US3844300A

US3844300A - Tent and enclosure therefor

Info

Publication number: US3844300A
Application number: US00294148A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Sanders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-10-19
Filing date: 1972-10-19
Publication date: 1974-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-29

Abstract

A tent is described that can be readily folded and unfolded within a comparatively short time while mounted on a cartop and, when unfolded, provides a rigid platform that is, for example, 7 feet long and 5 feet wide and, when folded, forms a package about 4 feet wide, 5 feet long and less than 8 inches thick, making it extremely useful in combination with compact automobiles. The platform is made of a relatively wide panel with two narrower panels hinged on opposite sides of the wider panel so that the narrow panels fold from a position over the middle panel to a position planer therewith. A suitably shaped tent is disposed over the extended platform with the lower edge of the tent secured to the extended platform. Vertical stiffening ribs are provided to support the vertical sides and are fixed to the sides of the tent, while removable horizontal ribs are provided to support the top. The two narrower side panels are made so that when they are folded over the middle panel providing space to store a stepladder. The panels are provided with suitable flanges and a cover plate is provided that is hinged to one side panel to produce a compact, watertight enclosure when the tent is in a folded position.

Description

States atent n 1 finite 15' Sanders 51 Oct. 29, 1974 1 1 TENT AND ENCLOSURE THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Richard R. Sanders, 20248 Stagg St., Conoga Park, Calif. 91306 [22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 294,148

[52] U.S. Cl 135/4 A [51] Int. Cl. A45f 01/00 [58] Field of Search 135/1 A, 4 A; 224/421 E; 296/23 R; 220/6, 29, 7, 30, 32; 190/1, 2, 11,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,182,869 5/1916 Willis et a1 16/191 1,893,752 l/1933 Deen 190/1 2,364,521 12/1944 Fairfax 182/93 2,658,212 11/1953 Green 135/4 A 2,917,059 12/1959 Emanuelson 135/1 A 3,018,782 l/l962 Hershberger 135/1 A 3,288,521 11/1966 Patriode 296/23 R 3,362,745 1/1968 Flajole 296/23 R 3,623,762 11/1971 Fagan 135/1 A Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney, Agent, or Firml(larquist, Sparkman, Campbell, Leigh, Hall & Whinston [57] ABSTRACT A tent is described that can be readily folded and unfolded within a comparatively short time while mounted on a cartop and, when unfolded, provides a rigid platform that is. for example, 7 feet long and 5 feet wide and, when folded, forms a package about 4 feet wide, 5 feet long and less .than 8 inches thick, making it extremely useful in combination with compact automobiles. The platform is made of a relatively wide panel with two narrower panels hinged on opposite sides of the wider panel so that the narrow panels fold from a position over the middle panel to a position planer therewith. A suitably shaped tent is disposed over the extended platform with the lower edge of the tent secured to the extended platform. Vertical stiffening ribs are provided to support the vertical sides and are fixed to the sides of the tent, while removable horizontal ribs are provided to support the top. The two narrower side panels are made so that when they are folded over the middle panel providing space to store a stepladder. The panels are provided with suitable flanges and a cover plate is provided that is hinged to one side panel to produce a compact, watertight enclosure when the tent is in a folded position.

3 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEMCI 29 um saw u m TENT AND ENCLOSURE THEREFOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a canvas tent and more particularly to a canvas tent having permanent stiffeners and a foldable platform for use, for example, on automobile tops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most popular tents, up to now, have canvas bottoms sewn to canvas covers and the stiffeners, or tent poles are detachable. Therefore, one would unfold the tent at a campsite, putting the canvas top lying on the canvas bottom. The tent poles are erected to form a frame over the collapsed tent. The tent is then lifted and hooked to the frame. One can see that this type of tent requires a fairly level site. There are times when a level site is not available, or not practical; for example, when one would like to erect a tent over an automobile. In this case, a platform is made that is of a required size and secured on top of the automobile. The tent would not need a canvas bottom, since the platform is substituted for the canvas bottom. The canvas top and sides, and more particularly the sides, are secured to the platform. The frame to support the tent is erected either within the tent or outside the tent. This arrangement has a few disadvantages. For example, the platform should be of sufficient size to allow a couple of people, or at least one, to stretch out and sleep. This demands that about 7 feet of length be provided, and if two people are to use the tent, the width should be about 60 inches. One can see that a 7 by foot platform would extend over the sides of an automobile, and if it is put on a compact automobile, it would extend even further, producing degrading aerodynamic effects when the automobile is traveling with the tent folded on top.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this Invention is to provide a tent mounted on a rigid platform wherein the platform is foldable.

