US3476127A - Portable roll up tent - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 4, 1969 c. w. HOLT PORTABLE ROLL UP TENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1S, 1967 FIG.2

INVENTOR- CHARL ES W. H OLT Wan/mm, W,

ATTORNEYS Nov. 4, 1969 c. w. HOLT PORTABLE ROLL UP TENT Filed Dec. 13, 1967 ,2 Sheets-Sheet FIGS FIG?

INVENTOR. C HARLES W. HOLT ATTORNEYS FIG.8

United States Patent Ofilice 3,476,127 PORTABLE ROLL UP TENT Charles W. Holt, 1053 59th St., Oakland, Calif. 94608 Filed Dec. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 690,264 Int. Cl. A45f 1/00 US. Cl. 1351 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable roll up tent including a fabric envelope and a resilient frame which supports the envelope, during use, in a distended position in which an enclosure is provided which is large enough for a person to sleep, rest or reside with a degree of freedom not permitted by conventional sleeping bags or the like. The envelope, with frame in position, is capable of being rolled into a compact roll for transportation and storage.

The invention, for which the following is a detailed disclosure, relates generally to camping equipment, and constitutes an improvement in gear for resting or sleeping out of doors.

Camping gear used for sleeping has, prior to the present innovation, comprised, in the main, conventional sleeping bags and larger, more cumbersome, tents and like enclosures. Sleeping bags normally comprise a pair of cloth panels sewn together to define a pocket in which the user sleeps. While basic sleeping bags leave the users head exposed, accessory structures have been devised for use in conjunction with the sleeping bag to cover the exposed portion of the users body. Such structures take the form of simple tents, and in some instances, comprise more sophisticated rectangular frameworks which accommodate mosquito netting or other like fabrics to protect the user from the elements.

A major difficulty in resting comfortably in a sleeping bag is in the restriction that the construction of the bag places upon the user. The pocket formed by the bag is usually quite small, and restricts the user in that it is, at the very least, diificult to roll over in the bag, or sleep in any position other than flat on ones back, and in some constructions, the assumption of any position other than lying on ones back is virtually impossible.

An alternative to the sleeping bag approach is, of course, the tent. Tents may range from more simple and compact pup tents to very large, multiple compartment tents. Tents, however, lack the essential compactness of a sleeping bag, and usually involve a cumbersome collection of poles, stakes and stringers. The portage of a tent with all its related gear is inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an outdoor sleeping enclosure having the compactness of a sleeping bag, while providing substantially greater freedom of movement within the enclosure, and therefore contributing to the relaxation of the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide a sleeping enclosure in which the user is totally enclosed and protected from the elements, thereby attributing to the enclosure, certain of the desirable attributes of a tent, without the attendant encumbrances.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective, partially fragmented view of a portable roll up tent constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of one 3,476,127 Patented Nov. 4, 1969 end of the tent, sectioned to illustrate certain details of frame construction;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the tent of FIGURE 1, illustrated upside down, and showing the general configuration of the tent preparatory to rolling for storage and transportation;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective of the tent of FIGURE 1 fully collapsed, rolled and ready for transportation;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the frame portion of the tent of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the frame of FIG- URE 5, illustrating the same in its distended position, ready for use;

FIGURE 7 is a section take along line 7--7 of 'FIG- URE 5; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged and fragmented view similar to FIGURE 6, illustrating a telescoping center pillar construction.

While the invention is clearly susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a particular illustrative embodiment is set out in the drawings and will be described in detail hereafter. It will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to this specific disclosed form, but rather to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The portable roll up tent 10 of the present invention comprises briefly a fabric envelope 12 which will provide when in distended form a continuous elongated ovalshaped enclosure defined by an elongated bottom panel 14, an elongated top panel 16, end panels 16 and 17, and elongated side panels 20 and 21; at least one of the side panels having a major portion 23: detachably secured for release and folding out from the bottom panel 14 to provide an entrance opening to the enclosure and a ground mat at the entrance way thereto; and means 30 mounted interiorly of the envelope for effecting resilient expansion thereof to distended form while at the same time being formed for rolling up with the envelope into a compacted roll, as seen in FIGURE 4, for transportation and storage. The envelope may be fabricated from any suitable weatherproof fabric and the several panels may be fashioned from one or several pieces of material sewn or otherwise fastened to one another. In the present case, the top and end panels 1S17 are formed as a continuous length of material. The bottom panel 14 is preferably of a length somewhat greater than the height of the individual for whom the tent is intended. A length of about inches is suggested. The interior height of the tent only need be sufiicient to amply accommodate the interior occupant and an interior height of about 24 inches is suggested.

