US20060102216A1

US20060102216A1 - Hunter tent

Info

Publication number: US20060102216A1
Application number: US10/896,957
Authority: US
Inventors: Ching-Chuan You
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2004-07-23
Publication date: 2006-05-18

Abstract

A hunter tent comprises a dome roof comprising flaps formed therearound, coupling mechanisms along a lower edge, an upright shank, and a folding radial frame; a wall comprising loops formed along its upper edge, mated coupling mechanisms each formed on an upper edge of the loop, each mated coupling mechanism being adapted to releasably couple to the corresponding coupling mechanism for coupling the wall and the dome together, and pegs driven through peg loops along a lower edge of the wall into the ground for fastening wherein the wall is an elongated piece after being extended so as to form a first edge at one end and a second edge at the other end, the edges being operatively coupled together; and a fastening bar comprising holding means at its head for retaining the shank in place, and a threaded end fastened at a tree.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to tents and more particularly to a hunter tent having a fastening bar fastened in the trunk of a tree and other improved characteristics.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, there is a type of hunter tent (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,707) commercially available. It is specifically designed for hunter. As seen from the drawing thereof, the tent has a canopy fastened in the trunk of a tree so that a hunter can stand under the tent for protection against the sun.
However, the prior art suffered from a couple of disadvantages. For example, there is no arrangement for the protection of the hunter body (i.e., the position of the hunter standing under the tent is open to the outside). Usually, the hunter stands under the tent for watching and waiting the coming of animals. This is laborious. Moreover, the tent cannot provide the protection against the strong wind and/or rain. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hunter tent comprising a dome shaped roof comprising a plurality of flaps formed therearound, a plurality of coupling mechanisms each provided along a lower edge of the flap, an upright shank extended downwardly from a center of the roof, and a folding radial frame having a plurality of ribs and stretchers extended outwardly from an upper portion of the shank; a wall comprising a plurality of substantially triangular loops formed along its upper edge, a plurality of mated coupling mechanisms each formed on an upper edge of the loop, each mated coupling mechanism being adapted to releasably couple to the corresponding coupling mechanism for coupling the wall and the dome together, and a plurality of pegs driven through a plurality of peg loops along a lower edge of the wall into the ground for fastening wherein the wall is an elongated piece after being extended so as to form a first edge at one end and a second edge at the other end, the second edge being adapted to releasably couple to the first edge; and a fastening bar comprising holding means at its head for retaining a lower portion of the shank in place, and fastening means at its tail fastened at a trunk of a tree. By utilizing this hunter tent, the hunter may observe outside activities through the opening of the loop. Also, the hunter can hide in the tent seclusively without worrying of bothering animals. Further, the tent can provide the protection against the strong wind, the sun, and/or the rain. Furthermore, the components are detachable and thus are easy of carrying.
In one aspect of the present invention, the shank comprises a lower, transverse first hole, the holding means is a flattened, circular head including a plurality of recesses formed around a periphery thereof and a plurality of transverse second holes formed around a center thereof, each second hole being in communication with the recess, the fastening means is a pointed, threaded end adapted to insert through a joining portion of the first and the second edges into the trunk of the tree for fastening, and the fastening bar further comprises a stud adapted to insert through one of the second holes and the first hole for fastening the lower portion of the shank inserted in the recess.
In another aspect of the present invention, the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of tabs and the mated coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of apertures each for securing to the corresponding tab by snapping, the coupling mechanism and the mated coupling mechanism are formed as a Velcro fastener, the coupling mechanism and the mated coupling mechanism are formed as a zipper, or the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of buttonholes and the mated coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of buttons each being adapted to put through the buttonhole for securing together.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the first edge has a plurality of first ropes formed therealong and the second edge has a plurality of second ropes formed therealong such that untying one or more pairs of the ropes will form an opening as a door of the tent.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of hunter tent according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention being fastened at the trunk of a tree;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tent of FIG. 1 in an open position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing some components of the tent of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view in part section of the tent of FIG. 1 fastened at the trunk;
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are perspective views showing four configurations of a mechanism for coupling roof and wall together;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of hunter tent according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of hunter tent according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of hunter tent according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of hunter tent according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown a hunter tent constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The tent comprises a roof 10, a wall 20, and a fastening bar 30. All components are separately produced and are adapted to assemble together as detailed below. The roof 10 is shaped as a dome and comprises a plurality of flaps 11 formed therearound and a plurality of coupling mechanisms 12 each provided along a lower edge of the flap 11.
