CA1041864A - Umbrella tent - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An umbrella tent construction includes a plurality of elongated resilient ribs each pivoted at one end to the flange portion of a top base member which includes a vertical post por-tion projecting downward from the flange. A brace is pivoted at one end to each rib intermediate the ends of the latter, and the opposite end of the braces are pivoted to a hub disposed verti-cally below the base member. The hub is movable vertically to-ward and away from the base member across a plane extending through the axes of the pivot connections of the braces to the ribs, to effect opening and closing of the ribs. Abutment means operatively interengages the base member and hub in a predeter-mined position of the latter above said plane, to limit the up-ward movement of the hub toward the base member and thus estab-lish the open condition of the ribs. A flexible tent cover is secured to the ribs and is stretched tight as the ribs move to-ward said open position. The stretched cover resiliently re-sists vertical movement of the hub upward across said plane, whereby the hub snaps upwardly across said plane to said open position of the ribs in which the abutment means interengages the base and hub. The stretched cover thus locks the hub in said open condition. By pulling the hub downward across said plane, against the resistance of the stretched cover, the hub and braces are unlocked, whereupon the braces and ribs are col-lapsed to tent-folding condition.

Description

1()~1~,64 ul1aRELLA TENT
This invention relates to umkrella tents, and more particularly to a collarsible umbrella tent construction which is self-lockin~ in the erected condition and which affords er~c-tion and collapsing in but a matt2r of a few secondsO
Collapsible umbrella tents provided heretofore utilize manually operable locking devices to secure the tent in orected condition. Such manually operable locking devices are unr~
able, being capable of inadvertent release with consequenco col-lapse of the tent. The operating parts of such locking deviczs 10 also are susc~ptible of loss, breakage, or wQar, ther_by render-ing the tent useless. Such manually operable locking devic~s also generally are located in positions not easily accessible - for operation, thereby rendering the erection and collapse of the tent cumbersome and slow. Further, prior collapsible um-brella tents generally are characterized by a constructio~ which includes a center post slidable through an apertured member at ,:
the top of the tent, thereby rendering difficult and costly the provision and maintenance of a liquid tight seal therebetween.
In its basic concopt, the umbrella tent of this inven-20 tion utilizes the stretching of a flexibl tent cover during -orfection of the tent to resiliently resist the over-center move- -ment of a brace-supporting hub toward and away from a predeter--i mined position relative to a top base member, to securQ the tent - --releasably in erected condition. ~
It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the - - -ft pr~ncipal objective of this invention is achieved; namely, to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages associated with umbrel-la tents of prior construction.
~f fAnoth~r im~ffortant object of this invention is to provide - ~ 30 ~n u~brella tent construction which affords anchoring to the grcund at an initial ~fta~fe of erection, whersby to facilitate , ~ - , ~, .
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such erection under such advcrse conditions as high winds.
A further object of t~is invention is to provide a col-~ lapsible umbrella tsnt construction which, in erocted condition, -, is devoid of a long center rod projscting u~wardl~ from the tont.
Still another object of this inv-ntion is the provision ~ of a colla?sible umbrella tent construction in which a scr~sned ! opening in the tent cover may ba sealed and ex?osed sel_ctiv_ly by an externa1 flap operable from within the tant.
The foragoing and other objects and advantages of this 1 10 invention will appear from the following detailed description,taken in connaction with the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments.
Figs, 1-5 are perspective viaws illustrating the se-~uence of mani~ulations in the erection of an umbrella tent em-, . . .
bodying the features of this invention.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section through thecenter of the erected tent illustrated in Fig. 5, showing de-tails of construction.
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the 20 line 7-7 in Fig. 6. ~
Fig. 8 i8 a fragmentary sectional view taken on the -i line 8-8 in Fi2. 7.
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vartical elevation of a hinge component for connecting rib sections together, as viewed in the direction of arrows 9-9 in Fig. 6.
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation as viewed from the right in Fig. 9 showing the hinge extended in full lines and folded in broken lines.
Fig. ll is a fragmentary sectiona} view taken on the ~ -line 11-11 in Fig. 6.
Fig. 12 i8 a fragmentary soctional view similar to Fig. 7 showing a modified form of abutmPnt means for determining ; ' ~ , , "~"
; -2-1~18~4 the minimum spacing b~tween the top base m~mb~r and hub compc-nent of the tent.
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to ~ig. 7 showing a further modified form of abutment means.
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view si~ilar to th-upper portion of Fig. 7 showing a modified form of cover clamp.
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 14 showing a still further modified form of means for S2-curing the tent cover to the top base member.
Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ~window screen cover flap embodying features of this invention.
Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 17-17 in Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 is a fragmentary, foreshortened sectional view showing a construction for the inner end of the flap control peg 111ustrated in Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical section, similar to Fig. 6, snowing detaiis of a modified construction in whicn the - -tent cover i~ supported inwardly of the frame. ~ -Fig. 20 i8 a fragmentary sectional view taker. on the line 20-20 in Fig. 19. ~ -J Fig. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view tak_n on the line 21-21 in Fig. 19. --The umbrella tent of this invention comprises a frame--work supporting a tent cover. The framework includas a top base member comprising a horizontal flange 10 and a vertical post 12 secured to the flange to form an integral, fixed unit, In the ;j cmbodinent illustrated in Fig. 7, the flange is provided with a central threaded bore engageable removably by the intermediate ~ 30 threaded portion of the post, whereby to secure the flange and -~ post together as an integral unit.
The flange i8 provid~d with a plurality of laterally -.
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extending pairs of lugs 14. The lu~s of each pair are spaced apart and provided with axially aligned bores for the reception i of a pivot pin 16. The spacQ between the lugs of each ~air freely receives the ter~inal end portion 18 of a connector com-ponent. Said t~rminal end portion is provided with a transversG
bore arranged to align w~th the bores in the lugs to recaive the pivot pin 16 therethrough~ The connector component thus is s cured pivotally to the flange.
The portion 20 of the connector component ~rojecting ¦ 10 outwardly from the pivoted portion 18 is provided with an out-wardly extending groove in its top surfacQ, for the reception j of an end portion of an elongated resilient rib 22. In the zm-` bodiment illustrated~ the rib is an elongated bar of rectangular cross section conforming to the cross sectional shape of the groove. The bar is secured to the connector component by such l means as the screws 24 illustrated.
t~ In the embodiment illustrated, the tent framework in-cludes four such ribs 22 disposed 90 from each other. Accord-ingly, the flange 10 is provided with four pairs of laterally 20 extending lugs 14 disposed at 90 intervals.
In this regard, it will be undçrstood that a triangular tent may be provided by a flange having three pairs of lugs dis-posed at 120 intervals; a five sided tent may be provided by a flange having five pairs of lugs disposed at 72 intervals; and 80 on.
Intermediate the ends of each rib 22 there is secured a pivot bracket 26. As best illustrated in Fig. 11, this bracket i8 substantially C-shaped in cross ~ection. ThQ closed end of ~
the bracket is provided with a longitudinal groove for the recep- -~ 30 tion of the intermediate portion of the rib. The rib is secured s ~ to the bracket by such means as screws, in the manner of the screws previousl~ described.

