GB2179077A - Tent structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The tent structure 16, 18, 24 is provided with attachment means (14, Fig. 2) to enable it to be securely attached to a fixed structure such as a location cabinet 10 in a manner whereby the position of the tent structure relative to the location cabinet can be adjusted in a simple but secure manner. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tent structure The present invention relates to tent structures and more particularly to the tent structures for use with location cabinets.

Location cabinets are normally filled with control gear such as electrical switch gear and are located remote from a central control.

Such cabinets are found for example by the side of railway lines and provide for example the control signals for the operation of points or drivers signals. Other locations for such cabinets are by the side of motorways and other main roads.

A problem exists with such cabinets in that they are normally delivered to site empty and the electrical or electromechanical gear is then installed on site. If the installation is carried out during dry weather dust enters the cabinet and can create problems. If the installation is carried out in wet weather then either the installed apparatus gets wet or as often happens the installation work is suspended until the weather improves.

An obvious requirement is a cover preferably of tent construction but there are a number of problems associated with such a structure. Since the siting of location cabinets is often remote from easy access the tent needs to be portable so as to be easily carried.

However, location cabinets, particularly on railways, are situated close to high speed vehicles which would tend to disturb a lightweight tent. This is found to be true even if the tent is carefully constructed and pegged down and it may not be possible in some circumstances to fix the tent to the ground adjacent to a location cabinet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively lightweight tent structure, for use with location cabinet to protect the apparatus within during installation and maintenance, which does not collapse when subjected to high winds such as those generated by a train travelling in excess of 100 miles per hour.

The present invention therefore provides a tent structure for location cabinets including a frame structure, the frame structure including means for attaching the frame to the location cabinet.

Preferably the frame structure includes at least one frame member for engagement with a lifting lug on a location cabinet. The frame member is preferably provided with first adjustment means for adjusting the height of the frame structure with respect to the location cabinet.

In a further preferred embodiment the frame member is provided with second adjustment means to adjust the horizontal position of the frame structure with respect to the location cabinet.

in a preferred embodiment the frame structure is provided with two frame members for engagement with lifting lugs at both ends of the cabinet, each of the frame members being provided with horizontal and vertical adjustment means to position the frame structure with respect to the cabinet.

The frame structure is preferably provided with four corner frame members each having a spiked end to enable the members to be firmly fixed into the ground surrounding a location cabinet.

The tent structure is preferably provided with a heavy weight canvas cover which is provided with extended skirts to allow the canvas to lie on the ground surrounding the location cabinet such that the canvas can be weighed down onto the ground.

The tent structure is preferably provided with two entrances at either end of the structure enabling access from two sides.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a part of the frarrie of a tent structure according to the present invention attached to a location cabinet; Figure 2 shows the height adjustment means for the frame structure in greater detail; and Figure 3 shows a tent structure according to the present invention in position covering a location cabinet.

With reference now to Fig. 1 a location cabinet 10 is situated on ground 12 which is at the side of a railway line (not shown). The cabinet 10 may contain switch gear which is not shown or described further since it does not form part of the inventive concept.

During installation each location cabinet is normally lifted into position by a hoist or crane using lifting lugs 14 which are normally welded to the cabinet during its manufacture.

Normally each cabinet 10 is provided with two lugs 14 at opposite ends. The lugs are positioned in the centre of each end to provide a balanced lifting action.

The frame structure for the tent comprises a top pole 16 which may be made in interlocking sections as shown by joints 18. The top pole 18 is joined by complex angle joint 20 to two end ridge poles 22, 24, Each ridge pole 22, 24 is joined to a side pole 26 and to a corner pole 28 by a further complex angle joint 30. Only one end section and one side pole 26 are shown for simplicity but the structure is similar for each corner of the tent.

The corner pole 28 is telesopic as shown at joint 32 and when extended or retracted the length of the pole can be fixed by tightening screw 34. At the end of each corner pole 28 is a spike 36 which can be driven into the ground prior to tightening screw 34.

