GB2599429A

GB2599429A - Auxiliary camping room

Info

Publication number: GB2599429A
Application number: GB2015600.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawless Max
Original assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
Current assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
Priority date: 2020-10-01
Filing date: 2020-10-01
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-10-01
Also published as: GB2599429B; DE102021210853A1; CN217300080U; GB202015600D0

Abstract

A tent 10 having a compartment 18 e.g. for auxiliary storage or additional bedroom, located adjacent a rear wall 20 and only accessible through another internal tent compartment. The tent has a flysheet 12 (i.e. main canopy) supported by a main frame e.g. inflatable frame 14, and an internal capsule 16/19 suspended e.g. using toggles 40, within and spaced from the flysheet. The fly sheet has a rear wall 20 having upper 64 and lower 60 portions, wherein a support member e.g. metal pole 50, projects upwardly in use form a position adjacent the lower portion to an intermediary position 62 of the rear wall. The auxiliary room is formed between the rear wall of the fly sheet and a rear capsule wall 30. Guy ropes/straps 100 provide securement and tension. The interior of the tent is only accessible from a front side portion, such that the auxiliary room can only be accessed via the capsule, which has access on front 32 and rear 30 walls, acting as a tunnel. The auxiliary room provides safe storage for luggage, boxes or children’s bedroom.

Description

Auxiliary Camping Room

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a camping assembly including an auxiliary camping room and a method of providing an auxiliary camping room within a camping assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable shelter comprising an auxiliary storage room/bedroom and to a method of providing an auxiliary storage room/bedroom within a portable shelter.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Camping assemblies in the form of a portable shelter, and specifically a tent, includes an internal sheltered area which may provide different living areas.

Typically, a tent will include a capsule in the form of an inner tent which provides at least one bedroom. The inner tent, comprising the capsule, is suspended from a main flysheet (or canopy) and forms an enclosed area forming the bedroom.

Specifically, in large tents, the inner tent does not fully encompass the internal area such that there may be a separate area defined within the tent which is formed by the main flysheet. This area may provide the general living and/or cooking area. This area alone or together with an area within the bedroom may also be used for storage.

Camping assemblies and camping in general may involve many storage and transportation boxes together with installation and assembly equipment. Some of this is only required for transportation and/or during the assembly and packing away of the camping assembly. Accordingly, throughout the duration of use of the tent (i.e. the holiday), such apparatus needs be stored. This may be stored within a vehicle or within a set aside area within the main living area and/or the bedroom(s).

Accordingly, this can use up valuable space within the tent and/or may look untidy. -2 -

Tents general include front and side walls which may provide one or more access doors for people to walk through. The rear of the tent generally provides the bedroom area such that access to the main living area is not gained by passing through the bedroom area. In wet weather, such an entry would be very undesirable. Accordingly, the bedroom is generally located within the rear of the tent adjacent to a fully enclosed wall. This rear wall is usually angled downwardly towards the ground to maintain the wall in a taut condition. In addition, the inner tent forming the bedroom area provides a single front access door in the front facing wall which faces into the main living area within a larger tent or may correspond with the main external doorway in a smaller tent.

The inner tent forming the capsule for the bedroom is suspended within the main flysheet to maximise the valuable space within the tent. Accordingly, the inner tent is generally attached to the main flysheet or main frame to provide walls which are generally in the same plane and parallel to the outer walls of the main flysheet. This provides an even/uniform space/gap between the walls of the inner tent and the walls of the main flysheet. This gap may prevent water ingress and may also help to shield the inner tent from the outside temperature. According, the rear wall of the bedroom is fully enclosed and will be angled downwardly to locate a short distance from a lower edge of the main flysheet. This maximises the (usable) area within the tent and also helps to keep the walls in a taut condition It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a camping assembly comprising a flysheet, a main frame and a capsule forming a room within 30 the camping assembly wherein the capsule is suspended spaced apart from the flysheet, the flysheet comprising: a rear wall comprising a lower portion and an upper portion wherein -3 -the upper portion is supported by the main frame and the lower portion is engaged with a ground surface, the camping assembly comprising: a support member which is arranged, in use, to project upwardly from a position adjacent to the lower portion of the rear wall to an intermediary position of the rear wall located between the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein an auxiliary room is formed within the camping assembly between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule.