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, The spaced ends of the bracket rec~ive freely betweon them the outer end portion 28 of a couplin~ co~ponent. Regis-tering openings in the spaced end portions of the bracket and the coupling componQnt receive a pivot pin 30 by which the coup-ling com?onent is secured pivotally to the brac~et.
The inner end portion 32 of the coupling component is reducad in diameter for the r_ce~tion thereover, in a perm&n2nt press fit, one end of a tubular brace 34. The opposite end of the brace is provided with a similar coupling component, the outer end portion of which is secur~d pivotally, by means of a pivot pin 36 (Figs. 7 and 8), between spaced lugs ~8 of a hub 40. In the embodiment illustratad, the hub construction is sub-stantially identical to the construction of the flang~ 10 des-cribed hereinbefore.
In order to provide a tent of substantial size when er-ected, but collapsible to minimum length for convenient trans-port and storage, each rib 22 preferably includes an Dlongated extension rib 42. The extensior. ri~ is secured at its upper end to the associated main rib by means of a pivot connector which limits pivotal movement of the extension rib through an arc of 180. Raferring particularly to Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, the pivot connector includes a substantially cross-shap2d body -- -formed of a transverse section 44 and a pair of longitudinal sections 46 projecting in opposite directions from the trans-verse section. One coupling component is provided with a bifur- ~ -¢ated end portion 48 freely receiving therein one of the longi-tudinal sections 46 and secur d pivotally to the latter by a pivot pin 50. The outer end portion 52 of this coupling compo-j nent i8 prov~ded with-a longitudinal groova for the reception of the lower end of the main rib 22 which is secured thereto by such an~ as the screws 54 illustrated.
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A second coupling component is providsd with a similar-, . . . . .. .
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ly bifurcatQd end 56 for the reception therein of the other of said longitudinal sections 46 of the body and for pivotal con-nQction thereto by a pivot pin 58. The outer snd portion of this coupling component is reduc~d in diameter for the press fit connection thereto of the upper end of the rib extension 42 which, in the embodiment illustrated, is in the form of an elon--;.
gated tube.
As best illustrated in Fig, 10, the pivot connector functions to limit the arc of pivot of the rib extension 42 to substantially 180 relative to the main rib 22. Thus, in the folded condition of the rib extension illustrated in broken lines, it is disposed closely adjacent and parallel to the main rib on the outer side of the latter. When the rib extension is -pivoted counterclockwise from said folded position, the bifur- --cated end portion 48 of the coupling component is brought into abutment with the transverse section 44 of the body, after sub-stantially 180 of pivotal movement, whereby the rib extension .~
is in substantial alignment with the main rib.
The framework supports a tent covering 60 of flexible 20 weather proof material. This material may be any conventional tent cover material such as can~as, but preferably is of light weight nylon or other synthetic thernoplastic material in fab-~ ric or sheet form, to minimize the weight and bulk of ths assem-`~ bly. It is shaped to the desired contour and dimensions of the ;~ erected tent, as will be understood. --~ In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a flexible -f.~ floor covering 62 is secured to the bottom peripheral edge of ~-the tent cover 60, -In the embodiment of Figs. 1-6, the tent cover is se- ~, 30 cured over the framework by any suitable means. In the embodi-~ ~^ -~Rnt illustrated, and best shown in Fig, 6S Plexible cloth loops " 64 are secured to the inner side of the cover material at spaced ., ~
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intervals to confine the nain and ext~nsion ribs therein. Other means, such as flsxible cloth ties, otc., may be ~ubstitutP~ for the loops, as desirod.
~ an~ also is ?rovided for securing the ~ottom ends of the extension ribs 42 adjacent the corners of the tent cover to prevent their displacement. In the embodiment illustrated (Fig.
6) such means is provided by flexible socket elem~nts 66 secured to the inner sides of the cover material. The socket elements may be made of canvas, leather, synthetic plastic, or any other 1~ material suitable for the purpose. Alternatively, flexible cloth ties may be substituted for the socket elements.
Means also is provided for anchoring the tent to the ground, when desired, to pr~vent its displacement. For this purpose a plurality of flexibls anchor tabs 68 of canvas, leath-er, cloth, or other suitable matsrial are secured to the outer ;~ side of the cover material 60 at the corners thereof and also preferably at the sides intermediate the corners. These tabs -~
. .~ , .
~! provide loops for the reception of anchor stak~s or pegs adapted to be driven into the ground. ~ -Means also is provided for securing the top of the cov- : -.
er 60 to the top base member. In the embodiment illustrated in - -` i Fig. 7, the top of the tent cover is provided with an opaning 70, -`~ preferably defined by a thickened annular reinforcPment 72. Th~
, j ,, opening is placed in registry with the threaded opening in ~he `~ top base flange 10, prior to attachment of the post 12. The ' j post then is extended downward through the registering openings ~ ~
and the threaded section thereof engaged with the flange. A --projecting annular shoulder 74 on the post above ths threaded section thus is brought downward into clamping engagement with the tent cover material which thus is clamped securely therebe-tween to form a water-tight seal.
In Fig, 14 the threaded opening through the flange 10 , .

