COLLAPSIBLE TENT STRUCTURE

Abstract

An integral tent structure and system that, through the use of flexible and specifically configured rib elements, along with selectively placed restraining elements to position and hold sections of the configured rib elements in proximity to each other, allows for easy folding, collapsing, storage, transportation, and then equally easy unfolding, assembly, and usage of the tent, is disclosed. The rib elements are designed to, with minimal directional force, fold and collapse into a compact, readily storable configuration. The tent cover of the tent structure incorporates specifically placed connection and securing elements to provide means for securing the folded tent structure in the folded configuration. Because the rib elements are folded or collapsed with a resistive or expanding spring force, upon release of the securing elements, the integral tent structure automatically unfolds into the normal operative shape and configuration with little to no effort.

Description

BACKGROUND

The use of tents and tent-type structures is prevalent and wide ranging. Indeed, tents are used for a multitude of activities extending from camping to beach time. Such structures and coverings provide protection from wind, rain, and, especially in the beach environment, protection from the sun. One important feature for most all tent structures used in an outdoor temporary setting is that the structure must be readily portable so that it can be transported to where it will be used, and readily storable when not in use.

That is, the tent structure should be easy to disassemble or fold up, and easy to transport when disassembled or in a folded configuration. Moreover, the tent structure should be easy to assemble and set up, and preferably the tent structure should essentially unfold in an automatic fashion.

Equally important, once assembled and set up, the tent structure should relatively sturdy against outside conditions such as rain, wind, and/or sun. The balancing of the features of being sturdy, on the one hand, and being easy to transport and to assemble, on the other hand, is where design focus has been relating to various tent systems. With newer materials, including composites and pliable plastics for tent rib structures, and lightweight, durable textiles for the tent coverings, there have been different tent designs seeking to find the best balance of sturdiness and durability with the need to also be easy to transport, assemble, and disassemble.

Many different types of tent-type structures and assembly systems have been created and commercialized to address these problems and issues. While there have been many such designs, and indeed, new designs continue to evolve, none appear to provide an optimal or even widely accepted solution for a tent design that is lightweight, easily transported, readily storable, easily assembled, and easily disassembled.

One example of such a prior art system includes U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/225,776 for a Tent Frame, by Choi. The Choi application discloses a folding tent frame structure “comprising two groups of supporting frame rods” such that the two groups of supporting frame rods are arranged side by side, and expandable to form a V shape. Accordingly, the Choi application and disclosed system appears to teach a series of rods which may allow for telescoping operation, and does involve some intricate steps to breakdown the frame and fold the frame rods into position. Moreover, the added hinges and telescoping elements likely increase the tent weight, and surely introduce additional points of failure as part of assembly and disassembly.

Several other portable tent structures have been designed and are being commercialized. Unfortunately many of such designs suffer from design flaws which limit their utility. More particularly, many of the current designs fabricate the tent ribs or legs from a metal or spring steel material. While such material is durable, and does provide an “automatic” aspect to assembly or unfolding, such material does not lend itself to ease of folding, and given the high modulus of elasticity of most metals, once deformed, either improperly or properly, such materials do not return to their original shape. As such, if as part of the folding process, a user folds or forces a metal rib into place that is not precisely where the metal rib is to fold, that rib or leg may become permanently deformed, thereby making the tent structure potentially unusable.

Accordingly, it would be useful to have a collapsible tent structure for rapid and easy assembly of the tent structure, while still being easy to disassemble or fold, being lightweight, and in the disassembled or folded configuration, being easy to store and transport. Such a collapsible tent structure does not appear to have been designed, developed, or commercialized that satisfactorily meets each of these criteria. While certain of these problems may be addressed by one or more examples of the prior art, a complete solution to all of these problems does not appear to have been specifically designed or used in the relevant prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, as a beach tent, shown in a fully assembled configuration.

FIG. 1B is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure system shown in a fully folded configuration.

FIG. 2A is another perspective front view of another embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, as a bed tent, shown in a fully assemble configuration.

FIG. 2B is another perspective front view of another embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully folded configuration.

FIG. 2C is a front view of an embodiment of the FIG. 2A collapsible tent structure shown with the rib ends tied together to form a tear-drop shape.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing two legs/ribs about to be connected to form a first rib structure circle.