Preferably an upper portion of the support member supports the rear wall of the flysheet such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and a rear wall of the capsule at the intermediary portion is greater than the separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule at the lower portion.

The camping assembly may comprise a portable shelter and preferably comprises a tent.

Preferably the support member (and associated rear wall of the flysheet) is arranged to extend vertically upwardly (preferably substantially perpendicularly from the ground surface) from the ground surface and the rear wall of the capsule is arranged to extend vertically upwardly with an internal acute angle in order for the separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule to increase along the length of the support member from a lower end to an upper end of the support member (or from the lower portion of the rear wall of the flysheet to the intermediary portion of the rear wall of the flysheet).

The support member may be arranged, in use, to tension the rear wall of the flysheet 30 in order for the rear wall to have a lower panel and an upper panel and whereby an internal angle between the lower panel and the upper panel is an obtuse angle. -4 -

The capsule may comprise a rear wall comprising a single panel which is secured within a single plane. The rear wall of the capsule may extend upwardly with the rear wall of the capsule and a floor of the capsule forming an internal acute angle.

The camping assembly may comprise an auxiliary room defined between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule. The auxiliary room may comprise a floor extending between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule. The floor may extend for a full lateral extent of the camping assembly and preferably for a full lateral extent of the rear wall of the flysheet. The floor may extend for a longitudinal length between the rear wall of the capsule and the rear wall of the flysheet and whereby the longitudinal length may be greater than 30 cm and preferably is greater than 50 cm. The longitudinal length may be less than 200 cm and preferably is less than 150 cm. The floor may provide a rectangular footprint. The floor may have a rectangular periphery defined at longitudinal ends by the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule and lateral ends defined by side (lateral) walls of the flysheet. The flysheet may provide a rear wall of the auxiliary room which may comprise a rear wall formed by a lower panel of the rear wall of the flysheet and a ceiling/roof panel defined by an upper panel of the rear wall of the flysheet and, in which, the ceiling/roof panel may provide a sloping surface which may slope downwardly towards a rear extent of the camping assembly.

The camping assembly may comprise a first support member and a second support member and wherein each support member may be arranged, in use, to locate at rear corner edges of the rear wall. The camping assembly may comprise a third support member which may be arranged, in use, to locate at an intermediary position between the first support member and the second support member. The camping assembly may comprise one or more intermediary support members which may be arranged, in use, to locate at intermediary positions between the first (corner) support member and the second (corner) support member.

The rear wall may comprise a sleeve provided on an external surface which may enable the support member to be located therein. Preferably the sleeve extends -5 -from the lower portion (lower edge) of the rear wall to the intermediary position.

Preferably the sleeve comprises an open upper end and an open lower end.

The rear wall may provide a sleeve for each support member.

The rear wall may provide a first sleeve located at a first rear corner edge and a second sleeve located at a second rear corner edge. The rear wall may provide one or more intermediary sleeves located between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

The support member may comprise a rigid pole. Preferably the support member comprises a single length of a metal tube.

The support member may be arranged, in use, to locate within the sleeve and may 15 extend between a lower open end and an upper open end of the sleeve.

The support member may comprise an upper attachment member and may comprise a lower attachment member. The or each attachment member may be removably secured to a respective end of the support member.

The lower attachment member may comprise a base with an engagement stub wherein the engagement stub is arranged to engage a lower end of the support member. The engagement stub may comprise a sleeve section providing a central passage and, in which, a lower end of the support member is arranged to engage within the sleeve section.

The lower attachment member may comprise a connector. The connector may be arranged, in use, to engage a flexible securement member. The flexible securement member may comprise a guy rope which preferably comprises a guy strap. The flexible securement member may comprise a strap. The strap may comprise a connector device located on a lower end. The connector device may comprise a clip which may comprise a quick release clip and preferably comprises a carabiner. -6 -

The connector may comprise an annular device (a ring element) which is arranged to accept the connector device and preferably accepts the carabiner.

