US2641776A - Bed tent - Google Patents

Description

une 16, 1953 Filed NOV. 2, 1949 A. v. JENSEN- BED TENT 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 16, 1953 v, JENSEN 2,641,776

BED TENT Filed Nov. 12, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I pglvrzggy June 16, 1953 A. v. JENSEN 2,641,776

BED TENT Filed Nov. 12, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 16, 1953 UNITED STA-res PATENT eFF-ice PPficati'on'Novemb'er 12,,

My-1 invention rel'ates -to:aicollapsiiole and port v able tent that is complete 'with'"spring amli:rnat-itress for accommodating oneor moreepersonsx Tentshave long beenine use-* as -one -type -of sleeping and: living [accommodations and. genera-la 1y they 'are used for 1 such only 'ona temporary basis:

Sportsmen, campers; tourists -and the 'like frequentl y carry tents withhthem: :not on'ly forithe savingsin. expense but" fo'r theconvenienceinzr10 being able 'to' put up :fo'rthe -night- "at: -select-ed places where other accommodations-mayvnot:be available; or *desirabla' Since tents are chiefly usedfor"'short" times-.i and frequently foron1? 'one night 1 stops *it "is 15 apparent that the ==lss=work imrolved' in tran'sporting, erecting and collapsing F them; the I more-- "satisfactory-they will bes There -are; however,

various types of*collapsibl and portable tents available but evenflwith these some additional conveniences for slepin'gi musti ib'e carried the tent aftertiti is erected} Also; most presentftype tents usually are prov-ided with-" a covering ofQ canvas or the like which is generallysatisfactory a's-protectionfrom rain, or-thc like; but if there is no rain, such tents greatly restrictth'e zmove ment of-"air within the tent; Also, .ifnotent is usedforoutwf dGor--sleeping =when:r the weathen'i' permits, the sleeperis frequently 'troubledi and disturbed 'by mosquitoes and the likes It "is ith'erefdre an obj e'ct of fmy- 'inventionr. to r' provide 1 a tent that icarr beeasily and quickly: extended or collapsed without'i'. requiring thee placement of any? loose v or? unattached-x. parts-s therefore and that whem extendedi is capablec ofsleeping oneor more persons;

Awfurth'er object of my" 'irivention is-'to provide a tent of the above -class that when collapsed is formed into a: compact portable unit that 'can conveniently be 'transported and that is -particu--- 40 larly dsigned and adapted to be carried on the tep of an automobile without i danger of the an: ter-ior theref bcomingflsoiled or disturbed be cause-of its position on the autemobil'a A still further ob'ject'of this device is' to"-prc=--= vide a collapsible, portable tent that can b'efitted with'a standard siz'e' spring and 7 mattress for sleepingone "or "more persons and "-whiclr-" -spring andmattressrenrrainimpositionwhether 'thetent, is extended:- or collapsed; there'b'y providing a 5O completmsleeping-umt including bed-""and 'shelter in -one compact unit? A still further 'objectpf this device istopro vide' a collapsible,-= portable--tent that is designedwith 'a screemcoveringtas well aicanvas cover==-- 1949; SriaI-NGLIZGISSSI (Cl. Set-113i 21-. ingor :the=.-likee so fthat :at times-"the canvas :coverrr mayj'be eremoved Eandetheetentriwilhstilli provides a screen covering-fonthe occupantsiasprotections against mosquitoes-opzthe -like."

Atstill further obj eet-is to provide-a beditent; that is -:capable offhaving astaut covering Tbbth); in :collapsed condition and: 3 extended. condition:

A; still further 7 object off myv invention: isi-"to 1' provide aubedvtent :zthat"ihassitsabedupartiheld Anspacedrelation to the-*supporting surface TSuChTl as'the-grounda A still further :object of any-invention is:to:pros vide a-ttentof the :above classes:thatisceconomidal' int-manufacture; efiicient: incus'e ands. durable ein construction: v

These I and: other. obj ects'swill' I he -apparent. those--.-skil1ed.in the art.-

My invention consistsfinfthe monstruction; an: rangemenigtand .com'binationzofsthe c-variousparts of: the-.-device;wherebythe :objects contemplated; are attained ashereinafter 'morerful'ly set forth: pointed out in my ctaims,-and illustrated in the accompanying drawingsf in which:-

