EP2354382B1 - Flexible structure for a tent and associated tent - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of foldable tents, and more particularly a foldable tent structure, formed of a plurality of armature sections, and the tent comprising a fabric fixed to this frame.

In general, the tents consist of an armature on which comes to rest or which is hung a cover element such as a canvas or a tarpaulin.

For tents such as hiking tents, users want them to have the advantages of quick assembly and easy folding, as well as reduced weight and space for storage and transport.

Among the existing tent structures, there are tubular interlocking structures of different independent rectilinear segments forming the frame. These structures are certainly not bulky for storage and transport but their assembly is tedious. This assembly requires first to associate and assemble the different segments to form the frame of the tent, then to adapt the canvas.

Moreover, there are also structures with flexible hoops, the hoops being slipped into sleeves secured to the tent fabric ( EP-A-0 408 450 ), in order to take the required form and stretch the canvas. More recently, self-expanding tents have also been developed ( EP-B-1 697 604 ) comprising a flexible arch structure in the form of two loops, namely a base loop and an upper loop housed in sleeves reported or integrated into the roof fabric. These tents thus have a very high speed of assembly (a few seconds) but their folding is complex and difficult. In addition, the minimum storage configuration of these tents is circular, which is an obstacle to the transport of these tents, especially in the backpacks of hikers.

Other tent structures having an armature extending around a central mast are also known. US 2003/005953 A1 , which can be inconvenient depending on the desired use of the tent, or other structures which have an umbrella-type upper part, reinforced by springs connecting the upper part and the uprights laterally to prevent damage during a gust of wind for example or sanitary tent structures having curved amounts in their upper part and mounted to rotate about a common vertical axis so as to form, in the deployed state , the frame intended to support the roof of the tent, but these last structures have a very bad stability with the wind ( W02008 / 004953 ).

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of existing tent structures and to propose a tent deploying easily and quickly, easy to fold and which is compact for storage and transport. This structure should, in addition, have good wind resistance.

To this end, the present invention relates to a foldable tent structure comprising the assembly of a plurality of half-arches curved in their upper part and mounted to rotate about a common vertical axis so as to form, in the state deployed, the frame supporting the canvas of the tent, the structure is characterized in that each half-hoop is composed on the one hand of at least one lower section (substantially straight or slightly curved), and on the other hand an upper section divided into two branches moving away from each other towards their distal end and held apart, by means of a spacer disposed along said vertical axis, so as to constitute a lower arch and a upper arch arranged one below the other, the lower section extending in its lower part by a rectilinear base, a first end is articulated to said lower section, and rep linkable against said lower section for the storage of the armature, the legs of all the half-arches being interconnected at their second end, rotated about said vertical axis so as to constitute, in the state deployed, the base of the frame intended to rest on the ground.

The structure according to the invention, self-supporting, does not have a central mast, but only a vertical axis segment here constituting the spacer which keeps apart the two arches of each half-arch of the armature. This arrangement, substantially corresponding to a triangle (one side of which is constituted by said spacer and whose vertices are the points of connection between the latter and the upper and lower arches and the dividing point of these two arches) substantially stiffens the part. reinforcement and reinforces its stability in preventing the half-arches from twisting and "spin" when unfolding the armature.

Advantageously, the half-arches are made of flexible material, preferably aluminum, fiberglass or carbon fiber. Thus, the structure does not have a spring connecting or reinforcing the sections between them. The frame also does not have a troublesome central mast for certain activities or uses of the tent.

This flexibility of the half-arches allows both bending for storage and in their deployed position to withstand the effects of wind or other external forces acting on the frame.

The base is advantageously in the form of flat rods easily fit under the floor mat of the tent, these rods are preferably aluminum or fiberglass, or carbon fiber.

To improve the ease of storage of the armature, the articulation between the base and the lower section of each half-arch can be achieved by means of a rigid joint or a link, preferably in the form of a flexible strip or strips, whose ends are secured respectively to the base and said lower section of the arch, so as to allow, for the storage of the armature, after grouping the half-arches, the folding of the legs against the sections lower of the set of half-hoops grouped together.

It has been determined that the length of each leg is advantageously less than the length of the associated half-arch allowing, during the laying on the ground of said legs in a radiating arrangement about the axis, the automatic and instant unfolding of said half-bars. hoops upward to form the roof reinforcement of the tent, and maintaining the curvature of the half-hoops in the expanded state.