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- of the top baso member is omitted and the vertical post 12 i3secured to the underside th~reof as by weldin~ or other suitable means. The clamp shoulder 74 is formed on a s parated short ex-tension 12' of tho post 12, and the ext~nsion is provided with a threaded shank 76 extending downward from the shoulder and through the op~nin~ 70 in the cover 60 for threaded engagement in a threadad blind opening in the upper side of the flango por-tion 10. As in the embodiment illustrated in Fig, 7, the cla~p shoulder 74 functions to clamp the adjacent cover material be-tween it and the upper side of the flange portion, to provide a weather tight seal.
Fig. 15 illustrates alternative means by which the cov-er material is secured to the top basP member. In this arrange-ment the center post 12 also does not extend upwardly through the flange 10, but additionally the cover is not provided with the top opening 70 described hereinbeforeO Instead, a plurality of flexible tie straps 78 are secured to the inner side of the $ cover material and are brought down to the underslde of the - -flange 10, at the corners between adjacent pairs of lugs 14, 20 looped about the post 12 and tied together. The cover thus is -secured firmly to the flange, If desired, a flexible strap 80 -~
may be secured to the outer side of the cover 60, across the ;
flange 10, for engagement by the hand to assist in lifting the assembly, as described hereinafter.
Ths tent cover 60 is provided with an opening for pas- -8age to and from the tent, and a closure is provided for the ~- opening~ Although any conventional form of closure may bs pro-vided for this purpose, the closure illustrated is in the form 1~ of a rectangular flap 82 (Fig~ S). The ~lap is joined to the ;~ 30 cover material along its upper edge~ and removably closes the opening by such means as a slide ~astener which extends along ~ the 8id~s and bottom of the ~lap and the corresponding sides and "~

