US20050194028A1

US20050194028A1 - Collapsible fabric structures

Info

Publication number: US20050194028A1
Application number: US11/045,695
Authority: US
Inventors: Neil Shinner; Andrew Cooper
Original assignee: Spin Master Ltd
Current assignee: Spin Master Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-23
Filing date: 2005-01-28
Publication date: 2005-09-08
Also published as: CA2494472A1; GB0401956D0; EP1559854A3; EP1559854A2; GB2410262A

Abstract

A tent having at least a frame and a canopy. The said frame includes a base member defining an outer periphery, and at least a pair of arch members spanning the base member. The base member being captive in the canopy, around a lower peripheral edge thereof. The arch members being captive in the canopy over the base member. The canopy being dimensioned so as to maintain tautness between the base member and the arches.

Description

The present specification relates to collapsible, fabric structures, for example, tents, children's play structures, tunnels and shade structures having an igloo/dome tent shape.
A foldable tent structure having an igloo/dome tent shape is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,167,219. It discloses a foldable tent with a generally circular base made from four rod segments. Two further arcuate rods are provided hinged to the base rods to support a fabric canopy. The structure is erected by folding out the structure like a fan and linking the rods of the base together to form a continuous loop.
A problem with the structure is that it is bulky to carry as the arcuate rods that support the canopy are long, rigid, semi-circular rods. If the rods were removed from the fabric canopy then they would be difficult to feed back into their locating fabric pockets.
The present invention presents a solution to this problem by providing a structure of similar external shape that can be readily assembled from a more compact storage configuration, for example, a storage configuration suitable for shipping and marketing of the product.
Igloo/dome tents which use collapsible rods, for example, made of fibre reinforced resins, have become popular for camping and these can take many forms. At a campsite it is necessary to assemble the collapsible rods into long flexible frame members which are then fed into sleeves or pockets that connect the fabric of the tent to the frame members. The fabric induces a curve in the frame members and it can be difficult to feed these members into the sleeves or pockets because of friction and snagging. The base of the structure can also lack form at this stage and this can also make it difficult to insert the frame members. In some instances, users may peg out the base of their tent to assist with the insertion of the frame members.
Other igloo/dome tents have become available recently that are based on frame members in the form of coilable loops. In many instances these can self-erect upon release from their storage configuration with little or no intervention by the camper. U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,634, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,461, U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,772 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,955 are examples of these. These tent structures, however, are complicated and expensive to manufacture. In addition, many users are not able to follow the instructions to collapse these structures back into their most compact configuration in which they are coiled up into a loop a third of the size of the expanded loop structure. Users may also lose the instructions after purchase and not be able to figure out how to fully collapse the structures. This non-coiling is particularly a problem with play structures intended for indoor use that are of a much smaller scale than the adult equivalents, as their partially folded condition where the frame members are simply folded together and not coiled may be seen as “small enough”, for example, to store behind a sofa or in a cupboard.
Therefore a problem recognised in the present invention with these more technical structures is that their more intricate construction is often not being used properly by the end user and so represents unnecessary complication which can confuse the end user.
According to a first invention there is provided a collapsible fabric structure in the form of an igloo/dome tent having a base frame member and at least two additional canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from common points on the base frame member to support the fabric canopy of the tent, wherein the canopy supporting frame members each comprise a plurality of rods that are connected together and fed into means (for example sleeves, loops or pockets) which locate the fabric to the frame members and force the frame members into an arcuate form, and wherein the base frame member comprises a resilient member in the form of a loop which extends around substantially the perimeter of the structure to expand the base upon release from a collapsed configuration.
An advantage of the structure of the present invention is that the loop base frame member provides form to the structure prior to the insertion of the canopy supporting frame members. This makes it easier for the user to locate the frame members in the sleeves, loops or pockets and slide them into the fabric structure.
The user will also be familiar with the way the rods of the canopy supporting frame members connect together and feed into the sleeves, loops or pockets of the fabric structure from existing igloo/dome tent structures. After use, these frame members can be extracted leaving the fabric structure with just a resilient loop frame member in its base. The presence of just a single coilable member, rather than two or more coilable frame members, means that the tent can be coiled up into a more compact configuration with greater ease and this may be within the capability of the user even after the instructions have been lost.
If preferred, the structure may instead be simply folded in half for storage purposes. The loop base frame member is sufficiently resilient to allow the loop to be folded in two. The arch-like canopy supporting frame members hinge about the fold line, where the ends of these frame members meet the base frame member at the common points, so as to fold flat against each other like the pages of a book. A fastener, for example, in the form of Velcro, a tie, a buckle, a push fastener, button, etc., may be provided to secure the structure in this partially collapsed configuration.