FIG. 3B is a perspective front-side view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the connection of two legs together to form a first rib structure circle.

FIG. 3C is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure leg connections shown prior to being connected using a press-fit process to hold the two leg ends together.

FIG. 3D is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure leg connections shown after being connected using a press-fit process to hold the two leg ends together.

FIG. 4 is a perspective front-side view of an embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the connection of a second set of legs together to form a second rib structure circle.

FIG. 5 is a perspective front-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the connection of the plurality of rib structure circles to each other.

FIG. 6A is a perspective front-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the pulling together of the sides of the plurality of circles to form a figure eight shape.

FIG. 6B is a perspective front-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing a later configuration of the plurality of circles connected to form a figure eight shape.

FIG. 6C is a perspective top-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, shown in FIG. 2C showing the pulling together of the sides of the plurality of circles to form an approximate figure eight shape.

FIG. 7A is a perspective front-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the upper and lower discs of the figure eight shape being folded on top of each other.

FIG. 7B is a perspective front-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing a further image of the upper and lower discs of the figure eight shape being folded on top of each other.

FIG. 8 is a perspective front-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure showing the upper and lower discs of the figure eight shape being fully folded on top of each other and connected to each other.

FIG. 9 is a perspective front-side view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully folded and transportable configuration with the securing strap in position.

FIG. 10A is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown being positioned within a transport bag.

FIG. 10B is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure shown in a fully folded and transportable configuration within a transport bag.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, having four sides, shown with the ribs pre-formed as continuous loops, and with the tent structure fully open and assembled.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, shown as a play tent, having four sides, and shown with the ribs pre-formed as continuous loops, and with the tent structure fully open and assembled.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, shown as a shower tent, having four sides, and shown with the ribs pre-formed as continuous loops, and with the shower tent structure fully open and assembled.

FIG. 14A through 14G are front and side perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, shown in FIG. 11, having four sides, shown with the ribs pre-formed as continuous loops, and using two pairs of restraining buckles, shown in sequence from fully opened and assembled to fully collapsed and folded.

FIGS. 15A through 15J are front perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, having four sides and using two pairs of restraining buckles, shown in sequence from fully opened and assembled to fully collapsed and folded.

FIGS. 16A through 16H are front perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive collapsible tent structure, having six sides and using one restraining strap and buckle, shown in sequence from fully opened and assembled to fully collapsed and folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Two different exemplary embodiments of the inventive collapsible tent structure 10 are shown in FIG. 1A through FIG. 2B, with the illustrated embodiments having two flexible ribs (FIGS. 1A and 1B—beach tent) that create four ends or feet, and three flexible ribs that create six ends or feet (FIGS. 2A and 2B—bed tent). The respective FIGS. 1A and 2A show the tent structure 10 in a fully open and operational configuration. The respective FIGS. 1B and 2B show the tent structure 10 in a fully folded or collapsed, and transportable configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 1A through 10B, the core elements of the collapsible tent structure 10 include the plurality of ribs 30, a plurality of first connector ends 21 and second connector ends 22 that are respectively and integrally attached to each end of the plurality of ribs, a flexible cover 30, a plurality of restrainer elements 33 attached to an approximate intermediate section of at least two of said plurality of ribs 30, and a plurality of third connector elements 40 attached to the approximate middle section of each of the plurality of ribs.

The core aspect of the collapsibility of the tent structure 10 is a function of the flexible, but structurally resilient plurality of ribs 30. More particularly, each of the ribs 30 is flexible enough such that the ends of each rib 30 may be connected to form, in one embodiment, essentially a circle form or structure, as shown in FIGS. 3B, 4, and 5. The connection of each rib 30 is maintained in place by the respective first connector ends 21 and second connector ends 22.

In further detail, as shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D, the connector ends 21, 22 may be connected and held in place by press fit and friction action. Alternatively, the connector ends 21, 22 may be connected and held in place by twisting motion and detent action. As a further embodiment for the two connector ends to be held in place, a screw motion may be implemented.

In an alternative embodiment, relevant to the bed tent configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, instead of connecting the ends of each rib 30 to form a circle, the ends of the ribs may be simply tied together as illustrated in FIG. 2C, to form essentially a tear-drop shape for each of the ribs 30.