To facilitate further storage, it is possible to arrange an articulation between the lower and upper sections of each half-hoop; and these lower and upper sections of each half-hoop are hinged together to facilitate the folding of the frame and reduce its size. This joint can be in the form of an anti-pinch hinge to prevent the fabric from getting stuck in this last. Preferably, such a joint allows freedom of rotation less than or equal to 180 degrees so that the lower and upper sections of the roll bar in the deployed state are substantially straight.

In order to further reduce the bulk of the frame, it can be provided that each leg of the half-arches is equipped, preferably at mid-length, with an intermediate hinge, and that the second ends of said legs are hinged between they by means of a bar forming a connecting node, so that, in the grouped state of the legs, the latter are arranged parallel to each other to allow their folding by means of said intermediate joint, the first and second ends of the legs are then close to each other.

In order to prevent the tent fabric fastened to the said half-hoops of the structure from being jammed and damaged during the folding of the different sections of the reinforcement, it is advantageous, when the structure comprises a limited number of half-hoops, to preferably three, four or five half-arches, that the distal ends of the two branches of the upper section of each half-hoop are hinged together by means of a connecting node, so as to position said upper sections parallel to each other; when folding the structure. This link node may be in the form of a single or double bar, a triangle or other polygon.

The present invention also relates to a tent comprising a structure as described above, and a first covering element, such as a canvas or tarpaulin, fixed at several attachment points at least to each of the upper arches of the half -arceaux, constituting the roof of the tent, and possibly at least a second element-type cloth or mosquito net, fixed at least to each of the lower arches of the half-arches, forming the walls of at least one inner chamber of the tent.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective de la structure selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention montrant l'armature à l'état déployé ;
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective de la structure de la figure 1 en cours de repliement ;
• La figure 3 est une autre vue de la structure de la figure 1 en fin de repliement ;
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective de la structure de la figure 1 repliée et attachée en vue de son rangement ;
• La figure 5 est une vue de dessus de la partie centrale des piètements (base de la structure) ;
• La figure 6 est une vue de détail d'un exemple d'articulation entre le piètement et le tronçon inférieur d'un demi-arceau ;
• La figure 7 est un détail du sommet de la structure à l'état replié de l'armature ;
• La figure 8 est un détail des arches supérieures et inférieures de l'armature à l'état déployé ;
• La figure 9 est une vue en perspective de la tente selon l'invention comprenant l'armature de la figure 1 revêtue d'une toile ;
• La figure 10 montre un détail de l'articulation des deux tronçons supérieur et inférieur d'un demi-arceau selon un second mode de réalisation de la structure selon l'invention ;
• La figure 11 montre la structure selon le second mode de réalisation de l'invention à l'état replié ;
• La figure 12 montre la structure de la figure 11 à l'état semi-replié ;
• Les figures 13 à 15 présentent une variante relative aux piètements, la figure 13 montrant lesdits piètements totalement repliés, la figure 14 les piètements regroupés avant leur repli et la figure 15 montre un détail des secondes extrémités des piètements à l'état déployé de l'armature.

The present invention is illustrated by the following nonlimiting examples with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of the structure according to a first embodiment of the invention showing the armature in the deployed state;
• The figure 2 is a perspective view of the structure of the figure 1 in the process of refolding;
• The figure 3 is another view of the structure of the figure 1 at the end of refolding;
• The figure 4 is a perspective view of the structure of the figure 1 folded and tied for storage;
• The figure 5 is a top view of the central part of the legs (base of the structure);
• The figure 6 is a detailed view of an example of articulation between the base and the lower section of a half-arch;
• The figure 7 is a detail of the top of the structure in the folded state of the frame;
• The figure 8 is a detail of the upper and lower arches of the armature in the expanded state;
• The figure 9 is a perspective view of the tent according to the invention comprising the frame of the figure 1 covered with a cloth;
• The figure 10 shows a detail of the articulation of the two upper and lower sections of a half-hoop according to a second embodiment of the structure according to the invention;
• The figure 11 shows the structure according to the second embodiment of the invention in the folded state;
• The figure 12 shows the structure of the figure 11 in the semi-folded state;
• The Figures 13 to 15 present a variant relating to the legs, the figure 13 showing said legs fully folded, the figure 14 the legs grouped before their withdrawal and the figure 15 shows a detail of the second ends of the legs in the expanded state of the frame.

As indicated above, Figures 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the invention. The figure 1 shows a foldable structure 1 for tent consisting of a plurality of half-arches 2 bent in their upper part and mounted to rotation around a common axis 16 vertical and extending in their lower part by legs 8 whose free ends are also rotatably mounted about said vertical axis 16. These half-arches and legs are arranged radially disposed around said vertical axis 16 and constitute, in the deployed state, as shown on the figure 1 , the frame of the tent.

