CA1166926A - Tent - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A novel means for suspending a tent membrane from the support skeleton includes a plurality of snap hooks fixed to the tent membrane at selected locations. Such a structure avoids the necessity of threading support rods through sleeves or loops or, alternatively, assembling a plurality of short rod sections into a long rod while fixing the rod sections in-to specially designed joints or connectors.

Description

~i This in~ention relates to the struckure of an improved tent. In particular it relates to the means for supporting a tent by utilizing hooks that are removably fixable to the supportin~ rod structure.
Tents or shelters are made in many shapes and run the range from lightweight tents capable o~ being packed by one man-to xelatively cumbersome large tents requiring vehicle tra~sport. The increase in popularity of camping and the requirement for lightweight easily-assembled tents, has resulted in variations on the traditional pyramid tent or pup tent.
With the expansion of the camping to environments where tents are not easily anchored to the terrain, it has become important to design self-standing tent structures so that the necessity for tent pegs or guy lines is eliminated.
Accordingly, tents are currently being designed and built which utilize flexible rods disposed about the -tent to form either a support structure upon which the tent is draped, or~in what can be likened to an exoskeletal structure, a tent with the poles exterior of the tent membrane with the tent ; 2~ supported by some means below the poles or rods.
Generall~, tents ha~ing an exoskeletal structure require the User to assemble the rods, which are usually jointed and come in several sections, before assembl~ of the tent~
Once the rods are assembled, the rods must be passed through .
either a sleeve or tunnel made of fabric extending the full width or length of the tent or, conversely, be passed throuyh loops or rings fitted to the tent structure so that the tent ma~ be supported from the sleeve or the rings.
In the instance where the flexible rods are passed 3~ through sleeves or tunnels of fabric, there exi.sts the ~, 1 pos$ibility that the jointed rod wi.ll become undone in passing through the sleeve, thereby requiring the usex to shake the unattached portion of the rod from the sleeve or -tunnel before the assembly can be completed. Further, the user may, in haste, poke the end of the rod through the sleeve or tunnel, thereby damaging the tent and possibly even impairing the watertight integrity of an outer envelope or fly.
In the case of those tents wherein the inner membrane of the tent structure is supported from loops, it becomes a "puzzle" to determine which loop the particular rod is to pass as the tent is being assembled. That is/ a tent having four flexible rods, each fixed to the tent membrane at four positions, requires sixteen loops or rings positioned on or about the exterior surface of.the tent membrane. It thus becomes very apparent that the next loop or ring is not readily evident during the erection process.
~his last disadvantage has been partially overcome by using junction pieces or connectors so that the junction piece is affixed to the tent at the various poin~s, either permanently or at the time of erection, then the individual :
rod sections may run from one connector to the next. Never-theless, one still must ensure that the correct sequence of rod sections and connectors is used in order for the tent to be properly erected.
This last type of structure has a unique drawback not necessarily found in the previous two types of structures in : that one may be req~lired to carry a large number oE rods, for example twenty rod sections in the case of a tent using four rods and sixteen connectors, since each rod ~ould be composed of five sections. While the loss of one of these sections may not necessarily prove fatal to the erection oE the tent, 9~

such a loss could impair the usefulness of the tent. The loss of several rod sections could preclude the use of the tent.
Finally, it should be pointed out that backpackiny and camping in remote areas are quite frequently done under inclement weather conditions. Thus, the backpacker quite frequently arrives at the evening's campsite at or about dusk in a relatively exhausted state, only to face the necessity of erecting a shelter. This is particularly true during the colder months and in those portions where rainfall is prevalent during the camping season. Furthermore, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to place tent pegs or use guys to pitch the tent. Thus, to provide a tent that avoids the drawbacks mentioned above would be extremely helpful to the backpacker or camper.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
; The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more problems as set forth above.
In one aspect of this invention, a tent is disclosed which is comprised of a plurality of elongated flexible members form~n~ intersecting arches. ~ membrane and a tent floor are also included, along with a plu~ality of hook assemblies affixed to the membrane at predetermined loca-tions.
The hook assemblies are fixab1e to the elongated flexible members for supporting the membrane therefrom.
In previous tents, fixture of the tent membrane to the supporting structure has been done by means of loops or fabric tunnels. The present invention overcomes the dis-advanta~e of having to "thread" the supporting rods through a series of loops or sleeves.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF E~E DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodimen-t of this tent with the outer covering or fly shown transparent for purposes of illustration.
Figure 2 is a detailed view of a portion of the tent membrane shown in Figl~re 4 and including two of the arched supporting rods, Figure 3 is a detail of one of the snap hooks used to support the membrane from the exoskeletal structure.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the tent disclosed herein with the outer covering or fly shown transparent for purposes of illustration.
Figure 5 is a detailed section taken at line 5-5 of Figure 4.

