Patent Application
20240052669
The present invention generally relates to tent assemblies. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inflatable air beam annex and tent assembly configured to directly attach to a side opening clamshell rooftop tent secured on a vehicle or pick-up truck.
Tents have been used as temporary residences for outdoor activities such as camping. Many outdoors enthusiasts enjoy camping but setting up a tent can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially when there are no suitable places to put a tent. Therefore, camper vans and vehicles are most commonly used by campers in recent times. The vehicles are mounted with tents at the top to provide a protective shelter. However, the current roof-top tents present various shortcomings. Existing roof-top tents include bulky frames and pads making them heavy and difficult to lift onto the roof of a vehicle.
Few existing patent references attempt to address the problems cited in the background as prior art over the presently disclosed subject matter are explained as follows:
A prior art US 20220010579 A1 assigned to Jonathan Harrison, et. al., entitled “Camping assembly with a storage box and a tent” discloses a camping assembly may be in the form of a folding camper and comprises a canopy which effectively provides a tent canopy for the folding camper. The folding camper also comprises a framework to maintain the tent canopy in a raised configuration in order to provide an accommodation space within the folding camper in the assembled configuration. The framework includes a front frame and a rear frame. The front frame comprises three air beams. The three air beams include a front air beam, an intermediate air beam and a rear air beam. Each of the air beams comprises a curved or hooped inflatable air beam. Similarly, the rear frame comprises three air beams. The three air beams, include a front air beam, an intermediate air beam and a rear air beam. Each of the air beams comprises a curved or hooped air beam. The present invention provides a folding camper which is assembled by simultaneously inflating a single air beam network to put the canopy in tension and to make the canopy taut. The folding camper does not require any auxiliary tensioning system or mechanism for the canopy since this is provided intrinsically by the connection of the lower edge of the canopy around the trailer and due to the geometry of the air beam network and, in particular, a central longitudinal air beam.
Another prior art US 20080210282 A1 assigned to Jean-Marc Daniel Turcot entitled “Inflatable tent for mounting into the bed of a pickup truck” discloses an inflatable tent for mounting into the bed of a pickup truck. The tent includes at least one inflatable beam having opposite ends and extending, when mounted at its opposite ends to the bed, from a front of the bed to the rear of the bed. A flexible tent canopy is mounted to the inflatable beams. Each inflatable beam forms a substantially ogive shape when viewed inside elevation when inflated and mounted into the bed so as to dispose the opposite ends in releasably mounted engagement secured to interior opposite ends of the bed.
Another prior art AU 2017228674 A1 assigned to Salvatore Anthony Rizza et. al, entitled “Portable inflatable shelter” discloses a portable shelter system, such as a tent. The shelter comprises an inner tent layer (inner tent) configured to form an internal space (such as a living and/or sleeping space) bounded by an inner wall of the inner tent when in an assembled and deployed state. One or more inflatable members are coupled to the inner tent and located adjacent to or on an outer wall of the inner tent when in an assembled state. The one or more inflatable members give the inner tent structure to form the internal space therein when in an inflated state of the member(s), and at least one valve is operatively coupled to the one or more inflatable members and operable to enable inflation or deflation of the associated inflatable member(s) to deploy/collapse the tent.
Though the above existing prior art discloses various tent assemblies to mount on the vehicles, none of them have the ability to change the height of the tent assembly. Also, few existing tent assemblies require multiple ropes and tensioners to hold the tent up.
In light of the above-mentioned drawbacks, there is a need for an inflatable air beam annex and tent assembly for fastening to a side clamshell rooftop tent. Also, there is a need for an inflatable air beam annex and tent assembly that is self-tensioned, negating the need for ropes and exterior tensioners height-adjustable required for varying vehicle heights.
The present invention generally discloses an inflatable air beam tent assembly. Also, the present invention discloses an inflatable air beam annex and tent assembly configured to fasten directly to a side opening clamshell rooftop tent secured to a vehicle or pick-up truck.
