GB2228191A

GB2228191A - A combination back pack, camp bed and frame tent

Info

Publication number: GB2228191A
Application number: GB9003884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cecil Colledge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-21
Filing date: 1990-02-21
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Also published as: GB8903858D0; GB9003884D0

Abstract

A combined back pack, collapsible frame camp bed and foldable frame tent combination, comprising a back pack frame (13, 16) forming part of a collapsible camp bed main frame (12) to which are pivotally connected a plurality of generally U-shape foldable tent frame members (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52) each movable between a collapsed position in which the tent frame members are superimposed and an erected position in which the tent frame members radiate from a central frame region to define the tent. The back pack container (33) is supported on the main frame (12) in such a way that it is suspended from it in the camp bed configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

A COMBINATION BACK PACK, CAMP BED AND FRAME TENT The present invention relates generally to a combination back pack, camp bed and frame tent, and to a structure formed as a combination of any two of these, namely a combination back pack and frame tent, a combination back pack and camp bed, or a combination frame tent and camp bed. The term "camp bed" will be understood as used herein to refer to any form of bed for outdoor use, including a sun bed, garden bed, or beach bed.

Back packing has become an evermore popular pastime, and has been promoted by improvements in equipment. Apart from situations where back packing is undertaken for sport purposes, there are also circumstances, for example in military situations and for the purpose of conducting expeditions, when it is necessary for people to carry a large proportion of the requirements for survival and/or comfort with them.

Although frame tents have been produced using extremely lightweight aluminium tubular frame elements which can be dismantled and packed into a small volume, the time taken to erect a tent, particularly the time taken to collate and organise the frame members to erect the frame, can be a considerable disadvantage, particularly in inclement weather. Furthermore, when back packing, it is not usually possible also to carry a camp bed which will enable the user to obtain a comfortable and undisturbed night's sleep. Equipment for back packers is usually rugged and primitive, and it is considered normal for individuals to sleep on the ground with nothing more than a waterproof groundsheet or sleeping bag for protection.

The present invention seeks to provide a combined unit which will obviate many of these disadvantages and enable individuals to carry with them, on their backs, a much greater range of useful equipment than has hithertofore been possible, allowing back packers to extend the range of their activities.

As conceived, the present invention is embodied in a combined back pack, camp bed and frame tent incorporating all three units. This, however, is without prejudice to the generality of the present invention which, it is to be understood, is also to be considered as a combination of back pack and collapsible sleeping camp bed, a combination of back pack and collapsible frame tent, and also in the combination of a collapsible camp bed and folding frame tent as an integral unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, therefore, a combined back pack and collapsible camp bed combination comprises a back pack frame, a flexible back pack container supported by the frame, a web-like or other support surface spanning a part of the back pack frame to form at least in part a camp bed plane, and collapsible frame support means for supporting the back pack frame, with at least the said camp bed support surface lying generally horizontal or at least parallel to the ground and spaced therefrom.

The back pack frame is preferably formed as two generally parallel side frame members joined at one end by an arcuately curved main frame top and spanned at the bottom by a generally rectilinear back pack main frame lower strut. The collapsible frame support means preferably form two leg frame assemblies each pivoted to respective back pack side frame members for turning movement between a collapsed position in which the members of the support frame assembly each lie generally parallel to the back pack main frame side members whilst they can be turned about their pivotal connection thereto into an erected position and, preferably, locked in position by interconnectable transverse struts, to provide a support frame by which the back pack main frame may be supported generally parallel to the ground.Preferably the collapsible support frame assemblies are located on the same side as the back pack main frame as the flexible container constituting the back pack itself so that this latter is, in effect, suspended from the back pack main frame when this latter is orientated parallel with the ground to be carried by the support assemblies.

According to another aspect of the present invention a combined back pack and tent combination comprises a back pack frame, a flexible back pack container supported by the said back pack frame, a plurality of generally U-shape tent frame members pivotally connected to the said back pack frame about respective generally parallel pivotal connections allowing the tent frame members to turn between a collapsed position in which they all lie generally parallel to one another each overlying an adjacent tent frame member, and an erected position in which each tent frame member lies in a respective plane radiating from a central frame region to define the tent enclosure volume.

