NZ566266A - Tent structure using trekking poles as support members - Google Patents

Abstract

An erectable tent using trekking poles as primary support is disclosed. The tent (5) has a fly that includes at least one sleeve (7) near the apex of the tent, and for each sleeve there are two corresponding sockets (6) located at ground level. A support assembly includes a connector pole with ends oriented at an angle to each other, and a pair of trekking poles (1), where the tips of the poles are inserted in the ends of the connector pole. The connector pole is received in the sleeve and the handles of the trekking poles are received in the sockets.

Description

Please return form bv mail to: *10055385082* Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand PO Box 9241, Marion Square Wellington 6141 New Zealand -"-/Economic Development tfixia Ok a ft $ a Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand IP number/s: Current Owner: Your reference: -Office use only- Patents Act 1953 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 8 FEB 2008 RECEIVED Patent Form No. 5 - Complete Specification (*) No Date: 2&...AM. la) I To uSiH<S- MG- Poles I (or We), (b) .Tft.7."C7..>.2o..a.H?!. &£>. S3........ A-tf.. .^^TiR^/hrO... hereby declare the invention, for which I (or we) pray that a patent may be granted to me (or us), and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement (e) continue application on page 2 Signature (\"Tixtx* Date Telephone jo-joxio 8 03 Total Fee Paid NZ$ Credit Card - Please complete credit card authorisation Direct Debit - Customer ID number required Customer ID No: ^ -> . Email ftfrrad(£* • W"/■hi Cheque - Made out to the Ministry of Economic Development Your receipt will be automatically emailed to you. Please tick this box if you wish to receive a receipt by mail □ Continued over.

For assistance completing this form please call 0508 4IPONZ (0508 447 669) IMPROVEMENTS TO TENTS USING TREKKING POLES FOR SUPPORT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements to tents using trekking poles in a novel way in the support structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The structural integrity of a tent is due to the interaction of tension elements, the tent fabric, with compression elements, the tent poles. This invention relates to tents that use trekking poles as part or all of the compression elements.

There is a trend to reduce the weight of backpacking equipment by using lighter materials or constructions for each piece of equipment and by making equipment suitable for a number of uses so that some items may be eliminated.

A number of manufacturers have produced lightweight tents and 20 tarps that use the trekking poles as the internal support structure. These have been of the type where one or more trekking poles are used as vertical center or end supports and the outer tent surface generally forms an "A" shape in cross section with one end of the trekking pole positioned at the apex of the A, and the 25 other end on the ground. Pegging out the base of the walls is necessary for the tent to stand upright. The height of the apex of the tent is limited to the length of the trekking pole. The length of the trekking pole also restricts the size of the tent possible. These tents generally have greater fabric spans between the supporting 30 poles and the pegging points than dome or tunnel shaped tents, making them less suitable for strong winds. These tents are also difficult for one person to erect in strong winds due to the need to hold the trekking pole upright and peg the outer edges of the tent fly at the same time. Furthermore, the position of the 35 trekking pole(s) inside the tent restricts the internal space.

I 'NTESAkrPR0PERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 2 3 MAY 2009 RECEIVED Generally, these tents are not considered suitable for four-season use.

The object of this invention is to provide a more stable and easily 5 erectable tent using trekking poles as a primary support; to reduce the fabric spans between poles and pegs for greater stability; to reduce the number and weight of pegs necessary for the tent to stand upright; and (in some embodiments) to remove the space restriction of internal poles in the tent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of" When interpreting each statement 15 in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein "(s)" 20 following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the tent uses a minimum of two trekking poles placed with their handles facing 25 the ground and said handles secured in pockets at the base of the walls on the outer surface of the tent; and with the trekking pole tips inserted in the ends of a connector pole. This connector pole is contained in a sleeve attached to the roof section of the tent. The end sections of the connector pole are set at an angle to 30 each other and determine the angle of the trekking poles to each other. Trekking poles assembled into the connector pole generally form an "A" configuration with a curved or flat top dependent on the shape of the connector pole. It will be noted that the strongest part of the trekking poles is at the handle end 35 and this is positioned at ground level that is the optimal X orientation for the strongest support. The two trekking poles and the associated connector pole form an arch that acts as a main compression element of the tent. Hooks are provided on the outside of the tent walls between the bottom sockets and the top 5 sleeve. These clip around the shafts of the trekking poles to reduce fabric spans.

Any number arch supports consisting of two trekking poles with one connector pole may be provided depending on the tent size, 10 intended number of occupants, the number of trekking poles available and the intended wind resistance of the tent.

Because the sockets for the handles and the connector poles are mounted externally, the trekking poles therefore mount 15 externally. This makes the tent easy for one person to pitch in strong winds. The ends of the tent facing into the wind can be pegged first, the trekking and connector poles can be connected in position and the leeward end of the tent can be pegged last.

While the trekking pole and connector pole arch forms the main support structure of the tent, additional lighter weight poles can be added at the tent ends, sides or between the arches (if more than two arches) to further increase stability or internal volume.

