EP3158149A1

EP3158149A1 - A foldable tent

Info

Publication number: EP3158149A1
Application number: EP15810380.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John TSEKOURAS
Original assignee: Swiss Holdings Ptd Ltd; Turner Leisure Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Swiss Holdings Ptd Ltd; Turner Leisure Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-06-17
Filing date: 2015-06-12
Publication date: 2017-04-26
Also published as: WO2015192176A1; AU2015278242A1; EP3158149A4

Abstract

A foldable tent frame (10) with radial frame members and longitudinal frame members. Two pivot joints (42,44) pivotally engage one end of each of the radial frame members. Corner joints (18 to 32) pivotally connect each of the longitudinal frame members to two of the radial frame members respectively. Axial joints (34-40) in each of the longitudinal frame members respectively allow the longitudinal frame members to fold. The radial frame members rotate from a mutually splayed configuration to a retracted configuration. The longitudinal frame member fold about the axial joints to draw the radial frame members connected to one of the pivot joints adjacent the radial frame members connected to the other pivot joint.

Description

A FOLDABLE TENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to foldable tents, and more particularly the construction of tent frames for foldable tents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oztent' is a popular style of foldable tent, which is marketed to recreational users both in Australia and overseas, and which is originally described in US 4,748,995, dated 7 June 1988. Guiseppe Viglione, of Horsley Park, Australia, is nominated as inventor.

The Oztent caters in particular to those requiring a portable outdoor shelter that can be carried on their vehicle when enjoying the outdoors, and easily and rapidly set up and packed down.

Over the years, the Oztent design has undergone incremental design changes, but remains largely unchanged and unchallenged as a general purpose foldable tent for general purpose recreational use - such as camping, picnicking, and so on.

The general Oztent design - in a nutshell - involves pivot assemblies located internally either side of and to the fore of the tent frame. Frame members are articulated at the pivot assemblies, and are interconnected at each side of the tent by rigid bracing members. The bracing members are pivotally mounted on the frame members, and pivotally connected to each other and slidingly received within an intermediate frame member. When erected, the frame members are angularly spaced, and the bracing members slide slightly Overcentre' to lock the intermediate frame member in place.

Despite its popularity, the Oztent is however not without limitations. There are in fact two particular limitations of the Oztent design that are widely recognised.

First, the Oztent design has limited usable space internally, owing to its sloping roof, which converges to its short back wall. The consequent lack of adequate headroom towards the back of the tent limits the utility of the design. Second, the Oztent design while foldable, is not particularly compact when folded. A full-size Oztent when packed and folded has dimensions (in length) of around 2 metres. This makes the Oztent impractical to carry within most vehicles, and thus requires an installed roof rack, or other means of safely carrying the tent. This understandably limits the versatility of the product, and as a consequence its market reach.

Despite the notable popularity and longevity of the Oztent design, and the commercial potential of a competitive product that addresses its recognised limitations, no designs have yet emerged to rival the Oztent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a tent frame which, amongst other advantages, and compared with existing designs, can be quickly and easily erected and knocked down, is of simple construction, and is lightweight and has compact dimensions when knocked down for stowing or storage.

The inventive concept, in light of the foregoing, arises from a recognition that a folding tent of improved design can be provided without the need of bracing members, by instead deploying along each of the two sides of the erected tent a centrally located pivot joint along the respective sides of the erected tent - and operatively integrating lockable telescopic frame members.

These features allow the tent to be self-supporting under the weight of the tent material, and any additional live or dead loads that may be caused by rain, snow, wind etc.

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a foldable tent frame comprising:

radial frame members;

longitudinal frame members;

at least two pivot joints for pivoting engagement with one end of each of the radial frame members;

a plurality of corner joints for pivotally connecting each of the longitudinal frame members to two of the radial frame members such that the longitudinal frame member extends between the two radial frame members; and, a plurality of axial joints each positioned at a point along each of the longitudinal frame members respectively such that each of the longitudinal frame members can pivot into a folded configuration of two adjacent sections;

wherein, the radial frame members are configured to rotate from a mutually splayed configuration to a retracted configuration about the pivot joints; and

the longitudinal frame members are configured to fold about the longitudinal joints to draw the radial frame members connected to one of the two pivot joints, adjacent to the radial frame members connected to the other of the two pivot joints.

