Method of erecting a tent

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6502593
  • Patent Number
    6,502,593
  • Date Filed
    Monday, May 14, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 7, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of erecting a tent comprising two or more beam assemblies is provided. Each of the beam assemblies comprises a roof portion and a pair of legs for supporting the roof portion. A number of base members are secured to the ground at predetermined locations. The roof portions are pivotally connected to the base members and rotated upwardly from the ground while maintaining the connection to the base members. A first side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. A first leg is connected to the first side. The first leg is then connected to the base member. A second side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. The second leg is connected to the second side. The second leg is then connected to the base member.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to enclosures and, more particularly, to tent enclosures.




DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Fabric-covered structures are a relatively common form of semi-permanent shelter. Such structures typically can withstand moderate to severe weather conditions over extended periods of time. However, fabric-covered structures are generally relatively expensive. Specialized equipment and skilled workers are typically required to erect and disassemble the structures. Their components generally are relatively large and difficult to transport. Such structures thus are not suitable for short term rental for parties or other gatherings.




Fabric-covered frame tents are a popular form of temporary shelter. Such frame tents are typically relatively cheap and easy to construct in favorable weather conditions. They can generally be erected and disassembled by unskilled workers and without specialized equipment. Frame tents typically comprise a number of relatively small frame components that can easily be transported from one site to another. Such frame tents thus are well-suited for short term rental for parties and other gatherings.




Frame tents typically are constructed by first assembling the roof of the tent on the ground. The roof is then lifted so that legs can be installed to support the roof. After it is constructed, the frame tent is typically staked to the ground.




Frame tents typically are not anchored to the ground during construction thereof. As a result, even moderate winds can make construction of the tent more difficult. There is a considerable risk of damage to the tent during construction, and even injury to persons nearby, especially during installation of the legs.




In addition, the fabric of frame tents is typically only loosely secured to the frame of the tent. The loosely secured fabric can flap in the wind, thereby stressing the frame of the tent. The flapping of the fabric also generates unwanted noise.




The preferred method in accordance with the present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing a method of erecting an enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure is a tent. The frame of the tent is anchored to the ground during construction thereof. The tent preferably has fabric panels that extend between frame members of the tent. The fabric panels are tensioned between the frame members to improve the appearance of the tent and to reduce noise and frame stresses caused by flapping of the panels in the wind.




The tent is easily erected by unskilled workers with minimal specialized equipment. The tent comprises a number of relatively small frame components that can easily be transported from site to site. The tent is thus well-suited for short-term rental for parties and other gatherings.




In accordance with one aspect of a preferred method of the present invention, a method of erecting a tent comprising two or more beam assemblies is provided. Each of the beam assemblies comprises a roof portion and a pair of legs for supporting the roof portion. A number of base members are secured to the ground at predetermined locations. The roof portions are pivotally connected to the base members and rotated upwardly from the ground while maintaining the connection to the base members. A first side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. A first leg is connected to the first side. The first leg is then connected to the base member. A second side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. The second leg is connected to the second side. The second leg is then connected to the base member.




In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing a panel of web material between two beam assemblies of a tent is provided. An adjustable-length purlin is attached between the beam assemblies. A keder of the panel is fed through a keder track formed in each of the beam assemblies. A length of the purlin is then increased to increase a distance between the beam assemblies and thereby tension the panel.




In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing panels of web material between beam assemblies of a tent is provided. The beam assemblies are anchored to the ground at a number of base members. A first panel is installed between a first beam assembly and a second beam assembly by feeding a keder portion of the first panel into a keder track formed along each of the first and second beam assemblies. A second panel is installed between the second beam assembly and a third beam assembly by feeding a keder portion of the second panel into a keder track formed along each of the second and third beam assemblies. A tensioner is attached to the first and second panels. The first and second panels are pulled inwardly towards the second beam assembly and downwardly towards an associated one of the base members by the tensioner.




These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment disclosed herein.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tent having certain features and advantages in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a front elevational view a base member of the tent of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a top plan view of the base member;





FIG. 4

is a top plan view of a layout of the base members;





FIG. 5

is a front elevational view of the base member with a registration pin extending through an opening in a base plate thereof;





FIG. 6

is a front elevational view of the base member and registration pin with a stake extending t ugh an opening in each side of the base plate;





FIG. 7

is a top plan view of a layout of various components of the tent;





FIG. 8

is a front elevational view of a top purlin of the tent;





FIG. 9

is a front elevational view of an apex of the tent;





FIG. 10

is a front elevational view of an eave of the tent;





FIG. 11

is a front elevational view of a short beam of the tent;





FIG. 12

is a front elevational view of a long beam of the tent;





FIG. 13

is a top plan view of the roof portions of the tent;





FIG. 14

is a front elevational view of a base insert of the tent;





FIG. 15

is a perspective view of a roof portion pivotally connected to a base member;





FIG. 16

is a perspective illustration of the lifting of a first roof portion of the tent;





FIG. 17

is a perspective view of a roof portion fixedly connected to a base member;





FIG. 18

is a perspective illustration of the lifting of a second roof portion of the tent;





FIG. 19

is a perspective illustration of the lifting of a third roof portion of the tent;,





FIG. 20

is a perspective illustration of the lifting of a fourth roof portion of the tent;





FIG. 21

is a cross-sectional view of a beam assembly of the tent;





FIG. 22

is a front elevational view of an end panel of the tent;





FIG. 23

is a front elevational view of a top panel of the tent;





FIG. 24

is a front elevational view of a wall panel of the tent;