The upper attachment member may comprise a base with an engagement stub wherein the engagement stub is arranged to engage an upper end of the support member. The engagement stub may comprise a sleeve section providing a central passage and, in which, an upper end of the support member is arranged to engage within the sleeve section.

The upper attachment member may comprise a connector. The connector may be arranged, in use, to engage a flexible securement member. The flexible securement member may comprise a guy rope which preferably comprises a guy strap. The flexible securement member may comprise a strap. The connector may comprise a strap adjuster (strap slider adjuster) whereby an upper end of the strap is connectable to the upper attachment member and a tensing length of the strap is adjustable. The strap may be movable through the strap adjuster to adjust the length of the strap which extends between the lower attachment member and the upper attachment member.

The flexible securement member may comprise a strap comprising a connector device located on one end for securement of a first end of the strap to one attachment member and in which the connector of the other attachment member comprises a strap adjuster whereby the other upper end of the strap is connectable to the other attachment member and a tensing length of the strap is adjustable.

The flexible securement member may comprise a securing section located between a first end and a second end and in which the securing section comprises a loop through which a ground engaging member is locatable in order to secure the loop to the ground.

The flexible securement member may comprise a securing section located between a first (upper) end and a second (lower end). The securing section may comprise a -7 -loop through which a ground engaging member may locate in order to secure the loop to the ground. Preferably a ground engaging peg may be arranged to locate through the loop to secure the loop to the ground.

The strap may be movable through the strap adjuster to adjust the length of the strap which extends between the securing section and the upper attachment member. Preferably the length of the strap between the securing section and the upper attachment member creates the tension in the strap to maintain the support member in an upright (vertical) orientation and may maintain the rear wall of the flysheet in a taut condition.

The strap may comprise a tensing strap The rear wall of the flysheet may be spaced from a rear wall of the capsule such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule increases from an upper portion to the intermediate portion. The rear wall of the flysheet may be spaced from a rear wall of the capsule such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule decreases from an intermediate portion to a lower portion.

In use (assembled/erected), the rear wall of the flysheet may extend upwardly from a lower edge to the intermediate portion in a substantially vertical orientation/angle. In use (assembled/erected), the rear wall of the flysheet may extend upwardly from the intermediate portion to an upper portion at an angle which may be in the region of 45 to 75 degrees to the horizontal. In use (assembled/erected), the rear wall of the flysheet provides a lower wall panel and an upper wall panel whereby a plane of the upper wall panel is at an angle relative to a plane of the lower wall panel. The angle may be in the region of 135 degrees.

In use (assembled/erected), the rear wall of the capsule may extend upwardly from a lower edge to an upper portion at an angle which may be in the region of 75 degrees to the horizontal. In use (assembled/erected), the rear wall of the capsule -8 -provides a single rear wall panel.

The capsule may comprise a front wall and a rear wall with an accommodation room defined therebetween. The front wall may comprise a door to enable access into the capsule. In use (assembled/erected), the door may provide access between the accommodation room provided by the capsule and a further accommodation room provided by the flysheet. The rear wall of the capsule may provide a rear access door and therefore the capsule may comprise a first (front) door which may be provide on the front wall of the capsule and a second (rear) door which may be provided on the rear wall of the capsule. The capsule may provide a tunnel capsule with a first door on one wall and a second door on an opposite wall to enable a person to walk through the capsule.