BEST M DE OF CARRYING OUT T~IE INVENTION

Referring now to Figure l, a tent 10 is illustrated in elevation. Tent 10 will hereinafter be described as an exoskeletal tent in light of the fact that tent 10 has a plurality of rods 12 which form an exterior intersecting arch s~ructure from which the tent membrane 14 is suspended. The tent membrane 14 is affixed to a floor 16 in the usual manner so that when the tent membrane 14 is suspended from rods 12, the floor structure of tent 10 interconnects the lower periphery of the tent membrane 14. While floor 12 is not absolutely necessary to the erected tent, it facilitates the èrection of the tent by fixing the ends of the rods 12 as described below.
This may also be accomplished by the use of straps (not shown) interconnecting the ends of the rods in an erected tent.
3~ Each rod 12 is fixable at each of its ends 18 to the floor 16 at the intersection thereof with membrane 14 1 (see Figure 5). This is done in the manner as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,269,210 issued to George Marks on May 26, 1981 and assigned to the assignee herein. Specifically, an end 18 of rod 12 is inserted in a grommet 20 positioned in a tab 22 sewed to rnembrane 14 and floor 16 at the intersection thereof.
Thus, with each rod 12, an arch is formed as shown in Figure 1 due to the length of the rod in relation to the distance between the ends across the floor 16. As can be seen in Figure 1, one of the rods in the particular tent shown in Figure 1 is ; t0 interconnected at its midpoint by special joint 24 that results in a gothic arch or lancet type of structure. The remaining two rods 12 form a conventional rounded arch structure without a discontinuit~ in the curve. On the other hand, the tent structure in Figure 4 utilizes four rods of equal length, each forming an arch.
Referring now to Figure 2, a more detailed view of the suspension of membrane 14 from the rods 12 is depicted.
~nile this suspension applies egually to both applications, it is a detail of the tent shown in Figure 4. Membrane 14 has afEixed thereto a plurality of snap hooks 26 shown in detall in Figure 3. Each snap hook 26 includes a hook portion 28, and a flexible locking member 30 extending substantially across the opening 32 of the snap hook 26. Preferably, snap hooks 26 are made of a light plastic material and also include an opening 34 molded therein to receive webbing 36 which is used to fasten the snap hook 26 to the membrane 14.
- It shoula be apparent from the drawings that the location of each of the snap hooks is preselected on the membrane so that erection of the tent is not only facilitated, but that maximurn support is obtained with the minimum number of snap hooks. It is important that the number of fixture points be -- 5 ~

.1 kept at a minimum, not only to preclude confusion in the erection of the tent, but also to save weight. Specifically, it is appropriate to place a snap hook at least selected intersections of the rods 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 r it has been found that fixture of the membrane at only the upper intersections 3~ is appropriate in order to permit the membrane to hang downwardly from the upper perimeter of the structure. Placement of the snap hooks Z6 at these upper inter-sections also minimizes the number of hooks since a single hook, as shown in Figure 2, serves not only the purpose of a~sociating the membrane 14 wi-th the exoskeletal structure, but further serves to fix the pair of intersecting rods in the desired relationship. It should be understood that an acceptable, although not necessarily preferred, structure can be achieved without locating the snap hooks at.the intersections of the intersecting arches. This type of structure is not necessarily preferred since a degree of rigidity :in the exoskeleton is degraded by llot fi~ing the intersection o~ one arched rod relative the intersecting arched rod.
Z In either case, it may be appropriate to utilize .
supplemental snap hooks at a.point other than the intersection of the arched rods as shown in Figure 2. This is particularly apparent in Figure 1, wherein the lancet arch which forms the main ridge member of this tent-includes snap hooks 40 and 42 on either side of the jolnt 24. This arrangement, along with snap hooks at the apex of each lower arch, "fills out" the tent membrane so that the desired structure is easily attained.
On the other hand, in the alternative embodiment of the tent shown in Figure ~, the snap hooks 26 on the upper surface of the membrane are positioned at the upper intersections

2~

1 38 o-f the rods, while snap hooks are also used around the lower portion of the tent at points other than at intersections (see Figure 2). Thus, it can be seen that the design of the tent may, to a certain degree, establish the optîmum positions for the snap hooks.

