GB2210649A - Tent frame using radially arranged "A" frames - Google Patents

Abstract

A tent frame consists of a plurality of radially arranged 'A' frames 1, connected by roof periphery poles 2, and supporting roof poles 3. Each 'A' frame 1 is formed from two legs 4, 5 connected to a top joint 6 and braced by a horizontal crossbar 7. A panel 12 rests on the crossbars 7 of two adjacent 'A' frames 1 and this can be used as a desk, worksurface, bunk etc as desired. The roof poles 3 meet at a centre joint 13 to provide support for a roof covering. A tent covering can be placed over the frame to form a strong, wind-resistant, versatile tent that can be used on a variety of surfaces including snow and concrete. <IMAGE>

Description

FREE STANDS TENT FRAMES FME The invention relates to free standing frameswhich, when erected and covered with an awning or other covering material, can be used as a tent, marquee or similar structure.

There are many types of tent frames known in the prior art ranging from simple arrangements of upright poles and crossmeobers held in position by guyropes to highly complex structures for semi-permanent marquees.

Free standing frames must be robust enough to withstand the effects of wind and other forces which could tend to cause the frame to move or collapse. It is also desirable for them to be quick and easy to erect and dismantle.

Large tents and marquees known in the prior art are usually complicated and time consuming to erect.

It is an object of the invention to provide a free standing frame for a tent or similar structure which is at least partly self supporting during assembly and is self supporting when erected, the frame being simpl to erect and being strong and rigid once erected, and in particular being resistant to the effects of high winds.

It is a further object to provide a frame for a tent or similar structure suitable for use in conditions where guy ropes cannot be used for example on snow or ice or on surfaces such as concrete.

The invention provides .a frame, for a tent or similar structure, comprising a plurality of wall sections, arranged to form a polygonal roof periphery, and a plurality of roof support members extending from spaced positions on the roof periphery to a single centre joint, wherein each wall section comprises: a) a pair of radially arranged 'A' frames, each 'A' frame comprising two legs joined to form an apex and being braced by a substantially horizontal bracing member attached between the legs at a position below the apex; and b) a substantially horizontal roof periphery crossmember extending between, and joined to each respective apex of, the 'A' frames.

Advantageously, rigid members are attached between at least one of the pairs of adjacent 'A' frames. These members are preferably in the form of panels, being supported on, and advantageously fastened to, the horizontal bracing members. Alternatively the rigid members can be in the form of one or more cross-bars between the pairs of 'A' frames. The rigid members assist in bracing the frame, by holding the 'A' frames rigidly in position.

The positions at which the horizontal bracing members are sited are selected to position these rigid members at desired heights. Thus the rigid members can be used as supports for, or can comprise panel members which can form, integral workdesks, tables or bunks if required.

Preferably at least one pair of adjacent 'A' frames are not joined by rigid members. so as to allow unobstructed access to the tent interior.

Preferably each roof support member is attached at the apex of a respective 'A' frame.

Preferably joints are provided to which the 'A' frame legs and the roof periphery cross-members can be connected. Additionally some, or preferably all of the joints include means by which a roof support member can be connected. Preferably the joints allow articulation between at least the roof periphery members and the joint. The joints themselves may be articulated, hinged or flexible or the connections between the members and the joints may form hinges.

The joints are preferably designed to provide minimum packing space when the frame is dismantled. Conveniently each joint comprises a plate with connection means attached, the plate being flat for ease of packing.

Complementary connection means may be formed integrally with, or connected to, the frame members.

Preferably the frame members are formed from hollow tubing, a suitable material being an aluminium alloy which is strong but light weight.

Conveniently. then; the connection means attached to the joint plate are solid rods for insertion into the tube ends to form the connections.

Alternatively the connection means may be in the form of hollow tubes and solid rods, or narrower tubes, can be attached to the ends of the tubular members for insertion into the connections means.

