GB2185273A

GB2185273A - Tent

Info

Publication number: GB2185273A
Application number: GB08600810A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Benjamin Rochelle-Towle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-01-14
Filing date: 1986-01-14
Publication date: 1987-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2006-01-14
Also published as: GB8600810D0; GB2185273B

Abstract

A tent or marquee has an umbrella-type collapsible frame A,B,K with additional, vertical support struts D connected to the tips of the spokes by connectors U. The spokes are also interconnected at their tips by horizontal frame members E engaging the members U. Struts D and members E are added after errection of the main frame A,B,K. Telescope extensions C may be provided on the spokes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Multi-sided marquee of hinged cantilever and telescopic design This invention relates to a multi-sided marquee of hinged cantilever and telescopic design.

Background Marquees, tents and other portable structures designed to offer protection against the weather have been available for some time but they have a number of inherent disadvantages: i. framed structures have first to be assembled and the cover put on afterwards.

ii. often the framed structure is extensive for the size of the structure.

iii. to prevent the collapse of marquees tension is maintained in the material by means of guy ropes. This also assists the waterproofing quality.

iv. Marquees require a firm flat base into which long metal spikes can be driven to secure guy ropes: consequently no cables, drains, pipes or services can run below the structure.

v. Portable structures, especially marquees, generally require time and thus many manhours to erect.

Essential Technical Features The present invention enables a lightweight, fuliy waterproof, portable structure to be erected in a relatively short time; less than five minutes for the small version (120sq.ft. of cover): five to ten minutes for the large version (400 sq.ft.). The top can be left in position for erection and once the centre pole is positioned in the ground support unit, telescopic arms slide outwards to form the upper support struts. An integral pulley system is then used to lift the roof structures into its final position. Legs and additional external support struts are placed in position and the structure is ready for use.

The accompanying drawings and description explain how the structure works. The specific claims for the structure will be set out after the explanation.

Figure 1 shows the structure already in position in its ground support and with the cover in position.

The struts are attached and hinged to two bosses on the centre support pole. Upper support strut 'A' is hinged to the upper fixed boss 'L' and has a 1" to 3/4" tube-reducer and friction-screw 'T' at its outer end through which a 3/4" telescopic tube can pass.

Strut 'B' is hinged to sliding boss 'K' at one end and hinged to sliding unit 'S' at the other.

Unit 'S' is free to move up and down strut 'A'.

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Figure 2 sliding unit 'S' is moved down 'A' until it reaches tube reducer 'T' which acts as a stop. This has the effect of lifting struts 'A' and moving struts 'B' outwards from the centre pole.

Figure 3 telescopic arms 'C' are slid from inside strut 'A' and locked in position using friction-locking screw on 'T'.

Figure 4 the pulley rope is pulled downwards and this lifts sliding boss 'K' up the central pole. This has the effect of raising the whole top structure upwards.

Figure 5 four-way connectors 'U' are placed on the ends of the legs 'D' and pushed on to the ends of tube 'C'.

Figure 6 (top view) end support struts 'E' are also pushed into the four-way connectors and the metal frame of the structure is complete.

Figure 7 diagrammatic front view of completed structure, including sides.

Note:- The struts are held in place in the four-way connectors by a neoprene '0' ring which acts as a sliding friction grip.

Note:- for information only Although the method of construction can be used to produce any reasonable overall size of structure, to reduce costs the small unit is constructed in a modified manner.

Fig. la,lb,lc.ld--sliding unit 'S' is replaced by attached 'U' bracket and there is no telescopic strut inside 'A'.

Fig. 8 centre boss-shows the centre sliding boss. Support brackets can be angled at 17" from the horizontal:- the stationary boss has no oil-impregnated plastic insert but has a domed mild steel top welded to one end. The numbers of brackets and their angles will change if units with other than six sides are constructed or if the roof slope is changed.

Fig. 9 shows a four-way connector. This is for a hexagonal unit with 17 roof slope. All angles are modified if units with other than six sides are constructed or if the roof slope alters.

Fig. 10 shows the sliding unit and Fig. 11 the 'U' bracket.

Fig. 12 shows the '0' ring friction joint used to hold the struts into the four-way connector during assembly.

Fig. 13 'M' is a locating and support tube with friction screw. 'M' is welded to ground stabiliser plates 'P'.