Eig; l is a-fpersp-ectiverview-of-:this :tent as seen-11 from the erear; andtready foruuse;

Fig; 2 isravrearlendiviewof this tent shownwin s: v

Fig; 3 .is-astop view of thisstentiwith portions oi the .tentcover-inggzut away ,ltoimoreifully illuss' 0 trate the construction and.arrangementthereof;

Fig; 4-sissaasideeview ;of :the roller latch-taken onrthe-1ine. -,4- I:QtJFiggS Figs-5 issaereariendaviews 0f'-Z'.thiS.reteH1'l.211141001: lapsed-.iposition v Fig. I 6 rissa. perspectiveeview of this iterate-inn collapsed: position Ishownamountedcon lthertop of aniautomobile for transporting, and.

Fig.5 7 isca fragmentary, perspective, View. of the front of my, tent. ,withsanportion. of -.'the tent tcoveri-ngufolde'd cbackL-qto illustrate the arrange ment and position: of the screen-like. covering therefore. g I

Referring to the drawings I have usedthe numerals I0 and II to designate-two elongated ;fr'ame "bar members that are joined-"together in spaced; "relation" near -bi1t-*not at' their respective ends by the transverselyarranged frame-bar members I2 P and I3 respectively, and *this con stitutes the frame fdrmy-"tent? By 'securingthe: transverse b'ar members-= 1 2 f and I 3 inear: the 'end of thebars, I0 and l I; each end portion: of thebars I 0 and I I extends outwardlynfrom"-the 'bars' I 2 and" I 3 respectively to form the projections -:I 4-,"

I55 I6-and I7 respectively; ascsshown; irriFigg: 1 and: Fig." 32 Therframejshprizontally positioned and supported by a collapsible leg member H3 at each of the four corners thereof. A. knee brace I3 is provided for each leg member l8, as shown in Fig. 2 and each leg can be collapsed or extended in the same manner as the well known card table legs.

Rotatably arranged adjacent the outside length of the fram bar I I i the elongated roller member that is provided on its rear end with the projecting rectangular shaft 2 I. A crank handle member 22 is secured to the end of the shaft 2! for manually rotating the roller 29 and the notched latch member 23 shown in Fig. 4 is pivotally secured to the outside of the transverse frame bar 13 so that the notch thereon can embrace the shaft 2! at times to prevent the rotation of the roller 20 as shown in Fig. l and Fig. 3.

The numerals 24 and 25 respectively designate two support rods of substantially the same length that are each pivotally secured at one end to the outside end portions respectively of the rear transverse frame bar I3, as shown in Fig. 2. A knee brace 26 attached at its respective ends to the frame bar !3 and support rod 25 permits the rod 25 to be collapsed as will later be described and also maintains it in substantially vertical position at times. The numeral 2! designates an elongated support rod that is bent slightl at its center ortion and which is longer than the rods 24 and 25. The rod 21 is pivotally secured at one end to the frame bar !3 and is provided with the knee brace 28, as shown in 2. When the rod 21 is raised so that the brace 28 is locked in extended position, the free end of the support rod 2! will be at a point above and substantially midway between the frame bars 18 and I I. The numeral 29 designates an elongated bar brace member that is pivotally secured at one end to the rod 24 and similarly secured at its other end to the rod 2'! below the bend. therein. as shown in Fig. 2. The rods and braces 24-29 inclusive just described for the rear end of my tent have corresponding duplicate members similarly secured as described and arranged on the front frame bar l2 opposite each other. Like numbers have been given to like rods and braces on the front and rear of this device to more clearly explain the operation thereof in the explanation which appears later herein.

The numerals 30, 3| and 32 respectively designate horizontal support rods secured res ectively to the free ends of each pair of rods 24, 2! and 25, as shown in Fig. 3. The numerals 33 and 34 designate a screen cover and canvas cover respectively which are arranged one over the other with the screen 33 on the bottom. At one end the screen and cover are secured to the roller 29 and can be rolled thereon or extended by rotation of the crank 22. The free ends respectively of the screen and cover are detachably secured to the outside of the frame bar In by any -suitable means such as the snaps 35 and the body of both the screen and canvas cover is positioned over the tent structure, braces and rods heretofore described as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5. The edge of the canvas cover 3 which forms the front of this tent is provided with the flap 35.