The resilience of the base loop frame member means that the structure is self-opening from this partially collapsed configuration and provides some tension into the fabric canopy. Preferably this is sufficient to allow the structure to be used indoors, i.e., without the aid of tent pegs. However, ties or pockets for sand, for example, may also be provided to secure the structure to the ground in the case of outdoor use. These may also serve to pull the structure slightly tauter.
Preferably the structure has a coilable member in the form of a fibre reinforced resin wire, more preferably an epoxy based wire, and in particular one in which at least the surface layer of fibre is wound helically around the core of the wire. The wire is preferably between 1 and 4 mm in diameter, more preferably 2-3 mm, and readily deformable to allow it to be coiled easily. It is also envisaged that a resilient strip, e.g., of steel can be used to form the loop, although this is seen as less desirable for play structures than the fibre reinforced resin wire because it may present a sharp edge in the base which could hurt a young child and can be more difficult to coil up.
The base may be generally circular or a more complex ornamental shape, for example, including features to replicate the appearance of a flower, animal, insect, bird etc. However more preferably the base has a substantially oval perimeter with major and minor axes. In such arrangements the structure will fold about the minor axis to bring the ends of the structure (the ends of the major axis) together. Where a more complex ornamental shape is adopted, the base frame member may extend around the perimeter of the design, or more preferably in an oval shape within but still relatively close to the edge of the structure. For example, petals of a flower design could be created by providing additional curved areas of fabric extending out from the base frame member.
Preferably the base of the structure can be coiled into three loops once the canopy supporting members have been removed. This will reduce the base to approximately one third of its size. Fastening means, for example, snap fasteners, straps, ties, Velcro, zips etc may be provided to retain the structure in a fully collapsed configuration. This can help hold the structure in a compact form for ease of putting it away into a storage bag.
Preferably the ends of three arch-like canopy supporting frame members meet substantially where the base frame member crosses the minor axis of the elliptical base (the “common points”). The frame members do not need to contact each other, though they do need to be sufficiently close to transfer forces to hold the canopy in an expanded configuration. In such arrangements there would be a central arch disposed substantially perpendicular to the base and second and third arches disposed to each side dividing the right angle between the central arch and the base.
Arrangements are also envisaged where four or more arch-like canopy supporting members are provided.
The structure may also include additional arch or other frame members that are hinged to the base at positions between a central fold line (the minor axis) and an end of the base (an end of a major axis), for example, as supports for doorways. Arch frame members on one side of a centre line, e.g., the minor axis of an oval base, should all hinge and fold flat in the same direction, and all arch members on the other side should all hinge and fold flat in the opposite direction during folding together of the opposing end portions.
The arch frame members may be made of a similar material to the loop frame member. However, conventional fibre reinforced resin rods, for example, of between 2 to 4 mm in diameter and between 30 to 60 mm in length, are adequate for the purpose and provide a cost effect solution to supporting the fabric canopy. Connectable rods of this type, for example, fitted with sleeves to provide male/female connections are known from existing tent structures and so will be familiar to the user in terms of assembly and disassembly of the frame members. The ends of the frame members may be fitted with pads to reduce snagging and their respective receiving pockets may be reinforced to prevent wear.
Preferably the base of the structure includes a floor panel so that the interior space is enclosed from above and below. However, for certain applications it may be desirable to dispense with the whole or a portion(s) of the floor panel, for example, toy structures where it is desirable to reduce manufacturing costs or to provide amusement features.
In at least one of the ends, and preferably in both ends, an entrance is provided to give access to the interior. Entrances are preferably closable with a door that can be fastened in its closed position. Preferably such an entrance and door has an arcuate edge with the base of the door remaining connected to the base of the structure. This creates a partial disc shaped mat when the door is opened and resting on the ground. In addition to the aesthetics, such an arrangement avoids the creation of a potential trip hazard for a young child. This may be important in a structure having entrances in opposite ends and functioning as a tunnel for the child to run or crawl down. The floor panel may include additional detail to continue features provided on the door, for example, to give the appearance of a full disc at the entrance to the structure. This may incorporate a spiral pattern as an amusement feature for a child. A zip may be provided as a means for closing the door or other fastening means such as Velcro, snap fasteners, ties, etc., may be used instead. A second entrance and door may be provided of the same or a different shape. An additional resilient member, e.g., in the form of an arch, may be incorporated into the door entrance to support the fabric when the door is open.
The term “fabric” is intended to cover any sheet-like flexible material that might be used for such a structure, for example, a woven fabric, film, netting, transparent or coloured sheet material. The structure may include windows of transparent or coloured material and may include openings and other features as amusement features.