Preferably, of course, the tent cover is permanently attached to the tent frame members so that erection of the tent frame by rotation of the tent frame members from the collapsed to the erected position automatically and completely covers the tent enclosure volume. In alternative embodiments the tent cover may be separable from the tent frame members and packed in a pocket or bag contained in or suspended from the back pack itself and adapted to be positioned over the tent frame separately after this has been converted to the erected position.

Since this involves two operations,.however, it is preferred for the tent cover to be non-removably attached to the tent frame members.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the tent formed by erection of the tent frame members of the present invention will be of limited volume, but nevertheless this offers adequate protection against the weather for an invidivual back pack camper and the speed of erection and simplicity with which the tent can be erected compensate for the lack of space therein.

In an embodiment formed simply as a back pack and tent combination as defined above, the back pack container may itself be removable from the back pack frame so that this latter constitutes a part of the tent frame when the tent is erected, and the container may be stood at one end of the tent or even outside the tent.

The present invention also comprehends, in another aspect, a combined folding camp bed and tent combination comprising a collapsible camp bed frame including leg frame members movable between a collapsed position and an erected position adapted to hold a camp bed main frame which defines a camp bed support plane spaced from the ground, and a plurality of generally U-shape tent frame members pivotally connected to the camp bed main frame and turnable about respective substantially parallel axes between a collapsed position in which the tent frame members lie in a family of superposed generally parallel planes, and an erected position in which the tent frame members lie in respective planes radiating from a central frame region to define the volume enclosed by the tent.

Such an embodiment may be adapted for use, for example, as a sun bed, garden bed or beach bed, in which case the tent cover is preferably made from a flexible transparent laminar material which will protect the user from the wind, when erected, but will allow the sun's tanning rays to pass therethrough. When the wind is not sufficiently high to present a problem the tent cover can be collapsed to allow the sun bed user to be exposed directly to the rays of the sun.

This embodiment may also be used, in association with a back pack, and may be adapted to be carried thereby or linked thereto. Alternatively, of course, the collapsible combined folding camp bed and tent combination of the present invention may be carried separately, for example in a vehicle or by another camper. For pony trekking the combined folding camp bed and tent combination of the present invention may be adapted to be carried by a pony. As in the above-discussed embodiments of the invention, the tent cover may be removably or non-removably attached to the tent frame members so that covering the tent frame when erected may be automatic or may be a separate operation.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a combined back pack, collapsible frame camp bed and foldable frame tent combination comprises a back pack frame forming part of a collapsible camp bed main frame to which are pivotally connected a plurality of generally U-shape foldable tent frame members each turnable about respective substantially parallel axes between a collapsed position in which the tent frame members lie in a family of superposed generally parallel planes, and an erected position in which the tent frame members lie in respective planes radiating from a central frame region to define the volume enclosed by the tent, the back pack main frame being extendable to constitute a camp bed frame spanned by means defining a camp bed plane.Such means may be a resilient web-like material or a plurality of interwoven resiliently elastic strips spanning the back pack main frame.

In any of the embodiments referred to above the camp bed main frame is preferably supported spaced from the ground by collapsible leg frame assemblies when the camp bed is in a use position.

Such leg frame assemblies preferably comprise a plurality of legs pivotally connected to the camp bed main frame and joinable by a releasable reinforcing strut which locks the leg frame assemblies in the erected position.

Each leg frame assembly may comprise a plurality of legs pivotally connected to the back pack main frame and joined by a ground contact strut extending generally parallel to the back pack main frame side member to which the legs of the leg frame assembly are pivotally connected so as to define therewith one or a plurality of parallelogram linkages.

In embodiments of the invention incorporating pivoted tent frame members these are preferably articulated to respective camp bed main frame members by intermediate linear struts. The struts of each tent frame member are preferably longer than the struts of neighbouring members by the thickness of the frame members themselves in order to permit adjacent such members to be folded flat and parallel to one another.

Preferably the back pack main frame side members are telescopically extendable to convert it to form a camp bed main frame. Likewise, it is preferred that the back pack main frame incorporates a foldable end flap forming part of the camp bed main frame, and turnable about an axis generally orthogonal to the length of the camp bed main frame, between a collapsed position in which the flap is directed towards the opposite end of the camp bed main frame1 and an erected position in which the flap is directed away from the opposite end of the camp bed main frame.

