GB2435053A

GB2435053A - A temporary shelter

Info

Publication number: GB2435053A
Application number: GB0602473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Rankin; Denise Francis Rankin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-08
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Also published as: GB0602473D0

Abstract

A temporary shelter for personnel in the event of an emergency, providing weatherproof protection, comprises a plurality of generally U-shaped frames 10 pivotally connected together at opposed ends 11 of each frame, and a weatherproof cover sheet material 12, attached to and between the frames 10. A further sheet of flexible material is attached to at least one of the outermost frames, to be deployed across the other outermost frame as a groundsheet 14. The cover sheet may include an access opening closable by a fastener15, a window 16 and a ventilation flap 17. The shelter may be deployed by attaching the two outermost frames to the ground by pegs, which pass through fixed loops 13, thus forming an elongate arched structure. When folded the shelter may be readily stored within a vehicle or attached to a rucksack, and may be easily deployed when required in an emergency.

Description

I

A TEMPORARY SHELTER

This invention concerns a temporary shelter which may be deployed in the event of an emergency and to provide temporary accommodation, for example for drivers in the event of a vehicle breakdown or for hikers or mountaineers, thus to provide weatherproof protection until rescue is at hand.

In particular, roadside safety advice for motorists who breakdown on busy highways is to leave their vehicle and to move to a remote position away from the carriageway while awaiting the rescue services. This can occur in adverse, wet or hot weather conditions and when one or more of the vehicle passengers is very young or infirm.

An object of the present invention is to provide a temporary shelter which may be erected easily and rapidly for user occupancy and where the shelter is of a high visibility material to assist the rescue services in locating it, and also to alert other drivers of its presence.

According to the present invention there is provided a temporary shelter comprising at least three arched or generally inverted U-shaped frames pivotally connected together at opposed ends of each frame with a flexible and foldable material cover sheet attached to and between the frames, the frames being movable pivotally between a folded condition in which the frames are disposed in superimposed relationship, and a deployed condition in which the frames are spread apart such that two outermost frames are mutually aligned, with at least one other such frame angularly spaced between them with the flexible cover sheet extending between the frames to form an enclosure, and a further sheet of flexible material attached to at least one of the outermost frames to be deployed across the other of said outermost frames to form a groundsheet extending across the enclosure.

The frames may be generally U-shaped, thus, when deployed, to form an elongate arched enclosure.

The shelter may include at least one fixed loop to accommodate a ground engaging peg.

One or more such fixed loops may be attached to each of the outermost frames.

The cover sheet may include an access opening closable by a fastener.

The fastener may be a hook and loop device.

The fastener may be a sliding clasp device.

The cover sheet may include a window of at least translucent flexible material.

The cover sheet may be of, or may include, high visibility material such as fluorescent or reflective strips or panels.

The cover and ground sheets may be of a waterproof material.

The cover sheet may include ventilation means to permit air to enter and discharge from the enclosure.

The ventilation means may include a flap enabling the passage of air to and from the enclosure.

Each end of each frame may have a single pivotal axis with one or more pivot pins passing through all of the frames.

The cover sheet may be attached to the respective frames by stitching.

The frames may be of a plastics material.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is a side elevation of a temporary shelter made in accordance with the invention and illustrated as partly deployed; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the shelter fully deployed; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the shelter in a folded condition.

Referring now to the drawings, the shelter comprises a plurality of individual generally U-shaped frames (10) pivotally connected together at (11) so that they are movable from a folded condition illustrated in Fig. 3 to a partially or fully deployed condition as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 respectively. This is by pivotal angular deployment of the individual frames (10) about their central pivot (11). Attached to and over each of the frames is a flexible cover sheet (12) of a foldable material which is at least shower proof and preferably waterproof. The sheet (12) is attached, preferably by stitching, to each of the frames (10) throughout its arched extent.

When the frames are fully deployed such that the two outermost frames (lOa) become aligned they may be placed upon the ground to form an enclosure. A fixed loop (13) is provided on each outermost frame (lOa) to accommodate a ground-engaging peg or the like.

Stretched across at least one of the outermost frames (lOa) is a further flexible sheet (14) to be deployed across the other outermost frame (ba) to form a groundsheet extending across the enclosure when fully opened. Preferably, the groundsheet (14) extends across and is fixed to both of the outermost frames (1 Oa).