Preferably the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule define an auxiliary room within the camping assembly. The auxiliary room may comprise an auxiliary bedroom and/or a storage room within the camping assembly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing an auxiliary camping room within a camping assembly, the camping assembly comprising a flysheet, a main frame and a capsule forming a room within the camping assembly wherein the capsule is suspended spaced apart from the flysheet, the method comprising: supporting an upper portion of a rear wall of the flysheet with the main frame and engaging a lower portion of the rear wall of the flysheet with a ground surface, supporting a support member upwardly from a position adjacent to the lower portion of the rear wall of the flysheet to an intermediary position of the rear wall of the flysheet located between the lower portion and the upper portion of the flysheet, and forming an auxiliary room within the camping assembly between the rear wall of the flysheet and a rear wall of the capsule. -9 -

Preferably the method comprises supporting the rear wall of the flysheet at an upper portion of the support member such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule at the intermediary portion is greater than the separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule at the lower portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference 10 to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side schematic cross section of a preferred embodiment of a camping assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a rear support assembly for a rear wall of a camping assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a partial schematic view of components of a preferred embodiment of a 20 rear support assembly of a camping assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3, a preferred embodiment of a camping assembly in the form of a portable shelter or specifically a tent 10 comprises a flysheet 12 (or canopy) and a main frame 14. The main frame 14 provides a framework which supports the flysheet 12 in the assembled configuration to provide an internal sheltering/accommodation space. In the preferred embodiment, the main frame 14 is an inflatable frame comprising a number of airbeams which are inflated to the required pressure in order to provide a support frame for the flysheet 12. In other embodiments, the main frame 14 may be provided by rigid poles or -10 -flexible poles.

The tent includes a capsule 16 forming a room within the tent. In the preferred embodiment, the capsule 16 comprises an inner tent which forms a bedroom within the tent 10. The capsule 16 is suspended spaced apart from the flysheet 12. In particular, a number of flexible connectors 40 (toggles) may locate around upper and side portions of the capsule in order to suspend the capsule at spaced apart locations from the flysheet 12/main frame 14. Accordingly, the interior volume of the capsule 16 is created as the sides/edges of the capsule are pulled out and retained in position by the flexible connectors 40.

The tent 10 of the present invention provides an auxiliary room 18 which is formed within the tent 10 between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet and the rear wall 30 of the capsule. The tent 10 also provides a separate/discrete and fully enclosed bedroom 19. Finally, in the preferred embodiment, the tent 10 provides a general living space/room towards the front of the tent 10. This living space in not enclosed within a separate capsule but is formed by the main flysheet 12. It will be appreciated, and it will become apparent from this description, that the present invention is not limited to this specific layout and other configurations may also be covered within the present invention As with conventional inner tents which are used to provide an internal bedroom within a tent, a front wall 32 of the capsule 19 is provided with the access door(s) through which a person can enter/exit the bedroom. This door is generally provided by a zip closure which extends around an opening perimeter to an extent to enable a panel to be opened in order for a person to pass through the doorway which is created.

In the present invention, an auxiliary room 18 is created at the rear of the tent 10. 30 Accordingly, the capsule also comprises an auxiliary door which is defined on a rear wall 30 of the capsule 16. This door is again defined by a zipped closure and is able to provide a doorway through which a person can enter and exit the auxiliary room 18 / bedroom 19. Accordingly, the capsule 16 comprises a front door provided on the front wall 32 and a rear door provided on the rear wall 30. The capsule is thereby a tunnel capsule having two doors on opposing walls 30, 32 such that a person can pass through the bedroom 19.

The rear door provided by the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 is the sole door for accessing the auxiliary room 18. This thereby increases the security for the contents of the auxiliary room 18. For example, the auxiliary room 18 may be used for storage purposes and the only access (other than by penetrating/slashing the walls of the flysheet or a similar unauthorised access method) is provided by entering the tent and passing through the bedroom 19. The use of an integral groundsheet as part of the tent 10 prevents any access being gained between the groundsheet and the walls of the tent 10.

Similarly, the sole access door may also help provide a separate secure bedroom/sleeping room which may be particularly suitable for young children. The bedroom would provide peace of mind for the parents/guardians whilst also providing a private room for the children.

The auxiliary room 18 is provided through the provision of support members 50 which create additional space between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16. This prevents the creation of a lower sharp angle at the base of the internal wall which effectively defines a redundant space. The support members 50 lift and suspend the rear wall 20 up and out to make this previous redundant space usable.

