GB2500905A

GB2500905A - Collapsible habitable suspended tent structure for supporting at least one person

Info

Publication number: GB2500905A
Application number: GB201206023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alex Shirley-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-04
Filing date: 2012-04-04
Publication date: 2013-10-09
Also published as: GB201206023D0

Abstract

A collapsible structure comprises an accommodation unit formed from upper 2 and lower flexible panels 4 made from, for example, a water resistant polyester fabric or a translucent material, and a rigid support element 6, such as a pole or post, between the panels and creating a space between them and the panels each preferably forming a pyramid. Outside the accommodation unit three or more elongate flexible tensioning tethers 7a-c that are connected to at least one of the flexible panels at respective connection points. A floor panel 3, preferably made from a flexible sheet, is located between, and spaced apart from, the other flexible panels. In use tension may be applied to the tethers, guy lines, so that the accommodation unit is pulled into a shape in which a habitation region is formed between the floor panel and the upper panel. In use the accommodation is preferably hung above ground, with no support underneath, attached to, e.g. trees using the elongate flexible tensioning ropes.

Description

A collapsible habitable structure This invention relates to a collapsible habitable structure.

Many different types of habitable structures have been previously proposed that can be collapsed to be relatively small and portable, and subsequently erected to provide a substantially enclosed space in which one or more humans can live, shelter or sleep. These previous proposals include conventional tents which rest on an area of flat ground and are secured to the ground (e.g. by a series of rigid spikes or pegs), canvas structures that may be hung from a single elevated support point, for instance a branch of a tree and also a collapsible structure that comprises many lengths of tensioned elongates with multiple fabric infill panels.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to provide an improved collapsible habitable structure.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a collapsible structure adapted to accommodate and support at least one human, the structure comprising: an accommodation unit formed from upper and lower flexible panels, a rigid support element being placed between the upper and lower panels, thus placing the upper and lower panels in tension and creating a space between the upper and lower panels; three or more elongate, flexible side tensioning elements that are connected to one or more of the upper and lower flexible panels at respective connection points, wherein the connection points are spaced apart from one another and the side tensioning elements may be attached to respective side anchoring points; and a floor panel which is located between, and spaced apart from, the upper and lower flexible panels, wherein tension may be applied to the side tensioning elements so that the accommodation unit is pulled into a shape in which a habitation region is formed between the floor panel and the upper flexible panel, of sufficient size to accommodate at least one human, with the at least one human being supported by the floor panel so that the floor panel remains spaced apart from the lower flexible panel.

Advantageously, when tension is applied to the side tensioning elements, the support element is substantially at right-angles to the floor panel.

Preferably, when tension is applied to the side tensioning elements, the support element is substantially vertical and the floor panel is substantially horizontal.

Conveniently, the floor panel is connected to the support element.

Advantageously, the support element passes through an aperture in the floor panel.

Preferably, the support element is relatively narrow where it passes through the aperture in the floor panel, and relatively wide in a region below where the support element passes through the floor panel, so that the floor panel may rest on the relatively wide part of the support element.

Conveniently, the upper and lower flexible panels are formed from separate panels of material which are connected to one another at a peripheral seam.

Advantageously, the floor panel is attached to one or both of the upper and lower flexible panels at an attachment seam.

Preferably, the attachment seam runs substantially all of the way around the edge of the floor panel.

Conveniently, the collapsible structure further comprises an entrance door formed in the upper or lower panel, to allow access to the habitation region from the exterior of the structure.

Advantageously, the collapsible structure further comprises an access aperture to allow access to the region between the lower flexible panel and the floor panel.

Preferably, at least one of the side tensioning elements includes a tension adjustment arrangement, to allow the tension in the element to be adjusted after the element has been attached to a side anchoring point.

Conveniently, the side tensioning elements are attached to respective side anchoring points and tension is applied to the side tensioning elements, so that the upper and lower flexible panels are suspended above the ground.

Advantageously, no support arrangement is provided directly beneath the lower flexible panel.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a collapsible structure adapted to accommodate and support at least one human, the structure comprising: an accommodation unit formed from three tensioned pieces of fabric connected to three side anchoring points that are above ground level; The fabric sheets are sewn together along a triangular perimeter seem and held apart by a single central pole that creates a space of sufficient size to accommodate at least one human.