Thus, in use, the shelter may be placed upon the ground and deployed to form the enclosure as illustrated in Fig. 2, ground-engaging pegs being used to secure both ends through the loops (13) and, if required, also the central region.

The flexible cover sheet (12)is provided with an access opening, for example as shown at (15), so that the user may enter and exit the shelter once deployed. The opening (15) may be closed by a strip of hook and loop fastener or by a sliding clasp fastener.

The material of the cover sheet (12) is preferably a high visibility material such as fluorescent or reflective, and/or strips or panels of high visibility material may also be applied to the outer surface.

Preferably, a window (16) of a transparent flexible material is included in the cover sheet (12) to allow visibility into and from the enclosure.

The cover sheet (12) may include ventilation slots with or without an additional panel (17) to enable air to pass freely into and from the enclosure so that the latter remains secure in a strong wind.

The frame members (10) may be of a light alloy material or of plastics, the cover sheet (12) being attached thereto either by an adhesive or by stitching.

Ideally, the enclosure will be some 120 centimetres by 90 centimetres high so that it may be occupied by several personnel. However, it should be of sufficiently light weight to be handled and erected by a single person. This would be done by placing the folded shelter on the ground, pegging down one end and then opening the shelter about the pivotal access before finally securing the other end to the ground, access would then be achieved through the opening (15). Since the enclosure is fully surrounded by preferably waterproof material, including the groundsheet (14) which is stitched or otherwise sealed to the cover sheet (12) through the outermost frames (lOa), a dry and safe haven is afforded to the occupants.

It will be appreciated that such a shelter may be easily and rapidly deployed in the event of a vehicle breakdown or road accident or, for hikers or mountaineers requiring temporary shelter from adverse weather conditions. In its folded condition it can be accommodated easily in the boot of a vehicle or attached to a rucksack.

it is not intended to limit the invention to the details described herein. For example, instead of generally hemispherical, the shelter may takes its shape from a plurality of inverted V-shaped frame members thus to form a shelter of triangular cross-section.

Similarly, the frame members may have upright sides each with an arched or otherwise shaped roof portion.

Also, while the shelter has been described for use in wet weather, it may also be used in territories having a hot climate, where it will serve to provide shelter. In this case the cover sheet is not necessarily waterproof or shower proof.

In some cases the opening (15) may be omitted so that the user would simply peg down one end of the shelter, pulling the remainder over themselves before pegging down the other end. At least a part of the groundsheet (14) would need, in this case, to be detachable from its associated outermost frame (lOa).

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A temporary shelter comprising at least three arched or generally inverted U-shaped frames pivotally connected together at opposed ends of each frame with a flexible and foldable material cover sheet attached to and between the frames, the frames being movable pivotally between a folded condition in which the frames are disposed in superimposed relationship, and a deployed condition in which the frames are spread apart such that two outermost frames are mutually aligned, with at least one other such frame angularly spaced between them with the flexible cover sheet extending between the frames to form an enclosure, and a further sheet of flexible material attached to at least one of the outermost frames to be deployed across the other of said outermost frames to form a groundsheet extending across the enclosure.

2. A temporary shelter according to claim 1 wherein the frames are generally U-shaped thus, when deployed, to form an elongate arched enclosure.

3. A temporary shelter according to claim I or claim 2 including at least one fixed loop to accommodate a ground engaging peg.

4. A temporary shelter according to claim 3 including one or more such fixed loops attached to each of the outermost frames.

5. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein the cover sheet includes an access opening closable by a fastener.

6. A temporary shelter according to claim 5 wherein the fastener is a hook and loop device.

7. A temporary shelter according to claim 5 wherein the fastener is a sliding clasp device.

8. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein the cover sheet includes a window of at least translucent flexible material.

9. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein the cover sheet is of, or includes, a high visibility material such as fluorescent or reflective strips or panels.

10. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein the cover and ground sheets are of a waterproof material.

11. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein the cover sheet includes ventilation means to permit air to enter and discharge from the enclosure.

12. A temporary shelter according to claim 11 wherein the ventilation means includes a flap enabling the passage of air to and from the enclosure.

13. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein each end of each frame has a single pivotal axis with one or more pivot pins passing through all of the frames.

14. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein the cover sheet is attached to the respective frames by stitching.

15. A temporary shelter according to any preceding claim wherein the frames are of a plastics material.