GB2560002A

GB2560002A - A tent

Info

Publication number: GB2560002A
Application number: GB1703011.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Scott Andrew
Original assignee: Gala Tent Ltd
Current assignee: Gala Tent Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-24
Filing date: 2017-02-24
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-24
Also published as: GB2560002B; GB201703011D0

Abstract

A tent cover (100), for locating on a tent frame (101) having a plurality of legs (101a) and an apex support element (127), comprises a plurality of wall portions (104) integrally formed with a roof portion (102). The cover has an outer surface, an inner surface and an apex locating element (110) disposed on the inner surface at an apex region (106) of the roof portion. The tent frame may be a tent supporting structure comprising a plurality of legs, each coupled to an adjacent leg by at least one first pair of elongate scissor members to allow the leg members to move towards and away from each other, an elongate apex support element located centrally with respect to the legs and coupled thereto by another pair of elongate scissor members and at least one damping element located between respective end regions of the further pair of scissor members and proximal the apex support element.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A tent Abstract Title: A tent (57) A tent cover (100), for locating on a tent frame (101) having a plurality of legs (101a) and an apex support element (127), comprises a plurality of wall portions (104) integrally formed with a roof portion (102). The cover has an outer surface, an inner surface and an apex locating element (110) disposed on the inner surface at an apex region (106) of the roof portion. The tent frame may be a tent supporting structure comprising a plurality of legs, each coupled to an adjacent leg by at least one first pair of elongate scissor members to allow the leg members to move towards and away from each other, an elongate apex support element located centrally with respect to the legs and coupled thereto by another pair of elongate scissor members and at least one damping element located between respective end regions of the further pair of scissor members and proximal the apex support element.

A TENT

The present invention relates to tents and gazebos. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a cover for a crime scene investigation tent.

A problem associated with conventional crime scene investigation tents is that when official personnel attend a crime scene, the scene typically needs to be immediately protected from contaminants, the weather and/or onlookers. As such, a tent is typically erected to protect and mask the crime scene. In most crimes it is imperative that DNA captured from a crime scene for processing is preserved and not contaminated. After each crime, the support frame of the tent is taken away to a laboratory and placed in a cleaning solution that eliminates all traces of DNA. The separate covers that are supported by the frame when in use are also manually wiped down with the cleaning solution. The tent frame and cover are then reused at is a future crime scene.

However, the cleaning process is a time consuming and costly process and is not wholly reliable and consistent in removing all traces of DNA. As a result, it has been known for some criminals to suggest that the crime scene has been contaminated with DNA from a previous crime scene due to the tent cover being present/used at a previous crime scene when it has become contaminated with other DNA.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a crime scene investigation tent cover which is disposable after a single use and which at least significantly reduces the risk of contamination, and suggestion of contamination, from a previous crime scene.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a crime scene investigation tent which is quick and easy to set up and dismantle by at least one person of any ability and strength, which may be desirable when a tent needs to be erected quickly to protect a crime scene and/or prevent the public from viewing a potentially difficult scene.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a crime scene investigation tent cover which can be packaged and unpackaged in a particularly efficient and compact manner.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tent cover for locating on a tent frame having a plurality of legs and an apex support element, said cover comprising:

a plurality of wall portions integrally formed with a roof portion having an outer surface, an inner surface and an apex locating element disposed on the inner surface at an apex region of the roof portion.

Optionally, a lower edge region of each wall portion is ground engaging in use.

Optionally, each wall portion is connectable to an adjacent wall portion by a connecting element.

Optionally, each connecting element comprises a first zip part disposed along an edge region of a respective one of the wall portions and a further zip part disposed along an edge region of an adjacent one of the wall portions.

Optionally, the tent cover is configured to define a substantially symmetrical net when open and unsupported and laid substantially flat.

Optionally, the apex region is located centrally in the net and the plurality of wall portions comprises four wall portions of equal size and shape extending from a respective side of the roof portion.

