AU2011100292A4 - Rain-proof, exchangeable tent windows - Google Patents

Description

Rain-proof, exchangeable tent windows This invention relates to the improvements in tent window designs. Conventional tent windows consist of one or more layers of material such as PVC, mesh and canvas. They are among the most vulnerable tent parts as they get operated more frequently than other parts (frequent opening and closing action) and usually consist of weaker material (e.g. mosquito mesh) compared to the surrounding tent fabric. They are also notoriously expensive to repair or replace as they cannot be simply "patched up". It is not uncommon to replace the whole tent if a window as become severely damaged. There have been proposals to introduce replaceable windows, which can be attached to the tent via zip or Velcro fasteners instead of the fixed sewn-in versions. They all share the advantage of exchangeability but also the disadvantage of being permeable to rainwater. Velcro connections, when exposed to water, become saturated after a short while and enable rainwater to enter the tent. Zip attachments, even water resistant ones, introduce holes as week points, especially above the pull when the zip is in a closed state. These problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides an arrangement of Velcro fasteners, zips and canvas flaps in a fashion that allows a window to be exchanged while at the same time preventing the ingress of rainwater into the tent through it. To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings and photos. Figure 1 gives a basic overview of the invention. The idea is to remove the entire window section (including canvas cover, mosquito mesh and/or PVC window) in once piece. To make ensure the section is rainwater proof, it is fixed by a combination of zip fasteners, Velcro-flaps and internal canvas water channels. Figure 2 shows a real life implementation. Figure 3 illustrates the locations of the zip fasteners. For each zip, one half is attached to the tent and the other corresponding half is-attached to the window. Figure 4 depicts the locations of V-shaped canvas flaps with Velcro attachment on the flap insides. When closed, this arrangement conceals the top and bottom zips (#1 and #3 in Figure 3) and ensures rainwater proofing when water is flowing down the tent walls. Figures 5 and 6 show photographs of the flap arrangement from different perspectives. Figure 7 contains the positions of the remaining Velcro attachments for the top and bottom flaps as well as the side flaps. Figure 8 shows a photograph of the top flap and left side flap. Each side of the exchangeable window has long inner canvas channels, which are formed by closing the flaps (i.e curl into a channel). These channels cover the zips and protect them from water. The channels run the full height of the window. Rain water that passes the Velcro secured flap is channelled downwards and leaves at the bottom of the window, thus not getting in contact with the zip (see Figure 9). Figure 10 displays the side of the window, showing the arrangements of Velcro fasteners, zip and canvas channel. The combination of canvas flaps, zips and Velcro fasteners allows for easy replacement of a window. Nevertheless, the window section is fitted securely and waterproof to the tent. Water is running always from top to bottom over flaps without the chance to pool or penetrate into the tent.

The claim defining the invention is as follows: 1. A tent window that is both replaceable and rainwater-proof by means of the illustrated arrangement of canvas flaps, zips and Velcro fasteners.

Claims (1)

1. A tent window that is both replaceable and rainwater-proof by means of the illustrated arrangement of canvas flaps, zips and Velcro fasteners.