GB2460391A

GB2460391A - Self erecting tent with integral canopy

Info

Publication number: GB2460391A
Application number: GB0803705A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Thomson Wallace; Nicholas James Underhill
Original assignee: BLACKS LEISURE GROUP PLC
Current assignee: BLACKS LEISURE GROUP PLC
Priority date: 2008-02-28
Filing date: 2008-02-28
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Also published as: GB0803705D0

Abstract

A self erecting tent 10 includes a frame (14, fig 8) defined by one or more elastic rods 16, 18, 20 and a fabric membrane 12 supported by the frame. The membrane includes a flap 28 extending from the tent enclosure to form a canopy. An edge of the flap remote from the tent enclosure is supported by the frame so that the canopy self erects when the tent self erects. A portion of the flap closest the tent may include an air vent 42 to avoid the canopy creating lift during wind. The tent may include a rear canopy 40. In a second aspect, a tent has a roof portion (160, fig 20) connected to a wall portion (162, fig 20) by a water permeable membrane (166, fig 20) to allow condensation to disperse.

Description

I

Self Erecting Tent The present invention relates to self erecting tents.

Self erecting tents are known in which one or more elastic rods are attached to a fabric membrane. The rods and membrane can be collapsed into a disc shaped package which is easily transportable. The disc shaped package has to be held in a closed position by straps or the like.

When the disc shaped package is released, the elastic rods naturally tend to spring apart and self erect the tent within seconds.

GB2425549, US3960161, US5337772, US5601 105, US5163461 and US5396917 all show 1 5 examples of self erecting tents. All of these documents show tent enclosures, i.e. enclosures substantially closed on all sides within which one or more people can shelter or sleep. The tent enclosures all include doors to allow access and egress of the people.

However, none of these documents show any porch or canopy structure outside of the tent enclosure and above the door to protect people from rain etc as they enter and leave the tent enclosure.

US5638850 shows another example of a self erecting tent. In this case a separate rain fly can be connected to the self erecting tent once the self erecting tent has self erected. The arrangement is such that whilst the self erecting enclosure may only take seconds to self erect, it may take several minutes to attach the rain fly to the tent enclosure.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a self erecting tent with a self erecting canopy.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a self erecting tent having the fabric membrane configured to be supported by a self erecting frame to form a tent enclosure, the frame being defined by one or more elastic rod members, the fabric membrane including a flap extending from the tent enclosure to form a canopy, an edge of the flap remote from the tent enclosure being supported by said one or more elastic rod members so that the canopy self erects when the tent enclosure self erects.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURES 1 to 7 are right side, back, left side, front, top, front isometric and rear isometric views respectively of a self erecting tent according to the present invention, FIGURE 8 shows the frame structure of the self erecting tent of figure 1 in an erected position, absent the tent fabric, FIGURES 9 to 15 show how the tent of figure 1 is packed away, FIGURE 16 shows a cross-section of part of the tent of figure 1 taken along the line BB of figure 5.

FIGURES 17 to 20 are right side, front, top, and front isometric views respectively of a second embodiment of a self erecting tent according to the present invention, FIGURE 22 is a cross-section view of the tent of figure 17 taken in the direction of arrows DD of figure 19, and FIGURE 22 is a variant of the tent of figure 17.

With reference to the figures a self erecting tent 10 is shown. The tent includes a fabric membrane 12 and a frame 14. For ease of explanation a front, back, right side, left side, and top of the tent have been defined as shown in figures 1 to 5. However, these terms are simply being used to most easily define the tent and should not be considered to limit the scope of protection in any way.

With reference to figure 8 the frame 14 consists of first, second and third elastic rods 16, 18 and 20. The ends of rods 16 are connected by connector 1 6A so that the rod forms a first continuous loop I 6L. The ends of second rod 18 are similarly connected by a connector I 8A to form a second continuous loop I 8L. The ends of the third elastic rod 20 are similarly connected by a connector 20A to form a third continuous loop 20L. A front loop portion 16F of first loop 16L lies in an arc on the ground whereas a rear loop portion I 6R of the first loop 1 6L is upstanding. A rear loop portion 1 8R of the second ioop 1 8L lies in an arc on the ground such that front loop portion 16F and rear loop portion 18R form an oval on the ground. A front loop portion 18F of the second loop 18L is upstanding. A front loop portion 20F of the third loop 20L is upstanding. A rear loop portion 20R of the third ioop 20L is upstanding. Front ioop portion 20F is positioned between front loop portion 18F and front ioop portion 16F. Rear loop portion 20R is positioned between rear loop portion 18R and rear loop portion 16R.