The numeral 3? designates a section of canvas or the like secured to the cover 34. in such a manner that when the tent is extended the portion 3'! will form a front wall portion, as shown section3'l. This is not new and consists of a .strates this tent in collapsed position.

screen portion having an outside flap covering that is well known in the art.

The numeral 39 designates an elastic cord secured at its respective ends to the frame bars I6 and H and slidably connected along its length to the top of the canvas front wall portion 31. This is accomplished by folding a portion of the to longitudinal edge of th front wall section 31 back onto itself and stitching it so that a pas sageway is formed along the edge through which the cord 39 passes. This serves to support the front wall 31 when the tent is erected as will later be described in detail. A similar cord 4% is secured to the frame bars [4 and IE5 at the rear portion thereof. The cords 39 and 40 are positioned to pass over the horizontal rods Bil-2 but under the screen 33.

A steel bed spring 4! may be secured to the frame bars I043 in any suitable manner as illustrated in Fig. 3. The spring 4!, if desired, may have a cover 42 over which is placed a mattress 43 to provide comfortable sleeping accommodations for one or two persons.

Between the projections 16 and ll there is .secured a. narrow floor portion 44 which is outside of the tent wall 31 when the tent is erected. as shown in Fig. '7. The numeral 45 designates a base board member secured to the front end of the floor 45 and extending upwardly at right angles therefrom. This base board has a plurality of spaced apart snaps 46 to which th flap 35 can be secured at times.

The numeral 47 designates the top portion of an automobile body, as shown in Fig. 6, which illustrates the convenient manner in which my tent can be detachably secured, thereto by any suitable means such as the straps and hooks 48.

When thus constructed and arranged this tent can be used in the following manner: Fig. 5 illusit is only the legs, support rods, braces, screen and canvas covering that is collapsed. The fram of the tent, the bed spring, mattress and any bedding used remain in their normal ready for use position whether the tent is extended or collapsed.

To erect the tent after a suitable site has been chosen the legs l8 are opened and the respective knee braces are locked the same as for card table legs. The latch 23 is manually raised so it will be free of the shaft 2| and thus permit the screen 33 and canvas 34 to freely unwind from the roller 23. The long center support rods 2'! are. then manually raised until the knee braces 28 can be locked into place. At the same time the support rods 24 can be raised and the braces 23 will hold the rods 24 in substantially vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2. The rods 25 are manually raised and held in vertical position by the knee braces 25. Naturally as the rods 22, 24 and 25 are raised their respective horizontal rod members 3|, 30 and 32 will engage the screen 33. The screen, and canvas 34 over it, will be unrolled from the roller 20 until the horizontal rods 38-32 are in place to form a wall tent, as shown in Fig. l.

As this tent is erected the elastic cords 39 and 40 will be raised by the bars 30-32. The cord 39 will supplement the support for the front tent wall 3'! and the cord 40 will act as additional support for the rear end portion of the screen and canvas covers. When the supporting rods and braces have been extended to provide the roof support for this tent the crank 2Z'can be rotated to remove any slack in the screen or However,

c ug-re canvas cover. that nowconstitutes': the tentv oof- Once thereof istaut the'latch' 2% is :dropped into place over the. shaft 2l :and the tent is ready for use. As statedpreviously, the sleeping accommodaidons are ready for occupancy immediately and no. unnecessary Workzzor equipment is required for that purpose.

.The windowidfl can be openor closed by means of the fiapzcovering asis desired.

- Anothernovelr featureeof. this tent the removable screen and canvas covers. Should'the weather be clear but freedom'from mosquitoes or'otherzmsectswdesired; it is :only necessary'to unsnap the. canvas '34 from the snaps along the iframe bar either: partially, .as shown in Fig. "7, orcompletely byzpulling it over the tent and laying. it .by the roller 20. This will provide a maximum of free air within' a screen enclosure. However, even the screen. cover 33 canihe unsnapped if desired while the tent'occupant isprovided =witha1comfortable bed raised off theground.