FIG. 25

is a perspective illustration of the installation of an end panel;





FIG. 26

is a front elevational view of a lower purlin of the tent;





FIG. 27

is a perspective illustration of the installation of a top panel;





FIG. 28

is a front elevational view of a side tensioner of the tent;





FIG. 29

is a rear elevational view of the side tensioner;





FIG. 30

is a front elevational view of the side tensioner installed at an interior beam assembly





FIG. 31

is a front elevational view of a corner tensioner of the tent;





FIG. 32

is a front elevational view of the comer tensioner installed at an end beam assembly;





FIG. 33

is a front elevational illustration of the lifting of a first side of a roof portion of the tent;





FIG. 34

is a top plan illustration of the placement of a jack relative to a roof portion of the tent;





FIG. 35

is a front elevational view of a leg of the tent;





FIG. 36

is a front elevational illustration of the installation of a leg at a first side of a roof portion;





FIG. 37

is a front elevational illustration of the installation of a leg at a second side of a roof portion;





FIG. 38

is a front elevational illustration of the installation of an end column and end leg of the tent;





FIG. 39

is a front elevational view of an end base insert of the tent;





FIG. 40

is a perspective view of the tent with high wind guys installed;





FIG. 41

is a perspective illustration of the installation of the wall panels;





FIG. 42

is a front elevational illustration of the connection of a wall panel to a top panel;





FIG. 43

is a perspective illustration of the connection of a tensioning strap to a beam assembly of the tent;





FIG. 44

is a front elevational view of a side tensioner installed at an interior beam assembly;





FIG. 45

is a front elevational view of a wrench for adjusting a length of a lower purlin of the tent





FIG. 46

is a schematic illustration of a feeder clamp; and





FIG. 47

is an environmental perspective view of the feeder clamp illustrating its use in installing one of the top panels.











RELATED APPLICATION




The present application claims priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/181,742, entitled “ENGINEERED FRAME TENT,” filed Feb. 11, 2000 and hereby incorporated by reference herein.




DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




With reference to

FIG. 1

, a portable tent is illustrated and designated generally by the reference numeral


10


. In the illustrated embodiment, the tent


10


comprises a number of tubular beam assemblies


12


. The beam assemblies


12


support panels of a web material that extend between the beam assemblies


12


, including top panels


14


, end panels


16


, and wall panels


18


.




The tent


10


is anchored to the ground at a number of base members


22


. With reference to

FIGS. 2 and 3

, in the illustrated embodiment, each base member


22


comprises a base plate


24


and a pivot plate


26


that extends perpendicularly upwardly from a top surface of the base plate


24


. An opening


28


is provided through each side of the pivot plate


26


. An opening


30


similarly is provided through each side of the base plate


24


. A smaller registration hole


34


is provided roughly through center of the base plate


24


at a side of the pivot plate


26


.




With reference now to

FIG. 4

, the layout of the base members


22


is determined prior to assembling the tent


10


based upon the number and configuration of the beam assemblies


12


. One base member


22


is provided for each side of each beam assembly


12


. For tents that exceed 20 feet in width, a base member


22


preferably is also provided at each end of the tent


10


, halfway between the base members


22


of the end beam assemblies


12


.




The location of one of the corner base members


22


preferably is determined first. A registration pin


40


(see

FIG. 5

) is inserted into the ground to mark the desired location of the first comer base member


22


. By measuring distances from the first registration pin


40


, the locations of the base members


22


of a first side or first end of the tent


10


are established and also marked with registration pins


40


. The locations of the remaining base members


22


are determined and marked with registration pins


40


by measuring from the registration pins


40


of the first side or end.




After the locations of the base members


22


have been properly marked, the base members


22


are placed over the registration pins


40


so that the registration pins


40


extend through the registration holes


34


in the base plates


24


, as illustrated in FIG.


5


. The base members


22


are then secured to the ground with stakes


44


that extend into the ground through the openings


30


in the base plates


24


, as illustrated in FIG.


6


. The registration pins


40


can then be removed.




With reference now to

FIG. 7

, the various components of the beam assemblies


12


are laid out on the ground and arranged in relation to the base members


22


for assembly. The arrangement shown in

FIG. 7

is preferred because it requires the least ground surface area.




As illustrated in

FIG. 7

, each beam assembly


12


comprises a roof portion


48


and a pair of legs


50


for supporting the roof portion


48


. The roof portion


48


comprises a pair of curved eaves


54


and a curved apex


56


. In the illustrated embodiment, a straight short beam


58


and a straight long beam


60


are provided for connection between each of the eaves


54


and the apex


56


.




Prior to assembling the roof portion


48


at a first end of the tent


10


, a top purlin


62


preferably is attached to the apex


56


thereof. As illustrated in

FIG. 8

, the top purlin


62


has a pivot end


64


and a drop-in end


66


. The pivot end


64


of the top purlin


62


is pivotally attached to a bracket


68


(see

FIG. 9

) at an interior side of the apex


56


. A top insert


70


(see

FIG. 7

) preferably is also attached to the apex


56


at the bracket


68


.




Each of the roof portions


48


is preferably assembled beginning at one of the eaves


54


. With reference to

FIG. 10

, an insert


74


extends from an upper end of each eave


54


. A pair of retractable buttons


78


extend from an outer surface of each insert


74


.