Optionally, the apex locating element is centrally disposed on the apex region.

Optionally, the apex locating element has a diameter of around 200mm.

Optionally, the apex locating element is coloured differently to the roof portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of packing a tent cover, comprising:

laying a tent cover substantially flat and open on the ground to define a symmetrical net comprising a plurality of wall portions integrally formed with and outwardly extending from a central roof portion having an outer surface, an inner surface and an apex locating element disposed on the inner surface at an apex region of the roof portion, wherein the outer surface is facing upwardly;

folding a first one of the wall portions at least twice towards the apex region; folding a second one of the wall portions located opposite to the first wall portion at least twice towards the apex region;

folding a third one of the wall portions towards the apex region;

folding a fourth one of the wall portions located opposite to the third wall portion at least twice towards the apex region;

folding the first and second, or third and fourth, folded wall portions further is towards and on to the apex region whilst allowing the upper surface of the apex region to extend upwardly between the opposed pair of folded wall portions; and folding each end region of the elongate and folded tent cover at least twice towards the apex region.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

placing the folded tent cover in a container; sterilising the cover and an interior of the container; and sealing the container.

Optionally, the container comprises an indicator configured to indicate a sterilisation and/or a tamper event has occurred.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of erecting a tent, comprising:

providing a folded tent cover comprising a plurality of wall portions integrally formed with a roof portion having an outer surface, an inner surface and an apex locating element disposed on the inner surface at an apex region of the roof portion;

locating the apex locating element on an apex support element of a tent frame;

and unfolding the wall portions of the tent cover outwardly with respect to the apex region and downwardly to the ground.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

connecting adjacent side regions of each wall portion together by a connecting element to substantially close the erected tent.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a tent supporting structure, comprising:

a plurality of elongate leg members each coupled to an adjacent one of the leg members by at least one first pair of elongate scissor members to allow the leg members to move towards or away from each other;

an elongate apex support element located centrally with respect to the leg members and coupled thereto by at least one further pair of elongate scissor members; and at least one damping element located between respective end regions of the further pair of scissor members and proximal the apex support element.

Optionally, the at least one damping element is located on a lower end region of the apex support element and between a lower end region and an upper end region of the further pair of scissor members, the upper end region slidably mounted to the apex support element.

Optionally, the upper end region comprises a sleeve mounted to the apex support element to be moveable therealong.

Optionally, the at least one damping element comprises a spring.

Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional frame structure for supporting a tent cover according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2a illustrates a tent cover according to certain embodiments of the present invention in a supported and closed state;

Figure 2b illustrates an open corner region of the tent cover of Figure 2a;

Figure 2c illustrates the tent cover of Figures 2a and 2b in an unsupported and open io state; and

Figures 2d to 2g illustrate further steps of packing the tent cover of Figure 2a.

Detailed Description

As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, a crime scene investigation tent cover 100 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention includes a roof portion 102 and four wall portions 104 which are integral with the roof portion 102 to provide a one-piece tent cover 100. The wall portions 104 each have a width of around 3m and a height of around 2.5m, but any suitable dimensions for a particular technical application can be envisaged. The roof portion 102 comprises four substantially triangular and integrally formed panels 102a which meet at an apex region 106 which is around 1.3m above a horizontal plane, i.e. from an upper region of the wall portions, when the tent cover 100 is supported on a frame 101 in an erected state as illustrated in Figure 1. Each wall portion 104 may optionally include a ground skirt 107 extending along a lower region thereof.

Each wall portion 104 is connectable along its vertical edge regions with an adjacent wall portion via a zip 108, or other suitable connecting element, extending along each respective edge region of the wall portions 104. Each zip 108 is configured to allow either of its ends to be opened and to allow multiple tent covers to be connected together to form a substantially elongate tent to suit, for example, a substantially elongate crime scene of a particular length and/or width. At least one of the wall portions also includes a centrally located zip (not shown) which is oriented substantially vertically in use from the ground towards the roof portion 102 to provide access into the tent when in a closed and erected state.

