GB2325256A - Bivouac shelter - Google Patents

Abstract

A bivouac shelter comprises a sheet 1 of flexible material which is adapted at either of two parallel ends thereof to retain a resilient support member 4. Each support member 4 can be deformed so as to arch the sheet 1 and is held in the deformed condition by means of a tensioning strap 5. Each of the tensioning straps may be arranged to act on each of two opposing edges of the sheet 1 or may act directly on two ends of its associated support member 4. The effective length of the tensioning straps 5 may be adjustable such that the degree of arch of the sheet 1 can be varied.

Description

TITLE: Bivouac Shelter This invention relates to shelters and in particular to temporary bivouac shelters.

Bivouac shelters formed from a sheet of material suspended from one or a number of tree branches or other suitable support means found in the open are known. This type of shelter is useful in emergencies or when weight restrictions preclude the carrying of a conventional tent. However, finding suitable tree branches or other support means can be time consuming and difficult in low light levels and, in barren or exposed regions where suitable support means may not be readily available, finding support means might not be possible or may require a significant detour from the desired route to find.

According to the present invention there is provided a bivouac shelter comprising a flexible sheet and a plurality of resilient support members, wherein the sheet is adapted to retain the plurality of support members and wherein each retained support member is deformable to thereby arch the sheet, the shelter further comprising means to hold each support member in a deformed condition.

The invention provides a simple, light-weight, self-supported bivouac shelter which overcomes the disadvantages highlighted above with existing bivouac shelters.

Preferably the means for holding each retained support member in a deformed condition comprises a tensioning strap associated with each retained support member.

The effective length of each tensioning strap may be adjustable such that the degree of deformation maintained, in use, by its associated retained support member can be varied. Thereby enabling the relative height and width of the shelter formed to be selected within the range available for a given length of support member and width of sheet.

Each of the tensioning straps may be arranged to act on each of two opposing edges of the sheet or they may act directly on their associated retained support members at or near the ends thereof.

The flexible sheet may be substantially parallel and may be adapted to retain a support member adjacent to each of its shorter edges in substantially parallel relation thereto.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a sheet for use in a shelter.

Figure 2 shows in perspective a shelter when erect.

Figure 3 is a part sectioned end view of an erect shelter showing a flexible support member attached to the sheet.

Referring to the drawings, the bivouac shelter comprises a single sheet of material 1.

The sheet can be made of any suitable material but is preferably a lightweight, waterproof material such as a nylon. In the embodiment shown, Fig. 2, the sheet is rectilinear and has an eyelet 2 at each comer. Located on one surface of the sheet, which in use will form the under-surface of the shelter, at or adjacent to each of the two opposed shorter edges of the sheet 1 is a sleeve 3. The sleeves 3 are formed from a suitable fabric, which may be the same material as that used for the sheet 1, and extend substantially over the width of the sheet 1 but do not extend over the eyelets 2.

The shelter also comprises two flexible, resilient support members in the form of poles 4. One pole 4 is inserted in each sleeve 3 and its ends inserted through the eyelets 2 adjacent to its respective sleeve 3. The ends of each pole 4 are then drawn together using a tensioning strap 5 deforming the pole 4 so that it forms an arch. Each pole 4 is held in the deformed state by means of the tensioning strap 5, which in the embodiment shown is attached to the opposed longer edges of the sheet 1. The shelter is positioned on the ground as desired and a guy line 6 attached at both ends of the shelter either to the sheet 1 or to the poles 4, via suitable gaps in the sleeves 3, to prevent the poles 4 from collapsing inwardly.

Each tensioning strap 5 has a first end attached to one of the longer edges of the sheet 1 adjacent to an eyelet 2 through which one end of its associated pole 4 is inserted. A second end of the tensioning strap 5 is passed through a first ring 7 attached to the opposite edge of the sheet 1 adjacent to the eyelet through which the other end of the associated pole 4 is inserted. Once through the first ring 7 the second end of the tensioning strap 5 is pulled towards the attached first end drawing the edges of the sheet and thus the ends of the associated pole 4 together. The tensioning strap 5 is secured by means of a clip 8 located on its second end which is attached to a further ring 9 positioned at or near the attachment point of the first end of the tensioning strap 5. The length of the tensioning straps 5 is selected so that when they are thus connected the poles 4 are formed into a desired arch. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the second end of the tensioning strap 5 is attached to the first ring 7 after the pole 4 has been deformed.

In a further embodiment, also not shown, the useful length of the tensioning straps 5 is adjustable so that the degree of arch formed by the associated poles 4 can be varied.

This can be achieved by providing on one side of each tensioning strap 5 areas of hook and eye fastener such that once the second end of the tensioning strap 5 has been drawn through its respective first ring 7 to produce the desired degree of arch in the associated pole 4, a portion of hook and eye fastener on the part of the tensioning strap 5 which has passed through the first ring 7 is in alignment with a corresponding portion of fastener on a part of the tensioning strap 5 which has not passed through the first ring 7 and the two portions of fastener may then be brought together to hold the tensioning strap 5 in the desired position. Alternatively, the first rings 7 can be replaced with suitable buckles or clamping means through which the second end of each tensioning strap is drawn and which are arranged to hold the tensioning straps 5 once the desired degree of arch in the associated poles 4 has been achieved.

In any of the above discussed arrangements, the first ends of the tensioning straps 5 may be permanently attached, e.g. by sewing, or may be removable attached to the sheet 1 by means of any suitable arrangement, for example clips may be provided on the first ends of the tensioning straps which attach to the further rings 9.

Rather than being attached to opposite edges of the sheet 1 the tensioning straps 5 may be attached directly to their associated poles 4, close to the ends thereof. In its simplest form each tensioning strap may comprise a strap of fixed length having eyelets at either end which are attached to the ends of its associated pole 4 but a tensioning strap of adjustable length may also be used in this type of arrangement.

In any of the embodiments discussed, means may be provided to minimise or prevent riding of the sheet up the poles in use.

The poles 4 may conveniently comprise multi-section poles. Preferably the poles 4 are multi-section shock corded poles.

To provide additional security for the shelter, webbing loops or additional eyelets may be provided around the periphery of the sheet 1 to enable the shelter to be pegged in position.

Modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the concept of the claimed invention. For example, the sleeves 3 could be arranged so as to be on the outer surface of the shelter when erect or may be arranged to retain the support members in crossed relation diagonally on the sheet. Also the attachment means of the tensioning straps 5 can be varied as required.

Claims (6)

1. A bivouac shelter comprising a flexible sheet and a plurality of resilient support members wherein the sheet is adapted to retain the plurality of support members and wherein each retained support member is deformable to thereby arch the sheet, the shelter further comprising means for holding each retained support member in a deformed condition.

2. A bivouac shelter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for holding each retained support member in a deformed condition comprises a tensioning strap associated with each retained support member.

3. A bivouac shelter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the effective length of each tensioning trap is adjustable such that the degree of deformation maintained, in use, by its associated retained support member can be varied.

4. A bivouac shelter as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3 above in which each tensioning strap acts on each of two opposing edges of the sheet.

5. A bivouac shelter as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3 in which each of the plurality of retained support members has two ends and each tensioning strap acts directly on its associated retained support member at or near the ends thereof.

6. A bivouac shelter as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the flexible sheet is substantially rectangular and is adapted to retain a support member adjacent each of its shorter edges in substantially parallel relation thereto.