EP2201197A2 - Tent with automatically storing window and door coverings - Google Patents
Tent with automatically storing window and door coveringsInfo
- Publication number
- EP2201197A2 EP2201197A2 EP08837511A EP08837511A EP2201197A2 EP 2201197 A2 EP2201197 A2 EP 2201197A2 EP 08837511 A EP08837511 A EP 08837511A EP 08837511 A EP08837511 A EP 08837511A EP 2201197 A2 EP2201197 A2 EP 2201197A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fabric cover
- fabric
- window
- opening
- tent
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
- E04H15/32—Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to fabric structures, and more particularly to a tent having window and/or door coverings that store automatically when the covering is moved from a closed position to an open position.
- Tents are portable structures made of lightweight, often waterproof, fabrics.
- a tent is a collapsible shelter of polyester or other material stretched over and supported by a frame, such as one or more poles.
- Tents are used for camping outdoors, or as temporary structures. Tents come in a variety of shapes, including dome and cabin style tents.
- a tent having an automatically stored window covering.
- a window for the tent is moved from a closed position, where a fabric cover covers the window opening, to an open position, where the fabric cover is partially or fully removed from the opening, the fabric cover automatically stores itself.
- the only user effort to both open and store the fabric cover is in opening the fabric cover.
- a fabric cover automatically rolls as the window is opened.
- This rolling feature may be provided, for example, by plastic or metal springs that are attached to or embedded in the fabric covering and that are biased into a rolled configuration.
- a fabric cover includes accordion-type pleats and elastic drawstrings.
- the elastic drawstrings when released, pull the accordion-type pleats together, closing the fabric cover.
- the fabric cover is automatically stored in this position due to the elastic nature of the drawstring.
- the drawstring may be cinched to fully close the fabric cover into a storage position.
- a tent window may include an autowind reel with a fabric cover mounted on the reel. A user may pull the fabric cover against the tension of the autowind reel to close the opening, or may activate the autowind reel to close the fabric covering into a storage position.
- FlG. 1 is a side perspective view of a tent in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view representing a front view of a window for the tent of FlG. 1 , the window having a fabric cover that is partially rolled down;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view representing a front view of the window of FIG. 2, which the window further rofled down;
- FIG.4 is a schematic view representing a side of the window in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a window in accordance with another embodiment, the window having an accordion-type pleated fabric cover:
- FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the window of FIG. 5. with the fabric cover in a partially opened position;
- FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the window of FIGS. 5 and 6, with the window covering in a fully opened position;
- FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of another window covering in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 1 shows a tent 20 in accordance with an embodiment.
- the tent 20 shown in the drawings is a cabin style tent, although features of the invention may be used in different models of tents, whether dome, another type of free-standing tent, cabin, or other models.
- the invention may be utilized with many different tent structures and may also be used in fabric structures other than tents, such as shelters.
- the invention has particular relevance to family camping tents, such as conventional cabin style tents or free-standing tents.
- freestanding we mean tents that may be assembled and that are self supporting without guy lines or stakes.
- An example is a dome tent.
- aspects of the invention may be used in other style tents or in other fabric structures.
- the tent 20 includes walls 22 and poles 24 for supporting the walls and the tent in a manner known in the art.
- walls we include the typical walls of the tent and portions of the tent that might typically cover the top of the tent.
- a door 26 and a window 27 are provided for the tent 20.
- the window 27 may be positioned, for example, on one of the tent walls 22.
- the window includes a fabric covering that automatically stores itself upon the window being opened.
- FIG. 2 shows an example of a window 30 that may be utilized for window 27.
- the windows such as the window 30, are openings in the tent that typically have a screen material. That is, the side walls 22 include an opening that may be filled with the screened material, although not necessarily so.
- the screen material is depicted by the reference numeral 33.
- a window may not necessarily include screen material, or may include other material that provides an opportunity for light, rain and/or air to enter the tent when the fabric material is removed from over the window opening so that the window is opened.
- a fabric cover 34 is used to close or cover the window opening of the window 30.
- the fabric cover 34 reduces the entry of outside light, rain and/or air through the window.
- the fabric cover 34 may be, for example, made of the same material as the side walls 22, or may be any suitable fabric or cloth that is flexible and that may be moved to cover the opening for the window 30, and then may be moved away so as to open the window.
- the fabric covering typically extends over the inside of the window, although it may alternatively extend over the outside.
- the fabric cover 34 is releasably attached along its side edges to the side wails 22, and is permanently attached along a bottom edge of the window opening.