The support members 50 are in the form of poles and in particular rigid poles. In the preferred embodiment the poles are metal poles or specifically hollow metal poles/tubes.

The support members 50 are arranged to project upwardly from the ground. In particular, the support members 50 are arranged, in use, to project upwardly from a -12 -position adjacent to a lower portion 60 of the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 to an intermediary position 62 of the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 located between the lower portion 60 and an upper portion 64 of the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12.

An upper portion or upper end 52 of the support member 50 supports the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 such that an intermediate separation distance 72 between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 at the intermediary portion is greater than the separation distance 70 between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 at the lower portion.

Furthermore, the support member 50 (and associated rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12) is arranged to extend vertically upwardly (substantially perpendicularly from the ground surface) from the ground surface. Accordingly, the internal angle 82 of the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 is substantially 90 degrees. This forms a generally vertical lower panel 26 on the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12. The rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 is arranged to extend vertically upwardly with an internal acute angle 80 in order for the separation distance 70, 72 between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 to increase along the longitudinal length of the support member 50 from a lower end 54 to an upper end 52 of the support member 50 (or from the lower portion 60 of the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 to the intermediary portion 62 of the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12).

The support member 50 is arranged, in use, to tension the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 in order for the rear wall to have a (taut) lower panel 26 and a (taut) upper panel 25 24 and whereby an internal angle 84 between the lower panel 26 and the upper panel 24 is an obtuse angle.

The rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 comprises a single panel which is secured within a single plane. The rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 extends upwardly with the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 and a floor 34 of the capsule 16 forming an internal acute angle 80 which may be in the region of 85 degrees to 70 degrees. In one embodiment, this internal angle 80 may be substantially 90 degrees.

-13 -As described above, the tent 10 comprises an auxiliary room 18 defined between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16. The auxiliary room 18 comprises a floor 21 extending between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16. The floor 21 extends for the full lateral extent of the tent 10/ and/or the full lateral extent of the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12. The floor extends for a longitudinal length between the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 and the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and a flooring surface is provided by an integral groundsheet of the tent 10. The longitudinal length of the floor 21 is greater than 30 cm and possibly greater than 50 cm to provide sufficient floor area for storage or for locating a camp bed(s)/mat(s) or similar sleeping apparatus. The longitudinal length is less than 200 cm and may be less than 150 cm such that the auxiliary room 18 is not too large such that the auxiliary space does not unnecessarily increase the overall size of the tent 10. One aim of the present invention is to increase the useful area and space within a tent without simply increasing the overall size of the tent.

The floor 21 of the auxiliary room has a rectangular footprint and a rectangular periphery defined at longitudinal ends by the rear wall 30 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 20 of the capsule 16. The lateral/side ends of the floor 21 defined by side (lateral) walls of the flysheet 12 / tent 10.

As mentioned above, the flysheet 12 provides the rear wall of the auxiliary room 18 which is formed by a lower panel 26 and an upper panel 24. The upper panel 26 forms a ceiling/roof panel defined. This ceiling/roof panel provide a sloping surface which slopes downwardly towards a rear extent of the tent 10.

The tent includes a number of support members 50 to maintain the rear wall 30 of the flysheet 12 in an outer position at the upper ends of the support members 50.

The tent 10 has a first support member at a first rear corner and a second support member at a second rear corner. The preferred embodiment of the tent also includes one or more intermediary support members 50 which locate at intermediary -14 -positions between the first corner support member and the second corner support member. Accordingly, this provides a linear supporting ridge along the rear wall of the flysheet 12 along which the rear wall is pulled outwardly to increase the internal space.

The support members 50 are located within respective sleeves 51 provided externally on the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12. The sleeves extend from the lower portion 60 (lower edge) of the rear wall 20 to the intermediary position 62.