Ground support pole 'Q' is the same external diameter and internal diameter as the central support pole. Depending upon the substratum 'Q' can (i) be a straight pole (ii) have fins welded to it as in Fig. 13d or (iii) have external screw thread as in diagram 13a and 13b.

To screw the latter unit into the ground handles are attached temporarily to threaded holes in 'P'. After removal of the handles the holes are used for pegs.

Although the description and drawings refer to a hexagonal structure f the same design is claimed as being able to be used on any multi-sided marquee/pavilion. The changes required being to the angles of the four-way connectors, the lengths of all struts and the number and angles of the support brackets on the centre bosses.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An easy-to-erect multi-sided portable marquee-type structure which is constructed and works in the manner explained previously using hinged cantilever and telescopic design. 2. A multi-sided marquee as described in Claim 1 where means are provided to erect the structure in a manner previously described. 3. A multi-sided marquee as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 where means are provided to erect or collapse the structure by means of a sliding unit so arranged as to move apart or pull together the upper and lower main support struts. 4. A multi-sided marquee as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 with struts arranged telescopically in such a way as to increase the overall size of the structure. 5. A multi-sided marquee as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 and Claim 4 with sliding and stationary centre bosses so arranged that when a pulley system is used to pull them together the top of the structure lifts into the air to form the roof of the marquee. 6. A multi-sided marquee as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 and Claim 4 and Claim 5 with a four-way connector in the ends of the upper roof support struts to enable legs and outer support struts to be attached. 7. A multi-sided marquee as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 and Claim 4 and Claim 5 and Claim 6 where attachment of struts and legs into the four-way connector claimed in Claim 6 is by means of an '0' ring friction joint Fig. 12. 8. A multi-sided marquee as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 and Claim 4 and Claim 5 and Claim 6 and Claim 7 which is held upright for erection by one of the types of ground support units described using diagram 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1-8 above have been deleted New claims have been filed as follows:

1. A multi-sided pavilion erected and sup ported on a central pole and held rigid by horizontal outer connecting tubes and vertical telescopic supports.

Attached to and pivoting from a fixed boss at the top of the central support pole are tubular canopy supports which, when col lapsed, lie alongside the central pole.

Attached to and pivoting from a second sliding boss, which is able to move vertically up and down the central pole by means of pulleys, are the lower support tubes. These are used to raise lower and support the canopy support tubes. In the collapse state these also lie alongside the central pole and the sliding boss rests near the bottom of the central pole.

The lower support tubes are connected to the canopy support tubes by a sliding unit.

When this sliding unit is moved down the canopy support tubes it has the effect of moving them outwards, away from the central pole. The canopy is thus formed into a cone shape.

Movement of the sliding boss vertically up the central pole has the effect of lifting the canopy and its supporting tubular structure into position.

Telescopic extensions within the canopy support tubes enable variations in the size of the structure.

The structure has an integral canopy and moveable sides.

2. A multi-sided pavilion as described in Claim 1 where means are provided to erect the structure in a manner previously described.

3. A multi-sided pavilion as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 where means are provided to erect or collapse the structure with the aid of a sliding unit, so connected between the canopy support tubes and the lower support tubes, as to slide along the canopy support tubes in a manner designed to move them and thus the canopy away from or towards the central pole.

4. A multi-sided pavilion as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 and Claim 3 with tubes arranged telescopically within the canopy support tubes in such a way as to increase the overall size of the structure.

5. A multi-sided structure as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3 and Claim 4 with fixed and sliding bosses on the central pole, connected by a pulley system and arranged in such a way that movement of the sliding boss up or down the pole acts on the canopy support poles through the lower support poles to raise or lower the canopy.

6. A multi-sided pavilion as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4 and Claim 5 with four-way connectors on the outer ends of the canopy support tubes to enable outer horizontal and vertical support tubes to be attached.

7. A multi-sided pavilion as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5 and Claim 6 where attachment of the outer support tubes to the four-way connectors is by means of an '0' ring or friction joint-Fig.

12.

8. A multi-sided pavilion as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5, Claim 6 and Claim 7 which is held upright for erection by one of the types of ground sup port units described in diagrams 12a, 12b, 1 2c and 12d.

9. It is also claimed that for certain smaller pavilions the sliding unit connecting the canopy support tubes and the lower support tubes can be a fixed unit.