To: collapse the-tent the various knee braces are merely unlocked to: permit the roof supporting structuresto return toi the position 1 shown in Fig.5. .As this occursthe .latch 23. can be elevated. and the crank. 22. rotated toup the-slack in thescreenand canvas. The latch 23 isithen replaced toprevent any accidental movement of the roller2fl.

. As' the tent is collapsed it is obvious that there will be an overhang .oithefscreen and canvas toward the front .and back thereof. To. handle this I have provided .the tprojections t l-IL At thefrontof" the tent the'fiooridd is between the projections l6 and i'l', asmshownin Fig. 3. It

is: .on this/floor that the overhang of'the screen and canvas roof coveringrat the'front: of the tent will pile upwhen the tent is collapsed. The. flap 36 is then. extended over the'baseboard-lfiiland securedto the snaps uas shown in 6. By this-arrangement the flap v3ii ;and 'floor Mt'provide acovering for the frontiof thisii-tent'iwhen mounted on an automobile or: the like andtthereby protects the tent from fluttering in the-"wind and also protects the bedding and tent-interior from dust, 'dirt,rai'n or the like.

At-the rear of the tentgwhensit is. collapsed, the overhang: of the roof--=covering will restcbetween the'prcjections Mend it? and thus all portions of this tent are withinitsframe' portions when it isbeingtransportedorstored.

Some changes may be made in'the construction and arrangement of my bed tent without-"departing from; the real spirit "and purposeaof imy invention; and it is myuintention-to cover by my claims, any modified forms of .structure'orxuse of mechanical equivalents which may be reason' ablyin'cluded withintheir scope.

=I claim:

1. ma cot-tent device having a frame member comprising two sides, a front and rearyout- 'wardly extending projections 0n the front arid rear respectively of "said frame membenfmeans providing a sleeping surface on said frame memher and a cover member'detachably secured to H1 land :withdraw the canvas said frame member, a collapsible means for ele- 6' respective frontandfrear. frame'portions atza point between the ends. thereof, collapsible means for holding said elongated support "rods in :upright position'at: times, a connecting support member extending between: the free ends of said elongated support rods, a connecting support member between the free endsof each oppositely disposed first mentioned support rods, said device constructed so that when saidcover supporting structure is extended to'its operable condition said cover member will extend over all of said connecting support members with the support member on: said elongated support rods extending longitudinally ofv the center of" the tent and forming-the apex of. the roof, and-said device when collapsed-adapted so that portions of the cover canextend'over. and be secured' to said projections on the frame member whereby.

the'device can be protected from the elements when being stored oiwtransported.

"2. In a collapsiblecot-tent device, a horizontal rectangular 'frame member' supported on a plurality of collapsible legs, each end of' two parallel'sides of said frame member havingoutwardl'y extending projections, a floor member secured to said frame and. extending to the ends of and between said'projections, a roller member rotatably secured to one'side of said frame, a means to facilitate the manual rotation .of said roller member, a cover .member'wound about said roller memberandadapted to be unwound therefrom so that one end thereof can bedetachably secured to the opposite side ofasaid frame member, a'collapsible means, for: elevating said cover member and supporting itias'a. tent roof comcured at one 'end to the'other corners of the frame mem-berat the rear andzfront thereof, a second supportmember secured to the free endscof' said secondzs'et; of. support rods, 2.. third set of supportrodsgeach-bent-at the .center and each longer than cured of said: first-two mentioi'md sets, oppositely disposed respectively on the rear :and front-portions of said frame. member ata point intermediate its ends and pivotally securedtheretmxa secondsetof knee braces respectively'connecting each. of said third'sets of support rods :to therespective rear and front portionsof said frame member, a pair oirod braces respectivelypivotallysecured-at each end respectively to said second and third sets of support rods, athird supportmember secured to the free .-.ends of :said'third set of support rods, an elastic cordarranged in the front andrear edgesof said cover member. and extending transversely=over said third support member, said device constructed so that when said cover supporting structure is I extended to its operable condition saidcover 'member will extend over allthree .oisaid support members with. the support member on said third set of support rods extending longitudinally of the center .of the tent. and forming the apex of the roof, and said elastic cords providing an additional means for holding the cover taut, and said device when collapsed adapted sothatportions of the cover can extend. overand be secured to said projections of the frame whereby the device can be protected from the elements when being stored or transported.