Preferably the back pack container is provided with openings in the wall thereof defined by the back pack main frame to allow access to contents therein from within the tent enclosure volume.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combined back pack, camp bed and tent formed as an embodiment of the present invention, shown in the collapsed or transport position; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in the erected position with the tent cover omitted to display the interior components of the tent.

Referring now to the drawings, the combined back pack, camp bed and tent combination is generally indicated with the reference numeral 11 and comprises a back pack main frame 12 of generally U-shape having two rectilinear back pack main frame side members 13, 16 joined by a curved back pack frame top member 14 and each provided with a foot 15, 17 at the lower end thereof. The free ends of the back pack main frame side members 13, 16 are spanned by a back pack main frame lower strut 18.

Removably attached to each back pack main frame side member 13, 16 are three generally U-shape leg frame members 29, 30, 31. These leg frame members are identical except for their inclination. Each leg frame member is held on a respective spigot joined to the back pack main frame side member 13 or 16, and can be generally parallel to the back pack main frame side members as generally indicated in Figure 1, although the inclination has been exaggerated somewhat for the sake of clarity.

The back pack main frame 12 carries a back pack container 33 and is provided with shoulder straps (not shown) by which the back pack may be carried by a user. The back pack container is located on the same side of the back pack main frame 12 as the leg frame members 29, 30, 31 so that, when the leg frame members 29, 30, 31 are in the erected position and the back pack main frame is supported thereby as shown in Figure 2, the back pack container 33 is suspended from the back pack main frame 12. In this position the back pack main frame forms part of a camp bed. Pivotally connected to the back pack main frame in a manner which will be explained in more detail below is a camp bed foot flap 36 which is turnable about a foot flap strut 57 between a collapsed position as shown in Figure 1 and the extended position shown in Figure 2.At the other end of the back pack main frame 12 from the foot flap 36 there is a pivoted head frame 38 having articulated triangle linkages 39, 40 having telescopic struts 41, 42 allowing it to be secured in the inclined orientation illustrated in Figure 2 or turned to the parallel orientation illustrated in Figure 1. The unit can thus be converted from the back pack configuration illustrated in Figure 1 to the camp bed configuration illustrated in Figure 2 by fitting the leg frame members 29, 30, 31 to the back pack side frame member 13 from the collapsed configuration illustrated in Figure 1 to the erected configuration illustrated in Figure 2. The back pack is then supported on the leg frame members 29, 30, 31 and held spaced from the ground with the container 33 suspended therefrom and the pivoted camp bed foot flap 36 is turned from its collapsed to its erected position.The head frame 38 may be left in the aligned position of Figure 1 or may be inclined as shown in Figure 2.

Spanning the back pack main frame side members 13, 16 is a resiliently elastic web 43 defining the bed plane which, as can be seen in the drawings, is constituted by a plurality of interwoven resilient strips 44, 45 in the weft and warp directions.

At the lower ends of the back pack main frame side members 13, 16 there are mounted respective tent frame carriers to which are pivotally connected respective tent frame hoops 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52. Each of the tent frame hoops 46-52 is generally U-shape and attached at each end to respective tent frame hoop legs 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 by respective tent frame hoop leg knuckle joints 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. The tent frame hoop legs 53-59 are successively longer than one another by the width of the hoop frames 46-52 themselves so that, as can be seen in Figure 1, with the hoop frame 46 folded parallel to the back pack main frame 12 and the tent frame hoop leg 53 substantially orthogonal to the plane defined by the back pack main frame 12, the hoop frame 47 can be folded to overlie the hoop frame 46 with the tent frame hoop legs 54 parallel to the tent frame hoop legs 53 and so on, with the tent frame hoop 52 being held out by the tent frame hoop leg 59 to a position where it can overlay the assembly comprising the tent frame hoops 46-51. As can be seen in Figure 2, the foot flap strut 57 spans the tent frame hoop 52 to form a pivotal support for the foot flap 36.