The second embodiment of the invention relates to a pyramid or tipi shaped tents with a centre pole support, or "A" shaped tents with end supports. Pyramid or tipi shaped tents are stable in strong winds with multiple pegging points around the perimeter but have been difficult to erect by one person in windy 30 conditions. In this embodiment, an extended support is formed by two trekking poles. These are joined together at their tips by a connector pole. This connector pole is straight so when the poles are inserted the poles and connector form a straight line. One trekking pole handle rests on the ground; the other trekking pole 35 handle is inserted into the apex of the tent on the inside. 1 Pegging points are located around the perimeter of the tent fly. Opposite pegging points on the fly are connected by a tape that lies on the ground when the tent is erected. All the tapes are 5 joined together where they cross in the center of the tent.

Because the tapes determine the correct positioning of the pegs around the perimeter of the tent, one person can erect the tent in strong winds by firstly pegging out opposite points around the perimeter sequentially, and then entering the tent and erecting 10 the center pole.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without 15 departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an end view of the trekking poles/connector pole arch support assembly according to the first embodiment of the 30 invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a tent using one center arch support assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention; 4 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a tent using two arch support assemblies according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a tent using three arch support assemblies, according to the first embodiment of the invention, together with an additional pole mounted centrally; Figure 5 shows an end view of the trekking poles/connector pole 10 straight support assembly according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a cross section of the tent fly with a straight support assembly and ground level connecting tapes according 15 to the second embodiment of the invention, and; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a tent according to the second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Regarding Figures 1-7 and the description, it will be understood that the features described in each embodiment of the invention are not exclusive to each embodiment, and can be interchanged 25 as required.

Preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, an arch support assembly is comprised of two trekking poles 1, with handles 2 at ground level, and tips 3 pointing skyward. The trekking pole tips 3 are inserted into the ends of a connector pole 4, which has curves at or near the ends S and a straight section in the center, or alternatively is continuously curved (not shown). j Referring now to Figure 2, tent 5 has 1 arch support assembly.

Sockets 6 are located at ground level, and a sleeve 7, is located at the tent apex. Sockets 6 locate the handles 2 of the trekking poles 1. Sleeve 7 locates connector pole 4. The ends of connector pole 4 in turn locate trekking pole tips 3. Hooks 8 on the tent fly are clipped around trekking poles 1 to reduce fabric spans and 10 increase stability. The tent stands up by pegging out end points 9.

Referring now to Figure 3, tent 10 has 2 arch support assemblies. Sockets 6 are located at ground level, and two sleeves 7, are located in the tent roof. Sockets 6 locate the handles 2 of the 15 trekking poles 1. Sleeves 7 locate connector poles 4. The ends of connector poles 4 in turn locate trekking pole tips 3. Hooks 8 on the tent fly are clipped around trekking poles 1 to increase stability. The tent stands up by pegging out end points 9.

Referring now to Figure 4, tent 11 has 3 arch support assemblies, and a straight pole located in the center of the tent. Sockets 6 are located at ground level and three sleeves 7 are located in the tent roof. Sockets 6 locate the handles 2 of the trekking poles 1. Sleeves 7 locate connector poles 4. The ends of connector poles 4 25 in turn locate trekking pole tips 3. Hooks 8 on the tent fly are clipped around trekking poles 1 to increase stability. The tent stands up by pegging out corner points 9. The straight pole in the center may be a straight pole assembly as described in Figure 5.

Referring now to Figure 5, straight pole assembly is comprised of two trekking poles 1 and a straight connector pole 12. Trekking pole tips 3 are inserted into the ends of connector pole 12, giving a long straight support assembly, suitable for a larger tent 6

Claims (1)

1. Referring now to Figure 6, a straight pole assembly is mounted in the center of tent fly 13, with pegging points 14 at the perimeter. Tapes 15 connect opposite pegging points 14 at ground level. 5 Referring now to Figure 7, tent fly 13 is composed of a preferably even number of panels 16, which preferably determine the number of pegging points around the perimeter. Tapes 15 connect opposite pegging points on the tent fly. The tapes therefore form a radial pattern on the ground when the tent is 10 pitched. Preferably the tapes are connected together at the crossing point in the center of the tent. WHAT I CLAIM IS: 15 1. A tent fly, and at least one support assembly comprising of: a pair of trekking poles, a connector pole, whereby when each trekking pole tip is inserted into 20 opposite ends of the connector pole, the entire assembly forms a structural unit; whereby at least one support assembly in the tent fly has at least one sleeve located at or near the apex of the tent, and double the number of sockets located at ground 25 level; and wherein the support assembly comprises a connector pole that has its ends orientated at an angle to each other; such that when the connector pole is located in one sleeve in the tent fly, and when the trekking pole tips are inserted in the ends of the connector pole, and 30 furthermore when the trekking pole handles are inserted in the sockets, the handles of the trekking poles at ground level are further apart than the trekking pole tips pointing skyward, such that the resulting support assembly lies in one plane, and forms a roughly "A" configeration when "7 viewed from one side, with a curved or flat top dependent on the shape of the connector pole. A tent fly, and at least one support assembly as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. A tent fly, and at least one support assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying illustrations. OFFICE OF N.2. 2 3 MAY 2009 RECEIVED