GB2497552A

GB2497552A - Portable shelter made from a sheet of square shaped material

Info

Publication number: GB2497552A
Application number: GB1121393.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Crosbie
Original assignee: STINGRAY OUTDOOR PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: STINGRAY OUTDOOR PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2011-12-13
Filing date: 2011-12-13
Publication date: 2013-06-19
Also published as: GB201121393D0

Abstract

The shelter comprises sheet and guy lines, wherein the sheet 11 comprises four substantially linear side edges 12a-d, of the same length, which each pair of edges defining right angled corners 13a-d of the sheet. The sheet may comprise a number of coupling points, for example eyelets 17, preferably on the corners and some intermediate between the corners on the side edges. The sheet may also have up to three parallel support straps 14-16, on two edges and in the centre of the sheet. The sheet may comprise two layers which are coupled together but can be separated. The shelter can be used to form a litter to support a person. The shelter may comprise a ground sheet which is arranged to extend upon the ground during use and detachably coupled to the shelter sheet. The sheet may be used with poles to raise the shelter from the ground.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Applicalion No. GB1121393.1 RTrvI f)ac:12 April2012 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Dy neem a Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk A Portable Shelter Assembly The present invention relates to a portable shelter assembly.

S There are a variety of known portable sheltering arrangements available, in which a sheet of waterproof material is supported above the ground to provide a shelter at the underside thereof. The sheet is typically secured to surrounding trees for example using guy lines, which support the sheet at an elevated position. Alternative arrangements, comprise anchoring a periphery of the sheet to the ground and a supporting a central portion of the sheet at an elevated position using support poles, such as with an A-frame tent.

With each of these arrangements however, it is found that the shelter typically collapses or otherwise deforms under adverse weather conditions.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a portable shelter assembly comprising a shelter sheet and a plurality of guy lines for anchoring the sheet to anchor points, the sheet comprising four substantially linear side edges which are arranged to cooperatively define four corners of the sheet, one corner being disposed at each end of each edge where two edges of the sheet meet, wherein the side edges of the sheet are substantially the same length and the side edges of the sheet which define each corner are arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to each other.

Advantageously, the square shape of the sheet provides for a shelter which is more resistant to strong winds and inclement weather. The square shape of the tent provides for a more uniform anchoring of the sheet and thus a uniform stress distribution around the sheet as the sheet moves about with the weather conditions.

The sheet preferably further comprises a plurality of coupling points for coupling the guy lines to the sheet, such as a plurality of eyelets. Preferably, the coupling points are disposed along a periphery of the sheet, with one coupling point being disposed at each corner and one coupling point being disposed along each side edge, substantially midway between the respective corners.

The sheet preferably further comprises an coupling point disposed along a side edge intermediate a sheet corner and the midway point of said side edge and a further coupling point disposed along the further side edge forming said corner, intermediate the S sheet corner and the midway point of the further side edge.

The sheet preferably further comprises a first and second support strap disposed along a first and second opposing sheet edge, respectively. Preferably, the sheet further comprises a third support strap which extends along the sheet between the first and second straps, substantially parallel to the first and second straps. The straps may be coupled to the sheet or formed integrally with the sheet and are arranged to increase the strength of the sheet at stress points which may otherwise cause the sheet to tear for

example.

The sheet preferably comprises a first and second sheet layer which are coupled together. The layers may be stitched or otherwise bonded together along a peripheral region thereof, or may be detachably coupled using fastening means, such as a hook and loop type fastening arrangement.

Preferably, the sheet further comprises a coupling point, such as a further eyelet disposed substantially centrally thereof, upon the third support strap. The coupling point is preferably uncoupled with the first layer of the sheet and arranged to couple with a guy line to enable the second layer to be separated from the first layer.

The sheet preferably further comprises a plurality of handle regions disposed along each support strap. Preferably, the handles are disposed upon each support strap, such that each strap comprises an outer handle disposed at a front and rear of the sheet and an inner handle disposed intermediate the front of the sheet and a central portion of the sheet.

The sheet is preferably arranged to reconfigure between an unfolded sheltering arrangement and a folded support arrangement whereby the sheet is folded about the third strap for supporting a person. When configured in the support configuration, the first and second straps and the handles on the first and second straps are preferably arranged to extend substantially adjacent each other to provide for a lifter in supporting an injured person for example. The off-centre positioning of the inner handles is arranged to create a depressed seat or pouch within the sheet when a person is carried thereon, which is found to reduce the movement of the person on the litter and thus S possibility of the person falling from the lifter during transport.

Preferably, the guy lines separately comprise tensioning means for tensioning the lines, and also a toggle for readily coupling and uncoupling with the coupling points on the sheet, such as the eyelets disposed on the sheet.