Between two adjacent legs 8 is provided a cord-type link 11 limiting their respective spacing.

Finally, to close said frame, a connection link 10 associated with a hook 12 is provided between the end legs 8A and 8B.

Each half-hoop 2 of flexible material consists on the one hand of at least one lower section 3, for example in the form of a tubular element, substantially rectilinear or slightly curved, and on the other hand, of a section upper 4 curved dividing into two branches which deviate from each other towards their distal end. These two branches are held apart by means of a spacer 7 disposed along said vertical axis 16 so as to constitute an upper arch 5 and a lower arch 6 arranged one below the other, the lower arch 6 of a half-hoop being arranged in line with the upper arch 5 of the same half-hoop.

To replicate this structure, as shown on figures 2 and 3 it is sufficient to detach from the hook 12 the connecting link 10 connecting the two adjacent legs 8A and 8B and to group the different legs against each other around the axis of rotation 16, this also involving the rotation of the half-arches around said axis 16.

During this grouping, the legs 8 are folded against said lower sections of the half-arches thanks to the articulation 9 made by means of a link, for example a flexible link 19, as shown in FIG. figure 6 .

The branches of the upper section 4 of the half-arches 2 being flexible, they straighten during the folding of the frame, but it is possible to bend them for the final storage of the frame (see figure 4 ). A clip 13 may then be provided to retain these sections in curved position.

The details of Figures 7 and 8 show that the spacer 7 may be, for example in the form of a threaded rod on which are rotatably mounted flat rods constituting the upper arches 5 and lower 6 half-arches 2.

The figure 7 shows in particular the small footprint of the upper arches superimposed when folded.

The structure described above is the frame of the tent. A first covering element such as a canvas or a tarpaulin is fixed at several points at least to each of the upper arches of the half-arches of the armature, as shown in FIG. figure 9 , to constitute the roof of the tent.

It is also possible to add a second cover element, mosquito net type or canvas, attached to at least several of the lower arches of the half-arches to form the walls of one or more inner chambers of said tent (not shown on the figures).

The spacing between the upper arches 5 and lower 6 allows to arrange between the roof cloths and inner chambers, a volume of insulating air.

It is also possible, according to a variant not shown, that a double-roof fabric and mosquito net assembly is fixed below the arches 2, the double-roof fabric being attached by cords or straps, preferably elastic, to the frame (end of legs 8, arches 2 and arches 5, 6).

According to a second embodiment of the invention, each half-arch 2 consists of a lower section 3 and an upper section 4 located, in the expanded state of the frame, in the extension of one of the other but articulated by means of a hinge-type hinge 14 as shown in FIG. figure 10 .

The tubular element forming the lower portion 3 of the half-arch is secured to the straight portion 15 of this hinge 14 which has, in its lower part (visible on the left of the figure 10 ), inward INT a stop 17.

The upper portion 4 of said arch is directly articulated on the rectilinear portion 15 of the hinge, this before dividing in its upper part, not shown on the figure 10 , in two branches forming the upper and lower arches of the half-arch.

• d'une part la forme des demi-arceaux associés à leurs piètements a tendance à écarter cesdits arceaux vers l'extérieur EXT et lors d'un coup de vent très violent ou d'une autre force importante appliquée sur l'armature par l'extérieur, ledit arceau articulé va pouvoir plier sans rompre au niveau de la charnière 14 ;
• d'autre part, une telle charnière permet de replier l'armature, comme présenté sur les figures 11 et 12, de façon plus compacte que pour le premier mode de réalisation présenté ci-avant.

The presence of such a hinge has two main advantages:

• on the one hand the shape of the half-arches associated with their legs tends to move these said arches outwards EXT and during a very violent gust of wind or other significant force applied to the frame by the outside, said hinged arch will be able to bend without breaking at the hinge 14;
• on the other hand, such a hinge allows folding the frame, as shown on the Figures 11 and 12 , more compact than for the first embodiment presented above.

Indeed, unlike the inward fold (according to the first embodiment), conditioning the storage curved arches of the upper section 4, the hinge 14 can fold, according to this second embodiment, this section superior outward to allow a smaller footprint as visible on the figure 11 .

The folded frame is very compact and can be easily accommodated in a tubular bag or housing for example.

According to an advantageous variant presented on the Figures 13, 14 and 15 it is possible to provide for each leg 8 half-arch 2 an intermediate hinge 18 disposed, preferably mid-length of the base 8, dividing the latter into two parts, a first portion 21 on the side of the first end of the base , that is to say at the end connected to the lower section 3 of the half-hoop 2, and a second portion 22 disposed between said intermediate hinge 18 and the second end of the base 8.