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bottom of the cov~r o~ening. Th-s fla~ may be mad~ of ths ,a~e material as the cover, or it ~ay b2 of ~osquito nzttin~, or oth-er suitable flexible material. In the -mbodiment illustrated, ths flap is made of the same material as the cover, and an auxi-liary mosquito netting closure 84 also is provided. This net-ting is formed in two latsral sections secured along the sids edges of the tent opening and provided at their adjacent, meot-ing edges with a slide fastener by which to secure the netting across the opening. ~en the slide fastoner is open, the sec-tions of netting material may be rolled to the lateral sides ofthe opening and there secured by such means as the flexible cloth ties 86 illustrated.
The flap 82 may be rolled upwardly to its top edge and secured by the flexible cloth ties 88 illustratsd.
The tent cover 60 may also be provided with one or more screened windows 90 tFig. 5). In such event means is provided - -for removably sealing the screened window against the elements - -of weather. In the preferred embodiment illustrated (Figs. 16-18), such means is provided by a flexible weather-proof flap 92 which is capable of being manipulated between open and closed positions from the interior of the tent. --Thus, the flexible flap is secured at its upper edge to the outer side of the cover material 60 adjacent the upper edge ~' of the window screen, as by means of stitching. The flap is ^ ~-wider and longer than the screen, whereby to completely cover the latter. The opposite side edges of the flap are provided ~ with slide fasteners 94, snap fasteners, or other suitable means, ~-¦ by which to removably secure them to the tant cover. Thus, with the slide fasteners opened the flap may be rolled upward to its upper edge and there secured by such means as the flexible cloth - ties 96 illustrated.
Adjacent the lower end of the flap 90 is a centrally ." _ 9 _ ,, .

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located buttonhol~ 98. This butto~hole is ada?tcd to r~cziv~
therethrough the enlargsd head 100 at one ~nd of an elon~ated peg 102. A flange 104 spaced sli~htly inward of th_ head con-fines the flap ~aterial surrou~ding the buttonhole b~twecn it and the head, wh~reby the peg is secured re~ova~ly to tho flap.
The opposite end of tho peg is adapt~d to ~xtend through an opening in the tent cover 60. In the embodi~m-nt illustrated, this o~ening is provid~d by a gro~met 106 which is secur^d to the t_nt cover bolow ths lower edge of the window scrsen. A
shouldar 108 is ~rovid-d on the ?eg adjac~nt the innor end of the latter to li.~it inward movem~nt of the p~g through the grom-met op_ning. In the embodiment illustrated, this shouldar is provided by reducing the diameter of the inner end por-ion 110 of the p g. Alternativsly, the shoulder may be prov ded by an annular flange on the peg, as will bP understood.
Referring particularly to Fig. 18, the inner end portion 110 ` - of the pag is provided with a transverse bore 112 and an nter-; cepting longitudinal bore 114 which extends to the inner end of the peg. A flexible cord 116 is threaded inwardly through the ~ -longitudinal bore and th~nce outward through tne transverse bore.
.. j , A knot 118 th~n is formed in the end of the cord~ to prev2nt the cord from being pulled outwardly through the longitudinal bore.
I The outer end of the cord is provided with a transv rse pin 120 ¦ which is long~r than the opening through the grommet 106 but i whose diameter is smaller than the grommet openi~g. Thus, wh-n the pin remains transverse to the cord, it cannot pass outwardly through the grom~et opening. However, when the pin is disposed ; parallel to the cord~ it may b~ passed outward through th- grom- -met opening.
!~ 30 Figs- 16 and 17 illustrate the flap 90 in opened position, allowing air to pass through the window screen into or out of the t~nt. In this opened condition~ th inner end 110 of the peg 102 ,~ , .