Each sleeve 51 includes an open upper end and an open lower end and enables the support member 50 to be easily located and removed from the sleeve 51. This arrangement also helps to transfer the tension from a supporting guy rope to the rear wall 20 along the length of the sleeve rather than at discrete points. This helps to provide even tension throughout the wall (and provides a taut wall) and to provide an even outer surface to the tent which helps distribute any forces (i.e. generated by the weather/wind) and to disperse any precipitation (i.e. rainfall) efficiently and evenly. Accordingly, the rear wall 20 provides a first sleeve located at a first rear corner edge, a second sleeve located at a second rear corner edge and one or more intermediary sleeves located between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

The support member 50 comprises a rigid pole which in the preferred embodiment is a single length of a metal tube. The metal tubes are relatively short and are significantly shorter than the height of the tent 10. The support member 50 locates within the sleeve 51 and extends between a lower open end and an upper open end of the sleeve 51. The support member 50 comprises an upper attachment assembly 90 / member and a lower attachment assembly 91 / member. Each attachment assembly 90, 91 is removably secured to a respective end 52, 54 of the support member 50.

As shown ion Figure 3, each attachment assembly 90, 91 comprise a base 92, 93 with an engagement stub 94, 95 wherein the engagement stubs 94, 95 are arranged to engage the ends 52, 54 of the support member 50. The engagement stubs 94, comprise short sleeve sections providing a central passage and the ends 52, 54 of the support member 50 are arranged to locate in and engage within the sleeve sections.

The lower attachment member 91 comprises a connector 97 which is arranged, in use, to engage a flexible securement member. The flexible securement member is a guy rope and specifically a strap 100 or guy strap. The strap 100 includes a connector device located on a lower end 102. The connector device comprises a clip and specifically a quick release clip in the form of a carabiner 106. The connector 97 on the lower attachment member 91 comprise an annular device and more specifically a ring element which is arranged to accept the carabiner 106.

The upper attachment member 90 comprises a connector 96 which is arranged, in use, to engage the strap 100. The connector 96 comprises a strap adjuster (strap slider adjuster) whereby an upper end 104 of the strap 100 is connectable to the upper attachment member 90 and a tensing length of the strap 100 is adjustable. The strap 100 is movable through the strap adjuster to adjust the length of the strap 100 which extends between the lower attachment member 91 and the upper attachment member 90.

As shown in Figure 2, the strap 100 comprises a securing section located between the lower end 102 and the upper end 104 and in which the securing section comprises a loop 110 through which a ground engaging member, specifically a peg 112, is locatable in order to secure the loop 110 to the ground.

As shown in Figure 1, the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 is spaced from a rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 such that the separation distance 70, 72, 74 between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 increases from an upper portion 74 to the intermediate portion 72. Furthermore, the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 is spaced from the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 such that the separation distance 70, 72, 74 between the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 decreases from an intermediate portion 72 to a lower portion 70.

-16 -In use when the tent 10 is assembled/erected, the rear wall 20 of the flysheet extends upwardly from a lower edge 60 to the intermediate portion 62 in a substantially vertical orientation/angle as shown by an internal angle 82 being substantially 90 degrees. In addition, with the tent 10 fully use assembled/erected, the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 extends upwardly from the intermediate portion 62 to an upper portion 64 with an internal angle 84 in the region of 115 to 165 degrees.

In use, with the tent 10 fully assembled/erected, the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 provides a lower wall panel 26 and an upper wall panel 24 whereby a plane of the upper wall panel 24 is at an angle relative to a plane of the lower wall panel 26 and wherein the angle is in the region of 125 to 150 degrees.

With the tent 10 fully assembled/erected, the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 extends upwardly from a lower edge to an upper portion with an internal angle 80 which may be in the region of 60 to 80 degrees. The rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 provides a single planar rear wall panel.

The rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 is secured along a lower edge to provide a taut rear wall 30. This securement system also creates the sloping orientation for the rear wall 30 rather than the rear wall 30 simply being formed vertically with the fabric hanging downwardly. The securement system comprises a number of attachment members 42 being provided on or by the floor 21 of the tent 10 and the lower edge having corresponding attachment members. These may include straps which are adjustably secured with strap adjusters to enable the tension to be adjusted and set.