In the variant presented to Figures 13, 14 and 15 , the legs are four in number corresponding to four half-arches for the frame according to the present invention.

The second ends of the legs 8 are hinged together by means of a bar 23 forming a connecting node so as to allow a arrangement, in the grouped state, of the legs parallel to each other. Such an arrangement allows easy folding by means of said intermediate hinge 18, as shown in FIG. figure 13 . In the deployed state of the tent structure, this bar 23 is located at the central axis 16, and is preferably of flat shape, the second ends of the legs being connected to the latter, in an alternating arrangement above and below it (see Figures 14 and 15 ).

Such a variant makes it possible to fold the frame even more compactly thanks to a smaller footprint of the folded legs, the parts 21 and 22 of these legs being found one above the other in the folded state as shown on the figure 13 .

Said intermediate joint 18 may be in the form of a rigid hinge or a flexible link such as the articulation between the lower section 3 of the half-hoop 2 and the base 8.

It can also be provided, according to another variant (not shown) of the structure according to the invention, the same type of hinge node at the top (top) of the structure, the ends of the upper sections of four half-arches being, for example, rotatably mounted either on a single bar (on either side of the latter, as on the figure 15 relating to the ends of the legs), or sandwiched between a pair of bars and articulated to the latter, so, in the deployed state of the frame, to radiate around this link node, and in the folded state positioning the half-arches parallel to each other, avoiding trapping the tent or mosquito net between them.

This tent structure, according to the invention, folds and unfolds in a few seconds and its size is significantly less than for the tents of the state of the art, including the self-expanding tent described in the patent EP-B-1 697 604 .

Claims (9)

1. A foldable structure (1) for a tent comprising the assembly of a plurality of half-hoops (2) with a curved upper portion and rotatably mounted around a shared vertical axis (16) so as to form, when deployed, the framework supporting the canvas of the tent,
   characterized in that each half-hoop (2) is made up on the one hand of at least one lower segment (3), and on the other hand of an upper segment (4) divided into two branches moving away from one another toward the distal ends thereof and kept spaced apart using a spacer (7) arranged along said vertical axis (16), so as to form a lower arch (6) and an upper arch (5) arranged one below the other, the lower portion of the lower segment (3) being extended by a rectilinear leg assembly (8) whereof a first end is articulated to said lower segment (3), and can be folded against said lower segment to store the framework, the leg assemblies (8) of the set of half-hoops being connected to one another, at the second end thereof, rotatably around said vertical axis (16) so as to form, when deployed, the base of the framework designed to rest on the ground.
2. The structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the leg assembly (8) assumes the form of flat rods, preferably made from aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon fiber.
3. The structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the half-hoops (2) are made from a flexible material, preferably aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon fiber.
4. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation (9) between the leg assembly (8) and the lower segment (3) of each half-hoop (2) is made using a connection (19), preferably in the form of a flexible strip or thin straps, the ends of which are respectively secured to the leg assembly (8) and said lower segment (3) of the hoop, so as to make it possible, in order to store the framework, after gathering the half-hoops (3) together, to fold the leg assemblies (8) against the lower segments of the set of gathered half-hoops.
5. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of each leg assembly (8) is shorter than the length of the associated half-hoop (2), allowing, when said leg assemblies (8) are placed on the ground in an arrangement arrayed around the axis (16), the automatic and instantaneous upward unfolding of said half-hoops to form the roof framework of the tent.
6. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower (3) and upper (4) segments of each half-hoop (2) are articulated to each other to facilitate the folding of the framework and to reduce the bulk thereof.
7. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each leg assembly (8) of the half-hoops (2) is equipped, preferably midway lengthwise, with an intermediate articulation (18), and in that the second ends of said leg assemblies (8) are articulated to each other by means of a strip forming a connecting knot, such that, when the leg assemblies (8) are gathered together, the latter parts are arranged parallel to one another to allow them to be folded up using said intermediate articulation (18), the first and second ends of the leg assemblies then being found near one another.
8. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, having a limited number of half-hoops (2), preferably three or four half-hoops, the distal ends of the two branches of the upper segment (4) of each half-hoop are articulated to each other using a connecting knot, so as to position said upper segments parallel to each other during folding of the structure.
9. A tent comprising a structure according to any one of the preceding claims, as well as a first covering element, such as a canvas (20) or a tarp, fastened at least at several fastening points to each of the upper arches (5) of the half-hoops, making up the roof of the tent, and possibly at least one second canvas-type element, fastened at least to each of the lower arches (6) of the half-hoops, forming the walls of at least one inner chamber of the tent.

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