In order to provide ready access to the enclosure, a zipper 22 is provided for the detachable side portions 23, it being noted in the present disclosure that such demountable side portions are provided on both sides of the tent so that either or both sides may be opened or closed as desired for the convenience and comfort of the user. Preferably, the Zipper 22 extends for practically the entire length of the side panel and the path of the zipper as will be seen from FIGURE 1 rises from a point near the lower edge of the side panel to a point near the upper edge where it continues rearwardly and finally returns to the lower edge of the other end of the panel so that the portions 23 may open out as flaps from the tent. These flaps are secured at their base to the bottom panel so that they will fold out in the plane of the bottom panel to provide not only the openings to the enclosure but also mats at the doorway to the enclosure.

Portholes 26 are optionably provided near the head out from this position. The portholes may be covered with a durable translucent plastic material or mosquito netting as desired.

The aforesaid means for effecting resilient expansion of the envelope here preferably comprises an elongated resilient frame having a normally arched form with opposite end leg portions 27 and 28, adjacent end panels 15 and 17 and an elevated midportion 29 for supporting the top panel 16 in spaced relation to bottom panel 14 to provide a sleeping area therebetween; and as an important feature of the present construction, the frame is formed for resilient coiling around one of its leg portions 2728 to provide the aforementioned rolling up of the envelope.

Various materials may be employed to provide the resilient frame. In the present construction, as best seen in FIGURE 5, a lattice of resilient straps is used for this purpose to provide a lightweight yet roll up structure. The straps may be formed of spring steel, plastic or other suitable material. As will be seen from FIGURE 5, the frame here comprises opposite side members 32 which are joined by a latticework of craft straps 34 and 35 which may be suitably woven, riveted or otherwise fastened. The side straps 32 are preferably of a length substantially equal to the combined length of the top and end panels 15-17 with the terminal end portion of the side members being arched to define the end portions 27 and 28 see FIGURE 6.

It is the purpose of the frame, in operation, to distend the envelope to shape and form an enclosure capable of comfortably receiving the user. To this end, the frame is constructed to automatically, upon unfastening the rolled tent, separate and bias the top panel 16 away from the bottom panel 14 and to hold the two apart in a manner which will provide a usable interior. Again, the particular height to which the envelope may be extended is one of choice and not a necessary aspect of the inventive concept displayed here.

In order to elevate the frame latticework defined by the straps 32, 34 and 35, terminal end portions of the frame are biased against the action of the spring straps, to provide the pair of arched end or leg sections as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 6. One manner of accomplishing this is the provision of a tensioning member such as a spring 37 which extends from a point 39 near the terminal end of the framework to a point 41 inwardly from the end thereof. It will be appreciated that the specific position of the point 41, taken in conjunction with the length and resiliency of the member 37, will determine the relative position of the remote ends of the framework.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, this arrangement pro vides corners of approximately 90 degrees. It is apparent, however, that because of the resiliency of the framework, the corners are rounded. However, taking this consequence of construction into account, the side panels may likewise be rounded in order to exactly fit the framework when the same is in its elevated position.

It will also be appreciated that where a permanent attachment is not desired, well-known hook and eye arrangements may be used at the points 39 and 41 in order to secure the spring 37. Moreover, such a spring is provided at both ends of each of the elongated straps 32 in order to provide suitable arching of the frame when it is in the position illustrated.

In order to permit the end portions of the frame to be more readily flexed, the latticework employed in the main body section may be omitted as desired. It will be observed (FIGURES 1 and 7) that a pair of straps 43 extend from the end straps 45 to the terminal cross straps 34 at either end of the lattice. By angling these straps, triangulation occurs which adds essential strength to the structure, without impairing its flexibility. A cross strut 47 adds lateral rigidity so that when the tension members 37 are engaged, there is no tendency of the frame to collapse inwardly.

