is stable against the weather (Figure 5). Furthermore, the coupling device 1 is de- signed by the coupling connection 14 in such a way that it does not have to be dismantled during transport, which saves space and time for camping travellers.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires 25 otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment 30 or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

List of reference signs

1 Coupling device

2 Ground fastening device

3 Recess

5 4 Adapter foot 2023219835

5 Adapter device

6 Connecting device

7 End area

8 Support pole

10 9 Connecting member

10 Segment

11 Expansion member

12 Expanding nut

13 Bolt thread

15 14 Coupling device

15 Direction of rotation

16 Awning

M1 Pre-assembly state

M2 Mounting

20 M3 Final assembly state

L Longitudinal axis

O Upper side

U Lower side

Claims (9)

Claims

1. A coupling device for support poles, in particular for awning support legs, comprising: 5 a connecting device with one end aligned along a longitudinal axis, the other end being releasably couplable to an end portion of the support pole; 2023219835

an adapter device operatively coupled to the first end, which can be detachably fixed in a form-fitting manner to a ground fastening device by means of a latching mechanism; 10 wherein the connecting device can be connected friction-fitting to an inner wall of a hollow support pole; and wherein the connecting device comprises at least one radially expandable connecting member arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at least one expander member displaceable along the longitudinal axis and thereby 15 co-operable with the connecting member; and wherein the adapter means is configured to be rotatable relative to the first end of the connecting device about at least one axis of rotation.

2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first axis of rotation 20 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

3. The coupling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adapter means is coupled to the first end of the connecting device via a pivot bearing.

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4. A coupling device for support poles, in particular for awning support legs, comprising: a connecting device with one end aligned along a longitudinal axis, the other end being releasably couplable to an end portion of the support pole; an adapter device operatively coupled to the first end, which can be 30 detachably fixed in a form-fitting manner to a ground fastening device by means of a latching mechanism; wherein the connecting device can be connected friction-fitting to an inner wall of a hollow support pole; and

wherein the connecting device comprises at least one radially expandable connecting member arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at least one expander member displaceable along the longitudinal axis and thereby co-operable with the connecting member; and 5 wherein the adapter device can form a form-fit connection with the ground fastening device, which is designed as a ground fastening device that can be connected 2023219835

to screw pegs in the ground.

5. The coupling device according to claim 4, wherein the connecting device can be 10 combined with different adapter devices which are designed for different ground fastening devices.

6. The coupling device according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the connecting member is a tubular spring member with at least two meandering segments 15 extending tangentially.

7. The coupling device according to any one of preceding claims, wherein at least one expander member is tapered on the side facing in the direction of the spring member during assembly. 20

8. The coupling device according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the at least one expander member can be introduced axially into the tubular spring member via a threaded bolt arranged coaxially with the connecting member and the spring member can thereby be expanded radially. 25

9. The coupling device according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the expander member has a cross-section which is complementary to the inner wall of the support pole, so that the connecting member can be friction-fitted to the inner wall via the expander member.