The insert


74


of the eave


54


fits into a first end of the short beam


58


. The assembly preferably is carried out by two persons. One person holds the eave


54


and retracts the buttons


78


extending from the insert


74


while the other person slides the first end of the short beam


58


over the insert


74


. As illustrated in

FIG. 11

, a pair of openings


82


are provided near the first end of the short beam


58


. When the insert


74


of the eave


54


is fully inserted in the short beam


58


, the buttons


78


are aligned with the openings


82


and engage the openings


82


to lock the short beam


58


to the cave


54


.




The short beam


58


includes an insert


86


at a second end thereof. The insert


86


includes a pair of retractable buttons


88


that extend from an outer surface of the insert


86


. The insert


86


of the short beam


58


fits into a first end of the long beam


60


. A pair of openings


90


are provided in the first end of the long beam


60


, as illustrated in FIG.


12


. When the end of the long beam


60


is slid over the insert


86


, the buttons


88


are aligned with the openings


90


and engage the openings


90


to lock the long beam


60


to the short beam


58


.




Referring again to

FIG. 9

, an insert


94


is also provided at each end of the apex


56


. Each insert


94


includes a pair of retractable buttons


96


that extend from an outer surface of the insert


94


. The insert


94


fits into a second end of the long beam


60


. A pair of openings


98


are provided in the second end of the long beam


60


, as illustrated in FIG.


12


. When the second end of the long beam


60


is slid over the insert


94


, the buttons


96


are aligned with the openings


98


and engage the openings


98


to lock the long beam


60


to the apex


56


.




The other side of the roof portion


48


is assembled in a similar fashion. After each of the roof portions


48


has been assembled, an assembly cable


104


desirably is attached between the eaves


54


of each roof portion


48


, as illustrated in FIG.


13


. The assembly cables


104


help to hold the beam assemblies


12


together during construction of the tent


10


, and can later be removed if desired. Each of the eaves


54


includes a bracket


106


(see

FIG. 10

) for attachment of an end of one of the assembly cables


104


.




With reference now to

FIG. 14

, a base insert


110


is illustrated comprising an insert portion


112


and a pivot plate


116


at an end of the insert portion


112


. The insert portion


112


includes a pair of retractable buttons


118


that extend from an outer surface of the insert portion


112


. The pivot plate


116


extends generally perpendicularly to the insert portion


112


and has rounded corners


122


at a lower end thereof. An opening


124


is provided through each side of the pivot plate


116


.




One base insert


110


is desirably provided for each eave


54


of each roof portion


48


. The insert portion


112


of the base insert


110


fits into a lower end of the eave


54


. A pair of openings


126


are provided in the lower end of the eave


54


, as illustrated in FIG.


10


. When the insert portion


112


is slid into the lower end of the eave


54


, the buttons


118


are aligned with the openings


124


and engage the openings


124


to lock the base insert


110


to the cave


54


.




With reference now to

FIG. 15

, the roof portions


48


desirably are positioned so that the pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


are located at the interior sides of the pivot plates


26


of the base members


22


. The lower opening


124


in the pivot plate


116


of each base insert


110


is aligned with the opening


28


closest to the eave


54


in the pivot plate


26


of each base member


22


. The roof portions


48


are then temporarily connected to the base members


22


by passing a bolt


130


of a shackle


132


through the aligned openings


28


,


124


. This allows the roof portions


48


to rotate relative to the base members


22


.




A pair of bracing cables


136


preferably is next attached to the bracket


68


at the apex


56


of the roof portions


48


of each of the first and second beam assemblies


12


, as illustrated in FIG.


16


. The first roof portion


48


is then rotated upwardly from the ground, preferably with one person lifting at each side of the apex


56


and one person pushing and controlling the roof portion


48


with the top purlin


62


. As the roof portion


48


is rotated upwardly, the pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


rotate on the base plates


24


of the base members


22


. The rounded comers


122


of the pivot plates


116


facilitate rotation of the base inserts


110


on the base plates


24


.




When the roof portion


48


is vertical, the second openings


124


in the pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


are aligned with the second openings


28


in the pivot plates


26


of the base members


22


. The roof portion


48


of the first beam assembly


12


is then temporarily secured to the base members


22


by passing a bolt


138


of a second shackle


140


through the aligned second openings


28


,


124


, as illustrated in FIG.


17


. This prevents further rotation of the roof portion


48


with respect to the base members


22


.




The roof portion


48


of the second beam assembly


12


is raised in a similar fashion. A top purlin


62


is first attached to the bracket


68


of the apex


56


of the second roof portion


48


at a side of the apex


56


opposite the first roof portion


48


. The second roof portion


48


is then rotated upwardly from the ground, as illustrated in

FIG. 18

, preferably with one person lifting at each side of the apex


56


and one person pushing and controlling the roof portion


48


with the top purlin


62


. When the roof portion


48


is vertical, the second openings


124


in the pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


are aligned with the second openings


28


in the pivot plates


26


of the base members


22


. The roof portion


48


is then temporarily secured to the base members


22


by passing a bolt


138


of a second shackle


140


through the aligned second openings


28


,


124


.




The drop-in end


66


of the top purlin


62


is attached to the roof portion


48


of the second beam assembly


12


by inserting the drop-in end


66


into the bracket


68


at the apex


56


of the second beam assembly


48


. A purlin lift tool


142


can be used to lift the top purlin


62


into the bracket


68


. A pair of lower purlins


146


is then connected between adjacent eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


of the first and second beam assemblies


12


, as illustrated in FIG.


18


. The lower purlins


146


are connected to brackets


148


located at the eaves


54


of the first and second beam assemblies


12


, and are described in greater detail below.