Another object is to provide a tent wherein the frame is substantially built into the fabric.

Another object is to provide a tent wherein the butting edges on the canvas are not permanently fixed together.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple, lightweight, economical tent to be used on an automobile top.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tent wherein the frame is employed to hold the butting canvas edges together.

Another object of this invention is to provide a foldable structure that unfolds into a tent and having a ladder as a substantially integral part of the structure.

These and other objects and features of advantage will become more apparent after studying the following description of the preferred embodiment together with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a scaled down view of the novel tent unfolded on top of a compact automobile.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the tent of FIG. 1, with portions broken away to show the interior thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a pattern of a canvas top and sides for the tent.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of the platform with the canvas removed.

FIG. 9 is an elevation of the platform shown in FIG. 8, as viewed from the rear of FIG. I.

FIG. 10 is a novel tent and platform folded with the platform forming the enclosure thereof.

FIG. 11 is a front elevation of the ladder shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the ladder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged section of the door portion of the tent showing the ladder of FIG. I secured thereto.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial section of the platform taken on line l414 of FIG. 8, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 15 is a view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 16 is a plan view taken on line l616 of FIG. 14, in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 17 is a section taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 18 is a section taken on line l818 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Referring to FIG. 1 my novel shaped tent I0 is shown unfolded on a platform 13 that is on top of an automobile, for example, a standard Volkswagen type automobile 11. A ladder 12 is used to allow easy access into and egress from the tent. The ladder 12 has novel features that allow it to be stowed with the tent when folded, and which will be described hereinafter. FIG. 10 shows the tent and platform folded and secured. A portion is broken away to show the position of the ladder 12 therein. FIG. 8 shows the platform 13 unfolded, with the tent l0 removed. The platform 13 is preferably made of lightweight, rigid material, such as aluminum, and includes a center panel or portion I4, an entrance panel or portion 15 and a rear panel or portion 16. The center portion has a panel sheet 17 made of, for example, aluminum and as thin as structurally possible for light weight. Two flanges I8 and 19 are bent on opposite sides of the panel sheet 17, as shown, while two

members

21 and 22 are suitably fastened to the panel sheet 17, for example, with rivets, not shown, so that the

members

21 and 22 are spaced parallel from the respective flanges I8 and 19, for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter. The panel sheet 17 from flange 18 to flange 19 is, for example, 60 inches wide, and the other dimension is, for example, 48 inches while its thickness is one-sixteenth of an inch. The

flanges

18 and 19 are shaped as shown for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter, and the dimensions thereof are, for example, 3 inches at the ends of the flanges, and 6 inches at the center.

The entrance portion 15 has a panel sheet 23 with two

short flanges

24 and 25 bent thereon. The dimensions of sheet 23 are slightly longer from flange 24 to flange 25 in sheet 17, and the width is approximately 18 inches. The entrance sheet 23 has two

hinge bars

27 and 28 spaced inwardly from the

respective flanges

27 and 28, and also from the respective flanges 18 and I9,

more clearly shown in FIG. 16. Inward of hinge bars 27 and 28 are disposed

members

29 and 30 that are aligned with

respective members

21 and 22. Along the outside edge of sheet 23 is riveted, for example, to a channel member 32.