APPLICABILIT~
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Referring now to Figures I and 4, it can be seen that the tent is relatively easy to assemble. Specifically, the rods 12 are, if jointed, assembled into one continuous rod before the tent is placed in position for erection. It should be noted that the sections of rods 12 are permanently fixed one to another in the sense that the various sections are attached one to the next section by elastic cord or the like so that the rod may be collapsed into lengths approhimately ; 1~ to 24 inches long to facilitate packing by a backpacker. Thus each rod 12 may be comprised of a bundle o~ several sections that are connected together by elastic cord. Once the rods 12 are thus extended to their full length, the membrane 14 is laid out with the floor 16 against the terrain. In the Figure 4 embodiment, any rod 12 is positioned ~t its one e~d in a grommet 20. The second end of the rod 12 is then taken across the tent to the appropriate grommet 20 on the other side of the tent. In the ernbodiment depicted in Figure 4, these will be opposite tabs since this ~s a symmetric tent. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the appropriate tabs may be substantially opposite or, conversely, they could be color coded along with color coded rods. For example, a blue rod could be positioned in a blue tab at either end. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, it should be noted that various rods are then laid around the perimeter of the tent in over-1 lapping relationship so that intersections will be formed between the opposite poles as the rods are lifted upwardly. In the Figure 1 embodiment, a special rod is utilized, as previously noted, to form the lancet arch.
Once all of the rods are placed in the appropriate grommetsl any rod is then lifted up~ardly. As that rod passes over the first snap hook 26 closest to its end 18, that snap hook is affixed to the rod. The remaining snap hooks along the line of the rod become immediately apparent and are then snapped onko the rod. This is followed by picking up any other rod and following exact]y the same procedure until the point of intersection between the first rod and the second rod is reached.
It may well be that such an intersection does not require a snap hook as is shown in Figure 4, in which case the person , erecting the tent would readily discern this condition and pass on to the next snap hook. Should there be an intersection bet~een the two rods that requires a snap hook, the snap hook that had been placed on the first rod is then merely hooked over the second rod.
l'his same procedure is followed with each rod until the structure depicted in either Figure 1 or F'igure ~ naturally results from the connection of the snap hooks -to the various rods of the exoskeletal structure. Erection is therefore accomplished in a simple orderly fashion without the necessity of "threadin~" the support rods through sleeves or rings. Should one connect the wrony snap hook, it is a simple matter to dis-connect that hook and reattach it to the proper rod. In previous exo.skeletal tents, the entire rod had to be "re-threaded".

; Then, should it be necessary, a fly or overcovering 44 may be placed over the exoskeletal structure and the tent z~

1 membrane. In the drawings, fly 44 is transparent for illustration only. In reality, an opaque fabric would ordinarily be used. Fly 44 serves an important purpos~ in inclement weather. Should the tent be single walled, as would be the case if the fly were not used, it would be necessary to provide a degree of water-repellency to the membrane, thereby resulting in the moisture formed from the presence of occupants in the tent condensing on the inside of the membrane. OnGe moisture condenses on the inside of the membrane, the water resistance of the mern~rane may be lost, thereby resulting in a "leaking"

tent. Furthermore~ the insulating feature of the tent is degraded, not to men-tion the "wet wa:Lls".
To avoid these untoward happenings, the outer covering commonly called a "fly" is positioned over the tent, while the tent membrane, even though water repellent, is allowed to breathe. The fly 44 is also water r~pellent, thus the membrane 14 forms a tent within a tent. The particular structure described herein is especially efficient with fly 44 since there is no intervening web or the like formed by support sleeves between fly 44 and membrane 14, thereby permitting a free flow of air therebetween. This free flow of air reduces the formation of moisture on the inside of the fly and on the inside of the membrane to a point where the occupants of the tent may be . . .
assured of a dry night during -their camping~
Furthermore/ the membrane 14, should there be moisture or rain during the niyht, remains relatively dry for packing the next day. The ~ly 44, of course, which is designed to repel water, may be wet, but can be packed separately from membrane 14 so that on the following niyht, membrane 14 remains dry even though fly 44 may still be moist from the night before.