The new structure has great applicability for use as play structures, for example, in the form of play tents or tunnels. The structure can also be used in full size structures for grown-ups.
The first invention uses the resilience of a flexible coilable frame member in the base of the structure to open up the structure into an erected configuration. The present specification also concerns other structures having substantially the same shape, which through a function of the base, also expand into an erected structure.
One problem identified with the structures of U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,634, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,461 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,772 is that because of the position of the frame members and the distribution of forces within the fabric of structure, the entrances have to be located within the saddle of the upper frame member. As a result, the base of the entrance can present a trip hazard, for example, when the structure is being used by a young child.
A solution to this problem is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,955. This discloses a further self-erecting fabric structure having a coilable loop frame member in a base and two additional frame members extending at right angles to the base to support an upper canopy of fabric. The two additional supports are also in the form of loops and hinge with respect to the base during erection of the structure. The resilience of the base loop frame member is sufficient to extend the end portions into a substantially planar arrangement, and in so doing pulling the additional loops upright and the fabric of the tent taut. The base of the structure is elliptical and the two additional frame members hinge about axes which are parallel to the minor axis but spaced approximately midway between the minor axis and the ends of the structure that extend in the direction of the major axis. Straps or webs of fabric connecting these additional loops to the ends of the base pull the loops into their substantially upright configuration to hold the fabric in a tunnel shape.
However a problem with this arrangement is that it still requires straps to be present and a hinge to extend across the entrance to the structure which could pose trip hazards for young children or be uncomfortable on their knees as they are crawling through the structure.
Thus from a second invention disclosed herein, there is provided a collapsible fabric structure in the form of an igloo/dome tent having at least two canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from common points on a base of the structure to support the fabric canopy of the tent, wherein the base comprises an air chamber. Preferably the base can be inflated to expand the structure from a storage configuration to an erected configuration. In all the embodiments of this invention, the inflated base acts as a tensioning element to pull the fabric canopy taut. It is also comfortable on the knees of young children as they are crawling through the structure and provides an amusement feature. For the embodiments where poles are inserted after inflation of the base, the air chamber provides the base with necessary form and rigidity to make insertion of the rods simpler, as with the first invention.
The air chamber is inflated to give the base rigidity. It is this rigidity and form that pulls the rest of the structure into an erected configuration in a similar way to inflatable bouncy castles. The air chamber also acts as a mattress to provide a play structure in the form of a tent that children can sleep in or play in comfortably.
Apart from the replacement of the coilable base frame member with an inflatable mattress, the second invention is substantially the same as the first invention and the comments made above in relation to the first invention apply equally to the second.
The base will need to be of about 4 to 15 cm thick, preferably about 10 cm thick to accommodate the air chamber. In one embodiment the air chamber is made of plastic and retained within a fabric pocket of the base of the structure. In another embodiment the air chamber is an integral part of the structure. In yet another embodiment, the air chamber is a fabric coated material that is fixed to the rest of the structure. The air chamber may also be removable from the rest of the structure and connected to the structure by a releasable connection, for example Velcro®, press fasteners, buttons, ties, straps and buckles, etc. In still yet a further embodiment, the tent of the first invention is provided with releasable connections to attach an inflatable chamber to the base of the structure.
Such an arrangement can also be achieved without the base frame member and therefore according to yet a further aspect this invention there is provided a collapsible fabric structure in the form of an igloo/dome tent comprising a fabric canopy, at least two canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from common points on a base of the structure to support the fabric canopy of the tent and a base comprising an inflatable air chamber, wherein the canopy supporting frame members and the canopy are secured to the base by releasable connections so that the base can be separated from the frame members and canopy for storage purposes. In one arrangement, the structure has the canopy supporting frame members which pivot about the common points in relation to the base, wherein one side of the fabric canopy (i.e., a portion extending from one common point around one end of the base to the other common point) is provided with releasable connections for detaching the fabric canopy from the base. With one side detached from the base, the fabric canopy can be folded down onto the base by rotating the arches about their common points, in a similar way to folding down a hood of a car.
An advantage of this embodiment, is that the inflatable air chamber provides rigidity and form to the structure. Once inflated, attachment of the additional tent components is a relatively simple task and it would be easy for the average person to work out how to erect and disassemble the structure even if the instructions had become lost. For his invention, preferably the arches are semi-circular and the base is circular.