3. In a collapsible cot-tent device, a horizontal rectangular frame member supported on a plurality of collapsible legs, a roller member rotatably secured to one side of said frame, a means to facilitate the manual rotation of said roller member, a cover member wound about said roller member and adapted to be unwound therefrom so that one ehd thereof can be detachably secured to the opposite side of said frame member, a collapsible means for elevating said cover member and supporting as a tent roof comprising, two support rods, one of said rods pivotally secured at one end to a rear corner of said frame member and the other rod pivotally secured at one end to a front corner of said frame member, a knee brace connecting each of said support rods to the respective rear and front portions of said frame member, a support member secured to they free ends of said support rods, a second set of support rods pivotally secured at one end to the other corners of the frame member at the rear and front thereof, a second support member secured to the free ends of said second set of support rods, a third set of support rods, each bent at the center and each longer than a rod of said first two mentioned sets, oppositely disposed respectively on the rear and front portions of said frame member at a point intermediate its ends and pivotally secured thereto, a second set of knee braces respectively connecting each of said third sets of support rods to the respective rear and front frame member portions,

a pair of rod braces respectively pivotally secured at each end respectively to said second and third sets of support rods, a third support member secured to the free ends of said third set of support rods; said device constructed so that when said cover supporting structure is extended to its operable condition said cover member will extend over all three of said support members with the support member on said third set of support rods extending longitudinally of the center of the tent and forming the apex of the roof.

4. In a cot-tent device having a rectangular frame member provided with a sleeping surface and a cover secured to said frame member, a collapsible means for elevating said cover member and supporting it as a tent roof comprising, two support rods, one of said rods pivotally secured at one end to a rear corner of said frame member and the other rod pivotally secured at one end to a front corner of said frame member, a knee brace connecting each of said support rods to the respective rear and front portions of said frame member, a support member secured to the free ends of said support rods, a second set of support rods pivotally secured at one end to the other corners of the frame member at the rear and front thereof, a second support member secured to the free ends of said second set of support rods, a third set of support rods, each bent at the center and each longer than a rod of said first two mentioned sets, oppositely disposed respectively, on the rear and front portions of said frame member at a point intermediate its ends and pivotally secured thereto, a second set of knee braces respectively connecting each of said third sets of support rods to the respective rear and front frame member portions, a pair of rod braces respectively pivotally secured at each end respectively to said second and third sets of support rods, a third. support member secured to the free ends of said third set of support rods, an elastic cord arranged in the front and rear edges of said cover member and extending transversely over said third support member; said device constructed so that when said cover supporting structure is extended to its operable condition said cover member will extend over all three of said support members with the support member on said third set of support rods extending longitudinally of the center of the tent and forming the apex of the roof, and said elastic cords providing an additional means for holding the cover taut, and said device when collapsed adapted so that portions of the cover can extend over the front and rear of said frame and be secured thereto whereby the device can be protected from the elements when being stored or transported.

5. In a cot-tent device having a rectangular frame member provided with a sleeping surface and a cover secured to said frame member, a collapsible means for elevating said cover member and supporting it as a tent roof comprising, two support rods, one of said rods pivotally secured at one end to a rear corner of said frame member and the other rod pivotally secured at one end to a front corner of said frame member, a knee brace connecting each of said support rods to the respective rear and front portions of said frame member, a support member secured to the free ends of said support rods, a second set of support rods pivotally secured at one end to the other corners of the frame member at the rear and front thereof, a second support member secured to the free ends of said second set of support rods, a third set of support rods, each bent at the center and each longer than a rod of said first two mentioned sets, oppositely disposed respectively, on the rear and front portions of said frame member at a point intermediate its ends and pivotally secured thereto, a second set of knee braces respectively connecting each of said third sets of support rods to the respective rear and front portions of said frame member, a pair of rod braces respectively pivotally secured at each end respectively to said second and third sets of support rods, a third support member secured to the free ends of said third set of support rods; said device constructed so that when said cover supporting structure is extended to its operable condition said cover member will extend over all three of said support rods extending longitudinally of the center of the tent and forming the apex of the roof.