Once each of the ribs 30 are connected end-to-end to form circles for each rib, then each of the “circle” ribs are placed or positioned adjacent or on top of one another, as shown in FIG. 5. The cover 90 may be slid or positioned in between any of the ribs 30 to make the folding operation easier.

With the ribs 30 all positioned on top of each other, the opposite sides of each rib 30 are pulled towards each other by pulling a restraining strap or restraining element 33 such that the opposite sides of the ribs 30 come together thereby forming an approximate figure-eight shape as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The “rachet-type” operation of the restraining element 33 allows the user to pull the restraining element 33 through a rachet clip or buckle 34, and because the strap is being pulled through such a one-directional rachet clip or mechanism 34, the restraining element 33 and ribs 30 stay in place. The “rachet-type” one-directional mechanism 34 may be a rachet clip or buckle element 34 or other similar type of retaining mechanisms to maintain a restraining element 33 in place until it is intentionally released. A pair of first securing elements 35 may be used to secure or hold the rib 30 sides proximate to each other once pulled together through use of the restraining element 33 and rachet buckle 34. The first securing elements 35 may be clips, buttons, snaps, or other similar type of securing mechanism.

With a slight twisting motion, one half of the figure-eight shape is folded on top of the other half of the figure-eight shape to form essentially a disc configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 6B, 7A, and 7B. The number of discs is dependent upon the number of ribs for the tent structure 10 or the number of intermediate points of the ribs 30 where the ribs 30 are pulled together by said restraining elements 33. More particularly, for a tent with two ribs 30, there will be four discs in the fully folded configuration. And similarly, for tent with three ribs 30, there will be six discs in the fully folded configuration. Further, where said ribs 30 are pulled together at two separate intermediate points, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, there will be three discs to be folded into the collapsed configuration.

Once in the “disc” or collapsed configuration, a strap or other securing element 50 may be used to keep each of the discs in place adjacent to and in relation to each of the other discs as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Alternatively, there may be clips, hook and loop (Velcro®) pieces, buckle, button, clasp, snap, or other similar type of securing mechanisms 50 that can be used to maintain the discs in approximate position next to each other in the folded configuration.

The unfolding of the tent structure 10 is undertaken in the opposite steps. The securing mechanisms or clips 50 may be released to allow the discs to separate from each other. With a little urging, each of the discs may be untwisted and unfolded to form the figure-eight shape. Once in this configuration, the restraining elements 33 and rachet clips 34 (that are holding the rib sides together) may be released to allow the sides of the ribs 30 to flex into their normal circular configuration. In view of the elasticity of the ribs 30 resulting from their being manufactured from a plastic material, the ribs 30 will automatically unwind into their normal assembled configuration and shape. And finally, the ends of the ribs 30, may be undone or released to allow the ribs 30 to achieve their normal configuration as the structural form of the tent, which may be primarily established by the shape of the cover 90 as shown in FIGS. 1A and/or 2A.

As described, the folding or collapsing of the tent structure 10 for transportation and storage, is an easy and intuitive operation. The user simply connects the rib ends or feet together; lays each of the circle formed ribs on top of each other; pulls the opposite sides of the circle formed ribs together to form a figure-eight shape; and then folds one half of the figure eight on top of the other half of the figure-eight with a slight twisting motion. The two halves of the figure-eights may then be connected to each other for easy and compact transport.

When fully collapsed, the tent structure 10 is fairly compact, and may be placed within a bag or sack 110, that may be shaped to properly fit the folded tent structure, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

In other useful embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the tent structure 10 may comprise two or more ribs 30 that are preformed as continuous loops or approximate circle shapes. In such a configuration, the ribs 30 are preformed as the above noted circles and do not have connector elements at each end of each rib 30. Moreover, the ribs 30 in this type of embodiment may be pre-shaped through use of the cover 90 to deform or shape the ribs 30 into a skeletal form to shape the tent into the desired form as shown in FIG. 11, as a four-sided pod-type shelter, and in FIG. 12, as a four-sided play tent, and in FIG. 13, as a four-sided shower tent similar in configuration, although larger, as the FIG. 12 play tent.

An example of a collapsing and folding procedure for a four-sided tent structure as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 is shown in the sequence of FIGS. 14A through 14G using two pairs of restraining elements 33a and 33b.