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la~ls*s is anchored in the gro~met 106 and the 2eg ~xtends outward and slightly downward thsrefrom, holding the lower end of he flap outwardly from the tent cover. In this ?ositîon, --.Jith tho slide fasteners 94 closed, the peg i~ prevented from swinging u~ward, count-rcloc~wisa in Fig. 17, because the length of the p~ from the flange 104 to the shoulder 108 is greztar thæn the shortest distanc~ betwoon the buttonhole and the tent cover, on a line extending through the low~r ends of the slide fasteners. Accord-ingly, the flap is secured in the opening condition against dis-placement by winds or other forc~s.
If it is dasired to close the flap from the open conditionillustrated in Fig. 17, a person within the tont no~d msrely t~
push outwardly on the inner end of tho peg 102 to disengage it from the grommet opening, whereupon the flap falls by gravity downward against the outer side of the tent cover. ~ -To once again open the flap to ~he position illustratod in ~ig. 17, a perSon within the tent merely grasps the inner 2nd of the cord 116, which has boen prevented from passing outward through the gro~nd opening by virtue of the crossed pin 120, and -~
pulls the cord inward through the grommet opening. Tho innerend portion 110 of the peg thus is guid~d into the gro~met opon-~ng to the seated position illustrated in Fig. 17. During this movement the lower end of the flap is moved outward to the open-ed position.
If it is desired to completely expose the window screen 90, the inner end of the peg 102 is pushed outward from the grommet open~ng and tne cord 116 and pin 120 also pushed outward througn the grommet opening, by arranging th~ pin parallel to tha cord ` 80 that both may be passed through the grommet opening. The peg i 30 then i8 turnad parallel to the lower edge of the flap 92 and the - latter then rolled upwardly to its upper edge and there secured i by the cloth-t~es 96.
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~.~)4i~4 It is an i~portant feature of tnis inventio~ tnat as ~he tent unfolds to fully op~n position, an over-cent~r locking mechanism functions in association with th- stretched tent cover 60 to secure th~ tent in said ope~ position. In this re~ard, it is to be nota~ in Figs. l-S that during erection of tho tent the hub 40, to which the bracos 34 are pivotally connect~d, ~ovas upward toward the top base m2mb3r. Durin~ it3 final up~ard ~ove-~ent the hub mov~os upward across a plano 122 (Fig, 6) which ex-tends througn the pivot pins 30 which ancnor the out^r ends of ths braces to thP .~ain ribs 22. This over-centor mov^m2~t of - the hub is resistad resiliently by the eover 6~ which has becone stretched across the ribs a~ the hub moved u~ward to said plane 122.
Thus, as the hub mov~s across said plane, the tension of the stretched cover impresses an inward force on tho ribs and bracas, tending to snap the hub furthor upward. Accordingly, means i8 provided for limiting tho upward movemant of the hub 40 toward the flange 10 of the top base member and honce to li~it -~ ~he inward contraction of tho ribs to a degr~e that maintains the tent cover stretched.
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~ Various types of abut~ent m-ans may b2 int3rpos~d botw-on . ~ .
- the hub 40 and top base member to limit tho upward move~nt of the hub beyond said plane 122. In the embodiment illustratad in Figs. 6-8, the abutment i9 provided by a shoulder 124 formed be-, tween the reduced diameter lower section and main uppar section of the vertical post portion 12 of the top base member. The hub thu~ is brought into abutment with the shou~der shortly after it has passed upward over said plane 122. ~ -, ~ In the e~bodiment illustrated in Fig. 12~ a tubular sleeve 126 ig secur~t aS its lower end to the hub 40 and extznds upward, ly therefrom. The upper end of the sleeve preferably is flarzd upwardly to ~uida its entrance over the post. Although the post f , . ~ -~ ''' ' ' .
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~041f~4 may be long enough to ext~nd through the hub, in the m~n~r illustrat~d in Fig. 7, it may be sufficiently ~hort, as illus-trated in Fi2. 12, to render it unnacessary to provide an ope~-ing through the hub. In such instance, the lower end of t~e sleeve may be secured to the upper surface of the hub, as by welding or oth~r suitable means.
In the embodim~nt illustrated in Fig. 13, the post ~ortio~
of the top basa momber is provided in the form of multi?le tel~-scoping sections 128, the lowermost s~ction of which is secured to the hub 40. The should~r 130 formed at tha lower end of the uppermost section functions as an abutment for the hub, in m~n-ner similar to the shoulder 124 illustrated in Fig. 7.
It is to be noted, particularly ,rom Fi~s. 7, 12 ar.d 13, that the post portion of th~ top base member is either a solid ~ -rod lFigs. 7 and 12), or is otherwise closed at its upper end ; tFig. 13), This construction is made possible by avoiding the necessity, as in some prior art constructions, of securing an elongated rod or cord at its lower end to the hub and extending ~j it upward through an oponing in the top base member. Thus the present invention avoids the structural complication necessita-ted in such prior art constructions of providing a weather tight seal between such rod or cord and th~ top base member.
The operation of the collapsible umbrella tent d~scribed hereinbefore is as follows: First, let it be asswmed that the tont is in its fully collapsed condition, i.e. the hub 40 is .
moved fully downward so that the main ribs 22 are~pivoted inwardi on their pivot pins 16 and lie su~stantially paralïel to each --i o*her closely adjacent the hub~ and the extension ribs 42 are - -;
pivoted upward and lie closely adjacent the outer sides of the main ribs, From this fully collapsed condition, th_ first step of srection i8 illustrated in Fig. i, whersin the extension ribs ;
, 42 are folded out~ard to rest upon the ground. This is accom-'~