The top pole 16 has associated with it two upright pole members 38, 40 which are identical in construction and use but are, as are other members, assembled in left and right hand configuration. Only member 38 will be described in detail. Member 38 comprises an upright tube section 42 to which is welded at right angles a short tube section 44. The tube section 44 is of a diameter to slide over tube 16 and tube 16 may therefore be adjusted horizontally with respect to members 38 and 40. If required a clamp screw 46 may be provided to lock members 38 and 16 together.

The height of top pole 16 relative to the lifting lugs 14 may be adjusted using clamp members 48 and 50 shown in greater detail in Fig. 2. Clamp member 48 is provided with clamp screw 52 and clamp member 50 is provided with clamp screw 54. The height of member 38 relative to lifting lug 14 can therefore be adjusted, thus accommodating variations in the cabinet size and allowing adequate headroom for working within the tent.

The tent structure may therefor be adjusted both in height and horizontal position with respect to the location cabinet. This allows for example for work to be carried out at either end of a location cabinet with adequate room at that end rather than having wasted room at the other end of the cabinet.

With reference now to Fig. 3 the frame structure is, when assembled on the location cabinet covered with a canopy 60 preferably made from heavy canvas material and reinforced at the corners. The canopy preferably includes side windows 62, 64 made of clear P.V.C. to give light into the side of the location cabinet./The canopy may also include end windows 66, 68 to give light at the end of the location cabinet. At each end of the canopy there is preferably provided an entrance formed by dividing the end wall into two flap portions 70, 72 by a slit 74. The flap portions 70, 72 may be overlapping and may be joined for example by "Velcro" type strips and may be provided with three grip pockets 76, 78, 80 (shown dotted) to aid fastening from the inside.

As shown in the drawing the upright members 38, 40 have been adjusted such that the frame structure is off set with respect to the location cabinet 10 (shown dotted) to give a larger working or entrance space D at one end of the cabinet 10.

The canopy is provided with flaps 82, 84 etc (preferably eight inches wide) which allows placement of slabs or ballast thereon to secure the tent sides to the ground. The bottom portion 88 (preferably the lower twenty inches) of each corner of the tent is split to allow the tent to be raised or lowered and to allow the tent to be used on sloping ground.

The slits 88 may be provided with "Velcro" type fastening for weatherproofing.

The tent structure may therefore be adjusted in height and horizontal direction to accommodate any type of cabinet and may be erected on sloping ground. The tent structure is rigidly attached to the location cabinet and may be further firmly maintained in position by placing slabs or ballast on the flaps 82 etc.

The structure so formed is capable of withstanding the force exerted by a 100 mph train passing by within a few feet.

Claims (9)

1. A tent structure for location cabinets including a frame structure, the frame structure including means for attaching the frame to the location cabinet.

2. A tent structure for location cabinets as claimed in Claim 1 in which the frame structure includes at least one frame member for engagement with a lifting lug on the location cabinet.

3. A tent structure as claimed in Clain 2 in which the frame member is provided with first adjustment means for adjusting the height of the frame structure with respect to the location cabinet.

4. A tent structure as claimed in Claim 3 in which the frame member is provided with second adjustment means to adjust the horizontal position of the frame structure with respect to the location cabinet.

5. A tent structure as claimed in Claim 1 in which the frame structure is provided with two frame members for engagement with lifting lugs at both ends of the cabinet, each of the frame members being provided with horizontal and vertical adjustment means to position the frame structure with respect to the cabinet.

6. A tent structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the frame structure is preferably provided with four corner frame members each having a spiked end to enable the members to be firmly fixed into the ground surrounding a location cabinet.

7. A tent structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the tent structure is provided with a heavy weight canvas cover which is provided with extended skirts to allow the canvas to lie on the ground surrounding the location cabinet such that the canvas can be weighed down onto the ground.

8. A tent structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the tent structure is preferably provided with two entrances at either end of the structure enabling access from two sides.

9. A tent stucture for location cabinets substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.