- a fabric cover 34 may be releasably attached in different locations than the side edges, and may be permanently attached in different locations.
- the side edges are attached by zippers 36, each of which includes a zipper pull 38.
- Different closure mechanisms may be used, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, loop and toggle fasteners, clips, clasps, or other suitable closure mechanisms.
- the fabric cover 34 includes a mechanism for automatically storing the fabric cover when the fabric cover is partially or fully opened to provide access to the window opening for the window 30.
- the fabric cover 34 includes plastic springs 32 extending along outer edges of the fabric cover 34.
- the plastic springs 32 may alternatively be positioned at some point intermediate of the side edges, or only one plastic spring or more than two plastic springs may be used.
- a window may be shaped as a triangle with an upper apex and a single plastic spring may extend from a lower portion of a window covering to the apex.
- the plastic springs 32 may be, for example, any material that has a bias towards a rolled configuration.
- the spring 32 need not be plastic, and could be spring steel or other suitable metallic material, a composite material, memory plastics, or any other structure that may be formed with a bias towards a rolled position.
- the material is preferably corrosion resistant.
- An example of a configuration of the springs 32 in a relaxed state is shown in FlG.4.
- the plastic springs 32 are held straight against the bias of spring toward the rolled configuration.
- the plastic springs 32 because of their bias towards a rolled configuration, begin to curl in a rolled configuration, such as the furling of a sail. This rolling or curling continues as the zipper pulls 38 are pulled downward, causing the fabric cover 34 to roll into a tight, compact, elongate cylinder.
- the fabric cover 34 is rolled part way down, such as is sown in FIG. 2, there is no loose material hanging, but instead the material is looped by the bias in the plastic springs 32 into a tubular configuration at the top of the zipper pulls 38, as is shown in FIG. 2.
- the zipper pulls 38 downward as shown in FIG. 3 causes a larger wrapped tubular configuration of the fabric cover 34.
- the springs 32 provide convenient, automatic storage of the fabric cover 34, and may continue to do so until the zipper pulls 38 are pulled to the bottom of the zippers 36.
- the fabric cover 34 is automatically stored in a convenient configuration, and does not have to be tied or otherwise fastened to keep the fabric cover from sagging or drooping into the inside of the tent 20. As the fabric cover 34 is stored, the height of the window that is exposed and open in increased.
- the springs 32 may be sufficiently flexible so that they do not hinder tent storage. Alternatively, the springs 32 may be removed for storage.
- a fabric cover 42 includes accordion-style pleats44.
- accordion pleats are a basic form of pleat, consisting of a series of permanent folds of equal width in alternating opposite directions. Openings 46 are positioned along side edges of the pleats.
- Drawstrings 48 extend down opposite side edges of the fabric cover 42 in and out of adjacent openings 46 so that adjacent folds for the accordion pleats 44 are positioned on opposite sides of the drawstrings 48.
- the drawstrings 48 in an embodiment are elastic or another type of material having an elastic property. Mechanisms are provided for extending and holding the drawstrings in a taut position. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the mechanisms are hooks 50 positioned on the ends of the drawstrings 48 and eyelets 52 to which the hooks attach when the fabric cover 42 extends fully over the opening for the window 40.
- a user simply releases the hooks 50 from the eyelets 52.
- the elastic nature of the drawstrings 48 draws the accordion pleats 44 upward and to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2.
- a user may simply release the hooks 50 from the eyelets 52, tallowing the fabric cover 42 to spring upward, or may raise the hooks after release and until the drawstrings are relaxed. With the hooks 50 released and the drawstrings relaxed, approximately half of the opening for the window 40 is exposed, and the fabric cover 42 is stored in this position without loose hanging material.
- the drawstrings 48 may include a cinching mechanism, such as barrel locks 54 (FlG. 7), to permit the accordion pleats 44 to be cinched upward to the position shown in FIG. 7. In this position, the opening for the window 40 is fully exposed.
- the cinch locks 54 are moved back to the end of the drawstrings 48, towards the hooks 50, bringing the fabric cover 42 back to the position shown in FIG. 6.
- the hooks 50 may then be pulled downward against the elastic tension in the drawstrings 48, and may be hooked on the eyelets 52. In this position, the accordion pleats 44 hang freely downward and cover the opening for the window 40.
- the fabric cover 42 and associated drawstrings 48 do not include large, rigid components, and thus to not impede storage of the tent 20.