For the second invention it has been found more preferable to use the helically bound fibre reinforced epoxy wires or rods described above than the more conventional tent pole materials. Other variants include making the fabric canopy in two halves that are connected at a suitable halfway point, for example a central arch member. In this way, on the second invention, the two halves can be connected to the inflated base if they are not already fitted, and the canopy erected through manually pulling together the two halves of the canopy together until the canopy is pulled substantially taut against the rigidity of the base.
A further development disclosed herein provides a self-erecting, collapsible, fabric structure comprising a base and a canopy of fabric to define an interior within, the base having a resilient frame member in the form of a loop extending around a periphery thereof, the base being substantially elliptical and foldable about its minor axis such that the end portions of the structure can be folded together to collapse the structure, wherein the canopy is supported by at least two additional frame members which are in the form of arches that extend from the base, the ends of each arch frame member being positioned substantially on the minor axis such that the arches are capable of hinging with respect to the base so that they fold flat when the end portions of the base are folded together.
The structure is self-erecting in the sense that it will pop open into an expanded configuration upon release from a collapsed configuration. The base loop frame member is resilient and therefore resists any deflection out of a plane or neutral position. This resilience provides a force on the rest of the structure which is sufficient to expand it from a collapsed configuration into an expanded configuration and to pull the fabric of the canopy sufficiently taut for use as a play structure. This development may incorporate any of the features described in connection with the other tents.
The present invention, in a broad aspect, then, provides a tent comprising at least a frame and a canopy, said frame comprising a base member defining an outer periphery, and at least a pair of arch members spanning said base member, said base member being captive in said canopy, around a lower peripheral edge thereof, and said arch members being captive in said canopy over said base member said canopy being dimensioned so as to maintain tautness between said base member and said arches.
Certain preferred embodiments will now be described in greater detail by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred arrangement of the frame members for the tent with the fabric canopy removed;
FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the tent of FIG. 1 in cross-section;
FIG. 3 shows an end view of the tent of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment;
FIG. 5 illustrates the construction of the base of the tent of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows the underside of the base of the tent;
FIG. 7 shows the base with the fabric canopy stowed;
FIG. 8 shows the erected tent viewed from one end;
FIG. 9 shows the tent viewed from the other end; and
FIG. 10 shows the tent from the opposite side to that in FIG. 4.
In FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a preferred tent 1 structure according to the first invention. The fabric canopy for the tent 1 has been omitted for clarity. The structure in its most basic form consists of a base frame member 2 and at least two canopy supporting frame members 3 (in the embodiment illustrated there are three) extending from common points 4 of the base frame member 2.
The base frame member 2 may consist of resilient metal strip formed into a loop. The nature of the strip profile means that the loop has a neutral position when it is flat. Bending the loop out of this plane is resisted by the resilience of the strip, which is forced to bend and deflect to allow deflection out of the plane. In the present invention, this resilience provides the force to keep the structure in its erected or substantially erected configuration. In other embodiments, a fibre reinforced member (wire or rod) is used in place of the steel strip. Such members tend to have a circular profile, which while this has an effect on the deflection characteristics because of the isotropic properties of the material, it is preferred from the point of view of not presenting a sharp edge at a location where a small child could be crawling over. The most preferred material of this type is manufactured by a company called Sportex and takes the form of an epoxy wire reinforced with longitudinal glass fibre or other material and bound at its surface with a helically wound thread. It has good all-round bend characteristics without suffering from delamination after repeated deflection.
The base frame member 2 is preferably housed within a sleeve that extends around the periphery of a floor panel that forms the base of the tent 1. The periphery constrains the base frame member 2 into a circular form, or more preferably an oval shape as shown with major axis A-A and minor axis B-B. The floor panel (not shown) is preferably cut so that it is pulled taut by the base frame member 2.
Three canopy supporting frame members (arches) 3 are provided. A central arch 3 is positioned in a substantially upright configuration and two further arches 3 are positioned either side inclined at an angle α to the first one. The angle α is preferably between 30 to 60 degrees and more preferably about 45 degrees. All three canopy supporting frame members 3 are preferably of the same size and arranged to pivot about their free ends 5 at the common points 4. In this way the two inclined arches 3 can be pivoted between a storage configuration where they are stacked flat side by side against the central arch, and an erected configure ration as shown in FIG. 1 where they are inclined to the central arch by an angle α.
The canopy supporting frame members 3 can be made of any suitable frame material. It is preferred to use conventional glass fibre rod material which has been cut into transportable lengths and which can be joined together to form the arches during the erection of the tent from a cost point of view. Conventional metal sleeves can be used as suitable connectors for this. A set of rods may also be joined together by a length of elastic material running through the middle of the rods. Alternatively more exotic material such as the helically bound rods described above can be used. In such an embodiment, due to the bendability of the material, the frame members 3 may consist of single lengths of wire that remain housed within sleeves of the structure during erection and collapsing of the tent into a compact size for shipping.
