Here's a flexible tent pole connector (hinge) that might be of interest to some of you. I borrowed the idea from kite making.

It is simply a short piece of tubing connecting two tent poles. It allows the poles to flex. Any strong flexible tubing works (e.g. nylon, vinyl, etc.) I used clear vinyl in the photo so you can see things better.

The photos show the connector, the tent pole and the tent that the pole supports. The flexibility of the poles' upper two corners allows me to adjust the tent's tightness from inside the tent. Moving the two vertical poles outward lowers the tent and slackens things. Moving them closer to each other raises the tent and tightens things. This is helpful with nylon tents that get wet and start to stretch after you've gotten all cozy inside.

So far I've only tested this in my yard but I think it is a keeper. Vinyl pieces shown weigh about 1/7 ounce each.

Hi Daryl

That works for TWO corners - with help from guys.
It does NOT work for 3 or more corners!

Of course, in many cases 2 corners is all you need, so it is a rather ingenious solution. My compliments. My only thought is that you might want to replace the bits of tubing at yearly intervals - but that is hardly a problem.

Cheers

You might be careful what sort of tubing you use in certain situations, tubing like the clear PVC pictured can get pretty brittle if the temp drops to around freezing or below, rubber tubing might be more robust in the cold, though probably marginally heavier.

Cool idea though, nice looking tarp/tent.

Hi Daryl,

i am mesmerized by this construction and did forfeit all my other tent/tarp plans that included (expensive and heavy) aluminum-poles.

Poles made of carbon could be cheaper here in germany - but most important, they are lighter.
Could you name the length/diameter/thickness/material constrution specs of your poles?

thanks from germany,
matai

Just thinking out loud... would a non-stretch, dyneema cord inside the poles work?

Matai,

I used these tubes for the poles in the photo:

tubing

You can also have poles made here:

poles

Tubing is available from many places that sell kite and archery equipment.

You probably want to use wrapped tubing.

I'm no expert on making tent poles and my methods are pretty crude.

The flexible hinge contunues to work well but I've only used the poles on a couple of backpacks so far.

Daryl

Edited by lyrad1 on 07/12/2011 13:43:52 MDT.

Dear Daryl,

sorry for the stupid question, but the O.D. of .385 is measured in inch units?
If yes, thats a 'wow' from me, as i thought they had to be much thicker.
the link you are posting does state the poles as 32.5", which seems much shorter than the one in your picture (compared to the fridge and doorhandle).
but if even this is correct, than i'm happy at all, as i can buy wound carbon fibre rods to 100cm for really little money here.

bye,
Matai

btw: could you name the thread, where i can find the posted tarptent? i'm not eager to read through all of your 455 posted comments ;)

Edited by Mattai on 07/12/2011 15:08:42 MDT.

Matai,

Yes, the .385 is in inches.

The poles in the photo are about 4 feet high and 2 feet across. I cut the carbon fiber tubing into sections and connected them with ferrules, except for the flexible tubing hinges.

Daryl

Hi Daryl,

at the risk of annoying you - do you have a close-up oft the ferrules connection? my english is too bad, so i haven't met the word yet ;)...but as i can't see them from the outside, i assume its some interior bolt? is it also made of carbon?

aannnd - still any hint where to find the tent you post in your profile pic? ;)

thanks for your support,
mattai

Mattai,

Here's a link to the post where my one person tent is discussed:

tent

Here's a photo of a typical ferrule. Yes, it is like a bolt. The one shown was from a scrap of either carbon fiber tubing or fiberglass. It is about 4" long, slightly smaller diameter than the tubing into which it is placed and glued with some kite making glue called Zap A Gap.



Daryl

Edited by lyrad1 on 07/14/2011 20:28:14 MDT.