The roof portion 102 and wall portions 104 are made of a suitable plastics material, such as polyethylene or the like, which is weather proof and relatively hardwearing whilst being lightweight for efficient handling, assembly, transportation and storage. Aptly, the material is recyclable. Aptly, the roof portion 102 and wall portions 104 together weigh around 120g.

io There are no seams or connections where the roof portion 102 and the wall portions 104 meet which adds strength to the tent, eliminates any risk of water or dirt ingress, ensures no sections of the tent cover become lost in use, and/or allows a single person to easily and quickly assemble/disassemble the tent as described further below.

As best shown in Figures 2c to 2e, a reinforcing element 110 of plastic material, e.g. polyethylene or the like, is located on the underside of the apex region 106 of the roof portion 102 which adds strength and abrasion resistance to the tent in that region when supported on a frame 101 and which allows the tent to be assembled in a particularly efficient and consistent manner as described further below. Aptly, the reinforcing element 110 has a diameter of around 200mm and has a colour, e.g. red or blue, which contrasts with a colour, e.g. white, of the roof portion 102 to thereby clearly indicate the exact location of the apex region 106 and the underside of the roof portion 102 to a person assembling the tent, as described further below. The apex locating element 110 may also include at least one reference, such as four arrows, indicating a direction of each respective corner region of the tent cover to allow a person assembling the tent to efficiently orient and align the tent cover on the frame 101. Aptly, the wall portions 104 may be coloured differently to the roof portion 102.

A method of packing a crime scene investigation tent cover 100 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Figure 2c, the tent cover 100 is laid out on the ground with its upper surface 210 facing upwardly such that the roof portion 102

Ί and integral wall portions 104 define a substantially flat and symmetrical net when open and unsupported. As shown in Figures 2d or 2e, each wall portion 104 is then folded at least once, aptly four to five times, towards the central apex region 106 of the roof portion 102. A first opposed pair of the wall portions 104 is aptly folded towards each other before the remaining opposed pair of the wall portions 104 is folded towards each other and on top of the folded first opposed pair of wall portions 104. As shown in Figure 2f, each folded wall portion 104 is placed on the upper surface 210 of the roof portion 102 adjacent to the apex region 106 such that the apex region 106 extends upwardly between the folded wall portions 104. In this io configuration, the apex locating element 110 is on the underside (ground side) of the roof portion 102. Opposed sides of the folded tent cover 100 are then further folded towards each other such that the folded tent cover is folded across its middle as shown in Figure 2g to define a compact square for efficient packaging and which reveals at least half of the apex locating element 110 on the underside 212 of the tent cover 100 for efficient assembly of a tent as described further below.

The tent cover 100 is inserted into a container, such as a bag or box (not shown), which includes a contamination indicator either as part of the bag itself or provided loose in the bag along with the tent cover 100. The tent cover is sterilised by a gas or the like when located in the bag and the bag is sealed. The indicator visually shows, e.g. green, that the tent cover is in a sterilised and DNA-free state. If the bag is unsealed or tampered with before being used at a crime scene, and a risk of contamination therefore exists, the indicator will show such a tamper event has taken place, e.g. by turning red. The indicator may, for example, be configured to change its state when subject to atmosphere when the bag is unsealed. The bag may aptly include a one-way valve to allow a negative pressure to be applied to the inside of the bag to vacuum pack the tent cover therein for efficient transportation and storage.