The assembly preferably further comprises a ground sheet which is arranged to extend at the underside of the shelter sheet, upon the ground during use, and is preferably arranged to detachably couple with the shelter sheet.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises at least one support pole for support at least a portion of the shelter sheet above the ground.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a portable shelter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, configured in a sheltering configuration; Figure 2 is a plan view of the inner layer of the sheet of the assembly illustrated in figure 1, showing the positioning of the handles and the male and female connectors; and, Figure 3 is a plan view of the assembly illustrated in a support configuration.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a portable shelter assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly comprises a shelter sheet 11 comprising an outer layer ha formed of a water proof material, such as Ripstop polyurethane coated nylon, and an inner layer 11 b, which may similarly be formed of a Ripstop nylon material. The inner layer llb and outer layer ha are stitched together along a periphery thereof, such that the resulting sheet 11 comprises a substantially square shape. In this respect, the sheet 11 comprises four linear side edges 12a-d which are of substantially the same length and which cooperatively define four sheet corners 13a-d where edges of the sheet meet at substantially 900. In an alternative embodiment however, the inner lib and outer layer ha may be detachably S coupled.

Thesheetll furthercomprisesafirstandsecond supportstrap 14,15 orwebbingwhich extends along a first and second opposing side edge 12a, 12c of the sheet 11, and a third strap 16 or webbing which extends along the sheet 11, midway between the first and second strap 14, 15 substantially parallel thereto. The straps 14, 15, 16 may be formed of a Dyneema or Nylon material which is folded into the sheet 11 to increase the strength and durability of the sheet 11, particularly at stress points. The sheet 11 is folded around to straps 14, 15, 16 to substantially encompass the straps 14, 15, 16. This waterproof nature of the sheet 11 serves to minimise any penetration and thus absorption of water into the straps 14, 15, 16 to help minimise the overall weight of the sheet 11 when wet.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the sheet 11 further comprises a plurality of first coupling points such as a plurality of first eyelets 17 or tying loops (not shown), disposed along a periphery of the sheet 11, substantially within the straps 14, 15, 16, proximate the corners 13 of the sheet 11 and at a position midway between the corners 13, along each side edge 12. A second coupling point, such as a second eyelet 18 or tying loop (not shown) is also provided upon a side edge 12a of the sheet 11 at a position intermediate a corner 13b of the sheet 11 and a point midway along the side edge 12a, and also upon the further side edge 12b forming the corner 13b at a position along the further side edge 12b intermediate the corner 13b and a point midway along the further side edge 12b. The sheet 11 further comprises a coupling point 19 disposed substantially centrally of the third strap 16, which may comprise a ring for example, which is coupled to the outer sheet 11 a.

The sheet 11 of the assembly 10 is arranged to also serve as a litter 30 (as illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings) for carrying a person (not shown) and in this respect, the sheet 11 comprises a plurality of handles 20 disposed along each support strap 14, 15, 16.

Each strap 14, 15 16 comprises an outer handle 20a disposed at a front and rear of the sheet and an inner handle 2Db disposed intermediate the front of the sheet 11 and a central portion of the sheet 11. In order to provide the required support for carrying a person (not shown), the sheet is arranged to reconfigure from the above-described sheltering configuration to a folded configuration, in which the sheet 11 is folded about S the third strap 16 such that the first strap 14 and thus the handles 20 disposed upon the first strap 14 extend adjacent the second strap 15 and thus the handles 20 disposed upon the second strap 15.

The folded configuration of the sheet 11 is maintained using a plurality of connectors which are disposed along an inner side of the sheet 11. The connectors are disposed along a periphery of the sheet 11, symmetrically about the third strap 16, however the connectors disposed at one side of the third strap 16 are arranged to comprise a male type connector 21 for example, whereas the connectors disposed at the other side of the third strap are arranged to comprise a female connector 22, for example. It is to be appreciated that other fastening arrangements, such as a hook and loop type fastening arrangement (not shown) may also be used. Accordingly, when the sheet 11 is arranged in the folded configuration, the male connectors 21 may be detachably coupled with the symmetrically opposite female connector 22 to create a lifter 30 having a generally rectangular shape, in which the length of the lifter 30 is substantially twice as long as the width, as illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings.

The off-centre positioning of the inner handles 2Db of the litter 30 are arranged to provide for a depressed seat or pouch for a person (not shown), when being carried, to minimise the movement of the person (not shown) being carried and thus the possibility of the person (not shown) from falling from the lifter 30. Moreover, the particular citing of the inner handles 2Db enables the litter 30 and thus a person (not shown) to be suitably carried using only two operators (not shown).

The sheltering assembly 10, further comprises a plurality of guy lines 23 for anchoring the sheet 11 to the ground and separately comprise a toggle (not shown) for detachably coupling the guy lines 23 with an eyelet 17, 18, 19 or tying loop (not shown) and also a tensioning device (not shown) for tensioning the guy lines 23. The assembly 10 further comprises a first and second support pole (not shown) for supporting a front of the sheet above the ground.