The wall 20 is formed around the lower edge of the roof 10 and extended downwardly therefrom. A plurality of substantially triangular loops 22 are formed along an upper edge of the wall 20. Each of a plurality of mated coupling mechanisms 21 is formed along an upper edge of the loop 22. Each mated coupling mechanism 21 is adapted to releasably couple to the corresponding coupling mechanism 12 as detailed later. The wall 20 is an elongated piece after being extended in which either end is formed as a first edge 23 or a second edge 24. A plurality of pairs of first rope 230 and second rope 240 are formed along the edges 23 and 24 respectively. An opening 200 is formed between and defined by the edges 23 and 24 when several pairs of first rope 230 and second rope 240 (e.g., the pairs of ropes 230 and 240 other than two upper ones shown in FIG. 2) are not tied together. Moreover, a plurality of pegs 25 are driven through a plurality of peg loops along a lower edge of the wall 20 into the ground for fastening.
An upright shank 13 is extended downwardly from a center of the roof 10. A plurality of radial ribs and stretchers 14 similar to that of an umbrella are extended outwardly from an upper portion of the shank 13. A user may fold or unfold the ribs and stretchers 14 for use or storage in a manner substantially the same as opening or closing an umbrella. Thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted herein since it is not the subject of the invention. A transverse hole 130 is provided on a lower portion of the shank 13. A fastening bar 30, similar to an enlarged nail, comprises a pointed, threaded end 33, a flattened, circular head 31, a plurality of (four are shown) recesses 310 formed around a periphery of the head 31, a plurality of (four are shown) transverse holes 311 formed around a center of the head 31, each transverse hole 311 being in communication with a bottom of the recess 310, and a stud 32 adapted to insert through one of the transverse holes 311 and the transverse hole 130 for fastening the shank 13 inserted in the recess 310. The pointed, threaded end 311 is adapted to insert through a joining portion of the edges 23 and 24 into a trunk A of a tree for fastening (i.e., the tent fastened).
Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 in conjunction with FIG. 5, four configurations of the coupling mechanism 12 and the mated coupling mechanism 21 are detailed below. As shown in FIG. 5, the coupling mechanism 12 and the mated coupling mechanism 21 are implemented as a snap coupling arrangement in which the coupling mechanism 12 comprises two tabs 120 and the mated coupling mechanism 21 comprises two apertures 210 each for releasably securing to the corresponding tab 120 by snapping. As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling mechanism 12 and the mated coupling mechanism 21 are implemented as a Velcro (Velcro i.e. a trademark for a nylon material made with both a surface of tiny hooks and a complementary surface of an adhesive pile, used, as in garments, in matching strips that can be pressed together or pulled apart for easy fastening and unfastening) type fastener in which the coupling mechanism 12 comprises a surface 121 of tiny hooks and the mated coupling mechanism 21 comprises a complementary surface 211 of an adhesive pile for releasably securing to the corresponding surface 121 by pressing together. As shown in FIG. 7, the coupling mechanism 12 and the mated coupling mechanism 21 are implemented as a zipper having a half portion 122 formed on the lower edge of the tent and the other half portion 212 formed on the upper edge of the wall 20. As such, a user may pull a head 213 of the zipper to couple the roof 10 and the wall 20 together or disconnect them. As shown in FIG. 8, the coupling mechanism 12 and the mated coupling mechanism 21 are implemented as a button and buttonhole arrangement in which the coupling mechanism 12 comprises two buttonholes 123 and the mated coupling mechanism 21 comprises two buttons 213 each being adapted to put through the buttonhole 123 for releasably securing together.
Assembly of the tent will be described in detailed below. Insert the pointed, threaded end 311 of the fastening bar 30 into the trunk A of a tree. Next, open the flaps 11 to put the roof 10 around the trunk A (i.e., the trunk A penetrates the flaps 11 upwardly). Insert the shank 13 in the recess 310. Insert the stud 32 through one of the transverse holes 311 and the transverse hole 130 for fastening the shank 13. Next, attach the wall 20 to the roof 10 by coupling the mated coupling mechanisms 21 to the coupling mechanisms 12 with the edges 23 and 24 put around the trunk A. Next, tie the pairs of ropes 230 and 240 together with the pointed, threaded end 311 of the fastening bar 30 penetrated the joining portion of the edges 23 and 24. Finally, drive the pegs 25 through the peg loops along the lower edge of the wall 20 into the ground for fastening.
The opening 200 is served as a door of the tent. That is, a hunter may untie several pairs of ropes 230 and 240 for opening the opening 200 as a door. Also, the hunter may observe outside activities through the opening of the loop 22 (i.e., window). Also, the hunter can hide in the tent seclusively without worrying of bothering animals. Further, the tent can provide the protection against the strong wind, the sun, and/or the rain.
Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a hunter tent constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention. The second preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed below. The plurality of pairs of ropes 230 and 240 are replaced by a plurality of tabs 241 and a plurality of apertures 231 each for releasably securing to the corresponding tab 241 by snapping.
Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a hunter tent constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention. The third preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are detailed below. The plurality of pairs of ropes 230 and 240 are replaced by a Velcro type fastener comprising a surface 232 of tiny hooks and a complementary surface 242 of an adhesive pile for releasably securing to the corresponding surface 232 by pressing together.
Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a hunter tent constructed in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention. The fourth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the fourth preferred embodiment are detailed below. The plurality of pairs of ropes 230 and 240 are replaced by a button and buttonhole arrangement in which a plurality of buttonholes 233 are formed along the first edge 23 and a plurality of buttons 243 are formed along the second edge 24, each button 243 being adapted to put through the buttonhole 233 for releasably securing together.
Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a hunter tent constructed in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. The fifth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the fifth preferred embodiment are detailed below. The plurality of pairs of ropes 230 and 240 are replaced by two zippers having a half portion 244 formed along the second edge 24 and the other half portion 234 formed along the first edge 23. As such, a user may pull a head 235 of one zipper and pull a head 236 of the other zipper toward each other for closing the door or away from each other for opening the door.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A hunter tent comprising:

