This invention relates generally to a tent apparatus, and more specifically, to a tent apparatus having a variety of features to enhance the privacy of users of the tent. For instance, the tent apparatus may have securement devices located within the tent to prevent an outside user from entering the tent without consent from individuals located within the tent. The tent may come equipped with additional materials to further enhance the privacy within the tent, including a modesty cloth panel located at the entrance, as well as flexible wall height extensions that can slant inward and/or outward or straight up that prevent individuals located outside of the tent to look over the top of the tent walls when the roof is off.
Tents are commonly used for a variety of outdoor activities. For instance, tents are commonly used during camping activities, as well as to provide users with shelter from outdoor elements. Traditional tents oftentimes include a floor, a roof, and sidewalls that are used to form one or more rooms. Usually, the sidewalls have at least one door formed therein that can be opened or closed from the interior or exterior of the tent. Generally speaking, anytime the at least one door is opened, individuals located outside of the tent can view the interior of the tent. Additionally, traditional tents allow individuals located outside the tent to enter the tent without knowledge or consent of individuals located within. In fact, most tents do not have any devices to ensure privacy to individuals located within the tent.
Other open-sided tents can be used during outdoor gatherings to provide users with shade and shelter from rain, snow, and other undesirable weather conditions. While these tents do provide users with cover from above, they do not usually include removable components, such as a removable roof or floor. It may be desirable to have a tent having a removable roof or floor in certain circumstances, for instance, where the users of the tent want exposure to sunlight, or simply want open air above them, such as when the tent surrounds a hot tub or an area used for a physical activity.
Additionally, while traditional tents are capable of being repeatedly torn down, folded up, moved, and set up again, traditional tents usually have a set configuration, and additional components cannot be added to expand the shape of the tent. When a tent is set up, this typically occurs by mounting stakes around the exterior of the tent. While these exterior stakes help to support the shape of the tent, anyone located outside of the tent can easily access the stakes.
Accordingly, there is a need for a tent system that helps to ensure privacy and safety of individuals located therein, while also providing an open roof for various activities. There is also need for a modular tent system where multiple tent sidewalls can be secured to one another where a larger private area is desired.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a modular privacy tent system is provided that includes a frame, at least one sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a removable roof. The at least one sidewall is releasably supported by the frame to form an interior. The interior has an open top when the removable roof is removed.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one sidewall may include a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall. The first sidewall may be releasably attachable to the second and third sidewalls, and the fourth sidewall may be releasably attachable to the second and third sidewalls. Alternatively, the at least one sidewall may include a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, a fourth sidewall, a fifth sidewall, and a sixth sidewall. The first sidewall may be releasably attachable to the second and sixth sidewalls, and the fourth sidewall may be releasably attachable to the third and fifth sidewalls.
According to another aspect of the invention, the tent system may further include a plurality of openings formed along the bottom edge of the at least one sidewall, a plurality of stakes releasably insertable into the plurality of openings, and at least one anchor plank secured to the ground surface with the plurality of stakes. The plurality of stakes may be inserted through the openings into the at least one anchor plank in the interior. The plurality of stakes may be selected from corkscrew stakes and straight stakes. The plurality of stakes may be inserted into the at least one anchor plank at opposing angles to ensure a more secure connection to the ground.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the system may also include at lest one weighted anchor plank that is rested on a ground surface. The bottom edge of the at least one sidewall may be secured to the at least one weighted anchor plank in the interior. The weighted anchor plank may further include a body and an opening formed within the body. The opening is configured to receive a weighted material, for instance water, sand, or any other material.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tent system may include a door formed in one of the at least one sidewall and a modesty cloth located behind the door to prevent visual access to the interior when the door is opened. Additionally, the system may include at least one zipper clip that is mounted to the at least one sidewall in the interior. The door may further comprise a first zipper configured to allow the door to move between an open position and a closed position. In the opened position, access to the interior of the tent system is permitted, whereas in the closed position, access to the interior is not permitted. The zipper clip may be configured to secure the zipper in the closed position.
According to another aspect of the invention, the tent system may include at least one window formed in one of the at least one sidewalls. The at least one window includes a first window covering, a second window covering, and a third window covering. The first window covering may include a portion of the at least one sidewall. The second window covering may include a screen. The third window covering may include a modesty cloth. The second window covering may be located between the first window covering and the third window covering. The modesty cloth may prevent visual access to the interior when the first window covering is released.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the tent system may also include at least one upper ridge extension lip. The upper ridge extension lip may extend from the upper edge of the at least one sidewall in an upwardly and outwardly direction. The upper ridge extension lip may also include an extender arm and a piece of flexible fabric. For instance, the extender arm may extend from the frame, and be manipulative relative to the frame. As such, the upper ridge extension lip may be movable relative to the frame.