In order to add additional stability to the enclosure, in use, without detracting from its essential rollability for transportation, a pair of side-mounted supporting post members, generally indicated at 50, and best seen in FIGURES 6 and 8, are provided. The posts are preferably provided near the center of the frame in order to add rigidity at that point in the light of the length thereof. With a view toward maintaining the flexibility of the frame, the posts, in this instance, comprise a tube 52 having an end thereof bent at 54. The tubular end 54 extends through a tubular boss 56 which is secured in any suitable fashion to the side frame members 32. The tube portion 54 is rotatable within the boss 56 on an axis parallel with the frame members. In this manner, the leg 52 may be folded under the frame when the frame is collapsed. A foot member 58 is telescopically received with the tube 52 and may be extended to engage the bottom panel 14 of the enclosure to lend support to the frame. The foot is lockable by means of a latch 59, similar in construction to the latch used to elevate the open conventional umbrella in a number of positions which permit the user to elevate the frame to give additional head room in the tent.

In a similar manner, lateral stability may be enhanced by the provision of means 60 for placing the frame 30 under lateral compression so as to produce upward bowing thereof in transverse cross section as seen in FIGURE 7. Such means here consists of telescopically attached members 61 and 62 having their outer ends secured to side frame members 32 and held in manually adjusted position by a latch 65 for controlling the amount of bowing action desired and for quick release of the parts preparatory to rolling up of the tent.

Again referring briefly to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that a mattress 66 of any suitable construction is readily provided as part of the bottom panel, or in addition thereto in order to enhance the comfort of the user. Furthermore, the top panel is optionally provided with a window 68, through which the user may observe his surroundings. The window may be either of a suitable flexible plastic material, or mosquito netting, as desired. In order, however, to close out the light and other disturbing influences when desired, a curtain member 70 is provided as part of the top panel, and may be pulled over the window 68 by the user.

In securing the envelope for storage and transportation, the position of the tent is reversed as seen in FIGURE 3 and beginning at one end, the envelope is simply rolled tightly about that end in spiral fashion to produce the unit illustrated in FIGURE 4.

The unique frame construction, as illustrated in FIG- URE 5, offers no impairment to being rolled into a tight compact package such as illustrated in FIGURE 4. By providing straps 72 at one end of the envelope, and fasteners 74 on the same panel at appropriate location, the envelope may be secured in its rolled condition for either transportation or storage. Upon release of the straps the energy stored in the resilient frame will cause the entire structure to unfold, and snap into its distended condition ready for use.

I claim:

1. A portable roll up tent comprising,

a fabric envelope providing when distended a continuous elongated enclosure defined by elongated bottom and top panels and end panels,

elongated side panels connecting said top and bottom and end panels,

at least one of said side panels having a major portion detachably secured for release and folding out from said bottom panel to provide an entrance opening to said enclosure and a ground mat at the entrance way thereto, and

an elongated resilient frame mounted interiorly of said envelope for eifecting resilient expansion thereof to distended form and including longitudinally extending side members and cross straps connected to and extending therebetween and underlying said top panel, the opposite ends of said side members being arched to define depending leg portions to support said frame in normally longitudinally arched form thereby supporting said top panel in spaced relation to said bottom panel to provide a sleeping area therebetween,

said frame being formed for resilient coiling around said leg portions for rolling up of said envelope and frame into a compact roll for transportation and storage.

2. A portable roll up tent as defined in claim I, and means for placing said frame under lateral compression to produce upward bowing thereof in transverse cross section.

3. A portable roll up tent as defined in claim 1, and springs connected to said main side members between points near the terminal ends thereof to points inwardly thereof so as to bias the terminal end portions of said frame into an arched position.

4. A portable roll up tent as defined in claim 1', and center posts mounted on said frame for selective depending therefrom for support on said bottom panel and said frame in relatively elevated position thereto.

5. A portable roll up tent as defined in claim 4, wherein said posts are manually extendable to increase the interior height of said envelope.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 659,981 10/1900 McCall 1353 XR 2,134,879 11/1938 Levy 135-1 2,659,905 11/1953 Rochford 1351XR 2,792,844 5/1957 Clark 135-1 KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 5-343

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