A method of assembling/erecting a tent 100 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The tent cover 100 is removed from its sealed bag in a folded state as shown in Figure 2g. An indicator on the bag indicates the bag has been opened and the tent cover potentially used/contaminated to prevent re-use at a future crime scene. The corresponding frame structure 101 has been or is then unfolded in a desired location as shown in Figure 1. The legs 101 a of the support frame 101 are not fully extended in length such that the apex support element 101 b of the support frame 101 is located around chest height of a person assembling the tent for ease of assembly and to allow the person to reach the apex support element 101 b. The folded tent cover 100 is then placed on the frame structure 101 such that the apex reinforcing/locating element 110 is located on the apex support element 101 b of the frame structure 101 and to ensure the apex region 106 is correctly located on the frame 101 and tent cover 100 is correctly oriented thereon. The corners of the tent io cover 100 at the interface between the roof portion 102 and integral wall portions 104 are also accurately aligned with respective corner regions 101c of the frame structure 101 by optionally using further indicators, such as arrows, on the apex locating element 110 as described above. The tent cover 100 is lightweight to allow a single person to locate the same on the apex element 101 b of the support frame

101. The wall portions 104 of the folded tent cover 100 are then unfolded such that they drape from the support frame 101 under gravity as shown in Figure 2b. The legs 101a of the frame 101 are then fully extended from inside the tent. The zips 108 are then closed to connect the respective wall portions 104 together to provide an assembled and erected tent as shown in Figure 2a. The cover 100 may optionally be secured to the frame 101 by suitable attachment elements such as ties, loops, Velcro™ connectors, bungee cords, or the like. After a single use at a crime scene, the tent is efficiently dismantled and DNA is extracted from the tent cover and frame for processing. To avoid the tent cover being contaminated with other DNA at a future crime scene, it is disposed of in a suitable manner. The frame may also be disposed of or preferably is sterilised by dipping in a suitable chemical cleaning solution for reuse.

Assembly/disassembly of a tent and packing/unpacking of a tent cover according to certain embodiments of the present invention can thus be performed easily and quickly by at least one person. The tent cover 100 is aptly made of an inexpensive and recyclable material to allow the cover to be disposed of after a single use which eliminates the risk of the cover being reused and undesirably contaminated at a future crime scene.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a frame 101 for supporting a tent cover 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention has four telescopic legs 101a located at a respective corner region of the frame. Each leg 101a is coupled to an adjacent leg by two pairs of elongate scissor members 111 each pivotally connected at their centres by a pin or bolt. Alternatively, a single pair of scissor members may connect adjacent legs together. Each pair of scissor members 111 are pivotally connected together at first ends 113 by a three-point connecting element 131. A one 115a of the second ends 115 is pivotally connected to an upper region of a respective leg 101a whilst being fixed in translation. The other one 115b of the second ends 115 is io pivotally connected to a sleeve 117 which is moveable along the leg 101 a. This arrangement allows for adjacent legs to be moved towards and away from each other to retract or deploy the frame as and when required. The frame 101 also includes an apex support element 101 b located centrally with respect to the legs 101a and coupled to the first ends 113 of each pair of scissor members 111 by further scissor members 119. Each first end of the further scissor members 119 is pivotally connected to respective ones of the first ends 113 of the first scissor members 111 by a respective one of the three-point connecting elements 131 which are substantially T-shaped. One end 121 of each of the further ends of the further scissor members 119 are pivotally coupled together and connected to a lower end of the apex support element 101 b by a four-point hinge connector mounted thereon, whilst being axially fixed with respect to the apex support element 101 b. The other ends 123 of each of the further ends of the further scissor members 119 are pivotally attached to a sleeve 125 which is axially moveable along the apex support member 101b when the frame 101 is folded/retracted for storage or unfolded/deployed for use. More specifically, when the legs 101 a are moved inwardly towards each other and towards the apex support element 101 b to thereby fold the frame 101 up for storage, the sleeve 125 moves upwardly towards the upper end region 127 of the apex support element 101 b, and vice versa when the frame is unfolded for use. A spring 129 is located between the further ends 121 of the further scissor members