According to another aspect of the invention, the tent system may include other features. For instance, a mister may be mounted to the top edge of the at least one sidewall, and a water source may be connected to the at least on mister. This enables water to be sprayed into the interior. Additionally, at least one light may be mounted to the at least one sidewall. Further still, the frame may include at least one removable roof support member.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of assembling a modular privacy tent system is provided. This may include the steps of assembling a frame, mounting at least one sidewall to the frame, driving at least one stake through a bottom edge of the at least one sidewall, releasably attaching a removable roof to the frame, and removing the removable roof to create an open top. The method may also include the steps of securing at least one stake plate onto a ground surface, and driving the at least one stake through the bottom edge of the at least one sidewall into the stake plate at an interior of the sidewall. The method also may include the steps of driving a first stake through the bottom edge of the sidewall at a first angle and driving a second stake through the bottom edge of the sidewall at a second angle. The first angle may be at least 30 degrees offset from the first angle. Additionally, a first side edge of the at least one sidewall may be releasably attached to a second side edge of another of the at least one sidewall.
These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. It is hereby disclosed that the invention include all such modifications.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:
Illustrative embodiments of a tent system or simply a tent (identified generally as 30) in accordance with the present invention are shown in
The present invention provides a tent system 30 that provides sufficient privacy and security within the tent 30, while also providing an open top 32 to allow access to the sky. More specifically, the tent 30 is designed to provide complete visual obstruction into the tent 30 from individuals outside of the tent 30, while still having an open top 32. For instance, the tent 30 may be used in a variety of settings where users may desire privacy, while also having fresh air, sunshine, or moonlight. This allows users to sunbathe, sit in a hot tub, change clothes, shower, and do various exercises such as yoga, stretching, or Pilates in an outdoor environment without allowing outside third parties to watch. The tent 30 can be used outdoors in a variety of different environments, such as in a user's backyard, on porches and decks, on beaches, in parks, on campsites, and at outdoor areas associated with various hotels and resorts. The tent 30 additionally has components that prevent individuals located outside of the tent 30 from tampering with or entering an interior 34 of the tent 30.
To achieve this goal, the tent 30 may have a plurality of sidewalls 36, a removable roof 38, and a frame 40. As shown in
Similarly, the tent 30 may come equipped with a removable floor 44. The removable floor 44 may also be made of a heavy-duty material that can easily be installed or removed using fasteners 46 to keep the outside elements out, and to also reduce the ability for outside users to tamper with the tent 30. As shown, the floor 44 may be installed or removed using any number of different fasteners 46, including a zipper, hook-and-loop Velcro fasteners, snaps, clips, and the like. Once the removable floor 44 has been installed, moisture, bugs, and other wildlife from outside the tent 30 can be kept outside of the tent 30. Additionally, the floor 44 may be configured to hold water therein, for instance, to keep users cool while resting on the floor 44 while sunbathing.
The tent 30 may come in a substantially square shape having four sidewalls 36, for instance as shown in
Additionally, the tent 30 may have a modular configuration, such that multiple sidewalls 36 may be attached to one another to create a tent 30 having a larger footprint. For instance, the tents 30 shown in
The tent 30 may also include a variety of privacy features. Initially, the sidewalls 36 may all be made of a material that prevents individuals located outside of the tent 30 to look therein. The material may, however, allow for wind and air to pass therethrough while preventing outsiders from looking in. Further still, the material may allow users located within the tent 30 to partially or fully look through the sidewall 36 out of the tent 30, while preventing outsiders from looking in. Alternatively still, the sidewall 36 material may be a reflective, waterproof material.
Additionally, the sidewalls 36 may have sufficient height to prevent outsiders from looking into the interior 34. As shown, each sidewall 36 may be at least seven feet tall, and in some embodiments, even taller. Where the tent 30 is used during sunbathing, the various sidewalls 36 may also be movable to ensure sufficient access to direct sunlight. For instance, in the morning or evening, one or more of the sidewalls 36 can be adjusted or removed to allow for sunlight to enter the interior of the tent, while still maintaining a certain level of privacy from outsiders. This may occur by adjusting portions of the frame 40 in a downward direction, which results in the tent 30 being slanted relative to the ground. This is especially desirable when the length of days is shorter or during seasons when the sun is located an extreme northern or southern position.