Preferably, the radial frame members are telescopic and have at least two sections configured for mutual sliding inter-engagement.

Preferably, each of the radial pivot joints is pivotally connected to four radial frame members, and positioned at each side of the tent frame when in an erected configuration, such that one end of each of the four radial frame members connecting to one of the pivot joints, pivotally connect at spaced locations along the pivot joint, and an opposite end of each of the radial frame members terminates in respective corner joints.

In another aspect, the invention provides a foldable tent with tent material supported on a foldable tent frame according to any of the inventive forms of the frame described above.

Preferably, the foldable frame is an exoskeleton for supporting the tent material in an erected configuration.

Preferably, the tent is free standing in the erected configuration such that tent pegs or guy ropes are not required.

Preferably, the foldable tent frame incorporates at least one flexible rod for extending between at least two of the longitudinal frame members such that it bows upwardly in the erected configuration to provide a raised or domed profile in a roof portion of the tent material.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable tent frame, when fully erect - but without accompanying tent material.

Figs. 2 to 4 are perspective views of the tent frame of Fig. 1 , respectively depicted at successive stages of knock down from its erected state.

Fig. 5 collects the views of each of the views of Figs. 2 to 4, consolidated for ease of reference.

Fig. 6 depicts a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1 , together with enlargements of particular joints in insets A, B and C.

Fig. 7A is an enlargement of the corner joint 28 shown in inset C of Fig. 6. Fig. 7B is an enlargement of the axial joint 34 shown in insert A of Fig. 6.

Fig. 7C is an alternate form of the longitudinal joints 34 to 40 which incorporate a reinforcing channel.

Fig. 8 is an enlargement of the pivot joint shown in inset B of Fig. 6.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are side, front and rear elevations of the complete tent with tent material fitted to the tent frame of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A foldable tent frame is depicted in Fig. 1 , in a fully erected configuration. The frame 10 - as depicted - comprises a set of articulated frame members, articulated by joints of four different types. When in its erected state, the frame 10 notionally comprises a base 12 and two arches 14, 16 that provide structural support to the tent and in fact define a roofline. The frame 10 is structured symmetrically around mid-planes bisecting both its longitudinal axis and transverse axis. This symmetry is exploited to provide compact knock down of the tent frame.

The joints referred to above are corner joints 18 to 32, axial joints 34 to 40, pivotal joints 42, 44 and telescopic joints 46 to 52 - and are described on further detail below.

Four corner joints 26 to 32 are respectively positioned at each of the four corners of the base 12 of the frame 10. A further four corner joints 18 to 24 are located at respective corners of the two arches 14 and 16. Two axial joints 34 and 40 are located midway along the length of the base 12 - along its front and rear. Two pivot joints 42 and 44 are located at the midway along the respective two sides of the base 12. Four telescopic joints 46 to 52 are located in the plane of pivot joints 42 and 44, and allow the two arches to retract or extend, towards and away from the pivot joints 42 and 44.

The frame members joining the described joints are aluminium extrusions which are mostly identical in construction - though any suitable extrusion design can be used as required.

Fig. 2 depicts a first stage in the knock down of the frame. The four telescopic joints 46 to 52 at the sides of the two arches 14 and 16 are retracted to lower the roofline.

Fig. 3 depicts a successive stage of knock-down. Here, compared to Fig.

2, the pivot joints 42 and 44 have been used to pivot the frame members defining the base 12 towards and adjacent the two arches 14 and 16 defining the roofline. The partly collapsed frame 10 in this configuration represents an inverted U- shape, with all the corner joints 18 to 32 co-located at respective sides of the partial collapsed frame 10. Then, the corner joints are articulated inwards to bring the pivot joints 42 and 44 towards the centre of the framework, as depicted in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 depicts a successive stage of knock-down, in which the axial joints 36 to 40 are articulated to collapse the two sides of the base 12 and arches 14 and 16 adjacent each other.

Fig. 5 depicts the aforementioned successive stages of knockdown on a single page, for ease of reference.

Fig. 6 depicts the frame 10 of Fig. 1 -with enlargements of insets A, B and C. These insets show three of the four types of joint described above - inset A is an enlarged view of axial joint 34, inset B is an enlarged view of pivot joint 42 and inset C is an enlarged view of corner joint 28. These joints are depicted in greater detail in Figs. 7 A, 7B and Fig. 8. Fig. 7C shows an alternative axial joint design which incorporates a reinforcing channel to strengthen the joint.