The rear portion 16 has a panel sheet 33 that is made similar to sheet 23 in size and width, with

short flanges

34 and 35. Hinge bars 37 and 38, similar to

bars

27 and 28, are also included. Within the

bars

37 and 38 are disposed

members

39 and 40, respectively, also aligned respectively with the

members

21 and 22. On the outside edge of sheet 13 is placed an angle member 41. The

members

21, 22, 29, 30, 39, 40 and 41, and channel 32 all extend to the same height above their

respective sheets

17, 23 and 33, to form an open vessel or compartment in which is placed

foam rubber pads

42, 43, and 45, for example. The function of channel member 32 is to prevent any sharp edge from interfering or cutting a person as he steps onto the platform, as will become apparent hereinafter. The

members

21, 22, 29, 38, 39 and 40 may be either angle sections or channels. The hinge bars 27 and 28 are pin-connected to

respective flanges

18 and 19 by suitable pins, such as pin 45 in FIG. 8, and pin 46 in FIG. 14, while

bars

37 and 38 are pin-connected to respective flanges l8 and 19 in a similar manner, with pins 47 and 48 (FIG. 8). This allows the entrance portion and rear portion 17 to be rotated upward over the center portion 14 as shown in FIG. 10. Since the

portions

15 and 18 are both only 18 inches wide, while the center portion is 48 inches wide, space is provided in which to store the ladder 12. Over the ladder 12 is a cover panel 51 with opposite flanges 52 to 53, and an edge lip 54. The edge opposite the lip 54 is hinged to the sheet 33 by a suitable hinge 55 (FIG. 18) which may be, for example, a long piano type hinge, standard in the art. Again, the distance from flange 52 to flange 53 is greater than the distance between flange 34 and flange 35, and also flanges 24 and 25. This forms a relatively watertight enclosure as shown in FIG. 10. To further insure watertightness, along the exposed edges of

portions

14, 15 and 16 are placed

rubber boots

56 and 57, wherein boot 56 is bonded to the edge of

sheets

17 and 23, and boot 57 to the edge of

sheets

17 and 33. Since the

sheets

17, 23 and 33 are relatively thin, the butting edges are stiffened with

inverted channels

61, 62, 63 and 64, more clearly shown in FIG. 14. Channel 61 is fastened, for example, on the edge of sheet 23,

channels

62 and 63 to respective edges on sheet 17, and channel 64 to the edge on sheet 33. Since the folded

portions

15 and 16 are 18 inches wide and the

pins

45, 46, 47 and 48 are about 1 Va inches above the respective sheets, a relatively large sheer force will be developed in the pins when one places his weight on either one of the outer portions. As a safety factor, stops or blocks are suitably placed near the upper edges of the

flanges

18 and 19, and hinge

bars

27 and 28, and hinge

bars

37 and 38 respectively. An example is shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, for one pin 46 wherein flange 19 is provided with a block 65, and bar 28 is provided with a block 66 suitably placed to take up the sheer force. At the other three

pins

45, 47 and 48, similar structures are provided.

The platform 13 is fixed on top of an automobile 11 by two suitably spaced braces off which one brace 67 is shown and the other is parallel thereto. The braces 67 are fixed in spaced-apart relationship to the underside of the center portion 14 and, more particularly, to the underside of panel sheet 17. The braces 67 extend thereacross from the entrance portion to the rear portion and are, for example, 3 feet apart. The braces 67 also function to stiffen the sheet 17. The depending ends of the braces 67 are provided with standard means 65 to allow one to fasten the device to the rain gutters on the automobile 11.

Since the tent can be used when it is fixed to the top of an automobile, the ladder 12, as mentioned above, is provided. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the ladder has two runners, 70 and 71, with rung 72 therebetween and braces 73. The rungs 72 are each disposed to pivot about bolts and

nut assembly

74 and 75, and can be pivoted downward to the position as shown by dash lines 720 in FIG. 12. Another bolt and

nut assembly

76 and 77 hold the rungs horizontally when in use. Since the device, when folded, has its longest dimension about 5 feet, to provide additional length, the ladder is provided with foldable runners section 70a and 71a that pivot outward and upward on pins 78 and nest within the channel portion of

runners

70 and 71 respectively, when the ladder is in the stowed position as shown in FIG. 10. An elastic means 79 holds the sections 70a and 71a in place when in use. The top of

run ners

70 and 71 are provided with aligned

holes

80 and 81, respectively, that slip onto pins 82 (FIG. 8) fixed to channel member 32, as shown in FIG. 13 to hold the ladder. When the ladder is stowed, the same pins 82 are inserted within convenient holes of which one hole 83 is shown in FIG. 12 on runner 71 to form a compact package.