The capsule 16 comprise a front wall 32 and a rear wall 30 with an accommodation room 19 defined therebetween. The front wall 32 includes a door to provide access into the capsule 16. In use, with the tent 10 fully assembled/erected, the door provides access between the accommodation room 19 provided by the capsule 16 and a further accommodation room 17 provided by the flysheet 12. The rear wall of the capsule 16 provides a rear access door and therefore the capsule 16 comprise a first (front) door providing though the front wall 32 of the capsule 16 and a second (rear) door which provides access through the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16. The capsule 16 forms a tunnel capsule with a first door on one wall 30, 32 and a second door on an opposite wall 30, 32 to enable a person to walk all the way through the capsule 16.

As described above, the rear wall 20 of the flysheet 12 and the rear wall 30 of the capsule 16 define an auxiliary room 18 within the tent 10. The auxiliary room 10 10 may be used as an auxiliary bedroom and/or a storage room within the tent 10.

Overall, the present invention comprises a tent 10 providing an auxiliary bedroom/storage area/room 18 at a rear location. This is created through the use of small (i.e. not full height) upright poles 50 fixed upwardly/vertically at the rear of the tent 10. This enables the rear of the tent 10 to have a useful area since the rear edge 60 of the tent 10 is no longer fixed at a sharp angle at the bottom edge to the ground. The pole 50 is maintained upright with a typical guy rope arrangement. To make use of this additional area, the tent 10 includes a typical inner tent/capsule 16 providing a bedroom 19 although this includes a second door on the rear 30 of the inner tent/capsule 16. This extra door provides the sole access to this new storage area 18 and the area 18 could be used to either store luggage/camping equipment or as an additional sleeping area.

