GB2289291A

GB2289291A - Tent with demountable frame sub-assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2289291A
Application number: GB9409299A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Clive Godfrey Brooke; Caroline Rosemary Brooke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-10
Filing date: 1994-05-10
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Also published as: GB9409299D0

Abstract

This tent system consists of "corner frame" and "roof frame" sub-assemblies, with all structural components attached, which can be releasably secured to one another, and are covered by a fabric canopy. The size and configuration of tent, whether square, hexagonal, etc., depends on the corner joint angle and total number of frame sub-assemblies. To erect a typical tent, the corner assemblies have their horizontal rails B extended, connected D and all diagonal braces E fixed. The roof assembly (the x-shaped frame) is then extended and connected to each corner joint A, the fabric cover is placed over the assembled frame and attached to the corners and rails. To raise the tent, the frame legs are telescopically extended, secured, and the fabric leg covers attached to the frame foot assembly F and tensioned. The feet are pegged in soft ground or weighed down on hard surfaces. <IMAGE>

Description

FREESTANDING MODULAR TENT SYSTEM.

This invention relates to a Freestanding Modular Tent System.

Large tents and small marquees used for, among other things, exhibitions, entertainment and displays are often sold or hired on the basis of being compact when dismantled, lightweight, quick and simple to assemble, aesthetically pleasing when assembled, and freestanding.Whilst some manufacturers claim many of these attributes for their products, the basis for such claims tends to be relative and I believe no single tent or small marquee genuinely provides all these benefits in a single product.Those tents that can be erected without the assistance of experienced personnel are often difficult to transport, flimsy, contain a multitude of independant parts, and are both time consuming and awkward to erect. Tents needing experienced erectors are often heavy,and require component assembly tools, much time and many hands.

According to the present invention there is provided a Freestanding Modular Tent comprising corner and roof frame sub-assemblies with telescopically adjustable legs, rails, and diagonal braces attached, the means for releasably securing one sub-assembly to another at or adjacent to the sub-assembly joint, or, at or adjacent to the horizontal rail ends, and a fabric cover with the means for being releasably secured over the assembled frame.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Fig. 1 shows in perspective the fully erected tent frame with fabric canopy over.

Fig.2 shows on plan the comer units and roof unit assembled to form the frame.

Fig.3 illustrates the corner sub-assembly in the stowed position.

Fig.4 shows in perspective the comer sub-assembly extended for connection.

Fig.5 illustrates the roof sub-assembly in the stowed position.

Fig.6 shows in perspective the roof sub-assembly extended for connection.

Fig.7 shows on elevation the frame with the fabric canopy over.

Fig.8 shows on elevation the completed tent extended vertically to the full height.

With reference to the drawings, the tent frame comprises the requisite number of corner frame sub-assemblies as shown in Fig.3 and Fig.4, and roof frame as shown in Fig.5 and Fig.6, each sub-assembly being made up ofthe following elements where required.

A. Rigid Joint (of variable angle).

B. Hollow Section Tubing.

C. Hinged connection between rigid joint A and tubing B.

D. Means for releasably securing one frame sub-assembly to another, for example a screw attachment, sprung bolts snap fastner or some similar means (not shown).

E. Hinged Diagonal Braces.

F. Foot Assembly.

The preferred materials for manufacturing these components would be Duraluminium for all the structural tubing, and Rigid Nylon Plastic for all joints, fastners, and feet, or similar materials (not specified).The frame is provided with a fabric cover, as shown in Fig.1, Fig.7 and Fig.8, which is tailored to fit according to the frame size and plan configuration. This cover is supplied with the means for being releasably secured over the frame at the corners, rails and feet with snapfastner buckles or some similar means (not shown).To assist the stability of the assembled tent in adverse weather conditions, vents are sewn into the top third of the roof cover to reduce excess air pressure under the canopy cover.

In order to erect a typical tent, the corner assemblies should be positioned vertically on the ground and their horizontal rails B raised through 900 to connect one to the other D in the plan form ofthe tent as shown in Fig.2 and Fig.4.Once the horizontal rails are releasably secured, the first diagonal braces E1 are swung across from one rail and releasably secured diagonally to the opposite rail, whilst the second diagonal braces E2 are swung up to be releasably secured to the legs.The roof assembly is opened from the stowed position, Fig.5 and Fig.6, each roof member is releasably secured to the relevant corner assembly joint A, and the roof structure is raised progressively to the required height by completion of this manoeuvre.The fabric cover is placed over the assembled frame and releasably secured and tensioned at the corners and along the rails, as indicated in Fig.7.

Optional extras to assist the mating of cover to frame are finials with protruding threaded shafts, or some similar means of fixing (not shown) which can be releasably secured to the corner joints and apex joint of the roof assembly.To complete the erection process, the legs of the frame are telescopically extended upwards and releasably secured after which the canopy leg covers are extended down, releasably secured to the frame foot assembly F and tensioned all as shown in Fig. 8. The assembled tent can either be left free standing, pegged through the foot assembly F in soft ground, or weighed down through the foot assembly on hard surfaces. In adverse weather conditions guy ropes may be fitted to the corner joints and their ends pegged down. To dismantle the tent, the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence.

Claims

1. A freestanding modular tent comprising corner and roof frame sub assemblies with telescopically adjustable legs, rails and diagonal braces attached, the means for releasably securing one sub-assembly to another at or adjacent to the sub-assembly joint, or, at or adjacent to the horizontal rail ends, and a fabric cover with the means for being releasably secured over the assembled frame.

2. A freestanding modular tent as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sub assembly corner joint angle determines the configuration of the tent plan.

eg. 900 internal angle = square 1200 internal angle = hexagonal

3. A freestanding modular tent as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the corner joint has hinged connections to the structural tube members.

4. A freestanding modular tent as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the foot assembly on the legs is used as a means for releasably securing the cover to the frame.

5. A freestanding modular tent as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 4 wherein the foot assembly on the legs can be pegged in soft ground.

6. A freestanding modular tent as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the foot assembly on the legs can be releasably secured to a weight.

7. A freestanding modular tent substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-8 of the accompanying drawings.