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~lis~ed by grasping t~e short out r extension of thz vzrtical post portion 12 of the top base m~ber in one hand to sta~ilize the vertical assembly, while the other hand swings the extension ribs outward.
Diametrically opposite main ribs 22 th~n ar~ grasped one ~y each hand and pulled outward as far as possible (Fi~. 2). 3y this ~eans the bottom edge of the tent cover 60, a~d hence the floor 62 of the tent, are sxtended to their ~aximu~ dim_nsions.
In the event the tent is bsing erected undar such advers_ condi-tions as a strong wind~ the base of th tent ~ay now be anchor-d to tha ground, by stakes engaging the loops 68, as previously mentioned, while the main body of the tent is still in substan-tially collapsed condition and thus lease r~active to tha ~ind.
-~ In any event, the next ste~ ~Fig. 3), is to ~ull upward on the top base ma~ber, again Dy ~ripping the upward extension by the hand, until the hub 40 is elevated above the ground to a diQtance convenient to the operator.
The operator, who has bean standing in the op~n door of t~l-tent cover, then reaches into the tent with his fr~e hand and pushes upward on the hub (Fig. 4) until ths hub has snapped up- -ward over the plane 122 ~Fig. 6) and is brought to its fixed pos-~- it5on of spacing relative to the to~ base member.
... .. .
Tha foregoing sequenco of manipulations illustrated in Figs.
1-5 are capable of completion in th~ matter of about a few sec-onds. Equally rapid is the raverse sequence of collapsing tha tent for transport or storage. ~ -~ The tent is collapsed si~ply by pullin~ downward on the hub i 40 w~th sufficient forc~ to move it downward across aaid plana - ~-122 (Fig. 6), whereupon the componants of the tent assembly~col~
lapse subst~ntially to a condition illustratzd in Fig. 2.
The cxtens~on ribs 42 then are folded upward a~ainst the outer ~dc o~ the main ribs 22 and the latter collapsed fully toward .