6. In a cot-tent device, a rectangular frame member provided with a sleeping surface, a cover secured to said frame, each end of two parallel sides of said frame member having outwardly extending projections, a collapsible means for elevating said cover member and supporting it as a tent roof comprising, two support rods, one of said rods pivotally secured at one end to a rear corner. of said frame member and the other rod pivotally secured at one end to a front corner of said frame member, a knee brace connecting each of said support rods to the respective rear and front portions of said frame member, a support member secured to the free ends of said support rods, a second set of support rods pivotally secured at one end to the other corners of the frame member at the rear and front thereof, a second support member secured to the free ends of said second set of support rods, a third set of support rods, each bent at the center and each longer than a rod of said first two mentioned sets, oppositely disposed respectively, on the rear and front portions of said frame member at a point intermediate its ends and pivotally secured thereto, a second set of knee braces respectively connecting each of said third sets of support rods to the respective rear and front portions of said frame member, a pair of rod braces respectively pivotally secured at each end respectively to said second and third sets of support rods, a third support member secured to the free ends of said third set of support rods; said device constructed so that when said cover supporting structure is extended to its operable 7,

condition said covermember will extend over all three of said support members with the support member on said third set of support rods extending longitudinally of the center of the tent and forming the apex of the roof, and said device when collapsed adapted so that portions of the cover can extend over and be secured to said projections of the frame whereby the device can be protected from the elements when being stored or transported.

7. In a cot-tent device having a frame member comprising two sides, a front and rear outwardly projecting portion on the front and rear respectively of said frame member, means providing a sleeping surface on said frame member and a cover member detachably secured to said frame port rod pivotally secured at one end to each corner of said frame member, collapsible means for holding each of said support rods in vertical position at times, a pair of elongated support rods oppositely disposed on the front and rear the cover taut, and said device when collapsed adapted so that portions of the cover can extend over and be secured to said projections on the frame member whereby the device can be protected from the elements when being stored or transported.

. providing a sleeping surface on said frame memof said frame; each said elongated support rod pivotally secured at one end to a respective front and rear frame portion at a point between the ends thereof, collapsible means for holding said elongated support rods in upright position at times, a connecting support member extending between the free ends of said elongated support rods, a connecting support member between the free ends of each oppositely disposed first mentioned support rods, an elastic cord arranged in the front and rear edges of said cover and extending transversely over said connecting support member on the elongated support rodsg-said device constructed so that when said cover supporting structure is extended to its operable condition said cover member will extend over all of said connecting support members with the support member on said elongated support rods extending longitudinally of the center of the tent and forming the apex of the roof, and said elastic cord providing an additional means for holding ber and a cover member detachably secured to said frame member, a collapsible means for elevating and supporting said cover member comprising, a support rod pivotally secured at one end to each corner of said frame member, collapsible means for holding each of said support rods in vertical position at times, a pair of elongated support rods oppositely disposed on the front and rear of said frame; each said elongated support rod pivotally secured at one end to a respective front and rear frame portion at a point between the ends thereof, collapsible means for holding said elongated support rods in upright position at times, a connecting support member extending between the free ends of said elongated support rods, a connecting support member between the free ends of each oppositely disposed first mentioned support rods, an elastic cord arranged in the front and rear edges of said cover and extending transversely over said connecting support member on the elongated support rods, said device constructed so that when said cover supporting structure is extended to its operable condition said cover member will extend over all of said connecting support members with the -support member on said elongated support rods extending longitudinally of the center of the tent and forming the apex of the roof, and said elastic cord providing an additional means for holding the cover taut.

ADOLPH V. JENSEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 785,872 Gleason Mar. 28, 1905 979,037 Searle Dec. 20, 1910 1,321,352 Anderson Nov. 11, 1919 1,335,456 Nelson Mar. 30, 1920 1,433,457 Hunter Oct. 24, 1922 1,559,211 Wingate Oct. 27, 1925 1,569,772 Mayne Jan. 12, 1926 1,707,270 Lichtenberg Apr. 2, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 244,230 Germany Mar. 5, 1912

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