a dome shaped roof comprising a plurality of flaps formed therearound, a plurality of coupling mechanisms each provided along a lower edge of the flap, an upright shank extended downwardly from a center of the roof, and a folding radial frame having a plurality of ribs and stretchers extended outwardly from an upper portion of the shank;

a wall comprising a plurality of mated coupling mechanisms formed along an upper edge, each mated coupling mechanism being adapted to releasably couple to the corresponding coupling mechanism for coupling the wall and the dome together, and a plurality of pegs driven through a plurality of peg loops along a lower edge of the wall into the ground for fastening wherein the wall is an elongated piece after being extended so as to form a first edge at one end and a second edge at the other end, the second edge being adapted to releasably couple to the first edge; and

a fastening bar comprising holding means at its head for retaining a lower portion of the shank in place, and fastening means at its tail fastened at a trunk of a tree.

2. The hunter tent of claim 1, wherein the shank comprises a lower, transverse first hole, the holding means is a flattened, circular head including a plurality of recesses formed around a periphery thereof and a plurality of transverse second holes formed around a center thereof, each second hole being in communication with the recess, the fastening means is a pointed, threaded end adapted to insert through a joining portion of the first and the second edges into the trunk of the tree for fastening, and the fastening bar further comprises a stud adapted to insert through one of the second holes and the first hole for fastening the lower portion of the shank inserted in the recess.

3. The hunter tent of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of tabs and the mated coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of apertures each for securing to the corresponding tab by snapping.

4. The hunter tent of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism and the mated coupling mechanism are formed as a male and female strip fastener.

5. The hunter tent of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism and the mated coupling mechanism are formed as a zipper.

6. The hunter tent of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of buttonholes and the mated coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of buttons each being adapted to put through the buttonhole for securing together.

7. The hunter tent of claim 1, wherein the wall further comprises a plurality of loops formed along its upper edge with the mated coupling mechanisms formed thereon.

8. The hunter tent of claim 1, wherein the first edge comprises a plurality of first ropes formed therealong and the second edge comprises a plurality of second ropes formed therealong such that untying one or more pairs of the ropes will form an opening as a door of the hunter tent.

9. The hunter tent of claim 1, further comprising coupling means formed on the first edge and mated coupling means formed on the second edge, the mated coupling means being operatively coupled to the coupling means.

10. The hunter tent of claim 9, wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of tabs and the mated coupling means comprises a plurality of apertures each for securing to the corresponding tab by snapping.

11. The hunter tent of claim 9, wherein the coupling means and the mated coupling means are formed as a male and female strip fastener.

12. The hunter tent of claim 9, wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of buttonholes and the mated coupling means comprises a plurality of buttons each being adapted to put through the buttonhole for securing together.

13. The hunter tent of claim 9, wherein the coupling means and the mated coupling means are formed as a zipper such that pulling a head of one end of the zipper and pulling a head of the other end of the zipper either toward each other will couple the first and the second edges together or away from each other will disconnect the first edge from the second edge.