The roof centre joint is conveniently a polygonal plate folding joint. The number of sides of the joint preferably corresponds to the number of roof support members to be connected to it. The angles of the individual jointed sections are preferably adjustable to allow for different roof angles and to enable the joint to be folded flat for simpler packaging when the frame is dismantled for transportation. Preferably the jointed sections form rotatable rods for fitting into the ends of hollow tubular members. Alternatively they may form tubular connectors for the ends of the roof members to fit into.

Preferably an upright centre support member is provided to give support to the roof support members during assembly of the frame, the centre support member being in the form of a pole extending between the tent floor and the roof centre joint. Preferably the roof structure is self-supporting when the frame is assembled and the centre pole can be removed to allow the centre area of the tent interior to be unobstructed. Conveniently, for large roof areas, the centre pole is left in position to provide additional support.

Preferably when dismantled the frame members can be reduced to linear elements, along with the joints, plates etc for easy transportation.

The horizontal bracing members may conveniently be of an inverted 'T' shape to facilitate support of panel members.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accanganying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame according to the invention, showing only the nearest sections, to avoid confusion of detail; Figure 2 shows, in more detail, the joint for connecting the 'A' frame legs, roof periphery members and roof members as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows, in more detail, the horizontal bracing members between the legs of an 'A' frame as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows, in more detail, the roof centre joint as shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 1 the tent frame is assembled from ten 'A' frames 1 (only the four closest are shown for clarity), connected by roof periphery poles 2, and supporting five roof poles 3. These are all made of strong, lightweight, aluminium alloy tubing.

Each 'A' frame 1 is formed from two legs 4, 5, which are connected to a joint 6 (Figure 2). A horizontal bracing crossbar 7 has tubular end connectors 8, 9 (Figure 3) which are slid over the 'A' frame legs 4, 5 during assembly and rest on two supports 10, 11 welded to the legs 4, 5. A panel 12 rests on the crossbars 7 of two adjacent 'A' frames 1 and is attached to the crossbars 7 by suitable fastening means (not shown) such as bolts or ties.

The roof poles 3 are attached to every alternate joint 6 and they meet at a centre joint 13 (Figure 4). During assembly of the roof poles 3 to the joints 6 the centre joint 13 is supported on a centre pole 14 which rests on a centre plate 15. When the frame is fully assembled the centre pole 14 can be removed as the roof poles 3 are supported fully by the 'A' frames 1 in combination with the centre joint 13.

The area 16 between two of the 'A' frames 1 around the periphery is left unobstructed by any panel 12 to form a doorway to the tent interior.

The decagonal structure of the frame allows nine panels, which can be used as tables, around the tent periphery and a doorway in the tenth side.

Figure 2 shows, in side view, the joint 6 in more detail, 'ith the frame members shown in cross-section. The joint 6 is formed from a rigid plate 20, to which are welded three connector rods 21,22,23. The roof pole 3 and the 'A' frame leg poles 4,5 are connected to joint 6 by fitting their ends over rods 21,22,23 respectively. The plate 20 is cut away at the inner end of rod 22 to allow a collar 24, which is attached to the roof periphery pole 2, to be fitted over the inner end of the rod 22. The collar 24 is welded to a plate 25 which is also welded to the pole 2.Each roof periphery pole 2 has a collar 24 attached at either end and the respective collars 24 of two adjacent poles 2 are both fitted over the inner end of rod 22, though only one is shown in Figure 2, for clarity.

Figure 3 shows, in side view, the horizontal crossbar 7 fitted over one of the legs 4, of the 'A' frame (leg 5 is similar to leg 4). A support 10 is welded to the leg 4 and a tubular endpiece 8 is welded to the crossbar 7.

The endpiece 8 is slid down the leg 4, during assembly of the frame, until it rests on the support 10. The crossbar 7 is an inverted 'T' shape so that an edge of two adjacent panels 12 can rest on the lip 30 on either side of it.

When the crossbar 7 is in position resting on supports 10 and 11 of legs 4 and 5 respectively, it prevents the 'A' frame legs 4, 5 from moving in or out and thus the stability of the frame is increased.