Figure 1 shows how loop portions 16F, 16R, 18F, 18R, 20F and 20R are positioned relative to the fabric membrane 12. The fabric membrane consists of five major parts, namely a front panel 22, a rear panel 24, a top/side panel 26, a front flap 28, and a rear flap 30. Rear panel 24 includes a multiple guide line point 36 for securing the tent to the ground and ensuring good fabric tension. Rear panel 24 also includes a vent 37, as will be further described below. The front panel 22 includes a door 32 which is closable by a zip 34. The front panel 22 also includes a mesh vent, similar to vent 37.

Along the edge of each panellflap is a pole sleeve within which a part of the frame sits.

With reference to figure 16 there is shown a cross section of pole sleeve 18FPS. As can be seen, the pole sleeve is made from a strip of material which is folded longitudinally such that the lateral edges can be sewn together (along with the edges of the top/side panel 26, the front flap 28, and the front panel 22) at position C. The other pole sleeves are similar in construction to pole sleeve 18FPS. The pole sleeves need not be continuous and can include gaps 52 (see figure 5) which in this case are used for pegging out. Gaps in any of the pole sleeves can be arranged so as to enable guide ropes to attach directly to the poles.

Alternatively tabs 54 can be sewn adjacent to the pole sleeves for guide ropes.

Front loop portion 16F sits within pole sleeve I6FPS. Rear loop portion 16R sits within pole sleeve I6RPS. Front ioop portion 18F sits within pole sleeve 18FPS. Rear loop portion 18R sits within pole sleeve 18RPS. Front loop portion 20F sits within pole sleeve 2OFPS. Rear loop portion 20R sits within pole sleeve 2ORPS. The front panel 22 is stretched between pole sleeve 16FPS and I8FPS, i.e. is stretched between front loop portion 16F of the first elastic rod 16 and the front loop portion 18F of the second elastic rod 18.

The rear panel 24 is stretched between pole sleeve 18RPS and pole sleeve 16RPS, i.e. it is stretched between the rear loop portion 1 8R of the second elastic rod 18 and the rear loop portion 16R of the first elastic rod 16.

The top/side panel 26 is stretched between pole sleeves I8FPS and 16RPS, i.e. it is stretched between the front loop portion 1 8F of the second elastic rod and the rear ioop portion 16R of the first elastic rod.

It will therefore be appreciated that the front panel 22, rear panel 24, and top/side panel 26 of the fabric membrane 12 together form a tent enclosure 50 and it is these three panels of the fabric membrane 12 that protect occupants of the tent from rain, snow etc whilst they* are in the tent and the tent door is closed.

The tent includes a front canopy 38 and a rear canopy 40. Front canopy 38 is formed by the front flap 28 being stretched between pole sleeve 2OFPS and pole sleeve 18FPS, i.e. stretched between the front ioop portion 20F of the third elastic rod and the front ioop portion 1 8F of the second elastic rod. As can be seen in figure 3 the front canopy overhangs a significant portion of the door 32.

As can be seen in figure 3 the front flap 28 sags slightly between the front loop portion 20F of the third elastic rod and the front loop portion 1 8F of second elastic rod. Thus, the front flap 28 together with the pole sleeve 2OFPS form a natural gutter and any rain falling on the front canopy 38 will be naturally guided to the sides of the tent, as shown by arrows A in figure 6. Rain is therefore naturally guided away from the door 32.

Front flap 28 includes two arcuate cut-outs which form vents 42 and 44. Vent 42 is positioned part way up the right side of the tent and vent 44 is positioned part way up the left side of the tent. When the wind blows directly towards the front of the tent, the vents allow any air pressure that builds up between the front flap 28 and the front panel 22 to escape, thereby preventing the canopy from creating lift.

The rear canopy 40 is formed by stretching the rear flap 30 between the pole sleeve 2ORPS and the pole sleeve I6RPS, i.e. by stretching the rear flap between the rear loop portion 20R of the third elastic rod and the rear ioop portion 16R of the first elastic rod. The natural sagging of the rear flap 30 between the pole sleeve I6RPS and 2ORPS creates a natural gutter similar to that described above in respect of the front canopy 38. In this case the rear canopy 40 overhangs the vent 37.

As can be seen in figure 1, the front canopy 38 projects further forward than the rear canopy projects rearwardly. Because the rear canopy 40 is smaller than the front canopy 38 in this particular embodiment it is not necessary to provide any vents in the rear flap 30.