The bracing cables


136


are next attached to the brackets


148


at the eaves


54


of the first and second roof portions


48


. The bracing cables


136


are lightly tensioned by adjusting a turnbuckle


154


at an end of each bracing cable


136


. Any vertical misalignment of the roof portions


48


can be corrected by adjusting the turnbuckles


154


.




The roof portion


48


of the third beam assembly


12


preferably is raised without first connecting a top purlin


62


to the apex


56


thereof. As illustrated in

FIG. 19

, the roof portion


48


is rotated upwardly from the ground, preferably with one person lifting at each side of the apex


56


. When the roof portion


48


is vertical, the second openings


124


in the pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


are aligned with the second openings


28


in the pivot plates


26


of the base members


22


. The roof portion


48


is then temporarily secured to the base members


22


by passing a bolt


138


of a second shackle


140


through the aligned second openings


28


,


124


. The drop-in end


66


of the top purlin


62


is then connected to the bracket


68


at the apex


56


of the third beam assembly


12


using the purlin lift tool


142


. A second pair of lower purlins


146


is connected between adjacent eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


of the second and third beam assemblies


12


.




The roof portion


48


of the fourth beam assembly


12


preferably is raised in the opposite direction. A top purlin


62


is first pivotally attached to the bracket


68


at the apex


56


of the fourth beam assembly


12


. A top insert


70


also is preferably attached. The fourth roof portion


48


is then rotated upwardly from the ground, as illustrated in

FIG. 20

, preferably with one person lifting at each side of the apex


56


and one person pushing and controlling the roof portion


48


with the top purlin


62


. When the roof portion


48


is vertical, the second openings


124


in the pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


are aligned with the second openings


28


in the pivot plates


26


of the base members


22


. The roof portion


48


is then temporarily secured to the base members


22


by passing a bolt


138


of a second shackle


140


through the aligned second openings


28


,


124


. The drop-in end


66


of the top purlin


62


is then connected to the bracket


68


at the apex


56


of the third beam assembly


12


using the purlin lift tool


142


. A third pair of lower purlins


146


is connected between adjacent eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


of the third and fourth beam assemblies


12


.




With the roof portions


48


of the beam assemblies


12


still secured to the base members


22


, the end panels


16


and top panels


14


of the tent


10


are installed. With reference to

FIG. 21

, a cross section of one of the beam assemblies


12


is shown. As illustrated in

FIG. 21

, each component of the beam assemblies


12


, including the eaves


54


, short beams


58


, long beams


60


, apexes


56


, and legs


50


, defines a pair of outer or upper keder tracks


162


and a pair of inner or lower keder tracks


164


. With reference to

FIGS. 22

,


23


and


24


, each of the panels of the tent


10


, including the top panels


14


, end panels


16


, and wall panels


18


, includes a keder


168


that extends along a perimeter thereof. The keders


168


preferably comprise cords that are sewn to the panels


14


,


16


,


18


and fit into the keder tracks


162


,


164


to secure the panels


14


,


16


,


18


to the beam assemblies


12


.




The end panels


16


preferably are installed first in the end beam assemblies


12


. Each end panel


16


preferably is laid out onto a drop cloth


172


to prevent soiling of the panel


16


, and arranged for installation in an end one of beam assemblies


12


. With reference to

FIG. 25

, the keder


168


of the end panel


16


is fed into one of the lower keder tracks


164


of the beam assembly


12


starting at one of the eaves


54


. A wider flared portion of the keder track


164


is provided at an upper portion of the eave


54


for insertion of the keder


168


. An attachment ring (not shown) desirably is provided at a curved cave portion of the end panel


16


for attachment of a rope


178


. While a first person. feeds the keder


168


into the keder track


164


at one side of the beam assembly


12


, a second person pulls the keder


168


through the keder track


164


from the other side of the beam assembly


12


using the rope


178


, as illustrated in FIG.


25


. The end panel


16


is then centered and the ends of the panel


16


are fed through the keder tracks


164


at the lower portions of the eaves


54


.




The top panels


14


preferably are installed next. To facilitate installation of the top panels


14


, the lower purlins


146


desirably are adjustable in length. With reference to

FIG. 26

, a preferred embodiment of one of the adjustable length purlins


146


is. shown. As illustrated in

FIG. 26

, the lower purlin


146


comprises a first tubular segment


184


, a second tubular segment


186


, and a third tubular segment


188


. The third segment


188


desirably has an outer diameter that is slightly less than an inner diameter of the first and second segments


186


,


188


. The third segment


188


extends axially at least part way through each of the first and second segments


184


,


186


.




Each of the first and second segments


184


,


186


includes a drop-in end


190


similar to the drop-in end


66


of the top purlins


62


. A first cam


192


is provided at an end of the first segment


184


opposite the drop-in end


190


of the first segment


184


. The first cam


160


desirably is rotatable with respect to the first segment


184


. A second cam


194


is provided at an end of the second segment


186


opposite the drop-in end


190


of the second segment


186


. The second cam


194


desirably is fixed with respect to the second segment


186


.




Each of the first and second cams


192


,


194


defines a cam surface


198


. Each cam surface


198


generally defines a peak


202


and a valley


204


. When the first cam


192


is rotated with respect to the second cam


194


so that the peak


202


of the first


192


cam resides in the valley


204


of the second cam


194


, the overall length of the purlin


146


is minimized. Conversely, when first cam


192


is rotated so that the peak


202


of the first cam


192


resides against the peak.


202


of the second cam


194


, the overall length of the purlin


146


is maximized. During installation of the top panels


14


, it is desirable that the length of the lower purlins


146


be reduced in order to decrease the distance between adjacent roof portions


48


of the beam assemblies


12


. An amount of slack is thereby created in the top panels


14


. This serves to facilitate installation of the top panels


14


between the roof portions


48


of the beam assemblies


12


.




