US20070102032A1

US20070102032A1 - Quick setup tent for camping

Info

Publication number: US20070102032A1
Application number: US11/591,806
Authority: US
Inventors: Carlos Passaro Ponce De Leon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-03
Filing date: 2006-11-02
Publication date: 2007-05-10

Abstract

This beach or camping tent comprises a group of fiber glass rods arranged in a compact form which are joined by means of hinges. This structure is attached to fabric forming the floor, roof, walls, doors and windows of the tent. The hinges allow the rods to open in such a way that they stay in a parallel position, at the time the tent is set up. Once the rods are in the extended position already indicated (parallel) on the floor, grass, dirt etc. a pressure is applied to a pedal which is located at one of the ends of the hinges, which causes the rods to flex, alongside the fabric as an igloo, and at the same time, a cord is pulled which is attached to the hinges and rods allowing them to flex and form a half of a sphere, taking the form of the tent finally set up. It is useful since it allows the set up of the tent on the beach, or field quickly by any type of person (man or woman).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a canopy or tent for camping for use in camping in the mountains, for the beach, and in larger different sizes for different working activities (mining field hospital, military etc.).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of canopies and tents for camping, we recognize rigid structures such as those of wooden poles tightened with cord, and fastened to the ground with stakes, continuing with other more modern tents with fiber glass rods, that are flexible and that are joined one to the other to form arches that give shape to the plasticized covers which are found commercially in various forms and sizes, this being the type that is most common. There are also tents with structures of steel wire and light canvas structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem with canopies and tents for camping described above refers to the difficulty in setting up, and taking or breaking them down. The majority of tents come with separate canvas or canopy separate from the rigid parts (stakes, fiber glass rods, cords, etc.) making it a difficult task for people that are not skilled in the art, and even for those skilled, taking an average of 10 to 15 minutes to set up the tent, depending on the type and size of the tent (see attached figures and photographs).
The present invention solves this technical problem and combines in one compact package all of the elements making a complete canopy or tent for camping, by joining the different elements of the structure which at the same time is joined to the flexible cover (canvas, fabric, plasticized, etc.).
Photograph 8 taking and average of 2 minutes for setting up, depending on the size. It involves three or more strips of (fiber glass or other similar material). For purposes of this embodiment, there should be five strips joined at each end.
FIG. (2)
By elements formed from aluminum or other light material whose special design permits a cord to join both ends.
FIG. (2)
Upon pulling by the user, with a pedal which is found in one extreme, the ends are brought close to each other, forming a dome-like structure.
FIG. (3)
Flexing the rods of the semi-flexible structure, causing the formation of symmetrical arranged arches in response to the position of the canvas.
FIG. (3) and Photograph (8)
As a dome, the two arches at the extremes should always be opened in contact with the ground in order to give form to the part which will be the floor of the tent.
FIG. (3)
The cover, as well as the window, the door and the floor of (canvas or plasticized fabric, etc.) are fixed to the structure and are assembled at the same time as these photographs (photographs 6 and 7), in the same way, in order to fold the tent, the pedal at one end is pressed with the foot of the user, and the central cord is loosened.
FIG. (4) and Photograph (6)
Upon loosening this cord, the arches of the structure will slacken, and will assume its original straight form. Photograph (5).
FIG. (2) and contrary to its unfolding, for the folding the structure is flexed both at the central and intermediate portions through the employment of special hinges.
FIG. (1) the length of the strips has been reduced to a quarter of the original size thereof. Photograph (2), this fold is accomplished with the canvas floor, and the general components of the tent, into a single package, this package already folded is placed in its carrying case for transporting.
Additionally, it is possible to secure the tent to the ground using stakes if is necessary due to the wind.
The tents can be manufactured in all sizes in accordance with the need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. (1) shows the structure of the rods in the process of unfolding, by intermediate hinges.
FIG. (2) shows the rod structure completely extended with the central cord shown with a dashed line and with the canvas included.
FIG. (3) shows the structure with the central cord (dashed line) at the time at which it is being pulled by the user, and thereby causing the formation of the arches arranged as a dome or igloo.
FIG. (4) also shows the pulling of the central cord by the user by placing the foot on the pedal of the tent, which will be the point of support for setting up the tent.
FIG. (5) shows details of the hinges or articulations that have a range of motion of 0° to 180°.