As best seen in figures 1 and 7 (where the rear canopy 40 is only shown in outline to allow vent 37 to be seen), vent 37 is in the form of an arcuate vent, in this case made from a mesh material. The vent is positioned adjacent to the rear pole sleeve I6RPS and forms part of the rear panel 24. As can be clearly seen, the rear canopy 40 overhangs the vent 37 thereby preventing rain from entering the tent enclosure 50. A similar vent (not shown) is positioned in the front panel 22 at its top edge adjacent pole sleeve 1 8FPS. In this case the front canopy 38 prevents rain passing through this vent thereby keeping the tent enclosure dry.

Figures 9 to 14 show how the tent is packed. In figure 9 the front loop portions 18F and 20F and rear loop portions 1 6R and 20R of the appropriate elastic rods are drawn together and held in one hand. In figure 10 the front loop portion 16F and rear loop portion 18R of the appropriate elastic rods are also drawn together to the position shown in figure 11.

Note in particular the elastic retaining strap 46. The tent is then progressively collapsed as shown in figures 12, 13 and 14 whereupon the elastic retaining strap 46 can be looped over the final disc shaped package to hold it in the position shown in figure 15.

The tent is erected by removing the elastic retaining strap 46 whereupon the natural resilience in the first, second and third elastic rods will cause the tent to spring to the erected position shown in figures 1 to 7. Note in particular that not only does the tent enclosure 50 self erect, but the front canopy 38 and rear canopy 40 also simultaneously self erect.

With reference to figures 17 to 21 there is shown a second embodiment of a self erecting tent 110 with features which fulfil the same function as tent 10 labelled 100 greater. The frame for the tent 110 is identical to frame 14.

In this case the top/side panel 126 is of a different construction to top/side panel 26. In particular, as best seen in figure 21, the top/side panel 126 has a top panel 160, a right side panel 162 and a left side panel 164. A right side strip of mesh 166 connects the lower right edge 160R of the top panel 160 to a point on the right side panel 162 situated between the top edge 162T and bottom edge 162B of the right side panel 162. A similar mesh strip 168 connects the top panel 160 to the left side panel 164 in a similar manner. The top panel is supported by elastic roof rods 170 and 172 which cross over (see figure 19) the end of each rod fits into a retaining pocket 174 such that the top panel 160 bulges upwardly as best seen in figure 17 and 18. In this case the roof rods 172 are not self erecting roof rods.

In order to fully erect the tent 110, it is released from its closed disc shaped package whereupon itself erects in a manner similar to the self erecting of tent 10. Once the tent has self erected, then the roof rods must be inserted into sleeves in the top panel with the ends of the roof rods being inserted into respective pockets 174.

However, in further embodiments the roof rods 172 could be pop-up roof rods.

As shown in figure 21, the tent 110 includes an inner tent 180 which is connected to the tent enclosure 150 at spaced intervals by connectors 182.

Whereas the front panel, rear panel, top panel, right side panel, left side panel, front canopy and rear canopy will typically be made from a waterproof material, because the inner tent is protected from rain by the tent enclosure 150, the inner tent is typically made from a breathable material, such as cotton. In this case a lower portion 184 of inner tent 180 is made from a relatively closely woven material 185, whereas an upper portion 186 of the inner tent 180 is made from a relatively loosely woven material, in this case a mesh 187.

A comparison between figures 18 and 4 shows that the sides of the top panel 160 are more steeply angled than the equivalent region of top/slide panel 26. Similarly a comparison of figure 17 and figure 1 shows that the top panel 160 is more steeply angled than the equivalent portion of top/side panel 26.

Because of the steep angling of the top panel 160 any condensation that forms on the underside of top panel 160 will tend to run to the sides of the tent towards either mesh strip 166 or mesh strip 168. When it reaches the mesh strip (which clearly is water permeable) the condensated water will pass through the mesh strip to the outside of the tent enclosure 150, and will continue to run down the outside of either the right side panel 162 or the left side panel 164.

As best seen in figure 21 the top 1621 of the right side panel 162 is higher than the bottom of the mesh strip 166 therefore, any condensated water than has reached mesh 166 cannot run down the inside of the right side panel 162 because of the relative position of the top of the right side panel 162T and the mesh 166. The arrangement of the top panel, right side panel, left side panel and mesh strips 166 and 168 provide a mechanism whereby condensed water, typically condensed from the exhaled breath of sleepers within the tent enclosure, will naturally move from within the tent enclosure to outside the tent enclosure.