Because the ribs 30 in this type of embodiment do not have ends that need to be connected, the folding or collapsing of the tent structure 10, is still an easy and intuitive operation. The user simply lays each of the plurality of rib circles on top of each other; pulls the opposite sides of the circle together using one or more restraining straps 33 and ratchet clips 34 such that the formed ribs come together to form a figure-eight shape or hour-glass shape or multiple cinch point configuration; and then fold one half of the figure eight on top of the other half of the figure-eight with a slight twisting motion. The two halves of the figure-eights or hour-glass shape may then be connected to each other using a securing element 50 for easy and compact transport.

In alternative configurations, especially for a larger size tent structure 10, the rib 30 sides may be pulled together in more than one location to form a plurality of “circles” or discs that may be folded on top of each other. For example, a tent structure 10 may be folded into three or more discs using two or more pair of restrainer elements 33 and ratchet clips 34 to hold the sides of the ribs 30 together. An example of such a collapsing and folding procedure for a four-sided tent is shown in the sequence of FIGS. 15A through 15J using two pairs of restraining elements 33, or in this embodiment restraining clips 33a and 33b. As noted, in alternative embodiments, such as for example for the play tent shown in FIG. 12, the restraining elements 33 may be hook and loop textile elements, fashioned from Velcro® or other type restraining elements.

Similarly, such a folding procedure for a six-sided tent is shown in the sequent of FIGS. 16A through 16H using a single restraining element 33, or in this embodiment a restraining strap 33. The sequence of folding shown in FIGS. 16A through 16H also illustrate the innovation of collapsing the six-sided tent structure into a first figure-eight configuration, and then using the restraining strap 33 to pull the sides of the discs together, and then with a twisting motion, forming a second figure-eight configuration, and folding the top half of the figure-eight onto the bottom half of the figure-eight to form an even smaller set of discs. The ability of the rib 30 design and folding procedure to collapse the large size, six-sided tent structure 10, shown in FIG. 16A into a very compact, and easily transportable configuration as shown in FIG. 16H is a key feature of the system and design.

For ease of folding, the appropriate pair of securing buckles to be connected to each other may be color coded such that, for example red goes to red, orange connects with orange, and white goes to white to ensure the user is properly folding the tent structure 10. In other embodiments, additional “discs” may be formed as part of the folding process by incorporating additional pairs of securing buckles to hold the appropriate sides of the ribs together. Again, for such additional discs and buckles, the pairs of buckles may similarly be color coded to ensure proper folding processes.

In order to balance strength, durability, and weight, the ribs 30 may be manufactured from any type of resilient thermoplastic or composite material. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the flexible covering may be configured with one or more screen “windows” 100 to allow wind to pass through but to still provide a level of protection from sand or other wind-blown objects. Such a window also allows users to see out of the tent structure. The tent structure may also be configured with flexible shades that can be positioned over the windows to provide some privacy and to block wind.

In a similar fashion, one or more cutouts may be incorporated into the flexible cover 90, for example near the top of the covering to allow for release of air pressure when wind blows into the tent structure 10 thereby helping to maintain the tent structure from inadvertently moving when the wind blows and catches within the tent opening. The flexible cover or covering 90 may be manufactured from most any type of lightweight, flexible textile, such as nylon ripstop or similar types of polyester fabrics. Alternative and additional materials that may be used to manufacture the cover 90 include polyester, canvas, polyethylene, as well as other flexible textiles and pol-type materials.

The tent structure 10 may also be configured with bag sections 200 (not shown) for use to weigh down or provide ballast to the structure. At the beach, sand can be easily placed in the bag sections 200, whereas for use with camping or non-beach activities, stones or a plurality of smaller rocks can be placed in the bag sections to provide additional weight or ballast. When it is time to collapse and transport the tent structure 10, the sand, stones, or small rocks may be readily removed from the bag sections 200, and disassembly or folding is easily achieved. For additional positional support and stability, the ends of the leg sections of the tent structure can be anchored to the wrong with removable stakes 201 (not shown).