Having described the foldable platform and ladder for ascending to the platform, the fabric tent will now be described. The tent 10 is made from a pattern 84, as shown in FIG. 7. All around the pattern 84 is sewn a cord 85 as shown in partial section taken on line l7l7 in FIG. 17. The cord 85 is preferably of the unfurling kind and about three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. Where the pattern forms acute angles, the cord 85 is extended into the pattern a short distance to double back, forming a bight 850, as more clearly shown in FIG. 18. A standard zipper 86 is shown around an excess flap 87. To put the tent into the shape shown in FIG. 2, a slit aluminum tubing, such a slit tubing 88, is used to engage the cord 85 as shown in FIG. 5. This is done in six places where the acute angles are formed along the longest side of pattern 84. The tubing 88 provides the vertical stiffness to the tent fabric. To provide horizontal stiffness, aluminum tubes 90 that have one end slit a short distance (not shown) to engage the cord bights 85a are used. Tubes 90 are used in pairs. The slit ends engage bights 85a as shown in FIG. 4 and the interior ends butt together and having disposed thereover aluminum sleeves 91, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus a rigid horizontal stiffness is provided that can be made nonrigid when the tent is to be folded by just sliding the sleeve 91 to one side on to only one of the pair of tubes 90. The lower edge of the pattern 80 is secured around the open compartment formed by

angle members

21, 22, 29, 30, 39, 40, and 41 and channel 32. More particularly, to these respective members, as sshown in FIG. 13, with respect to channel 32, the cord 85 is engaged by a small channel 92, for example, /2 inch by A inch, suitably secured to channel 32. Channel 92 is disposed all around the tent, securing the edges thereof.

To use the novel device, one would place the device when it assumes the form shown in FIG. 10, on top of the automobile 11, by any convenient method. The simplest is to have another person assist in lifting it up and over the automobile 11. Two people can handle the device because it weighs less than 100 pounds. The fastening means are secured to the rain gutters on the automobile in a standard manner. Since the frontal area of the device is relatively low, the wind resistance when traveling is also relatively low. When one wants to use the tent, latches 58, of which one is shown, are unlatched. Latches 58 are of the standard type wherein strap portions 580 are installed on flanges l8 and 19 and the anchor portions 58b are installed on

flanges

52 and 53. After unlatching the cover panel 51 is pivoted upward about hinge 55 and in turn the rear portion 16 is pivoted upward and down until it stops in the plane of the center portion 17. The ladder is free to be removed. The entrance portion 15 is pivoted upward and downward until it stops in the plane, also, of the center portion 14. The canvas conveniently folds flat on the extended platform 13. Now if one places the ladder 12 in the position shown in FlG. l, and more particularly F IG. 13, the folded runners 70a and 71a are pivoted to extend downward and the elastic means 79 is placed as shown in FIG. 11. The ladder 12 now rests on the ground, the ladder is climbed and one places his head within the opening formed by flap 87. The pair of tubes 90 directly over the entrance are butted together as shown in FIG. 3 and sleeve 91 is slipped over the butt of the tubes 90 as shown. The next pair of tubes 90 in the middle of the tent is placed in the same position as the previous pair. Finally, the last pair of tubes 90 are placed in the same position as the previous two pairs. The tent is pitched and ready for use. Although no windows are shown in the drawing, one skilled in the art could readily place suitable windows in the canvas tent.

The tent is broken or taken down by reversing the previous steps. After the three pairs of tubes 90 are broken, one side is folded down and then the other. The corners of the tent are tucked in, portion 15 is folded inward, the ladder is placed with the pins 82 extended through the holes 83. Portion 16 with the panel 18 are folded in place and the latches are latched.