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10~ 4 the hub. The excess cover and floor material is then m_rel~
coiled about the collapsed framework and retained b~ encircli~g straps or cords, or by slipping the assembly into a carryin~
bag.
The tent constructio~ dsscribed hereinbPfore accommodatQs the provision of tents of diverse sizes and sha~es. In the event the height of the tant i3 such as to rQnder it difficult to grasp the short upper extension of the top bas_ membsr, or the strap 80 (Fig. 15) in the hand, during the final stage3 of erection (Figs. 4 and 5), these final stagss of erection may be accomplished by the operator solely by mani?ulation of the hub from within the tent.
In the embodi~ent of Figs. 1-6 the cover 60 is sup~orted by the framQworX on the out~r side thereof. Figs. 19-21 illustrate a construction by which the covering 60 may be su~ported by the framework on the inner side thereof. For this purpose tha top base memb~r is provided in a form similar to that illustrated in Fig. 12, wherein a tubular sleeve 126 Qxtends upwardly from a solid hub 40 for reception of the post 12 which extends downward from a solid horizontal flange 10.
' A flexible strap 132 is secured interm~diate its ends to the undersidQ of the hub 40, as by means of a bolt 134 and int~
posed washer 136 (Fig. 20). The ter~inal ends of th~ strap are ~ ~
secured t¢ the outer side of the top center of the cover 60, as ~ - -by means of stitching 138.
In ~imilar manner, a pair of flexible straps 140 arQ secur-ed to the opposite sides of each of the pivot brackets 26. In the embodimRnt illustrated, this i8 achieved by replacing the ~ ~-pivot pin~ 30 of Figs. 6 and 11 with pivot bolts 30' (Fig. 21~ - -- 30 the h~ad and nut of each being backed by washers, with the flex- --; ible ~traps interposed betw-en the washers and the bracket 26.
The inwardly extending ends of the straps are secured to the "

, 104~ 4 outer sid~ of the cov~r 60, as by stitchin,~ 142.
Similarly, a pair of flexible straps 144 are secured to the opposite sides of sach of the upper portions of the ?ivot con-nector for each rib section 22, as by replacing the pivot pin 50 of Figs. 6 and 9 with a ?ivot bolt 50', similar to the pivo~
bolt 30' d2scri~ed hereinbefore. Th- inwardly'_x.ending ends o' the straps are sacured to the outer side of th~ cover 60 as by stitching.
If desirQd, a similar flexible strap 146 may interconnoct the cov_r 60 and an intermediate portion of each of the rib 3ec-tions 42.
The socket elements 66', simil~r to the socket elaments 66 of Fig. 6 which anchor the bottom ends of rib sactions 42, are connected to the bottom edge of the cover 60 by means of flexible straps 148, as will be apparent.
The foregoing arrangement of flexible straps allows the frame to be collapso-d in the manner described hereinbefore and to be extended to the erected condition illustrat-d in Fig. 19, , following the same procedures described hereinbeforQ in connec~

2'0 tion with Figs. 1-5. In the erected condition of Fig. 19, the stretched cover 60 resists movemant of the hub 40 across the ~
plane 122, in the same manner as describPd hereinb2fore. ~ ~ ' If desired, a shielding flap 150 of flexibla, waterproof -, ; , material may be provided to overlie the upper portion of the - -~
tont fra~ework and cover 60. As illustrated in Fig, 19, the ',-~
flap i8 contoured to the external shape of the ~rected framework --~nd is provided with a central~openin,~ 70' for reception of ths ,~
threaded shank 76 on a separat ,short extension 12' which in- , cludes a clamp shoulder 74, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 14.
The central portion of tho flap thus is secured in position against the flange 10 of the top base member. The flap also may , ,, be ~ecured to ~ach of the rib sections 22. In the embodiment , ': ~ '' , , ~ 16-~a~
illu~trat~d (Fig. 21), this is achi~ved by providing op_r.ings 152 in the flap material regist3rin~ with threaded openings pro- -vided in the rib sections 22, prsferably adjacsnt the bracket 26 and cou~ling co~ponent carrying pivot bolt 50', for rec~tion of anchor bolts lS~. In this manner, the shielding flap is rend3r-ed removable, but may be r2ta-ned in position substantially per-man2ntly.
The provision of the shielding flap 150 of wator?roof mat-~` erial allows the main cover 60 to be made of very ~hin fabric which need only be water repellent whila allowing air to pass through it. The space bstweon the covsr 60 and flap 150 allows circulation of air which reduces materially the te~peratur3 and humidity ~ithin the tent.
; From the forogoing, it will be appreciated that the pr_sent invention providss an umbrella tent which may be collapsod to minimum bulk for easy transport and convenient storago, and which may be erected with speed and facility to provide an enclosuro of substantial siz_, free of internal obstructions. As describod hereinbefore, when the tent construction includes ths extension 20 ribs 42, the base of tha tent may be expanded to full dim3nsions for anchoring to the ground, while the tent remains in substan-tially collapsed conditio~. This màterially assists in eraction -~
and collapse of the tent under such adverse conditions as high s winds. The simplified construction contributes significantly to minimum cost of manufactur- and long service life with minimum - --; maintenance and r3pair.
., ~ - . .
It will be apparent to those skillsd in the art that varios changes may be made in the 8iZ9, sha~e, numb~r, tyDe and arr~ng~-ment of parts described heroinbefore without departing from th_ 30 ~pirit of this invention.
l -~ 17-