This significantly improves the comfort of the occupants of the tent. The roof rods 172 further increase the height of the tent 110 in its mid portion, thereby allowing more headroom for occupants when they are standing, for example whilst dressing.

Figure 22 shows a cross-section of a tent 210 identical to tent 110 other than the inner tent has both its upper and lower portions being made from the same relatively close woven material 185. Because material 185 is breathable material, exhaled breath from sleepers will still be able to pass through the material 185 and condensation will still form on the underside of the top panel 160. The condensate will still travel from the inside of tent enclosure 150 to the outside of the tent enclosure 150 via the same mechanism as described for tent 110.

The self erecting tents 10, 110 and 210 each include three elastic rods forming the main frame 14. In further embodiments a frame structure similar to that shown in figure 8 could be formed by a single elastic rod, or from two elastic rods.

The self erecting tents 10, 110 and 210 include two canopies, though in further embodiments it would be possible to have a single canopy.

The self erecting tents 110 and 210 include two roof rods 172 and 170. Further embodiments could use any number of roof rods in various configurations. For example a single roof rod could be provided that runs longitudinally between the rear loop portion 16R and the front ioop portion 18F. Alternatively, the two roof rods 170 and 172 could be supplemented with a third roof rod, running longitudinally between the rear ioop portion 16R and the front loop portion 18F.

Claims

Claims 1. A self erecting tent having a fabric membrane configured to be supported by a self erecting frame to form a tent enclosure, the frame being defined by one or more elastic rod members, the fabric membrane including a flap extending from the tent enclosure to form a canopy, an edge of the flap remote from the tent enclosure being supported by said one or more elastic rod members so that the canopy self erects when the tent enclosure self erects.
2. A self erecting tent as defined in claim 1 in which the canopy extends over a portion of the tent enclosure.
3. A self erecting tent as defined in claim 2 in which said portion of the tent enclosure includes an opening such as a door or a vent.
4. A self erecting tent as defined in claim 3 in which the opening is closable.
5. A self erecting tent as defined in any preceding claim in which a portion of the flap approximate the tent enclosures includes an air vent.
6. A self erecting tent as defined in any preceding claim in which there is a single self erecting canopy.
7. A self erecting tent as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the fabric membrane includes a further flap extending from the tent enclosed to form a further canopy, an edge of the further flap remote from the tent enclosure being supported by said one or more elastic rod members so that the further canopy self erects when the tent enclosure self erects.
8. A self erecting tent as defined in any preceding claim in which the frame includes a first front loop portion that lies in an arc horizontally, a first rear loop portion that lies in an arc horizontally, a second front loop portion that is upstanding and a third front loop portion that is upstanding, the third front loop portion being positioned between the first front ioop portion and the second front loop portion, in which a portion of the tent enclosure is stretched between the first front loop portion and the second front ioop portion and the canopy is stretched between the second front loop portion and the third front ioop portion.
9. A self reacting tent as defined in claim 8 in which the frame includes a second rear loop portion that is upstanding and a third rear loop portion that is upstanding, the third rear loop portion being positioned between the first rear loop portion and the second rear loop portion, in which a further portion of the tent enclosure is stretched between the first rear loop portion and the second rear loop portion, a further canopy being stretched between the second rear ioop portion and the third rear ioop portion.
10. A self erecting tent as defined in any preceding claim having a roof portion sloping downwardly and being connected by a water permeable membrane to a wall portion, a part of the wall portion extending above a lower edge of the water permeable membrane such that condensation on the inside of the roof portion runs down through the water permeable membrane onto the outside of the wall portion.
11. A tent having a roof portion sloping downwardly and being connected by a water permeable membrane to a wall portion, a part of the wall portion extending above a lower edge of the water permeable membrane such that condensation on the inside of the roof portion runs down through the water permeable membrane onto the outside of the wall portion.
12. A tent as defined in claim 11 in which the roof portion is supported by one or more elastic rods.
13. A tent as defined in claim 12 in which there are two elastic rods preferably in th form of a cross.
14. A tent as defined in any one of claims 11 to 13 in which the water permeable membrane is in the form of a strip of mesh material.
15. A tent as defined in claim 14 in which the strip of mesh material runs longitudinally relative to the tent.
16. A tent as defined in any one of claims 11 to 15 having a further roof portion sloping downwardly and being connected by a further water permeable membrane to a further wall portion, a part of the further wall portion extending above a lower edge of the further water permeable membrane such that condensation on the inside of the further roof portion runs down through the further water permeable membrane onto the outside of the further wall portion.