Preferably the frame members 2,3 are housed within sleeves sewn into the fabric canopy. However, as is already known in the art, loops, pockets or any other suitable feature may be used to secure the fabric to the frame members 2,3. The sleeves may include reinforced pockets at their ends to protect against wear from the free ends 5 of the arches 3.
The free ends 5 of the arches 3 are shown close together at the common points 4 so that the points of pivot allow the arches 3 to be folded flat against each other and to provide a neat arrangement. However the term “common point” 4 is used in a broad sense, in that it is possible for the free ends 5 to be slightly more spaced apart and for the arches to fold approximately flat, but a better effect is achieved when the free ends are positioned closer together and so this is preferred. To collapse the tent 1 into a storage configuration, the two ends of the base are folded together like closing a book. If it is desired to collapse the structure further then the arches 3 can be dismantled and the base frame member 2 coiled into three loops. In the embodiments where coilable material is used for the arches, then it may be possible to leave these arches in place when coiling up the structure.
As shown in FIG. 1, two additional canopy supporting frame members 6 are provided spaced from the free ends 5 of the other three arches 3. These secondary arches 6 provide support to design features, for example a doorway. These may be made of finer gauge material than the primary arches 3. The arches are preferably of a size and in a position where when they fold flat against the central arch they adopt substantially the same profile to provide a neat arrangement for storage.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation viewing the structure in cross section along the major axis A-A. As shown, the fabric canopy 7 is supported by the arches to create a dome or igloo shape tent (a tent of substantially hemispherical shape). The fabric canopy 7 is pulled taut over the arches 3 by the resilience of the base frame member 2, the resilience urging the ends of the tent 1 (the portion of the perimeter lying on the major axis A-A) back into the neutral planar position. The resilience should be sufficient to provide a useable structure for indoor use. However, the tent 1 may also be provided with loops for tent pegs to allow outdoor use too, and these may pull the fabric canopy tauter. Pockets may also be provided for filling with sand for use on a beach as an alternative to tent pegs. The fabric canopy 7 may incorporate different materials, for example, netting or transparent material to provide windows, and may incorporate openings for children to view out of or climb out of.
FIG. 3 illustrates the tent when viewed from one end looking down the major axis A-A. In this figure a doorway 8 can be seen, with the fabric immediately adjacent the doorway 8 supported by one of the secondary arches 6. As shown, preferably a semi-circular doorway 8 is provided with a zip fastener 9 extending around the perimeter to close the door. The door 8, when fully unzipped, can fold down flat like a draw bridge, hinging about an axis perpendicular to the major axis along the junction with the base. Preferably within the tent 1, a design is provided in this doorway to mimic the semi-circular door shape and create a disc. Preferably this disc incorporates a swirl pattern which is only visualized properly when the door 8 is open.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative tent 11 having a base 12 and three canopy supporting frame members (or arches) 13. The base 12 comprises an inflatable air chamber 20 which is shown more clearly in FIG. 5. In the same way as the first embodiment, the three arches 13 meet at a common point 14 on the base 12. This allows the arches 13 to pivot with respect to the base 12 so that they can fold together to collapse the structure. As can be seen in the figure, the tent 11 may incorporate a range of different materials to increase interest for a child.
In one envisaged arrangement, the fabric canopy 17 is integral with the base 12 and the arches 13 are formed from helically bound fibre reinforced epoxy rods. The arches 13 are sufficiently flexible to allow the structure to be folded up without first having to remove these rods. Erection of the structure consists of simply inflating the base 12 with a pump, the air pressure within the base 12 being enough to unfold and expand the structure, and then pull the fabric canopy 17 taut. It is possible to use conventional rods if preferred, however these have the disadvantage that they cannot be coiled up into a smaller size for storage and therefore would need to be removed to reduce the collapsed tent to a smaller size.
An alternative method of erection is illustrated using FIGS. 5 through to 8. In FIG. 5 an inflatable chamber 20 of approximately circular form is shown in the top of the figure. The base 22 of the tent 21 is shown in the bottom of the figure in an inverted configuration. To erect the tent 21, the air chamber is inflated to create an air mattress. This is then placed within the fabric envelope of the base 22 through the slot 28 to create the inflated base as shown in FIG. 6. The base 22 is then flipped over so that it is the correct way up as shown in FIG. 7. Around a portion of the perimeter of the base 22 are positioned releasable fasteners 29 in the form of Velcro® strips To erect the structure, the fabric canopy 27 is pulled from its collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 7 in a direction which is perpendicular to the plane of the arches 23 to cause the arches 23 to rotate about their free ends 25 located at the common points 24, and into the erected configuration illustrated in FIG. 8. The releasable fasteners 29 are then secured to corresponding portions of Velcro® on the fabric canopy 27 to hold it in position.
As shown in FIG. 8, the tent 21 may be provided with a doorway 28 which can be circular, triangular (see FIG. 9) or other shape.
FIG. 10 shows the tent 21 from the opposite side shown in FIG. 4. Access to the valve of the air chamber 20 is provided at 30. In this way it is possible to simply deflate the air chamber and fold the arches 23 together to fold up the tent 21 for storage