Claims (10)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An umbrella tent comprising:
a) a framework including 1) a water-impervious top base member including a flange portion and a vertical post portion extending downward from the flange portion, 2) a plurality of elongated resilient ribs pivoted at their upper ends to the flange portion of the top base member at peripherally spaced positions for pivotal movement between extended and retracted positions, 3) a plurality of braces having pivotal connections at their outer ends one to each of the ribs intermediate the ends of the latter, 4) a hub pivotally interconnecting the inner ends of the braces and positioned vertically below the top base member for vertical movement toward and away from the latter across the common plane extending through said pivotal connections of the braces to the ribs, to pivotally move the ribs between said extended and retracted positions, and 5) abutment means on the top base member and hub inter-engageable when the hub moves upward across said plane to limit said upward movement, and b) flexible cover material supported by the framework and dimensioned to become stretched as the ribs move toward extended position, whereby to maintain the abutment means resiliently in interengagement and the tent in erected condition.

2. The umbrella tent of claim 1 wherein each of the ribs includes a main rib section pivoted to the flange of the top base member and an extension rib section connected pivotally to the outer end of the main rib section for movement through an arc of substantially 180° between an extended position substantially aligned with the main rib section and a retracted position adjacent the outer side of the main rib section, the extension rib sections being dimensioned to extend laterally from the main rib sections in a position intermediate said extended and retracted positions a distance defining the ground dimensions of the erected tent, whereby the tent may be secured to the ground at an initial stage of erection of the tent.

3, The umbrella tent of claim 1 wherein the top base member includes a clamp member adjustable toward and away from the flange portion for clamping the cover material therebetween.

4. The umbrella tent of claim 1 wherein the flange portion of the top base member has a threaded opening therethrough and the vertical post portion has an intermediate theaded section engageable removably with said threaded opening, and a clamp member is located on the post adjacent the outer end of the threaded section for clamping said cover material between said clamp member and flange portion.

5. The umbrella tent of claim 1 including securing means on the inner side of the cover material arranged to engage the top base member for securing the cover material thereto.

6. The umbrella tent of claim 5 wherein the securing means comprises a plurality of tie straps arranged to be tied together under the flange portion of the top base member.

7. The umbrella tent of claim 1 wherein the post portion of the top base member includes a plurality of telescoping sections, one end section being secured to the flange portion and the opposite end section being secured to the hub, and said abutment means comprises the end of said one end section opposite the flange portion.

8. The umbrella tent of claim 1, further provided with a window in the flexible cover material and a window closure comprising:
a) a flexible flap connection at one edge to the cover material and overlying the window, b) fastener means on the cover material and flap for releasable securing the flap to the cover material at the ends of the flap edge opposite the connected edge, c) an elongated peg secured at its outer end to the flap adjacent said opposite edge intermediate the ends of the latter, d) an opening in the cover material inwardly of said fastener means arranged to removably receive the inner end of the peg, e) abutment means on the peg adjacent said inner end for abutting the cover material at said opening, f) the length of the peg from said outer end to said abut-ment means being greater than the shortest distance between said secured end and a line extending transversely between said fastener means, and g) a flexible cord extending from the inner end of the peg into the tent for guiding the peg inwardly into said cover opening.

9. The window closure of claim 8 including a cord retainer on the outer end of the cord having one dimension greater than the cover opening, whereby to prevent its passage outwardly through said cover opening.

10. The window closure of claim 9 wherein the cord retainer has a second dimension smaller than the cover opening, whereby to enable its passage outwardly through said cover opening.