US20030226586A1

US20030226586A1 - Convertible tent

Info

Publication number: US20030226586A1
Application number: US10/165,240
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Fulsang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-10
Filing date: 2002-06-10
Publication date: 2003-12-11

Abstract

This invention presently discloses a tent that can be rapidly converted from a fully enclosed structure to a partial windscreen and back again, in one smooth movement.

The tent is comprised of a fixed pole structure assembly and a moveable pole structure that work in concert to retract the majority of the tent rain-fly, tent body and bug mesh partially or all the way, one at a time or all at once. The moveable pole structure rotates radially over the fixed pole structure. This system allows for the tent to be substantially opened to the sky providing an 180 degree field of view in either a sifting or prone position from within the tent enclosure.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention pertains to a tent for camping, and more particularly to a tent having a retractable roof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional tents of a dome like nature have windows and doors of limited size and transparency usually opening to the side and operated with zippers. Therefore, there exists a need for a tent that can be fully opened to the sky for night-time viewing of stars, or during the day when an individual wants to lay down to nap but does not want to be fully enclosed in a tent, and that can be quickly and easily closed again in case the weather turns inclimate.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses a dome tent with a fixed pole structure and a movable pole structure that allows the tent to be easily opened to the sky and then quickly closed again.

The shape and configuration of the structural pole assembly contributes to the smooth, quick operation of the convertible portion of the tent.

This structural pole assembly configuration can be enlarged or reduced depending on the number of individuals that the tent is designed to house.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0008]
FIG. 1 shows plan views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; [0009]
FIG. 2 shows plan views of the structural poles of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; [0010]
FIG. 3 shows the front views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; [0011]
FIG. 4 shows the back views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; [0012]
FIG. 5 shows the left side views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention and showing the tent closed; and [0013]
FIG. 6 shows the right side views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention showing the tent open.[0014]

LIST OF REFERENCE MATERIALS

[0015] 101 Fabric ground membrane
[0016] 102 Ground membrane-side
[0017] 103 Ground membrane-corner
[0018] 104 Structural pole assembly
[0019] 105 Structural pole assembly
[0020] 106 Structural pole assembly
[0021] 107 Moveable pole structure
[0022] 108 Outer membrane to ground membrane connection
[0023] 109 Inner fabric membrane
[0024] 110 Outer fabric membrane
[0025] 111 Axis of rotation
[0026] 112 Fully open position
[0027] 113 Partially open position
[0028] 114 Fully closed position
[0029] 115 Separate doors

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1, 2, [0030] 3, 4, 5 and 6 show three embodiments of a tent constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.
Each tent has a [0031] fabric ground membrane 101 with six sides 102 and six corners 103. Although a ground cloth with six sides and corners is illustrated, ground cloths with more or fewer sides and corners, such as eight or four, are also within the scope of the present invention. The end of each pole 104, 105, 106 anchors each corner 103 of the ground cloth 101 in place. The ground cloth 101 is integral with the tent body 109. A ground cloth that is separate from the tent body is also within the scope of the present invention.
The [0032] tent body 109 is suspended within the framework described by the poles 104, 105, 106. The poles 104, 105, 106 crisscross to make up the structure of the tent body 109. A rain-fly 110 of waterproof material then lays over the pole structure 104, 105, 106 allowing for separation between the tent body 109 and the rain-fly 110.
An additional, [0033] moveable pole 107 is removeably associated with the tent body and the rain-fly 110 and can move up and down in an annular direction about an axis 111 allowing the tent body and the rain-fly 110 to be raised and lowered like a visor or awning. The ends of the moveable pole 107 anchor at the same points as the ends of the poles 106.
The [0034] moveable pole 107 allows for the three embodiments of the tent to be fully opened 112, partially opened 113, or fully closed 114.
[0035] Separate doors 115 allow access to the tent in the three embodiments of the design.
When closed, the 3 embodiments can then be zipped up tight to prevent moisture and insect penetration. [0036]
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention. [0037]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible pole and fabric shelter that rapidly converts from a fully enclosed structure to a partial windscreen and back again, comprising:

a) a moveable pole structure,

b) a rigid pole structure assembly comprising a plurality of erectable support arches,

c) a outer fabric membrane,

d) a fabric ground membrane continuously coupled to an inner fabric membrane with a partial separate inner lining of mosquito mesh,

e) means for removably associating said rigid pole structure assembly and said moveable pole structure with said outer fabric membrane and said inner fabric membrane,

f) means for removably associating said outer fabric membrane to said fabric ground membrane,

g) means for removably associating a structural pole end with said fabric ground membrane.

2. A shelter as in claim 1 wherein the outer fabric membrane and the inner fabric membrane are spaced at a distance from each other to allow free airflow between.

3. A shelter as in claim 1, where in a zippered doorway with a matching separate zippered mosquito mesh is the primary access and is not part of the moveable pole structure or its operation.

4. A shelter as in claim 1, wherein the inner fabric membrane is partially mated to the fabric ground membrane by a continuous horizontal zipper spaced at a constant distance from the ground, that runs from one end of said moveable pole structure's pole end to its other pole end, freeing the plane, described by said moveable pole structure, to rotate radially about an axis described by a line connecting said pole ends.

5. A shelter as in claim 4 that when unzipped and open is converted to a wind screen shelter.

6. A wind screen shelter as in claim 5, that when shut is converted to a fully enclosed weather tight tent, whereby the improvement over other tents is the provision of two distinct types of shelter that can quickly convert back and forth with one smooth movement, in one structural system, from a partial wind screen shelter to a fully enclosed weather tight shelter.

7. A wind screen shelter as in claim 5 that when open may simultaneously be a zipped tight, mosquito mesh enclosure separate from the outer fabric membrane, the inner fabric membrane and the moveable pole structure while suspended and defined by the rigid pole structure assembly, whereby the improvement over other tents is the ability to remove all obstructions to viewing the sky from horizon to horizon by retracting the movable pole structure, outer fabric membrane, the inner fabric membrane, and the mosquito mesh leaving only the rigid pole structure for 180 degrees of unobstructed viewing in either a prone or sitting position from inside the tent.

8. A collapsible pole and fabric shelter comprising:

a) a moveable pole structure in combination with a rigid pole structure assembly,

b) said moveable pole structure is comprised of a pole flexed into an arch with each pole end held fixed at a spaced distance from the other, defining a plane that rotates radially about an axis described by a line connecting the pole ends and is perpendicular to a center line axis of symmetry about which is assembled, said rigid pole structure assembly comprising two or more static poles each flexed into an arch with each pole end held fixed at a spaced distance from the other defining a plurality of planes,

c) a outer fabric membrane and a inner fabric membrane with a separate inner lining of mosquito mesh, Said inner fabric membrane is continuously coupled to a fabric ground membrane whose perimeter is described by said pole ends.

9. A shelter as in claim 8, wherein the moveable pole structure and the rigid pole structure assembly are removably associated with the outer fabric membrane the inner fabric membrane and the fabric ground membrane.

10. A shelter as in claim 2, wherein the outer fabric membrane is removably associated with the fabric ground membrane in a plurality of locations defined by the juncture of the pole ends of the moveable pole structure and the rigid pole structure assembly with the fabric ground membrane.

11. A shelter where tensile forces provided by the flexure of the moveable pole structure and the rigid pole structure assembly are applied to the fabric ground membrane through said fixed pole ends to maintain static equilibrium of the structure for support of said outer fabric membrane and inner fabric membrane.

12. A shelter as in claim 10, wherein the structural support provided by said moveable pole structure and said rigid pole structure assembly are independent of each other.