Advantageously, at least one side anchoring point is provided by a anchoring point no less than 1 metre from ground level.

Preferably, the anchoring point is a fixed element such as a building or tree.

Conveniently, the tension applied to the side tensioning elements attached to the rigid leg may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism.

Advantageously, the accommodation unit is formed from a plurality of fabric sheets, tensioned outwards from the end points of its triangular shape in plan.

Preferably, the fabric sheets extend between the tensioned corners.

Conveniently, the main internal space is substantially enclosed.

Advantageously, the three tensioned fabric sheets in conjunction with the central pole, forms a chamber.

Preferably, the chamber is substantially enclosed.

Conveniently, the chamber may be accessed from below.

Advantageously, there is no need for a ground tensioning element as the central pole provides the vertical element which creates the enclosed chamber.

Preferably, two or more tensioned fabric elements are attached to one of the side anchoring points, and the side tensioning elements attach to external anchoring points at high level to create an equal tension force.

Conveniently, the fabric sheets are strengthened at attachment to the side anchoring points by flexible bracing elements.

Advantageously, all or part of at least one of the panels may be at least partially detached.

Preferably, the lower panel is of sufficient strength to support the weight of at least one average adult human.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, installed between three side anchoring points.

Conveniently, at least three side anchoring points are provided.

Advantageously, each of the side anchoring points is above the level of the floor level of the accommodation unit.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first collapsible structure (Unit 1) embodying the present invention in both plan and section; Figure 2 shows the collapsible structure (Unit 1) in more materialistic terms than the embodiment shown in Figure 1; With reference firstly to figure 1, a first embodiment of the invention is shown.

An accommodation unit 1 is shown in figure 1 in an erected configuration.

The accommodation unit 1 is formed from three flexible sheets 2, 3 and 4.

Flexible sheets 2, 3 and 4 are tensioned along their perimeter 5 by elongates 7a, 7b and 7c which are attached to environmental anchoring points, each of which is preferably substantially off the ground. The upper and lower flexible panels 2 and 4 are both triangular in plan and are substantially mirrored. The peaks of the pyramids are forced apart from one another by way of a vertical pole 6, which forms the upper and lower flexible panels 2, 4 substantially into pyramid shapes, and creates an enclosure within. The enclosure is preferably substantially enclosed, but may include one or more regions that can be removed and/or withdrawn, for instance for ventilation purposes or so that occupants of the enclosure can enjoy good weather.

The side anchoring points are preferably elevated above the ground, or other surface, above which the accommodation unit 1 is suspended. Preferably at least one, and more preferably all, of the side anchoring points are at least one metre above the ground or other surface.

The pole 6 is preferably generally straight, but may be at least partially curved or take any other suitable shape. The pole 6 may be telescopic or provided in a number of sections, to make the pole 6 easier to transport.

At the seam joint between the upper and lower pyramids 2 and 4, the floor panel 3 is tensioned horizontally, generally parallel to the ground. The pole 6, passes through an aperture formed in the floor panel 3 and helps support the centre of the fabric by way of a widened section of the pole 6, just below the floor panel 3.

The enclosure of the unit is preferably accessed from beneath through zippered door flaps 8 in both the lower and floor panels 3 and 4.

It is envisaged that arrangements of this type will be useful for situations where a standard tent could not simply be rested on the ground, for instance in disaster relief situations such as following floods, or where the ground is uneven or rocky, as the accommodation unit is suspended above ground level. This will also provide additional protection from earth tremors, and pests and predators such as insects and snakes.

It is also expected that arrangements of this type will be popular as children's play spaces, where they can function in a similar manner to tree houses, although of course they can easily be installed in urban environments where trees may not be readily accessible.

Turning to figure 2, a further embodiment of the invention is shown, which shares its major features with the first embodiment.

The fixing points at the ends of elongates 7a, 7b and 7c may take any suitable form, and may include a ratchet mechanism with a handle that may be wound or "pumped" to increase the tension applied to them.