In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly is an innovative and intelligent camping solution that has been designed to effectively and easily attach to a side clamshell rooftop tent secured on a vehicle such as a pick-up truck. In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly is designed to fasten directly together with the ability to adjust the height. In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly is designed in such a way that eliminates the need for anchors, ropes, and tensioners to hold the tent up.
In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly comprises an inflatable annex structure and an inflatable tent frame. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame comprises one or more air beams. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame comprises at least four air beams including an annex air beam, a front air beam, an intermediate air beam, and a rear air beam. Each air beam has opposite ends configured to connect the annex tent assembly with the entrance of a rooftop tent. In one embodiment, the front air beam is defined to align with the annex air beam supporting air beam for easy connection. In one embodiment, the air beams are adapted to contain air for creating a rigid support structure for the inflatable tent frame.
In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame further comprises one or more poles. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame comprises at least two poles including a first pole and a second pole mounted in parallel to the first pole on the other side of the inflatable tent frame. In one embodiment, the poles are inflatable Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) poles. In one embodiment, the poles are aluminum. In one embodiment, the poles have a dimension of about 12 mm. In one embodiment, the poles are attached to the air beams configured to provide tension between the air beams to form the inflatable tent frame with the desired height. In one embodiment, the height of the inflatable tent frame may be changed to about 10 cm up or about 10 cm down from a standard position. The height of the inflatable tent frame is adjustable to account for different vehicle heights and maintain tension between the air beams. In one embodiment, the poles are configured to provide tension between the front air beam and the rear air beam. In one embodiment, the air beams are attached to a ground mat. In one embodiment, the rear air beam is angled 5.5 degrees away from the ground mat.
In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame is further configured to support a protective shelter to form an interior cavity between the rooftop tent entrance and inflatable tent assembly. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent assembly further comprises one or more buckles and one or more webbings configured to connect the inflatable annex pole with the inflatable tent frame. In one embodiment, the buckles and webbings have a dimension of about 2×25 mm. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame further comprises one or more clips to hold the poles to each air beam in the desired position. The clips are also used to maintain the tension of the poles to hold up the inflatable tent assembly.
In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame further includes one or more windows. In one embodiment, the one or more widows include a large mesh side window and a TPU window. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame further includes an internal weather and privacy panel that zips up from the base on the inside. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame further includes one or more side vents and back vents. In one embodiment, the annex air beam is configured to attach to the front air beam of the inflatable tent structure. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent assembly directly connects to the rooftop tent entrance.
In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly at the front includes a large front door on the removable bedroom. In one embodiment, the large front door is made of two-layer insect mesh and fabric. In one embodiment, the overall length of the annex structure and tent assembly at the top is about 130 cm. In one embodiment, the annex structure and tent assembly include 2×25 mm buckles on the front section of the air beam. In one embodiment, further the annex structure and tent assembly include an eyelet webbing for a 12 mm pole. In one embodiment, the overall height of the inflatable and tent assembly 100 is about 210 cm. In one embodiment, the overall length of the inflatable annex and tent assembly is about 375 cm. In one embodiment, the total width of the front section of the air beam is about 300 cm and at the bottom is about 220 cm. Further, the length of the front section is about 150 cm. In one embodiment, the front section of the inflatable tent frame is about 150 cm in length. In one embodiment, the length of the second section of the air beam is about 120 cm at the top and 105 cm at the bottom. In one embodiment, further the rear section is tilted to 84.5 degrees.
In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly use one or more tent fabrics. In one embodiment, one or more tent fabrics include an outer (fly) fabric, inner tent fabric, and floor fabric. In one embodiment, the tent fabric is made of metallic tent fabric and fly fabric. In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly further include one or more VISLON® zips or zips to connect with the existing zip of the roof tent fly.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100 comprises an annex structure 103 attached with an inflatable tent frame 102. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 comprises one or more air beams. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 comprises at least four air beams. The at least four air beams include a front air beam 104, an annex air beam 105, an intermediate air beam 106, and a rear air beam 108. Each air beam (104, 105, 106, and 108) has opposite ends configured to connect the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100 with the entrance of the rooftop tent 116. In one embodiment, the annex air beam 105 is configured to attach to the front air beam 104 of the inflatable tent structure. In one embodiment, the annex structure 103 includes the annex air beam 105 attached with the rooftop tent 116.