Claims

-18 -CLAIMS1. A camping assembly comprising a flysheet, a main frame and a capsule forming a room within the camping assembly wherein the capsule is suspended spaced apart from the flysheet, the flysheet comprising: a rear wall comprising a lower portion and an upper portion wherein the upper portion is supported by the main frame and the lower portion is engaged with a ground surface, the camping assembly comprising: a support member which is arranged, in use, to project upwardly from a position adjacent to the lower portion of the rear wall of the flysheet to an intermediary position of the rear wall of the flysheet located between the lower and the upper portions of the rear wall of the flysheet, wherein an auxiliary room is formed within the camping assembly between the rear wall of the flysheet and a rear wall of the capsule.
2. A camping assembly according to Claim 1 in which an upper portion of the support member supports the rear wall of the flysheet such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and a rear wall of the capsule at the intermediary portion is greater than the separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule at the lower portion.
3. A camping assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the support member and associated rear wall of the flysheet is arranged to extend vertically upwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the ground surface and the rear wall of the capsule is arranged to extend vertically upwardly with an internal acute angle in order for the separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule to increase along the length of the support member from a lower end to an upper end of the support member.
4. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the support -19 -member is arranged, in use, to tension the rear wall of the flysheet in order for the rear wall to have a lower panel and an upper panel and whereby an internal angle between the lower panel and the upper panel is an obtuse angle.
5. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the capsule comprises a rear wall comprising a single panel which is secured within a single plane and the rear wall of the capsule extends upwardly with the rear wall of the capsule and a floor of the capsule forming an internal acute angle.
6. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the auxiliary room comprises a floor extending between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule and wherein the floor extends for a full lateral extent of the rear wall of the flysheet and the floor extends for a longitudinal length between the rear wall of the capsule and the rear wall of the flysheet.
7. A camping assembly according to Claim 6 in which and the longitudinal is greater than 50 cm.
B. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the floor of the auxiliary room has a rectangular periphery defined at longitudinal ends by the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule and lateral ends defined by side walls of the flysheet and wherein the flysheet provides a rear wall of the auxiliary room which comprise a rear wall formed by a lower panel of the rear wall of the flysheet and a roof panel defined by an upper panel of the rear wall of the flysheet and, in which, the roof panel provides a sloping surface which slopes downwardly towards a rear extent of the camping assembly.
9. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the camping assembly comprises a first support member and a second support member and 30 wherein each support member is arranged, in use, to locate at rear corner edges of the rear wall.
10. A camping assembly according to Claim 9 in which the camping assembly comprises one or more intermediary support members which are arranged, in use, to locate at intermediary positions between the first corner support member and the second corner support member.
11. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the rear wall comprises a sleeve provided on an external surface which enables the support member to be located therein and wherein the sleeve extends from the lower portion of the rear wall to the intermediary position and the sleeve comprises an open upper end and an open lower end.
12. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the support member comprises a rigid pole.
13. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the support member comprises an upper attachment member and a lower attachment member and, in which, each attachment member is removably secured to a respective end of the support member.
14. A camping assembly according to Claim 13 in which the lower attachment member comprises a base with an engagement stub wherein the engagement stub is arranged to engage a lower end of the support member and in which the lower attachment member comprises a connector which is arranged, in use, to engage a flexible securement member.
15. A camping assembly according to any Claim 13 or Claim 14 in which the upper attachment member comprises a base with an engagement stub wherein the engagement stub is arranged to engage an upper end of the support member and in which the upper attachment member comprises a connector which is arranged, in use, to engage a flexible securement member.
16. A camping assembly according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 in which the flexible -21 -securement member comprises a strap comprising a connector device located on one end for securement of a first end of the strap to one attachment member and in which the connector of the other attachment member comprises a strap adjuster whereby the other upper end of the strap is connectable to the other attachment member and a tensing length of the strap is adjustable.
17 A camping assembly according to any one of Claim 14 to Claim 16 in which the flexible securement member comprises a securing section located between a first end and a second end and in which the securing section comprises a loop 10 through which a ground engaging member is locatable in order to secure the loop to the ground.
18. A camping assembly according to Claim 17 in which the strap is movable through the strap adjuster to adjust the length of the strap which extends between the securing section and the upper attachment member and in which the length of the strap between the securing section and the upper attachment member creates the tension in the strap to maintain the support member in an upright orientation and maintains the rear wall of the flysheet in a taut condition.
19. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which a rear wall of the flysheet is spaced from a rear wall of the capsule such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule increases from an upper portion to the intermediate portion and in which the rear wall of the flysheet is spaced from the rear wall of the capsule such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule decreases from an intermediate portion to a lower portion.
20. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the capsule comprises a front wall and a rear wall with an accommodation room defined 30 therebetween and, in which, the front wall comprises a door to enable access into the capsule and the door provides access between the accommodation room provided by the capsule and a further accommodation room provided by the flysheet -22 -and wherein a rear wall of the capsule provides a rear access door.
21. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the capsule comprise an access door provided on a front wall of the capsule and an auxiliary door provided on a rear wall of the capsule in which the auxiliary door enables a person to enter and exit the auxiliary room
22. A camping assembly according to Claim 21 in which the auxiliary door provided the sole access to the auxiliary room.
23. A camping assembly according to any preceding claim in which the capsule provides a tunnel capsule with a first door on one wall and a second door on an opposite wall to enable a person to walk through the capsule.
24. A method of providing an auxiliary camping room within a camping assembly, the camping assembly comprising a flysheet, a main frame and a capsule forming a room within the camping assembly wherein the capsule is suspended spaced apart from the flysheet, the method comprising: supporting an upper portion of a rear wall of the flysheet with the main frame and engaging a lower portion of the rear wall of the flysheet with a ground surface, supporting a support member upwardly from a position adjacent to the lower portion of the rear wall of the flysheet to an intermediary position of the rear wall of the flysheet located between the lower portion and the upper portion of the flysheet, and forming an auxiliary room within the camping assembly between the rear wall of the flysheet and a rear wall of the capsule.
25. A method of providing an auxiliary camping room within a camping assembly according to Claim 24 in which the method comprises supporting the rear wall of the flysheet at an upper portion of the support member such that a separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule at the -23 -intermediary portion is greater than the separation distance between the rear wall of the flysheet and the rear wall of the capsule at the lower portion.