The construction of the accommodation unit preferably comprises strong, flexible elements, such as steel ropes or webbing straps, which form the edges 8,9,10,11,12 and l3of the panels 2, Sand 4. The panels 2,3 and 4 themselves being formed from a strong, light material, such as fire retardant, UV, PU and water resistant polyester fabric, that extends between the flexible elements.

In embodiments some of the panels 2, 3 and 4 may be formed from a transparent or translucent material. Upward-facing flexible sheet 2 may be formed in this way so that occupants can benefit from sunlight, and downward-facing panels may be formed in this way so that occupants can observe events outside the accommodation unit 1.

The accommodation unit 1 is intended to be easy to transport, with most of the components being flexible.

In embodiments the floor panel 3 may be formed from a rigid material, so that the floor of the accommodation unit 1 may support heavier loads. This is expected to be of particular use if the accommodation unit 1 is to be used for storage.

The design of the accommodation unit 1 described above involves triangular flexible panels. It should, however, be understood that these panels need not take these forms, and any suitable combination of panel shapes may be used. One or more of the panels may be curved or otherwise deflected through one or more angles, and the panels need not be planar. The number of panels, and side anchoring points 7 and tensioning elements may be varied.

In preferred embodiments the accommodation unit 1 does not have a support or connector which extends substantially directly between the accommodation unit 1 and the ground (or other surface) directly below the accommodation unit 1. Also, there is preferably no support or connector that extends substantially directly between the accommodation unit 1 and an elevated anchoring point which is generally directly above the accommodation unit 1. In the preferred embodiments, the accommodation unit 1 is supported only by side tensioning elements (such as the elongates 7a, 7b, 7c described above), which are connected to side anchoring points which are substantially to the side of, and not generally directly above or below, the accommodation unit 1.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention provide accommodation units that are simple to transport and assemble, and will find utility in many areas, in particular in play, leisure, disaster relief and

military/peacekeeping fields.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims: 1. A collapsible structure adapted to accommodate and support at least one human, the structure comprising: an accommodation unit formed from upper and lower flexible panels, a rigid support element being placed between the upper and lower panels, thus placing the upper and lower panels in tension and creating a space between the upper and lower panels; three or more elongate, flexible side tensioning elements that are connected to one or more of the upper and lower flexible panels at respective connection points, wherein the connection points are spaced apart from one another and the side tensioning elements may be attached to respective side anchoring points; and a floor panel which is located between, and spaced apart from, the upper and lower flexible panels, wherein tension may be applied to the side tensioning elements so that the accommodation unit is pulled into a shape in which a habitation region is formed between the floor panel and the upper flexible panel, of sufficient size to accommodate at least one human, with the at least one human being supported by the floor panel so that the floor panel remains spaced apart from the lower flexible panel.
2. A collapsible structure according to claim 1 wherein, when tension is applied to the side tensioning elements, the support element is substantially at right-angles to the floor panel.
3. A collapsible structure according to claim 2 wherein, when tension is applied to the side tensioning elements, the support element is substantially vertical and the floor panel is substantially horizontal.
4. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the floor panel is connected to the support element.
5. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element passes through an aperture in the floor panel.
6. A collapsible structure according to claim 5, when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the support element is relatively narrow where it passes through the aperture in the floor panel, and relatively wide in a region below where the support element passes through the floor panel, so that the floor panel may rest on the relatively wide part of the support element.
7. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper and lower flexible panels are formed from separate panels of material which are connected to one another at a peripheral seam.
8. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the floor panel is attached to one or both of the upper and lower flexible panels at an attachment seam.
9. A collapsible structure according to claim 8, wherein the attachment seam runs substantially all of the way around the edge of the floor panel.
10. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, further comprising an entrance door formed in the upper or lower panel, to allow access to the habitation region from the exterior of the structure.
11. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, further comprising an access aperture to allow access to the region between the lower flexible panel and the floor panel.
12. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the side tensioning elements includes a tension adjustment arrangement, to allow the tension in the element to be adjusted after the element has been attached to a side anchoring point.
13. A collapsible structure according to any preceding claim, with the side tensioning elements attached to respective side anchoring points and tension applied to the side tensioning elements, so that the upper and lower flexible panels are suspended above the ground.
14. A collapsible structure according to claim 13, wherein no support arrangement is provided directly beneath the lower flexible panel.
15. A collapsible structure substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.