Referring to Fig. 6, inset C and Fig. 7A, corner joints articulate radial frame members 54 and longitudinal frame members 56 - and allows these members to pivot in a common plane. As depicted, corner joints are fitted at all terminal ends of radial frame members distal the pivot joints 42 and 44, at both sides of the tent frame. The corner joint 28 is not hinged at the 'corner' per se, that is, the axial intersection of the radial frame member 54 and longitudinal frame member 56. Instead, the pivot point 58 of the corner joint 28 which articulates the frame members is spaced apart from the corner at a small offset along the radial frame member 54, towards the pivot joint 42 (not shown).

This permits the frame members to be collapsed together in a compact, orderly and substantially parallel arrangement, as evidenced in the fully collapsed state of the tent frame 10 depicted in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 6, inset A and Fig. 7B, axial joints articulate longitudinal frame members 60 along their length (in fact, their mid-point, as depicted) with two spaced apart pivot points 62 and 64 which hinge the longitudinal frame member 60 in a common plane. Again, this permits the frame members to be collapsed together in a substantially parallel and orderly arrangement as illustrated by the fully collapsed state of the tent frame 10 depicted in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7C shows another form of the axial joints which include a reinforcing channel 66 to bolster the strength of the longitudinal frame members 60. The longitudinal frame members 60, and in particular those defining the roof line at the top of the arches 14 and 16, can be subjected to significant loads. For example, rain water can pool in the roof of the tent and apply significant transverse load 60 on the axial joint. To increase the bending strength of the longitudinal frame members 60, the transverse loads 70 are distributed across the pivot points 62 and 64 as well as channel bracing members 68. Workers in this field will readily understand that this is achieved by providing the free ends 72 and 74 (see Fig. 7B) at the mid point of the longitudinal frame members 60 with a short longitudinal slot for the axel at the pivot points 62 and 64 instead of a circular hole. This allows the two halves of the longitudinal frame member 60 to rotate into a straightened configuration as shown in Fig. 7C such that the two free ends 72 and 74 (not shown and Fig. 7C) then move toward each other into engaging abutment with cross bracing members 68. The free ends 72 and 74 need to be shaped for an abutting engagement that also allows downward force from the load 70 to partially transfer through the ends to the channel bracing members 68. By distributing the load 70 across two spaced apart points at both of the mid point ends 72 and 74, the longitudinal frame members 60 have much greater bending strength. Referring to Fig. 6, inset B and Fig.8 pivot joints 42 and 44 articulate radial frame members 54 in a common plane. Whilst the radial frame members are pivoted about a (nearly common) pivot point 42, each radial frame member 54 in fact has a respective pivot point 76 spaced apart at a small offset from one another. Yet again, this permits the frame members to be collapsed together in a parallel and orderly arrangement, as illustrated by the fully collapsed state of the tent frame 10 depicted in Fig. 4.

Consequently, the corner joints 18 to 32, axial joints 34 to 40 and pivot joints 42 and 44 feature offset pivot points that co-operative to permit orderly and compact collapse of the tent frame 10. This frame allows the tent to be larger than an Oztent (discussed in the Background section), and in fact wholly encompass an Oztent in its erect configuration, yet collapse to a configuration short enough to fit in the boot or trunk of most standard, mid-size, passenger cars.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the tent 100, with tent material 80 fitted to the tent frame 10 of Fig. 1. Figs. 10 and 11 are corresponding front and rear elevations.

The foldable tent 100 comprises a tent frame 10 described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, which constitutes a framework for the foldable tent, and a fabricated cover of waterproof material 80, which may be polyester cotton or any other suitable material as required.

Referring to Fig. 9, the foldable tent 100 can have a front awning 82 supported by poles (not shown), which are preferably of telescopic twist-lock construction. The fabricated cover 80 may be of any suitable construction. Consequently, the arrangement and configuration of the fabricated cover can be varied as required. Preferably, in contrast to many typical tent arrangements, the frame 10 is provided as an exoskeleton to the actual tent 100.