With the length of the lower purlins


146


reduced, each of the top panels


14


preferably is laid out onto a drop cloth


210


and arranged for installation between adjacent roof portions


48


of the tent


10


, as illustrated in FIG.


27


. The keders


168


of the top panel


14


are fed into the upper keder tracks


164


of the beam assemblies


12


starting at the eaves


54


. A wider flared portion


166


(see

FIG. 10

) of the keder track


164


is provided at an upper portion of each of the eaves


54


for insertion of the keders


168


.




While two people feed the keders


168


into the keder tracks


164


at one side of the tent


10


, two other people pull the keders


168


through the keder tracks


164


from the other side of the tent


10


using ropes


178


attached to the top panel


14


, as illustrated in FIG.


27


. The keders


168


of the top panel


14


preferably are pulled through the keder tracks


164


evenly with concerted 8 to 12 inch pulls on the ropes


178


. When the panel


14


is centered, the ends of the panel


14


are then fed through the keder tracks


164


at the lower portions of the eaves


54


past the lower purlins


146


.




Desirably, the radius of curvature of the eaves


54


and apexes


56


is great enough to allow the top panels


14


and end panels


16


to slide through the keder tracks


164


of the eaves


54


and apexes


56


with relative ease. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the eaves


54


and apexes


56


is at least approximately 2 feet.




With reference now to

FIGS. 28 and 29

, a preferred embodiment of a side tensioner


220


for tensioning the top panels


14


is illustrated. The side tensioner


220


generally comprises a plate


222


that is contoured to fit against a side surface of the beam assemblies


12


. A ratchet assembly


224


is attached to a front surface of the plate at each side thereof. A downwardly-projecting hook


226


extends from a rear surface of the plate


222


at each side thereof.




Referring now to

FIG. 30

, the side tensioners


220


are positioned at the eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


of the interior beam assemblies


12


. Each of the side tensioners


220


is attached to two of the top panels


14


by placing the hooks


226


at the rear of the tensioner


220


through a pair of rings


212


(see

FIG. 44

) located at the comers of the top panels


14


. Thus, advantageously, each of the side tensioners


220


tensions two of the top panels


14


simultaneously.




A corner tensioner


230


is provided for tensioning the end panels


16


and the top panels


14


at the corners of the tent


10


. A preferred embodiment of the comer tensioner


230


is illustrated in FIG.


31


. In the illustrated embodiment, the corner tensioner


230


comprises a plate


232


including a side portion


234


and an end portion


236


that extends generally perpendicularly to the side portion


234


. A ratchet assembly


238


is attached to a front surface of each of the side and end portions


234


,


236


, and a downwardly-projecting hook (not shown) extends from a rear surface of each of the side and end portions


234


,


236


.




The corner tensioners


230


are positioned at the eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


of the end beam assemblies


12


, as illustrated in FIG.


32


. Each of the comer tensioners


230


is connected to one of the top panels


14


and one of the end panels


16


. The hook at the rear of the side portion


234


is placed through the ring


212


at the comer of the top panel


14


. The hook at the rear of the end portion


236


is placed through the ring


212


at the comer of the end panel


14


. Thus, advantageously, each of the corner tensioners


230


tensions one of the top panels


14


and one of the end panels


16


simultaneously.




Referring again to

FIG. 30

, a pair of holes


252


are provided through the plate


222


of each of the side tensioners


220


for attachment of a tensioning strap


256


. Each tensioning strap


256


desirably includes a pair of hooks


260


at a first end thereof, and a ratchet assembly


258


(see

FIG. 43

) at a second end thereof. The hooks


260


at the first ends of the tensioning straps


256


are placed through the holes


252


in the plates


222


of the side tensioners


220


, preferably from the rear of the plates


222


so that the hooks


260


project away from the beam assemblies


12


. Tensioning straps


256


are attached to the comer tensioners


230


in a similar manner.




A beam cover


268


desirably is next installed over each of the beam assemblies


12


. The beam covers


268


serve to prevent water leakage between the top panels


14


and the roof portions


48


of the beam assemblies


12


, and to hide the roof portions


48


to provide a more attractive appearance. While one person holds one end of the beam cover


268


centered over one of the eaves


54


, another person pulls the beam cover


268


over the apex


256


. It may be necessary to pull the beam cover


268


back and forth over the apex


56


in a sawing motion to center the beam cover


268


over the apex


256


.




A pair of straps


270


extend from each end of each of the beam covers


268


, as illustrated in FIG.


30


. After the beam covers


268


are centered on the beam assemblies


12


, the straps


270


are threaded through the ratchet assemblies


224


of the tensioners


220


to hold the beam covers


268


in place until final tensioning thereof.




Any lighting, decorations, or other fixtures that are to be hung from the roof portions


48


of the tent


10


can be installed next. The lighting and decorations preferably are attached to the brackets


68


,


106


at the apexes


56


and the eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


. Because the legs


50


of the tent


10


have not yet been installed, the brackets


68


,


106


at the apexes


56


and the eaves


54


are near to the ground and within easy reach.




With reference now to

FIG. 33

, the legs


50


of the tent


10


are installed by raising the roof portions


48


one side at a time. Because the assembled roof portions


48


are relatively heavy, a jack


274


preferably is provided at each of the roof portions


48


to lift the roof portions


48


. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the jacks


274


comprises a base


276


and a post


278


that extends upwardly from the base


276


. A winch assembly


280


is attached to the post


278


and includes crank arm


282


. A strap


284


extends from the winch assembly


280


over a top end of the post


278


. A pair of wheels


286


are rotatably connected to the base


276


to facilitate transporting of the jack


274


.