The back pack container 33 has an opening 67 to allow access to the interior of the back pack from within the tent formed by the tent frame hoops 46-52 when erected, and the support plane 43 is provided with covering flaps 68, 69 which spread the load of a user and prevents localised extension of the interwoven resilient webs 44, 45. A sliding clasp fastener 70 is provided at the top of the back pack container 33 for access thereto when in the collapsed configuration illustrated in Figure 1.

Although not shown in Figure 2 the unit also includes a tent cover preferably permanently secured to the tent frame hoops 46-52 so that as these are turned from the collapsed configuration illustrated in Figure 1 to the erected configuration illustrated in Figure 2 the tent is automatically and immediately erected. Conversion of the erected tent to the collapsed configuration of the back pack ready for transport is quickly and easily achieved simply by lifting the tent frame hoop 52, collecting the remaining hoops 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46 as it is turned and securing these, by means not shown, in the collapsed configuration of Figure 1. The telescopic legs 34, 35 are then collapsed, the foot flap 36 folded from the erected position, the linked struts 30, 31 disconnected, rotated by rotation of the collars 28,29 and the leg assemblies 19, 20 moved to the collapsed position whereupon the back pack is ready to be carried with the tent folded and the camp bed collapsed.

The materials from which the combined unit of the present invention are made may be any suitable known lightweight rigid plastics or metal capable of providing adequate strength for the purpose. It will be appreciated that the leg frames 19, 20 must carry the weight of the user when lying on the bed plane, whilst the tent frame hoops 46-52 need be only extremely lightweight, merely sufficient to carry the lightweight flexible tent cover or membrane.

Claims

1. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination comprising a back pack frame, a flexible back pack container supported by the frame, a web-like or other support surface spanning a part of the back pack frame and collapsible frame support means for supporting the back pack frame with the said camp bed support surface generally horizontal or at least parallel with the ground and spaced therefrom.

2. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said collapsible frame support means comprise a plurality of generally U-shape leg frame members removably attachable to the back pack frame.

3. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further including means defining a tent frame in the form of a plurality of hoops articulated to the camp bed main frame member by intermediate linear struts each longer than its neighbour to permit the hoops to be folded flat.

4. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination as claimed in Claim 3, in which the said tent frame U-shape hoop members are secured to a tent cover.

5. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the back pack main frame is telescopically extendable to form a camp bed main frame.

6. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the camp bed support plane is defined by orthogonally extending interwoven resilient elastic strips.

7. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the said back pack main frame has a foldable end flap forming part of the camp bed main frame.

8. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the said back pack container has openings for access to the contents thereof from within the tent enclosure volume.

9. A combined back pack and tent combination, comprising a back pack frame, a flexible back pack container supported by the said back pack frame, a plurality of generally U-shape tent frame members pivotally connected to the said back pack frame about respective general parallel pivotal connections allowing the tent frame members to turn between a collapsed position in which they all lie generally parallel to one another each overlying an adjacent tent frame member, and an erected position in which each tent frame member lies in a respective plane radiating from a central frame region to define the tent enclosure volume.

10. A combined folding camp bed and tent combination comprising a collapsible camp bed frame including leg frame members movable between a collapsed position and an erected position adapted to hold a camp bed main frame which defines a camp bed support plane spaced from the ground, and a plurality of generally U-shape tent frame member pivotally connected to the camp bed main frame and turnable about respective substantially parallel axes between a collapsed position in which the tent frame members lie in a family of superposed generally parallel planes, and an erected position in which the tent frame members lie in respective planes radiating from a central frame region to define the volume enclosed by the tent.

11. A combined back pack, collapsible frame camp bed and foldable frame tent combination, comprising a back pack frame forming part of a collapsible camp bed main frame to which are pivotally connected a plurality of generally U-shape foldable tent frame members each turnable about respective substantially parallel axes between a collapsed position in which the tent frame members lie in a family of superposed generally parallel planes, and an erected position in which the tent frame members lie in respective planes radiating from a central frame region to define the volume enclosed by the tent.

12. A combined back pack and collapsible bed combination substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. A combined back pack and tent combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A combined folding camp bed and tent combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. A combined back pack, collapsible frame camp bed and foldable frame tent combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.