- the drawstrings 48 may alternatively be inelastic cords, strings, or straps. Such an embodiment may utilize a lock, such as a barrel lock, to lock the drawstrings in position.
- a window 60 An additional embodiment of a window 60 is shown in FIG. 8.
- an auto wind reel 62 such as is used in conventional home blinds, is positioned at a top of the opening for the window 60.
- the fabric cover 64 is wrapped around the auto wind reel 62.
- a string 66 is positioned at the bottom of the fabric cover 64 and may be used to pull the fabric cover 64 downward.
- the auto wind reel 62 includes a tension mechanism that biases the wheel in a rotational direction.
- such a wheel may include a locking mechanism so that a user may lock the fabric cover in place to a particular position.
- the auto wind reel 62 may be engaged, pulling the fabric cover fully up around the auto wind reel. If desired, the auto wind reel 62 may be removable to permit efficient storage of the tent 20.
- the embodiments described above are advantageous in that they do not require tylng, wrapping, rolling, or other steps of storage for a fabric cover for a tent window. Thus, a user may quickly open the window without having concern for loose fabric of the fabric covering hanging on the inside of the tent.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US97902307P | 2007-10-10 | 2007-10-10 | |
PCT/US2008/079633 WO2009049247A2 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-10-10 | Tent with automatically storing window and door coverings |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2201197A2 true EP2201197A2 (en) | 2010-06-30 |
EP2201197A4 EP2201197A4 (en) | 2011-05-25 |
Family
ID=40549853
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08837511A Withdrawn EP2201197A4 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-10-10 | Tent with automatically storing window and door coverings |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110155199A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2201197A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2011523446A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2008310637A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2702398A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009049247A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9784010B2 (en) | 2015-08-28 | 2017-10-10 | Exxel Outdoors, Llc | Moveable cover assembly for shelter structures |
US9822582B2 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-11-21 | Danelle Larsen | Window covering with adjustable securement mechanisms |
US10791863B2 (en) | 2017-06-04 | 2020-10-06 | Danelle Larsen | Cordless covering for sliding glass doors and large windows |
US10465443B2 (en) * | 2017-08-11 | 2019-11-05 | Ching Feng Home Fashions Co., Ltd. | Spring winding type window shade |
US10871030B2 (en) | 2018-03-31 | 2020-12-22 | Dani Designs Co Llc | Cordless window covering with securement mechanisms |
US11085232B2 (en) * | 2018-04-04 | 2021-08-10 | Beowawe, Llc | Exit sign shade for classroom viewing window |
US20220412118A1 (en) * | 2019-11-19 | 2022-12-29 | Kenneth L. Licau | Modular Tent System With Removable Roof And Floor |
CN116044297B (en) * | 2023-04-03 | 2023-06-06 | 华翱洁净科技(广东)有限公司 | Opposite-clamping type observation door with self-cleaning function |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1583832A (en) * | 1926-01-22 | 1926-05-11 | Conrad J Hoigaard | Tent-window structure |
US1925815A (en) * | 1931-08-04 | 1933-09-05 | Communications Patents Inc | Flexible inclosure construction |
US4212341A (en) * | 1978-05-03 | 1980-07-15 | Impact Products Pty. Ltd. | Sun screen blinds and the like |
DE3622677A1 (en) * | 1986-07-05 | 1988-01-14 | Claus Reher | Device for winding webs, in particular cover sheets for vehicles |
DE29600710U1 (en) * | 1996-01-17 | 1996-03-28 | HZF Hanno-Zeltfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, 30453 Hannover | Window cover for covering windows for tents |
DE20316547U1 (en) * | 2003-10-27 | 2004-03-18 | Nell, Dieter | Roll-up aid for flexible covers for tent openings and suchlike has cover connected to scroll spring on two sides by which it is fastened on edge of opening or by which it covers opening |
US20050045284A1 (en) * | 2003-09-02 | 2005-03-03 | Ullyett Gordon Jeffrey | Retractable cover with biasing mechanism for covering structures |
Family Cites Families (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US1059890A (en) * | 1912-09-04 | 1913-04-22 | Philip L Mcclure | Adjustable window-shade and curtain hanger. |