One of the jacks


274


desirably is positioned at a first side of each of the roof portions


48


, as illustrated in

FIGS. 33 and 34

. The straps


284


are connected to the brackets


106


at the eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


. The first and second shackles


132


,


140


are then removed to disconnect the first sides of the roof portions


48


from their associated base members


22


.




The first sides of the roof portions


48


preferably are raised approximately 6 to 8 inches above the base members


22


by turning the crank arms


282


of the winch assemblies


280


. All of the roof portions


48


preferably are raised substantially in unison to prevent damage to the roof portions


48


. A second side of each of the roof portions


48


remains connected to one of the base members


22


as the first side is raised.




The base inserts


110


are removed from the eaves


54


at the first sides of the roof portions


48


by pressing the buttons


118


of the base inserts


110


to retract the buttons


118


into the openings


126


at the ends of the eaves


54


. The base inserts


110


are then removed from the eaves


54


by sliding the insert portions


112


of the base inserts


110


out of the lower ends of the eaves


54


.




Once removed from the eaves


54


, the base inserts


110


are connected to the legs


50


. As illustrated in

FIG. 35

, each of the legs


50


includes an insert


294


at an upper end thereof. A pair of retractable buttons


296


extend from an outer surface of the insert


294


. A pair of openings


298


are provided at a lower end of each of the legs


50


. The insert portions


112


of the base inserts


110


are slid into the lower ends of the legs


50


so that the buttons


118


of the base inserts


110


are aligned with the openings


296


and engage the openings


296


to lock the base inserts


110


to the legs


50


.




With reference now to

FIG. 36

, the first sides of the roof portions


48


are raised further to allow insertion of the legs


50


. Preferably, two people are positioned at each roof portion


48


. One person operates the jack


274


while the other person connects the leg


50


to the eave


54


. The leg


50


is connected to the eave


54


by sliding the insert


294


of the leg


50


into the lower end of the eave


54


so that the buttons


296


are aligned with the openings


126


. The buttons


296


engage the openings


126


to lock the leg


50


to the eave


54


.




After the upper ends of the legs


50


have been connected to the eaves


54


, the lower ends of the legs


50


are connected to the base members


22


. The pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


, which extend from the lower ends of the legs


50


, desirably are positioned at the interior sides of the pivot plates


26


of the base members


22


. It may be necessary to draw the legs


50


inwardly by pulling on the legs


50


or the assembly cables


104


in order to bring the legs


50


into position. The openings


124


in the pivot plates


116


of the base inserts


110


are aligned with the openings


28


in the pivot plates


26


of the base members


22


. The legs


50


are then secured to the base members


22


by passing the bolts


130


,


138


of the shackles


132


,


140


through the aligned openings


28


,


124


in the pivot plates


26


,


116


.




With reference to

FIG. 37

, the legs


50


are installed at the second sides of the roof portions


48


in the same manner. The second sides of the roof portions


48


are disconnected from their associated base members


22


and raised using the jacks


274


. The base inserts


110


are then removed from the eaves


54


of the roof portions


48


and inserted into the lower ends of the legs


50


. The second sides of the roof portions


48


are raised further to allow connection of the upper ends of the legs


50


to the lower ends of the eaves


54


. The lower ends of the legs


50


are then secured to the base members


22


with the shackles


132


,


140


.




With reference to

FIG. 38

, an end column


304


desirably is connected to the top insert


70


at each of the end beam assemblies


12


. Preferably, a first person slides an upper end of the end column


304


over the top insert


70


and pulls a lower end of the end column


304


inwardly towards the interior of the tent


10


. A second person connects an end leg assembly


308


to the end column


304


by sliding an insert


310


of the leg assembly


308


into the lower end of the end column


304


. A pair of retractable buttons (not shown) extend from the insert


310


of the leg assembly


308


and engage a pair of openings (not shown) in the lower end of the end column


304


to lock the leg assembly


308


to the end column


304


.




An end base insert


316


is connected to each of the end leg assemblies


308


. As illustrated in

FIG. 39

, each of the end base inserts


316


comprises an insert portion


318


and a pivot plate


320


at an end of the insert portion


318


. An opening


324


is provided through each side of the pivot plate


320


. The end base inserts


316


preferably are positioned at the interior sides of the pivot plates


26


of the end base members


26


and connected to the base members


26


with first and second shackles


132


,


140


.




With reference now to

FIG. 40

, high wind guys


336


may next be installed, if desired, in order to reinforce the tent


10


against high winds. The high wind guys


336


preferably are connected to the brackets


106


at the eaves


54


of the beam assemblies


12


and extend downwardly from the eaves


54


to the ground surface at approximately a 45 degree angle. An opening (not shown) desirably is provided in the beam covers


268


at each of the eaves


54


for access to the brackets


106


. Each of the high wind guys


336


desirably includes a ratchet assembly (not shown). The high wind guys


336


are staked to the ground and tensioned evenly using the ratchet assemblies.




With reference to

FIG. 41

, the wall panels


18


of the tent


10


preferably are installed next. The keders


168


of the wall panels


18


are fed into the outer keder tracks


162


of the beam assemblies


12


. A keder track flare


340


(see

FIG. 35

) desirably is provided at each of the legs


50


for insertion of the keders


168


. The wall panels


18


are fed upwardly through the keder tracks


162


from the keder track flares


340


.