119, i.e. between the sleeve 125 and the lower end of the apex support element

101b, to provide a degree of damping in the frame structure and in turn allow the frame to move/flex in use, particularly in strong winds. A compression spring may be used to absorb loads when the sleeve 125 is forced downwardly along the apex support element 101b. Alternatively, or additionally, a tension spring may be used to dampen loads in the opposite direction. A tension spring may also urge the frame towards the deployed and open state and assist a person when assembling the tent, and vice versa for a compression spring. Other suitable urging/damping means may be used, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, resilient polymer or rubber elements, or the like. Aptly, the upper end region 127 of the apex support element 101 b has a substantially convex/domed surface to help support the apex region of a tent cover 100 and reduce loading and abrasion thereto in use. Aptly the elongate members and connecting elements of the frame may be a suitable material such as aluminium, steel and/or a plastics material, or the like.

Claims

1. A tent cover for locating on a tent frame having a plurality of legs and an apex support element, said cover comprising:

2. The tent cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower edge region of each wall portion is ground engaging in use.

3. The tent cover as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each wall portion is connectable to an adjacent wall portion by a connecting element.

4. The tent cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein each connecting element comprises a first zip part disposed along an edge region of a respective one of the wall portions and a further zip part disposed along an edge region of an adjacent one of the wall portions.

5. The tent cover as claimed in any preceding claim, configured to define a substantially symmetrical net when open and unsupported and laid substantially flat.

6. The tent cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the apex region is located centrally in the net and the plurality of wall portions comprises four wall portions of equal size and shape extending from a respective side of the roof portion.

7. The tent cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apex locating element is centrally disposed on the apex region.

8. The tent cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apex locating element has a diameter of around 200mm.

9. The tent cover as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apex locating element is coloured differently to the roof portion.

10. A method of packing a tent cover, comprising:

laying a tent cover substantially flat and open on the ground to define a symmetrical net comprising a plurality of wall portions integrally formed with

5 and outwardly extending from a central roof portion having an outer surface, an inner surface and an apex locating element disposed on the inner surface at an apex region of the roof portion, wherein the outer surface is facing upwardly;

folding a first one of the wall portions at least twice towards the apex region;

io folding a second one of the wall portions located opposite to the first wall portion at least twice towards the apex region;

folding a third one of the wall portions towards the apex region; folding a fourth one of the wall portions located opposite to the third wall portion at least twice towards the apex region;

15 folding the first and second, or third and fourth, folded wall portions further towards and on to the apex region whilst allowing the upper surface of the apex region to extend upwardly between the opposed pair of folded wall portions; and folding each end region of the elongate and folded tent cover at least

20 twice towards the apex region.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

placing the folded tent cover in a container; sterilising the cover and an interior of the container; and

25 sealing the container.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the container comprises an indicator configured to indicate a sterilisation and/or a tamper event has occurred.

13. A method of erecting a tent, comprising:

locating the apex locating element on an apex support element of a tent frame; and

5 unfolding the wall portions of the tent cover outwardly with respect to the apex region and downwardly to the ground.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

connecting adjacent side regions of each wall portion together by a io connecting element to substantially close the erected tent.

15. A tent supporting structure, comprising:

a plurality of elongate leg members each coupled to an adjacent one of the leg members by at least one first pair of elongate scissor members to allow

15 the leg members to move towards or away from each other;

an elongate apex support element located centrally with respect to the leg members and coupled thereto by at least one further pair of elongate scissor members; and at least one damping element located between respective end regions of 20 the further pair of scissor members and proximal the apex support element.

16. The tent supporting structure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one damping element is located on a lower end region of the apex support element and between a lower end region and an upper end region of the further pair of

25 scissor members, the upper end region slidably mounted to the apex support element.

17. The tent supporting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein the upper end region comprises a sleeve mounted to the apex support element to be

30 moveable therealong.

18. The tent supporting structure as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the at least one damping element comprises a spring.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1703011.5 Examiner: Mr Tom Smith