In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 further comprises one or more poles. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 comprises at least two poles. The at least two poles include a first pole 110 and a second pole (not shown in the figure) mounted in parallel to the first pole 110 on the other side of the inflatable tent frame 102. In one embodiment, the poles are attached to the air beams (104, 105, 106, and 108) configured to provide tension between the air beams (104, 105, 106, and 108) to form the inflatable tent frame 102 with the desired height. In one embodiment, the annex air beam 105 is attachment to the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100 of adjustable height as vehicle height differs. In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100 utilizes curved aluminum poles for tensioning. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 is configured to support a protective shelter 112 to form an interior cavity between an entrance of the rooftop tent 116 and the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 further comprises one or more poles. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 comprises at least two poles including a first pole 110 and a second pole (not shown in the figure) mounted in parallel to the first pole 110 on the other side of the inflatable tent frame 102. In one embodiment, the poles are inflatable Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) poles or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) poles. In one embodiment, the poles are aluminum poles. In one embodiment, the poles have a dimension of about 12 mm. In one embodiment, the poles are attached to the air beams (104, 105, 106, and 108) configured to provide tension between the air beams (104, 105, 106, and 108) to form the inflatable tent frame 102 with the desired height. In one embodiment, the height of the inflatable tent frame 102 may be changed to about 10 cm up or about 10 cm down from a standard position. The height of the inflatable tent frame 102 is adjustable to account for different vehicle heights and maintain the tension between the air beams (104, 105, 106, and 108). In one embodiment, the poles are configured to provide tension between the front air beam 104 and the rear air beam 108.
In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 is further configured to support a protective shelter 112 to form an interior cavity between the rooftop tent entrance and the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100. In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100 further comprise one or more buckles and one or more webbings configured to connect the inflatable annex pole with the inflatable tent frame 102 with the rooftop. In one embodiment, the buckles and webbings have a dimension of about 2×25 mm. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 further comprises one or more clips 114 to hold the poles to each air beam (104, 105, 106, and 108) in the desired position. The clips 114 are also used to maintain the tension of the poles to hold up the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100.
In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 further comprises one or more windows. In one embodiment, the one or more widows include a large mesh side window 118 and a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) window 120. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 further comprises an internal weather and privacy panel 122. In one embodiment, the internal weather and privacy panel zips up from the base on the inside. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 further comprises one or more side vents 124 and back vents 126. In one embodiment, the inflatable tent frame 102 further includes a reinforced pocket for 12 mm pole end.
Referring to
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In one embodiment, further the front section of the inflatable tent frame 102 is about 150 cm in length. In one embodiment, the length of the second section of the air beam is about 120 cm at the top and 105 cm at the bottom. In one embodiment, further the rear section is tilted to 84.5 degrees. In one embodiment, the inflatable annex and tent assembly 100 use one or more tent fabrics. In one embodiment, one or more tent fabrics include an outer (fly) fabric 138, an inner tent fabric 140, and a floor fabric 132. In one embodiment, the outer fabric is about 150D 135T polyester oxford. In one embodiment, the inner tent fabric is about 68D 190T Polyester. In one embodiment, further the floor fabric is about 12×12 140 gms PE. In one embodiment, the tent fabric is made of metallic tent fabric and fly fabric.
Referring to
Advantageously, the inflatable tent assembly of the present invention is effectively and easily fastening directly to a side opening clamshell rooftop tent secured to a vehicle or pick-up truck. The height of the inflatable tent frame is adjustable as required. Also, the inflatable poles provide support to directly connect the inflatable tent assembly to the rooftop tent entrance. Further, the inflatable tent assembly is designed in such a way that eliminates the need for external anchors, ropes, and tensioners to hold the tent up.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.