Each of the wall panels


18


preferably includes a number of snap fixtures


348


along an upper end thereof, as illustrated in FIG.


42


. The snaps fixtures


348


are connected to a snap line


350


that extends along a lower end of each of the top panels


14


to attach the wall panel


18


to the top panel


14


. A buckle strap (not shown) is further provided at each of the upper comers of the wall panels


18


. The buckle straps preferably are attached to the brackets


106


at the eaves


54


of the beam assemblies


12


.




The lower ends of the wall panels


18


are fed downwardly through the keder tracks


162


of the legs


50


from the keder track flares


340


. A buckle strap (not shown) also is provided at each of the lower comers of the wall panels


18


. The wall panels


18


preferably are attached to the base members


22


by looping the buckle straps through the shackles


132


,


140


at the base members


22


.




The top panels


14


and end panels


16


are tensioned using the side and comer tensioners


220


,


230


. With reference to

FIG. 43

, a pair of hooks


358


are provided at the second ends of each of the tensioning straps


256


. The tensioning straps


256


are attached to the legs


50


by placing the hooks


358


around the lower ends of the legs


50


. By operating the ratchet assemblies


258


, the tensioners


220


,


230


are pulled downwardly by the tensioning straps


256


to tension the panels


14


,


16


. Preferably, the ratchet assemblies


256


at opposite sides of each of the beam assemblies


12


are operated in unison to tension the panels


14


,


16


evenly.




As illustrated in

FIG. 44

, the hooks


226


extending from the rear of the tensioners


220


are preferably closer together than the rings


212


of adjacent top panels


14


. Thus, when the tensioner


220


is attached to the panels


14


and pulled downwardly by the tensioning strap


256


, the corners of the panels


14


are pulled both inwardly towards the beam assembly


12


and downwardly towards the base member


22


. This tensions the panels


14


both longitudinally along the length of the beam assemblies


12


, and laterally between the beam assemblies


12


. The arch-shaped ends of the top panels


14


resist bunching and wrinkling as the panels


14


are tensioned.




The top panels


14


and wall panels


18


preferably are further tensioned by adjusting the length of the lower purlins


146


that extend between adjacent beam assemblies


12


. Referring again to

FIG. 26

, a plurality of holes


364


are provided around the circumference of the first cam


192


of each of the lower purlins


146


. With reference to

FIG. 45

, a wrench


368


desirably is provided for rotating the first cam


192


. In the illustrated embodiment, the wrench


368


has a hooked end portion


370


having a pin


372


at an end thereof. The wrench


368


is placed over the first cam


192


so that the pin


372


resides in one of the holes


364


and the end portion


370


rests against the surface of the first cam


192


. By turning the wrench


368


, the first cam


192


is rotated with respect to the second cam


194


so that the peak


202


of the cam surface


198


of the first cam


192


is aligned with the peak


202


of the cam surface


198


of the second cam


194


. The overall length of the purlin


146


is thereby increased. As the length of the lower purlin


146


is increased, the top panel


14


and wall panels


18


extending between the beam assemblies


12


are further tensioned.




Finally, the beam covers


268


are tensioned using the ratchet assemblies


224


,


238


at the front of the tensioners


220


,


230


. The high wind guys


336


, if installed, can also be further tensioned using the ratchet assemblies thereof.




Because the tent


10


of the illustrated embodiment is anchored to the ground at the base members


22


during construction thereof, the risk of damage to the tent


10


or injury to persons nearby during construction of the tent


10


is reduced. The tensioning of the top panels


14


, end panels


16


, and wall panels


18


improves the overall appearance of the tent


10


and reduces noise and frame stresses caused by the flapping of the panels


14


,


16


,


18


in the wind.




The tent


10


is easily erected by unskilled workers with minimal specialized equipment. In addition, the tent


10


comprises a number of relatively small frame components that can easily be transported from site to site. For a 5,000 square foot tent of the illustrated embodiment, the disassembled shipping volume is approximately 480 cubic feet. In contrast, a typical 5,000 square foot fabric-covered structure would have a shipping volume of approximately 1280 cubic feet. The tent of the illustrated embodiment is thus well-suited for short-term rental for parties and other gatherings.




With reference now to

FIGS. 46 and 47

, a feeder clamp


382


is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the feeder clamp


382


comprises a pair of arms


384


connected to a vise grip-type handle


386


. A guide member


386


is pivotally connected to an end of each arm


384


.




The feeder clamp


382


can optionally be used to facilitate installation of the top panels


14


of the tent


10


. As before, the keders


168


of the top panel


14


are first fed into the keder track flares


166


at the eaves


54


of the beam assemblies


12


. Preferably, the keders


168


are fed through the keder tracks


164


approximately 18-24 inches. A feeder clamp


382


is then clamped to each of the eaves


54


at the keder track flares


166


so that the guide members


386


cover the upper, flared portions of the keder track flares


166


. This prevents the keders


168


from catching and bunching at the keder track flares


166


as the top panels


14


are pulled through the keder tracks


164


.




The keders


168


of the top panel


14


can be pulled through the keder tracks


164


from the other side of the tent


10


by two people using the ropes


178


. Because an additional two people are not required to attend the keder track flares


166


as the top panels


14


are pulled through the keder tracks


164


, the number of people required to install the top panels


14


is reduced from four to two.




Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.