DISCUSSION OF A BEST MEANS FOR EXECUTING THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a structure of rods made from a semi-flexible material (fiber glass and others). For the setting up of this tent, that package is removed from its bag (photograph 1), the hinge on one of its sides as is shown on Photograph (2), thereafter it is separated from the right end which is also articulated, and likewise the left end is separated. Once the rods are fully extended FIG. (2), and Photograph (5) the user should press the pedal which is found at the end of this of this group of strips FIG. 4 and Photograph 6. As can be appreciated the strips on one end are secured by a hinge made from aluminum or other light material, and the other end is secured by the pedal previously described. From one end to the other of the rods a cord is extended passing under the pedal, so when pulled by the user, the ends of the rods are brought together, causing the formation of arches as a structure similar to a dome photograph 7, said rods will assume their symmetrical disposition as a result of the conformation provided by the canvas or plasticized fabric configuration. Attached to the structure are all of the elements corresponding to the plasticized cover, i.e. water proof floor, canvas cover or plasticized fabric, doors and windows. In the same manner in order to fold this camping tent, an inverse process is followed, the pedal is pressed at the end and the central cord is loosened photograph 6, naturally the fiber glass strips will assume their original straight form, and the plasticized cover is folded. At this time the sides of the structure are lifted toward the center, photo 4 and photo 3, thereafter, the center portion is folded photo (2) so that it can be stored in its carrying bag.
The essence of the invention can be carried out in other forms which differ in detail from that indicated in the example in the description, and which would still fall within the scope of what is claimed. For example, it could be constructed in any form and size, and with the corresponding materials, all falling within the scope of the claims.

UTILITY

The utility of the design of this tent by its practical form, and the ease and speed with which it can be set up, and taken down allows for its manufacture of all types of alpine, camping and beach tents, exercise tents, for mining or work in general, for emergency shelters of catastrophes for Civil Defense, for field hospitals or for the Red Cross, etc.

Claims

1. Quick set up canopy or tent with a fiber glass or other semi-flexible material rod structure covered by a canvas or plasticized fabric, characterized by:

a) having a parallel fiber glass rod structure;

b) articulations at each end of these rods (on one side aluminum hinges and on the other side a support pedal);

c) articulations at three points of the length of the rods;

d) central cord that crosses from one extreme to the other of said structure;

e) flexible cover attached to the structure.

2. Quick set up canopy or tent in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the fiber rods, glass or other fibers, at a first instance are disposed in parallel and are held with an aluminum articulation at one end, and at the other end with a pedal that also serves to articulate this end. These rods also have articulations at three points of their length, and in the mid point of the sides, dividing the rods into four articulated parts.

3. Quick set up tent in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the aluminum hinge on one of the ends of the rods, holds the ends of the rods, and at the same time, orients the disposition of the rods of the left and right sides so that they are arranged making an arch parallel to the floor of the tent to give structure to the base made from plasticized canvas base, or floor of the tent. At the other side of the rods there is a pedal which also holds the ends of the rods, and also serves to orient the arching of the left and right lateral rods so that a base for the entire structure is established, this pedal at the same time will serve as the point of support so that the user can exert pressure with the foot, and be able to pull the central cord passing under said pedal.

4. Quick set up canopy or tent in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the articulations or hinges which facilitate the folding of the structure are located such that the length of the fiber rods is divided in 4 parts, said hinges or articulations are attached in a firm manner to the rods which they hold, and which can be extended only from 0 to 180 degrees, causing the rigidity to the structure to be thereafter arched.

5. Quick set up canopy or tent in accordance with claim 1, characterized in having a central cord which is held at one end of one of the sides of the mentioned aluminum articulation and on the other end passes through a cavity which is under the support pedal. In order to assists its displacement, the pedal has a small wheel, and upon pulling this cord, the two ends of the structure of the rod group of the structure are brought together and form the mentioned arches.

6. Quick set up canopy or tent in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it has a canvas or plasticized fabric cover, which is attached to the structure and has a special design allowing the symmetrical separation of the central arches, and the general unfolding of waterproof floor, walls, doors and windows forming a dome or igloo shaped tent.