GB1590591A

GB1590591A - Thermally insulated demountable structures such as tents and awnings

Info

Publication number: GB1590591A
Application number: GB1484177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GC INSULATION Ltd
Current assignee: GC INSULATION Ltd
Priority date: 1977-04-07
Filing date: 1977-04-07
Publication date: 1981-06-03
Also published as: FR2386772A1

Description

(54) THERMALLY INSULATED DEMOUNTABLE STRUCTURES SUCH AS TENTS AND AWNINGS (71) We, G. C. INSULATION LIMITED, a British Company of Wilmington House, Wilmington, Dartford, Kent, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to demountable structures such as tents and awnings and a panel therefor. An object of the invention is to provide a structure with a suitable heat insulating layer which may serve to prevent loss of heat from or overheating of the interior.

According to the invention we provide a panel for a demountable structure such as a tent or awning comprising two flexible layers connected together at their edges and containing a layer of cellular synthetic plastic heat insulating material in loose particulate form, the panel having a length greater than width and having ropes stitched into both longitudinal edges of the two layers, the ropes projecting at opposite ends of the panel for tying to a support structure.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a tent portion for use on a tent framework, Figure 2 is a section taken along the line A-A in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tent having arch frame members for supporting a plurality of tent infill portions, Figure 4 is a side elevation of the tent shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a part section on an enlarged scale taken along the line B-B in Figure 4.

The arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings is a rectangular structure which together with a number of such structures can be assembled together with a suitable framework to form a complete tent as shown in Figures 3 and 4 described below.

The structure comprises two rectangular shaped pieces of fabric 10, 11 laid one upon the other and attached by stitching along the longitudinal coincident edges to ropes 12, 13 which are used to secure the structure on the framework as described below and along the end edges. Between the two pieces of fabric which may be p.v.c. coated nylon or polyester fabric, is provided a layer 14 of expanded polystyrene beads in loose form, which layer may have a thickness os between 3: to 1 inches or, if a greater degree of insulation is required, up to 6 inches.

The beads can be permanently sealed within the fabric pieces or may be introduced and withdrawn from the fabric pieces via one or more apertures 15 sealable by flaps 16 overlapping marginal regions of the apertures held closed by strips of Velcro (Registered Trade Mark) material secured to the flaps and marginal regions.

The beads of thermally insulating material may be introduced or withdrawn by means of the method and apparatus described in our co-pending patent application number 1537515 in which the beads are introduced by fluidising the beads with air and conveying the material by means of pipes and a pump.

The beads can be removed by a reversal of the pump or reversing the connections thereof so that the tent structure may be dismantled, re-erected and the beaded material re-used to fill the flexible layers after re-erection of the frame and positioning of the tent portions.

The tent portions of the present invention are suitable for assembly on a framework of the kind described in U.K. Patent No.

1,397,616 in which a plurality of such frame members are provided with fabric attachment means for releasably holding captive the longitudinal edges of the elongate fabric strips.

In Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings the framework comprises arch members 20 arranged in a manner similar to those shown in Figure 1 of U.K. Patent No.

1,397,616. Between the arch members 20 are arranged adjustable spreader devices 21 which effect tensioning of the ten portions 22 serving as the infill between the arch members. The arch members 21 are preferably extruded aluminium having a double channel section as shown in Figure 5, along which channels the ropes 12, 13 are slid during erection of the tent. The ropes are retained by the inturned edges of the channels, the rope ends being secured by tying to suitable positions on the frames to prevent movement. A rib 23 integral with the channel is provided for the purpose of mounting the feet 24 of the spreader devices 21. The end arch members 24 may be a single channel extrusion also with a rib 25 to receive the feet of the spreader devices.

Alternatively a tent may be provided of the kind not having a framework but instead may be supported in the manner of a ridge or bell tent or suspended on poles or supported pneumatically with air forced inside the tent or between the fabric layers.

The tent sections may be tapered in plan view for domed construction or rounded ends.

Apart from the advantage of thermal insulation economy is achieved in that the beads of insulation material are removable for reuse.

Tents constructed with the arrangement of the present invention are especially suitable for use in climates where extremes of temperature are experienced, either in cold conditions or in situations where extreme cold is experienced at night and intense heat during the day.

The beads of expanded polystyrene are preferably of the kind which have a smooth substantially spherical exterior surface and contain closed cells.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A panel for a demountable structure such as a tent or awning comprising two flexible layers connected together at their edges and containing a layer of cellular synthetic plastic heat insulating material in loose particulate form, the panel having a length greater than width and having ropes stitched into both longitudinal edges of the two layers, the ropes projecting at opposite ends of the panel for tying to a support structure.

2. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material is hollow beads of expanded polystyrene.

3. A panel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein closable apertures are provided at one or both ends in one of said flexible layers.

4. A panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the apertures are covered by flaps which overlap the marginal regions of the apertures, the flaps and marginal regions having secured thereto cooperating fabric having hooked pile threads.

5. A demountable structure such as a tent or awning comprising in combination a plurality of panels according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 and a plurality of arch frame members with said panels arranged therebetween.

6. A demountable structure such as a tent or awning comprising in combination a plurality of panels as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, and a plurality of frame members having a chanel section for receiving the ropes.

7. A demountable structure as claimed in claims 5 or 6 wherein spreader devices are provided between the frame members for tensioning the demountable structure.

8. A demountable structure according to claim 7, wherein the frame members are formed with an integral rib for receiving the ends of the spreader devices.

9. A panel substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A demountable structure substantially as described with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. arranged adjustable spreader devices 21 which effect tensioning of the ten portions 22 serving as the infill between the arch members. The arch members 21 are preferably extruded aluminium having a double channel section as shown in Figure 5, along which channels the ropes 12, 13 are slid during erection of the tent. The ropes are retained by the inturned edges of the channels, the rope ends being secured by tying to suitable positions on the frames to prevent movement. A rib 23 integral with the channel is provided for the purpose of mounting the feet 24 of the spreader devices 21. The end arch members 24 may be a single channel extrusion also with a rib 25 to receive the feet of the spreader devices. Alternatively a tent may be provided of the kind not having a framework but instead may be supported in the manner of a ridge or bell tent or suspended on poles or supported pneumatically with air forced inside the tent or between the fabric layers. The tent sections may be tapered in plan view for domed construction or rounded ends. Apart from the advantage of thermal insulation economy is achieved in that the beads of insulation material are removable for reuse. Tents constructed with the arrangement of the present invention are especially suitable for use in climates where extremes of temperature are experienced, either in cold conditions or in situations where extreme cold is experienced at night and intense heat during the day. The beads of expanded polystyrene are preferably of the kind which have a smooth substantially spherical exterior surface and contain closed cells. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A panel for a demountable structure such as a tent or awning comprising two flexible layers connected together at their edges and containing a layer of cellular synthetic plastic heat insulating material in loose particulate form, the panel having a length greater than width and having ropes stitched into both longitudinal edges of the two layers, the ropes projecting at opposite ends of the panel for tying to a support structure.