When used as a shelter, the sheet 10 is first unfolded and placed upon the ground so that the outer layer 11 a faces upwardly. In situations whereby the shelter is also used as a camouflage, then the outer layer lib may comprise a colour pattern such as the so-S called Multicam or Flectarn pattern which substantially matches the colour pattern of the local environment. A rear guy line 23a is then secured at one end to the first eyelet 17 disposed at the rear of the first strap 14 using the associated toggle (not shown) and the other end of the guy line 23a is secured to an anchor point (not shown) disposed within ground. Front guy lines 23b are then separately secured at one end to the second eyelets 18 using the respective toggles (not shown) and at the other end to respective anchor points (not shown) within the ground. The front and rear guy lines 23a, 23b are subsequently tensioned to hold the sheet 11 under tension. Support poles (not shown) are subsequently positioned to extend substantially upright between the ground and the second eyelets 18 to hold the sheet 11 off the ground and further tension the sheet 11.

Once elevated, a forward corner portion of the sheet 11 disposed between the second eyelets 18 is arranged to hang down toward the ground to provide a privacy curtain 24.

To facilitate this drop in the forward corner portion, the layers 11 a, 11 b of the sheet 11 are further stitched or otherwise coupled along a line 25 which extends across the sheet 11 between the second eyelets 18. If necessary the downwardly extending privacy curtain 24 may be anchored to the ground using the eyelet 17 disposed at the corner thereof.

Left and right guy lines 23c, 23d are then secured at one end to the first eyelets 17 disposed at the front of the second strap 15 and at the rear of the first strap 14, respectively, and at the other end to respective anchor points (not shown) within the ground. Optional further guy lines 23e may be used couple with the first eyelets 17 disposed midway along the sheet edges 12 to further secure the sheet 11 to the ground.

It is envisaged that these may be used during inclement weather periods. A ground sheet (not shown) may subsequently be deployed under the shelter sheet 11 to provide a barrier for the shelter occupants from the ground. The ground sheet (not shown) may comprise a plurality of eyelets disposed along a periphery thereof for securing the ground sheet to the ground or alternatively a plurality of peripherally disposed connectors for detachably coupling with connectors disposed at the inner side of the sheet 11.

A further separate guy line 23f may then be coupled at one end with the coupling point or ring 19 disposed substantially centrally of the outer layer ha of the sheet 11 and subsequently tensioned to an anchor point (not shown) to separate the outer layer hi b S of the sheet from the inner layer ii a to provide and air filled cavity between the layers 1 la, ii b. It is found that this cavity helps reduce the passage of heat through the sheet and thus serves to thermally insulate the underside of the shelter from the outer side.

In a further embodiment, the inner layer 11 b of the sheet ii comprises a colour pattern which is indicative of a marker which may be used to suitably alert or inform airborne personnel. Accordingly, the sheet ii may also be used with the inner layer hib facing outwardly to provide a visual marker to airborne personnel.

In either embodiment, the sheet is arranged to extend close to the ground to better enclose the occupants and minimise the escape of heat. Furthermore, the multifunctional sheet which serves as a shelter, a marker and also as a litter eliminates the requirement to carry a separate marker and litter for example, and thus reduces the weight carried by the end-user.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A portable shelter assembly comprising a shelter sheet and a plurality of guy lines for anchoring the sheet to anchor points, the sheet comprising four S substantially linear side edges which are arranged to cooperatively define four corners of the sheet, one corner being disposed at each end of each edge where two edges of the sheet meet, wherein the side edges of the sheet are substantially the same length, and the side edges of the sheet at each corner are arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to each other.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sheet further comprises a plurality of coupling points for coupling the guy lines to the sheet.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein one coupling point is disposed at each corner and one coupling point is disposed along each side edge, substantially midway between the respective corners.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An assembly according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a coupling point disposed along a side edge, at a position intermediate a sheet corner and a midway point along said side edge, and a further coupling point disposed along the further side edge forming said corner, at a position intermediate the sheet corner and a midway point along the further side edge.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. An assembly according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the coupling points for coupling the guy lines comprises a plurality of eyelets.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a first and second support strap disposed along a first and second opposing sheet edge, respectively.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. An assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a third support strap which extends along the sheet between the first and second straps, substantially parallel to the first and second straps.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. An assembly according to claim 7 further comprising a coupling point disposed substantially centrally of the sheet, upon the third support strap.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet comprises a first and second sheet layer which are coupled together.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. An assembly according to claim 9 as appended to claim 8, wherein the coupling point is uncoupled with the first layer of the sheet and arranged to couple with a guy line to enable the second layer to be separated from the first layer.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of S handle regions disposed along a periphery of the sheet.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. An assembly according to claim 11 as appended to claim 6 and 7, wherein the handles are disposed upon each support strap.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the handles are disposed upon each support strap, such that each strap comprises an outer handle disposed at a front and rear of the sheet and an inner handle disposed intermediate the front of the sheet and a central portion of the sheet.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is arranged to reconfigure between an unfolded sheltering arrangement and a folded support arrangement whereby the sheet is folded for supporting a person.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. An assembly according to claim 14 as appended to claim 7, wherein the sheet is arranged to fold about the third strap.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the guy lines separately comprise tensioning means for tensioning the lines.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the guy lines separately comprise a toggle for readily coupling and uncoupling with the sheet.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a ground sheet which is arranged to extend at the underside of the sheet, upon the ground, during use.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the ground sheet is arranged to detachably couple with the shelter sheet.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. An assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one support pole for support at least a portion of the sheet above the ground.</claim-text>