Figure 4 shows, in plan view, the roof centre joint 13, with the frame members shawn in cross section. The joint 13 is formed from a pentagonal plate 40. On each side of the plate 40 a bar 41 (only two shown) is attached.

At the centre of the bar 41 is a rotatable collar 42 to which is attached a rod 43 over which the end of a roof pole 3 can be fitted. The roof pole 3 can be connected more securely to the rod 43 by inserting a pin 44 through a hole 45 in the pole 3 and a corresponding hole 46 through the rod 43. A cutaway 47 in each side of the plate 40 allows the collar 42 and rod 43 to rotate freely through at least 1800. A tubular plug 48 is attached at the centre of the plate 40, over which the centre support pole 14 can be fitted.

When the frame is assembled it is covered by canvas or other tenting material for use. In its assembled state, the frame is resistant to pressures such as high winds which might cause movement or damage to prior art tents or marquees. The construction of the frame is such that pressure on one side of the frame causes distribution of the stresses through the joints and the frame which increases the bracing of the frame, thus resisting any movement.

The frame is suitable for use on a wide variety of surfaces including those such as concrete or snow where guy ropes cannot be used. It is simple and quick to erect and can be assembled by only two people as it is based on units which are self supporting while it is assembled.

Footplates can be provided beneath the 'A' frame legs to spread the weight and prevent the legs from sinking into soft ground, snow etc. A plate can also be provided to rest the centre pole on during assembly of the frame.

Additional torsional rigidity may be imparted to the frame by using bracing ropes between the apexes of the 'A' frames and the ground or the footplates.

Any suitable tent covering can be used and it can withstand high winds, for example up to 100 mph. It is suitable for use as a wide variety of tent structures such as: A command post for army or marines on manoeuvres where the panels can be used as desks; easily portable accommodation or field hospitals with panels used as bunks; marquees for outdoor events where panels can be used as tables, bars or exhibition stands.

By providing integral working surfaces, which also act as bracing members, maximum use of the available space can be achieved.

The frame is based on a hemisphere, modified to a straight sided polygonal structure for ease of construction of the elements from which the frame is made up, and thus it gives maximum usable internal volume.

When the frame is dismantled it can be reduced to linear elements plus the joints and plates. Thus it can be stowed easily, compactly and quickly in a minimum of storage space.

It will be obvious that the types of joints, materials used, number of 'A' frames, size of structure etc are not limited to those described but that many variations are possible.

Claims (14)

C.EMS

1. A frame for a tent or similar structure, comprising a plurality of wall sections, arranged to form a polygonal roof periphery, and a plurality of roof support members extending from spaced positions on the roof periphery to a single centre joint, wherein each wall section comprises: a) a pair of radially arranged 'A' frames, each 'A' frame comprising two legs joined to form an apex and being braced by a substantially horizontal bracing member attached between the legs at a position below the apex; and b) a substantially horizontal roof periphery crosstnr extending between, and joined to each respective apex of, each pair of adjacent 'A' frames.

2. A frame according to claim 1 wherein rigid members are attached between at least one pair of adjacent 'A' frames at a position below the apex of each 'A' frame.

3. A frame according to claim 2 wherein the rigid members are in the form of panel members and are supported on the bracing members of an adjacent pair of 'A' frames.

4. A frame according to any one preceding claim wherein a joint is provided to which the 'A' frame legs and the roof periphery crossmembers are connected.

5. A frame according to claim 4 wherein the joint includes means by which a roof member can be connected to it.

6. A frame according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the joint allows articulation between at least the roof periphery members and the joint.

7. A frame according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the joint comprises a plate with connection means attached.

8. A frame according to any one preceding claim wherein the roof central joint is a polygonal plate folding joint.

9. A frame according to any one preceding claim wherein a central support member is provided for the roof central joint.

10. A frame according to claim 9 wherein the roof structure is selfsupporting when the frame is asstled, to allow removal of the centre pole.

11. A frame according to any one preceding claim wherein the horizontal bracing members are of an inverted 'T' shape.

12. A frame as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A joint for a tent frame as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the acccmpanying drawings.

14. A joint for a tent frame as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.