Although one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, the invention is not to be considered limited to the disclosed embodiment, as one skilled in the art, after studying the above, could develop other embodiments without departing from the scope of my invention. therefore my invention is to be considered to include all embodiments coming within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A tent apparatus comprising a foldable platform adapted for folding and unfolding to form a substantially rigid structure in the unfolded position,

a canvas tent formed into the shape of a bag and having the periphery thereof secured to the unfolded portion,

first means fixed to the wall portions of said tent to provide stiffness thereto,

second means fixed to the overhead portion of said tent to provide stiffness thereto,

third means to mount said platform onto a vehicle so that said platform is capable of being folded and unfolded while on the vehicle,

fourth means to allow access into the interior of said tent when said tent is mounted on said vehicle and being adapted to be stowed within said platform in a folded position,

said foldable platform comprising a center portion, two outside portions and hinge means for hinging each outside portion on opposite sides of said center portion and adapted to fold over said center portion,

said center portion having a panel sheet with two substantially parallel latches and oppositely disposed flanges normal to said edges and extending in the same direction,

said exterior portions each having panel sheets with one straight edge and oppositely disposed flanges substantially normal to said respective edge and extending in the same direction,

said hinge means being disposed to hinge each of said exterior portions to said center portion so that the straight edges and each adjacent one of the respective parallel edges are in abutting relationship,

the longitudinal distance between said flanges on each of said exterior portion being greater than the longitudinal distance between such flanges on said center portion so that when said exterior portions are in their position over said center portion, said flanges thereon are covered by said flanges on said exterior portions,

said exterior portions being substantially rectangular wherein the width of each of them is less than half the width of said center portion,

a cover panel hinged to one of said exterior panels along a line spaced from the outer edge thereof having a width to extend over said other exterior portion and having oppositely disposed flanges that extend over said center and exterior portions when said platform is folded,

each of said hinge means including a hinge bar disposed inwardly spaced from said flange on both said exterior portions and extending over said center portion,

said hinge bars and said flanges on center portion extending substantially equally upward from the respective panel sheets in a region substantially near said edges,

a pin engaging each of said bars and flanges on said center portion with the said pin disposed substantially midway between the edge of said bar and said flange to said respective panel sheet,

a first block disposed on each of said bars substantially near and over each of said respective pins,

a second block disposed on each of said flanges on said center portion and disposed to bear against each respective one of said first blocks when said platform is unfolded,

a stiffener member placed on each of said edges on said center portion and said exterior portions, and disposed so that the respective stiffener members bear against each other when said platform is unfolded,

first and second members extending upward from the respective outside edges of said exterior portion,

from the respective panel sheets on a line with each other and spaced inward from said hinge bars on both sides of said platform to form an open vessel when said platform is unfolded, and

foam padding disposed in said open vessel and adapted to be folded with said portions.

2. A tent apparatus comprising a foldable platform adapted for folding and unfolding to form a substantially rigid structure in the unfolded position,

said canvas tent comprising a flat pattern longer than it is wide, with first acute angle cut-outs disposed substantially in the center and extending inward from both longer sides with additional second acute angle cut-outs disposed on both sides of both of said first cut-outs and extending inward from said longer sides, a rope sewn around the periphery of said pattern and extending inward of the pattern from each corner of said acute angle cut-outs, a tubular member having an elongated slit engaging the portions of the rope on each side of each one of the respective cut-outs, a tube having a short slit extending from one end thereof, engaging the portion of the rope extending inward from each of said corners, and a sleeve adapted to be disposed over a pair of said tubes when said tent is erected,

third means to mount said platform onto a vehicle so that said platform is capable of being folded and unfolded while on the vehicle, and

fourth means to allow access to the interior of said tent when said tent is mounted on said vehicle,

said fourth means being adapted to be stowed within said platform in a folded position,

said center portion having a panel sheet with two substantially parallel edges and oppositely disposed flanges normal to said edges and extending in the same direction,

said exterior portions each having panel sheets with one edge and oppositely disposed flanges normal to said respective edge and extending in the same direction,