Claims
  • 1. A method of erecting a tent comprising two or more beam assemblies, each of said beam assemblies comprising a roof portion and a pair of legs for supporting said roof portion, the method comprising the steps of:securing base members to the ground at predetermined locations; connecting said roof portions to said base members; lifting said roof portions upwardly from the ground while maintaining the connection to said base members; disconnecting a first side of each of said roof portions from an associated one of said base members; raising said first side above said base member; connecting a first leg to said first side; connecting said first leg to said base member; disconnecting a second side of each of said roof portions from an associated one of said base members; raising said second side above said base member; connecting a second leg to said second side; and connecting said second leg to said base member.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first sides of said roof portions are raised substantially in unison by attaching a jack to a plurality of said roof portions at said first sides, and said second sides are raised substantially in unison by attaching a jack to a plurality of said roof portions at said second sides.
  • 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first sides of said roof portions are raised substantially in unison by attaching a jack to each of said roof portions at said first sides, and said second sides are raised substantially in unison by attaching a jack to each of said roof portions at said second sides.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing a panel of web material between adjacent ones of said roof portions prior to disconnecting said first sides of said roof portions from said base members.
  • 5. The method of claim 4, wherein each of said roof portions comprises a curved eave at each of said first and second sides, and a curved apex connected between said eaves, and said panel is installed by feeding a keder portion of said panel into a track formed along each of said roof portions and pulling said panel over said apexes from one of said eaves to the other.
  • 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising attaching an adjustable-length purlin between adjacent ones of said roof portions prior to installing said panel, and increasing a length of said purlin after said panel is installed to apply tension to said panel.
  • 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the length of said purlin is adjusted by turning a first cam associated with a first portion of said purlin relative to a second cam associated with a second portion of said purlin.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:installing a first panel of web material between a first of said beam assemblies and a second of said beam assemblies by feeding a keder portion of said first panel into a keder track formed in each of said first and second beam assemblies; installing a second panel of web material between said second beam assembly and a third of said beam assemblies by feeding a keder portion of said second panel into a keder track formed in each of said second and third beam assemblies; and tensioning both of said first and second panels using a tensioner connected to said first and second panels and to said second beam assembly or associated base member.
  • 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said first and second panels are tensioned simultaneously.
  • 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said tensioner pulls said first and second panels inwardly towards said second beam assembly and downwardly towards said base member.
  • 11. A method of erecting a tent comprising two or more longitudinally spaced, transversely extending beam assemblies, each of said beam assemblies comprising a roof portion and a pair of legs for supporting said roof portion, the method comprising the steps of:securing base members to the ground; connecting said roof portions to said base members; rotating said roof portions upwardly from the ground about a generally transverse axis; disconnecting said roof portions from said base members; rotating said roof portions about a generally longitudinal axis; and installing said legs beneath said roof portions.
  • 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said roof portions are rotated about said longitudinal axis in a first direction to install said legs at a first side of said tent, and in a second opposite direction to install said legs at a second side of said tent.
  • 13. The method of claim 11, wherein a retractable button extends from an end of each of said legs, and said legs are installed by inserting said ends of said legs into said roof portions to engage said buttons in corresponding openings in said roof portions.
  • 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the length of said purlin is increased by turning a first cam associated with a first portion of said purlin relative to a second cam associated with a second portion of said purlin.
  • 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said attaching of said tensioner to said first and second panels comprises placing a pair of hooks extending from said tensioner through a pair of rings attached to said first and second panels.
  • 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising attaching said tensioner to said second beam assembly or associated base member with a tensioning strap, said tensioning strap having a ratchet assembly associated therewith.
  • 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said pulling comprises operating said ratchet assembly of said tensioning strap to shorten a length of said tensioning strap and thereby pull said tensioner towards said base member.
  • 18. A method of installing a panel of web material between two beam assemblies of a tent, comprising the steps of:attaching an adjustable-length purlin between said beam assemblies; feeding a keder of said panel through a keder track formed in each of said beam assemblies; and increasing a length of said purlin to increase a distance between said beam assemblies and thereby tension said panel.
  • 19. A method of installing panels of web material between beam assemblies of a tent, said beam assemblies being anchored to the ground at a number of base members, the method comprising the steps of:installing a first panel between a first beam assembly and a second beam assembly by feeding a keder portion of said first panel into a keder track formed along each of said first and second beam assemblies; installing a second panel between said second beam assembly and a third beam assembly by feeding a keder portion of said second panel into a keder track formed along each of said second and third beam assemblies; attaching a tensioner to said first and second panels; and pulling said first and second panels inwardly towards said second beam assembly and downwardly towards an associated one of said base members with said tensioner.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/778,610, filed Feb. 7, 2001, now abandoned, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/181,742, filed Feb. 11, 2000.

US Referenced Citations (18)
Number Name Date Kind
645890 Conrad Mar 1900 A
4033367 Johnston Jul 1977 A
4593710 Stafford et al. Jun 1986 A
4644706 Stafford et al. Feb 1987 A
4837990 Peleg Jun 1989 A
5146722 Stafford Sep 1992 A
5269106 Stafford et al. Dec 1993 A
5426899 Jones Jun 1995 A
5487242 Stafford Jan 1996 A
5546972 Wardell Aug 1996 A
5565234 Vermeulen Oct 1996 A
5784842 Wackerbauer Jul 1998 A
5964236 Berke Oct 1999 A
5974740 Park Nov 1999 A
6003269 McRee Dec 1999 A
6247484 Thomas Jun 2001 B1
6260308 Looney Jul 2001 B1
6266932 Van Tassel Jul 2001 B1
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
3243525 May 1984 DE
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/181742 Feb 2000 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/778610 Feb 2001 US
Child 09/855279 US