As the tent frame 10 is designed for simple and rapid erection and knockdown, the cover 80 is removed from the tent frame 10 only when necessary, and in the ordinary course of events is kept affixed to the tent frame 10 during storage as well as use. While the fabricated cover 80 is intended to be ordinarily fixed to the tent frame 10, it can be removed as necessary, such as for washing, repair, replacement, reconfiguration or other purposes. As the frame 10 is attached to the outside of the fabricated cover 80, components of the tent frame 10 are readily accessed, to facilitate repair or replacement.

The tent frame 10 is self-supporting are does not require any anchoring. Anchors can, however, be used, as a precaution or as dictated by weather conditions. As an example, pegs may be used, affixing the tent frame 10, or more typically, its cover 80 or groundsheet 84, directly to the earth. Also, guys or guy ropes - also referred to as lines - can also be used for this purpose, and are secured to the tent frame 10, or its cover 80 or groundsheet 84, and also at any convenient external anchoring point, such as a nearby tree or, again, directly into the earth using pegs. Weights, such as sandbags, rocks, and the like may also be used to anchor down the tent frame 10 in a similar capacity.

The foldable tent may also include additional or subsidiary frame elements which interact with the tent frame 10 to provide added features. For example, flexible polymer or fibre glass rods can be provided which fit to the top of the arches 14 and 15 to extend across the roof panel 86 of the tent 100. The flexible rods (not shown) are in residual compression when fitted such that they bow upwardly. Avid campers will understand that small eyelets or hooks in the roof panel 86 can attach to the flexible rods thereby giving the tent a raised or domed roof configuration. This has the advantage of allowing rain water to drain onto the sides of the tent, thus preventing the rain from pooling in the roof panel 86.

While one particular preferred embodiment of the present invention is described above, with reference to some alternatives, it is understood that a diverse range of supplemental and alternative features may be employed to construct alternative embodiments according to need, as is apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 . A foldable tent frame comprising:

radial frame members;

longitudinal frame members;

a plurality of corner joints for pivotally connecting each of the longitudinal frame members to two of the radial frame members such that the longitudinal frame member extends between the two radial frame members; and,

a plurality of axial joints each positioned at a point along each of the longitudinal frame members respectively such that each of the longitudinal frame members can pivot into a folded configuration of two adjacent sections;

2. A tent frame according to claim 1 , wherein the radial frame members are telescopic and have at least two sections configured for mutual sliding inter- engagement.

3. A tent frame according to claim 1 , wherein each of the radial pivot joints is pivotally connected to four radial frame members, and positioned at each side of the tent frame when in an erected configuration, such that one end of each of the four radial frame members connecting to one of the pivot joints, pivotally connect at spaced locations along the pivot joint, and an opposite end of each of the radial frame members terminates in respective corner joints.

4. A tent frame according to claim 3, wherein the pivot joints permit the radial frame members to hinge in a common plane only, with respective hinge axes spaced apart at an offset from one another.

5. A tent frame according to claim 1 , wherein the corner joints hinge respective radial frame members with longitudinal frame members in a common plane only, with a hinge axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the radial frame member or the longitudinal axis od the longitudinal frame member.

6. A tent frame according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal joints are positioned at the respective mid points of each of the longitudinal frame members such that in the folded configuration, the outer ends of each of the longitudinal frame members are adjacent each other.

7. A tent frame according to claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to fold into a collapsed configuration in which each of the radial frame members are substantially parallel to each other.

8. A tent frame according to claim 7, wherein the axial joints and the corner joints are configured for relative rotation of the radial frame members and the longitudinal frame members such that in the collapsed configuration, the radial frame members are substantially parallel with each other and the longitudinal frame members.

9. A tent frame according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal joints have a reinforcing member extending between opposed inner ends of each of the longitudinal frame members respectively such that in an extended configuration, the reinforcing member provides structural rigidity against loads transverse to the length of the longitudinal member.

10. A foldable tent comprising tent material supported on a foldable tent frame according to any one claims 1 to 10.

1 1 . A foldable tent according to claim 10, wherein the foldable frame is an exoskeleton for supporting the tent material in an erected configuration.

12. A foldable tent according to claim 1 1 , wherein the tent is free standing in the erected configuration such that tent pegs or guy ropes are not required.

13. The foldable tent of claim 12, wherein the foldable tent frame incorporates at least one flexible rod for extending between at least two of the longitudinal frame members such that it bows upwardly in the erected configuration to provide a raised or domed profile in a roof portion of the tent material.