g _ Fly 44 may be a~fixed to thé tent structure by ties or the like at grommets 20 in the normal manner (see Figure 5).
It should be noted that the structure disclosed herein i5 self-standing and does not require the use of guy lines or tent pegs to form its structure-like shape. The structure-like shape results from a combination of floor 16 with the membrane 14 so that each rod 12 is retained in an arch-like structure when positioned in grommets 20. However, it should be noted that in extreme weather conditionsl tabs 22 may be fitted with small loops at the end thereof so that tent pegs can be used adjacent each tab 22 to better fix the tent to the terrain.
While this structure has been shown in relation to two embodiments, it is to be understood the invention should `
not be so limited, but rather should be limited only to the extent of the appended claims.

.~ , ;' ' : 30

Claims (16)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an exoskeletal tent having a plurality of inter-secting arched flexible rods forming the skeleton, a membrane for suspension therefrom, and a floor interconnecting the ends of the rods, the improvement comprising a plurality of hooks affixed to the membrane, each at a preselected location, said hooks removably fixable to said arched flexible rods, with a first group of the hooks fixable to the arched flexible rods at at least some of the intersections of said rods, each of said first group of hooks fixable simultaneously to at least two of said rods to fix the positions of said two flexible rods relative one to another.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein a hook is fixable to the arched flexible rods at each intersection thereof.

3. The improvement of claim 1 where at least some of the hooks are fixable to some of the arched flexible rods at points between the intersections thereof.

4. The improvement of claim 1 where each of the hooks is fixed to the membrane by a flexible member.

5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein the hooks are of a plastic material.

6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the hooks include a flexible locking member across the opening of the hooks.

7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein each of the hooks is fixed to the membrane by a flexible member.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein hooks are manu-factured of a plastic material.

9. A tent comprising:
a plurality of elongated flexible members;
a membrane;
a floor fixed to the perimeter of said membrane, said plurality of elongated flexible members fixable to said membrane at the intersection thereof with said floor; and the elongated flexible members forming a plurality of intersecting arches;
a plurality of snap hooks, at least some of which forming a first group of snap hooks each removably fixable to at least two of said flexible members at an intersection of said respective formed intersecting arches, to suspend said membrane therefrom and to fix the positions of said flexible members relative one to another.

10. The tent of claim 9 further including a second mem-brane placed over the flexible members and affixed thereto at the ends of each flexible member.

.

11. The tent of claim 9 wherein at least some of said snap hooks form a second group of snap hooks, each removably fixable to the flexible members at positions between the intersections of the formed arches.

12. A tent comprising:
a membrane;
a floor defining a perimeter, said membrane affixed to said floor at the perimeter thereof;
at least three non-parallel flexible arches fixable to said floor at preselected points about the perimeter thereof, three of said arches forming one with another three separate intersections;

Claim 12 continued....

at least three hooks fixed to said membrane at preselected locations, each of said three hooks fixable simultaneously to at least two of said three arches at one of said three separate intersections to fix the three arches relative one to another and to fix the membrane to said arches.

13. The tent of claim 12 having additional hooks fixing said membrane to said arches at points intermediate of said intersections.

14. The tent of claim 13 wherein one of said flexible arches is a lancet arch and further wherein two of said additional hooks fasten said membrane to said lancet arch pro-ximate the apex thereof.

15. The tent of claim 12 having four flexible arches and at least five hooks, the first and second of said arches intersecting generally at their apexes for a first inter-section, with one of said at least five hooks fixable simultaneously to both the first and second arches at said first intersection, the third and fourth arches each intersecting with said first and second arches only once thereby forming four additional separate intersections, each of the remaining four hooks fixable simultaneously to a separate one of said four additional intersections, said third and fourth arches further intersecting with each other twice thereby forming a sixth and seventh intersection, said plurality of at least five hooks fixing said four arches relative one to another and fixing said membrane to said arches at said first through fifth intersections only.

16. The tent of claim 15 including at least one hook fixing said membrane to each of said four flexible arches between said first through fifth separate intersections and said floor.