While preferred embodiments of the inventive collapsible tent structure 10 have been described and disclosed, in particular by reference to certain figures and exemplary embodiments relating to a two and four rib tent embodiment, such an embodiment and design is not to be construed as limiting the scope of application of the inventive devices or products. For example, as described and claimed, the collapsible tent structure 10 may be configured with additional ribs, including three, four, six, or more ribs. As such with additional rib elements, the integral tent structure may be designed and configured in a variety of shapes and sizes, including for use as a beach, bed, shower, or pod-type tent configuration. As noted, with less ribs, the folding process is less bulky, and easier to transport, while more ribs will result in a heavier and more bulky folded configuration. All such alternate embodiments are believed to be within the scope of the inventive design and below claims.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other modifications, substitutions, and/or other applications are possible and all such modifications, substitutions and applications are within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. It is likewise understood that the above disclosure and attached claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, and/or applications.

Claims

1. A collapsible tent structure comprising: a plurality of flexible ribs;a flexible cover connected to said plurality of flexible ribs by a plurality of attachment elements, said plurality of attachment elements comprising at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and claps;wherein for disassembly, each of said plurality of flexible ribs is configurable to form at least one approximate circle shape;a plurality of restrainer elements, each one of said plurality of restrainer elements being attached to at least one of said flexible ribs;at least one rachet element through which at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements operates;wherein for disassembly, approximate opposite sides of each of said plurality of flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by pulling at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements to pull said approximate sides of each of said plurality of flexible ribs towards each other to form a collapsed configuration;wherein for disassembly, each of said plurality of flexible ribs in said collapsed configuration is foldable into at least two substantially circular sections to form a plurality of discs; andat least one securing element to secure said at least two substantially circular sections proximate to each other, all as further described and detailed in the above specification including the attached figures, and drawings.

2. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having two flexible ribs that cross each other at an approximate orthogonal angle at an approximate mid-point of each flexible rib, wherein the two flexible ribs form two approximate circle shapes after initial disassembly, and form four discs after said opposites sides of said two flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by said at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements.

3. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having three flexible ribs that form three approximate circle shapes after initial disassembly, and form six discs after said opposite sides of said three flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by said at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements.

4. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having at least four flexible ribs that form at least four approximate circle shapes after initial disassembly, and form at least eight discs after said opposite sides of said at least four flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by said at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements.

5. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material.

6. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material.

7. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a polyethylene material.

8. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover.

9. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure.

10. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising a flexible shaped bag into which said folded collapsible tent structure may be placed once fully folded.

11. A collapsible tent structure comprising: a plurality of flexible ribs each having a first and second end;a plurality of first connector ends integrally attached to each of said plurality of flexibl e rib first ends;a plurality of second connector ends integrally attached to each of said plurality of flexible rib second ends;a flexible cover connected to said plurality of flexible ribs by a plurality of attachment elements comprising at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop material, magnets, and claps;wherein each of said plurality of first connector ends is formed to securely connect to one of said plurality of second connector ends such that, once a first connector end is securely connected to a second connector end, said flexible rib forms an approximate circle shape;a plurality of restrainer elements attached to an approximate middle section of each of said flexible ribs;wherein opposite sides of each of said plurality of flexible ribs, in said form of an approximate circle, are pulled towards each other by pulling at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements to form a collapsed configuration;further wherein, each of said plurality of flexible ribs in said collapsed configuration are foldable to form a plurality of discs; andat least one securing element to secure said plurality of discs to each other, all as further described and detailed in the above specification including the attached figures, and drawings.

12. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, having two flexible ribs that cross each other at an approximate orthogonal angle at an approximate mid-point of each flexible rib, wherein the two flexible ribs form two approximate circle shapes after connection of said two first connector ends to said two second connector ends, and further forms four disc s in a fully folded configuration.

13. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, having three flexible ribs that form three approximate circle shapes after connection of said three first connector ends to said three second connector ends, and further forms six discs in a fully folded configuration.

14. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, having four flexible ribs that form four approximate circle shapes after connection of said four first connector ends to said four second connector ends, and further forms eight discs in a fully folded configuration.

15. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said plurality of first and second connector ends connect by a press and friction fit.

16. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said plurality of first and second connector ends connect by a twist and detent motion.

17. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said plurality of first and second connector ends connect by a screw mechanism.

18. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material.

19. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material.

20. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a polyethylene material.

21. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover further comprises a plurality of stakes to anchor said collapsible tent structure.

22. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover.

23. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, wherein said flexible cover further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure.

24. The collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 11, further comprising a flexible shaped bag into which said folded collapsible tent structure may be placed once fully folded.