US1704945A (en) * | 1926-12-10 | 1929-03-12 | Us Tent & Awning Company | Tent-door arrangement |
US2516869A (en) * | 1946-06-17 | 1950-08-01 | Philip W Harris | Collapsible tent |
US2545535A (en) * | 1947-11-08 | 1951-03-20 | William E Trombley | Tent construction |
US2666441A (en) * | 1952-09-24 | 1954-01-19 | Powers & Company | Tent window |
US3812616A (en) * | 1972-06-26 | 1974-05-28 | L Koziol | Portable greenhouse |
US3913655A (en) * | 1973-07-18 | 1975-10-21 | Toshio Ogino | Temporary curtains |
US4326577A (en) * | 1980-04-16 | 1982-04-27 | Tse Brian H | Vertically positioning window shading system |
US5170830A (en) * | 1990-05-07 | 1992-12-15 | Coslett Fred L | Sun shade |
US5893238A (en) * | 1998-04-09 | 1999-04-13 | Peacock; Ralph | Inflatable tent construction |
US5988254A (en) * | 1998-06-29 | 1999-11-23 | Hanright; Connie A. | Washable window shade with removable components |
US6338378B1 (en) * | 1999-04-12 | 2002-01-15 | Vkr Holdings A/S | Window screening arrangement with a braking device |
US6499497B1 (en) * | 2000-01-26 | 2002-12-31 | Johnson Outdoors Inc. | Tent with retractable fly |
US6338356B1 (en) * | 2000-05-02 | 2002-01-15 | Dalaimour Wallenstatter | Portable tent |
US6640867B1 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2003-11-04 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Releasably attachable shades |
TWM246445U (en) * | 2003-10-17 | 2004-10-11 | Hsiao-Wei Nien | Venetian blind operated with cordless structure |
JP3104329U (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2004-09-16 | 東京ブラインド工業株式会社 | Easy cutting blinds |
TWM257158U (en) * | 2004-05-14 | 2005-02-21 | Ching Feng Home Fashions Co | Roman type blind drapery structure |
US20060096718A1 (en) * | 2004-10-21 | 2006-05-11 | Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd. | Collapsing and securing device without pull ropes for a blind |
US7373965B2 (en) * | 2005-04-20 | 2008-05-20 | Li-Ming Cheng | Window shade lift cord apparatus |
TWM276530U (en) * | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-01 | Ching Feng Home Fashions Co | Curtain body structure exempted from hand-pulling rope |
KR200405125Y1 (en) * | 2005-10-04 | 2006-01-10 | 곽재석 | Roll screen device for vehicles |
US20080202708A1 (en) * | 2007-02-27 | 2008-08-28 | Opendo Glenn | Retractable door assembly for portable shelter |
US20090056886A1 (en) * | 2007-08-27 | 2009-03-05 | William Bennett Shaw | Retractable flexible sound reduction system and method for doorways |
-
2008
- 2008-10-10 CA CA2702398A patent/CA2702398A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-10-10 EP EP08837511A patent/EP2201197A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2008-10-10 WO PCT/US2008/079633 patent/WO2009049247A2/en active Application Filing
- 2008-10-10 AU AU2008310637A patent/AU2008310637A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-10-10 US US12/682,207 patent/US20110155199A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-10-10 JP JP2010529113A patent/JP2011523446A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1583832A (en) * | 1926-01-22 | 1926-05-11 | Conrad J Hoigaard | Tent-window structure |
US1925815A (en) * | 1931-08-04 | 1933-09-05 | Communications Patents Inc | Flexible inclosure construction |
US4212341A (en) * | 1978-05-03 | 1980-07-15 | Impact Products Pty. Ltd. | Sun screen blinds and the like |
DE3622677A1 (en) * | 1986-07-05 | 1988-01-14 | Claus Reher | Device for winding webs, in particular cover sheets for vehicles |
DE29600710U1 (en) * | 1996-01-17 | 1996-03-28 | HZF Hanno-Zeltfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, 30453 Hannover | Window cover for covering windows for tents |
US20050045284A1 (en) * | 2003-09-02 | 2005-03-03 | Ullyett Gordon Jeffrey | Retractable cover with biasing mechanism for covering structures |
DE20316547U1 (en) * | 2003-10-27 | 2004-03-18 | Nell, Dieter | Roll-up aid for flexible covers for tent openings and suchlike has cover connected to scroll spring on two sides by which it is fastened on edge of opening or by which it covers opening |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of WO2009049247A2 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2702398A1 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
WO2009049247A3 (en) | 2009-08-06 |
JP2011523446A (en) | 2011-08-11 |
AU2008310637A1 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
EP2201197A4 (en) | 2011-05-25 |
US20110155199A1 (en) | 2011-06-30 |
WO2009049247A2 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
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