Claims

1. A tent comprising at least a frame and a canopy, said frame comprising a base member defining an outer periphery, and at least a pair of arch members spanning said base member, said base member being captive in said canopy, around a lower peripheral edge thereof, and said arch members being captive in said canopy over said base member said canopy being dimensioned so as to maintain tautness between said base member and said arches.

2. The tent of claim 1, wherein said base member comprises a resilient loop of spring material.

3. The tent as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said arch member extends from a first point on said base member, across said base member, to a second point on said base member opposite said first point.

4. The tent as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first points from which each of said arch members extend across said loop are close together.

5. The tent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second points to which said arch members extend are close together.

6. The tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the arch members diverge from each other in a V-shape.

7. The tent as claimed in claim 6, wherein said canopy is provided with a sleeve in its lower periphery for said base member.

8. The tent as claimed in claim 7, wherein said canopy is provided with sleeves for said arch members.

9. The tent as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tent is provided with a floor interior of said lower peripheral edge.

10. The tent as claimed in claim 9, wherein further arch members are provided, captive in said canopy, spaced from said arch members that diverge from one another in a U-shape.

11. The tent as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said arch member comprises a series of interconnected rod-like members that together form an arch-shaped member.

12. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base member comprises an inflatable floor panel.

13. The tent as claimed in claim 2, wherein said canopy includes one or more access doors.

14. The tent as claimed in claim 12, wherein said canopy includes one or more access doors.

15. A collapsible fabric structure in the form of a dome tent having a base frame member and at least two additional canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from points on the base frame member to support a fabric canopy of the tent, wherein the canopy supporting frame members each comprise a plurality of rods that are connected together and fed into means which locate the fabric to the frame members and force the frame members into an arcuate form, and wherein the base frame member comprises a resilient member in the form of a loop which extends around substantially the perimeter of the structure to expand the base upon release from a collapsed configuration.

16. The structure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rods of the canopy supporting frame members connect together and feed into sleeves, loops or pockets of the fabric structure.

17. The structure as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a coilable base frame member in the form of a fibre reinforced resin wire.

18. The structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein said fibre reinforced resin wire comprises an epoxy based wire, and wherein at least a surface layer of fibre is helically wound around the core of the wire.

19. The structure as claimed in claim 15, including additional arch or other frame members that are hinged to the base at positions between a central fold line and an end of the base.

20. A collapsible fabric structure in the form of a dome tent having at least two canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from common points on a base of the structure to support the fabric canopy of the tent, wherein the base comprises an air chamber.

21. A collapsible fabric structure in the form of a dome tent comprising a fabric canopy, at least two canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from common points on a base of the structure to support the fabric canopy of the tent and a base comprising an inflatable air chamber, wherein the canopy supporting frame members and the canopy are secured to the base by releasable connections so that the base can be separated from the frame members and canopy for storage purposes.