said hinge means hinging each of said exterior portions to said center portion so that the straight edges are each adjacent to one of the respective parallel edges,

the longitudinal distance between flanges on each of said exterior portions being greater than the longitudinal distance between said flanges on said center portion so that when said exterior portions are in position over said center portion, said flanges thereon cover said flanges on said exterior portions,

said exterior portions being substantially rectangular wherein the width of each of them is less than half the width of the center portions,

a cover panel hinged to one of said exterior panels along a line spaced from the outer edge thereof has a width to extend over said other exterior portion and has oppositely disposed flanges extending over said center and exterior portions when said platform is folded,

said hinge means including a hinged bar disposed inwardly spaced from each flange on both of said exterior portions and extending over said center portron,

said hinge bars and said flanges on said center portions extending substantially equally upward from the respective panel sheets in a region substantially near said edges,

a pin engaging each of said bars and the flange on said center portion with said pins disposed substantially midway between the edge of said bar and said flange to said respective panel sheet,

a first block disposed on each of said bars substantially near the edge and over each of said respective pins,

second block disposed on each of said flanges on said center portion and disposed to bear against each respective ones of said first blocks when said platform is unfolded,

a stiffener member placed along each of said edges on said center and exterior portions and disposed so that the respective stiffening members bear against each other when said platform is unfolded,

first and second members extending upward from the respective outside edges of said exterior portions,

third, fourth and fifth members extending upward from the respective panel sheets and aligned with each other and spaced inward from said hinge bars on both sides of said platform to form an open vessel when said platform is unfolded, and,

foam padding disposed in said vessel and adapted to be folded with said portions.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said fourth means is a ladder with parallel runners and steps therebetween;

the lower portion of said runners below the lower step being disposed to pivot outward and against the respective runner;

said first member on said exterior portion without the cover panel has a couple of pins to engage respective holes on the upper ends of each runner and to engage a pair of holes of one runner disposed between the ends thereof;

said steps on said ladder being substantially flat and are disposed to pivot from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

Claims

1. A tent apparatus comprising a foldable platform adapted for folding and unfolding to form a substantially rigid structure in the unfolded position, a canvas tent formed into the shape of a bag and having the periphery thereof secured to the unfolded portion, first means fixed to the wall portions of said tent to provide stiffness thereto, second means fixed to the overhead portion of said tent to provide stiffness thereto, third means to mount said platform onto a vehicle so that said platform is capable of being folded and unfolded while on the vehicle, fourth means to allow access into the interior of said tent when said tent is mounted on said vehicle and being adapted to be stowed within said platform in a folded position, said foldable platform comprising a center portion, two outside portions and hinge means for hinging each outside portion on opposite sides of said center portion and adapted to fold over said center portion, said center portion having a panel sheet with two substantially parallel latches and oppositely disposed flanges normal to said edges and extending in the same direction, said exterior portions each having panel sheets with one straight edge and oppositely disposed flanges substantially normal to said respective edge and extending in the same direction, said hinge means being disposed to hinge each of said exterior portions to said center portion so that the straight edges and each adjacent one of the respective parallel edges are in abutting relationship, the longitudinal distance between said flanges on each of said exterior portion being greater than the longitudinal distance between such flanges on said center portion so that when said exterior portions are iN their position over said center portion, said flanges thereon are covered by said flanges on said exterior portions, said exterior portions being substantially rectangular wherein the width of each of them is less than half the width of said center portion, a cover panel hinged to one of said exterior panels along a line spaced from the outer edge thereof having a width to extend over said other exterior portion and having oppositely disposed flanges that extend over said center and exterior portions when said platform is folded, each of said hinge means including a hinge bar disposed inwardly spaced from said flange on both said exterior portions and extending over said center portion, said hinge bars and said flanges on center portion extending substantially equally upward from the respective panel sheets in a region substantially near said edges, a pin engaging each of said bars and flanges on said center portion with the said pin disposed substantially midway between the edge of said bar and said flange to said respective panel sheet, a first block disposed on each of said bars substantially near and over each of said respective pins, a second block disposed on each of said flanges on said center portion and disposed to bear against each respective one of said first blocks when said platform is unfolded, a stiffener member placed on each of said edges on said center portion and said exterior portions, and disposed so that the respective stiffener members bear against each other when said platform is unfolded, first and second members extending upward from the respective outside edges of said exterior portion, third, fourth and fifth members extending upward from the respective panel sheets on a line with each other and spaced inward from said hinge bars on both sides of said platform to form an open vessel when said platform is unfolded, and foam padding disposed in said open vessel and adapted to be folded with said portions.

2. A tent apparatus comprising a foldable platform adapted for folding and unfolding to form a substantially rigid structure in the unfolded position, a canvas tent formed into the shape of a bag and having the periphery thereof secured to the unfolded portion, first means fixed to the wall portions of said tent to provide stiffness thereto, second means fixed to the overhead portion of said tent to provide stiffness thereto, said canvas tent comprising a flat pattern longer than it is wide, with first acute angle cut-outs disposed substantially in the center and extending inward from both longer sides with additional second acute angle cut-outs disposed on both sides of both of said first cut-outs and extending inward from said longer sides, a rope sewn around the periphery of said pattern and extending inward of the pattern from each corner of said acute angle cut-outs, a tubular member having an elongated slit engaging the portions of the rope on each side of each one of the respective cut-outs, a tube having a short slit extending from one end thereof, engaging the portion of the rope extending inward from each of said corners, and a sleeve adapted to be disposed over a pair of said tubes when said tent is erected, third means to mount said platform onto a vehicle so that said platform is capable of being folded and unfolded while on the vehicle, and fourth means to allow access to the interior of said tent when said tent is mounted on said vehicle, said fourth means being adapted to be stowed within said platform in a folded position, said foldable platform comprising a center portion, two outside portions and hinge means for hinging each outside portion on opposite sides of said center portion and adapted to fold over said center portion, said center portion having a panel sheet with two substantially parallel edges and oppositely disposed flanges normal to said edges and extending in the same direction, said exterior portions eaCh having panel sheets with one edge and oppositely disposed flanges normal to said respective edge and extending in the same direction, said hinge means hinging each of said exterior portions to said center portion so that the straight edges are each adjacent to one of the respective parallel edges, the longitudinal distance between flanges on each of said exterior portions being greater than the longitudinal distance between said flanges on said center portion so that when said exterior portions are in position over said center portion, said flanges thereon cover said flanges on said exterior portions, said exterior portions being substantially rectangular wherein the width of each of them is less than half the width of the center portions, a cover panel hinged to one of said exterior panels along a line spaced from the outer edge thereof has a width to extend over said other exterior portion and has oppositely disposed flanges extending over said center and exterior portions when said platform is folded, said hinge means including a hinged bar disposed inwardly spaced from each flange on both of said exterior portions and extending over said center portion, said hinge bars and said flanges on said center portions extending substantially equally upward from the respective panel sheets in a region substantially near said edges, a pin engaging each of said bars and the flange on said center portion with said pins disposed substantially midway between the edge of said bar and said flange to said respective panel sheet, a first block disposed on each of said bars substantially near the edge and over each of said respective pins, a second block disposed on each of said flanges on said center portion and disposed to bear against each respective ones of said first blocks when said platform is unfolded, a stiffener member placed along each of said edges on said center and exterior portions and disposed so that the respective stiffening members bear against each other when said platform is unfolded, first and second members extending upward from the respective outside edges of said exterior portions, third, fourth and fifth members extending upward from the respective panel sheets and aligned with each other and spaced inward from said hinge bars on both sides of said platform to form an open vessel when said platform is unfolded, and, foam padding disposed in said vessel and adapted to be folded with said portions.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said fourth means is a ladder with parallel runners and steps therebetween; the lower portion of said runners below the lower step being disposed to pivot outward and against the respective runner; said first member on said exterior portion without the cover panel has a couple of pins to engage respective holes on the upper ends of each runner and to engage a pair of holes of one runner disposed between the ends thereof; said steps on said ladder being substantially flat and are disposed to pivot from a vertical position to a horizontal position.