In addition to the height of the sidewalls 36, the tent 30 may have additional components to prevent outsiders from attempting to look into the tent 30. As shown in
Additionally,
As shown in
Additionally, one or more of the sidewalls 36 may have optional screened windows 56 formed therein, each of which have a zipper with two sliders which can be spaced apart to allow for a vent or breezeway while still allowing privacy. For instance, the windows 56 may include a first window covering 64 made of the same material as the sidewall 36, a second window covering 65 made of a screen, and a third window covering 67 made of a modesty cloth, which may be reflective. The first window covering 64 may be opened such that it falls away from the window opening 56 to expose the screen. This can help to improve air circulation within the tent 30. In the event that users within the tent 30 still wish to have privacy, the modesty cloth can provide partial or full coverage over the screen. For instance, the modesty cloth may extend along the window 56 on the inside of the tent 30 so that even when the first window covering 64 is opened, there is still a desired amount of privacy. Similar modesty clothes may be provided where the doors 54 are located.
The tent 30 may include various security components to ensure that it is tamperproof from the outside, preventing outsiders from trying to gain access into the interior 34 of the tent 30 without consent of individuals located therein. For instance, all fasteners associated with doors 54 and windows 56 of the tent 30 may be located on the inside of the tent 30. While the fasteners will be described as zippers herein, it should be noted that any other fastener could similarly be used, include hook-and-look Velcro fasteners, snaps, clips, and the like. Alternatively, the fasteners may be operable both inside and outside of the tent 30, with additional locking mechanisms located within the tent 30 to prevent unauthorized use of the fasteners from outside of the tent 30. For instance, the tent 30 may include zipper clips 66, such as carabiners or other clips, that are located within the tent 30 at endpoints of each zipper. The zipper clips 66 may be clipped to the zippers when the zippers are in a closed position. As a result, the zippers cannot be moved until the clip 66 is disengaged. Because the zipper clips 66 are located within the tent, an outsider cannot disengage the clips 66.
In order to secure the tent to the ground, various openings 68 may be formed in the bottom of the sidewalls 36. For instance, to prevent access by outside parties, the sidewalls 36 may be secured to the ground from the inside of the tent 30. As shown, four openings 68a, 68b, 68c, 68d are formed along the bottom of each sidewall 36, with two additional openings 68e, 68f formed in either end of the sidewall 36. Of course, additional or fewer openings may be used depending on the dimensions of the sidewall 36, the configuration of the tent 30, and any other relevant factors.
Stakes 70 may be installed around the tent 30 in order to keep the bottom of each sidewall 36 secured to the ground. In addition to simply driving stakes 70 through the openings 68 into the ground, the tent 30 may also have stake planks/stake plates/anchor planks 72 that are secured to the ground. In this way, the stakes 70 may be driven through the openings 68 and into the stake plates 72. The stakes 70 may be driven directly into the stake plates 72, or the stake plates 72 may have additional openings (not shown) formed therein configured to receive the stakes 70. For instance, two stake plates 72a, 72b may be used to secure each sidewall 36 to the ground as seen in
A variety of different stakes 70 may be used. For instance, spiral stakes (not shown) may be used as these provide the most secure connection with the ground. Otherwise, straight stakes may be used, as shown in the figures. When straight stakes 70 are used, preferably each stake 70 is driven into the ground and/or stake plate 72 at angles to result in the crisscross formation as seen in
The described stake plates 72 may also be modified for use on hard surfaces. For instance, where the tent 30 is used to surround a hot tub that is on a concrete slab, deck, or other surface, weighted anchor planks 73 may be used that rest on top of that hard surface as shown in
Further still, the tent 30 may come equipped with straps 76 mounted along the top of each sidewall 36. For instance, each sidewall 36 may have four straps 76 mounted thereon. These straps 76 may include clips or male and female buckles (not shown) on either end to allow the strap 76 to be secured to the frame 40.
The tent 30 may come with a frame 40 to which the various sidewalls 36, removable roof 38, and removable floor 44 can be mounted. For instance, the tent 30 may come with an accordion-style canopy tent frame 40 with feet (not shown) and two flexible sectional roof supports 78 that can be used to support the removable roof 38 before it is removed. Where the tent 30 includes the removable floor 44, the feet may be located on or inside of floor 44. The two flexible sectional roof supports 78 may fit into diagonal sleeves 79 included in the roof material and inserted into the corners of the frame 40. In this way, the two flexible sectional roof supports 78 may be diagonally located as shown in
The tent 30 may have other features to further improve functionality and enjoyment by users. For instance, the interior 34 of the tent 30 may include a reflective material to help enhance the amount of sunlight that enters the tent 30, especially when the tent 30 is used for sunbathing. By way of example, various sheets of reflective Faylon material may be mounted about the tent 30. This could include sheets of Faylon material that hang from the top of the sidewalls 36. Also, various storage compartments or netting (not shown) may be provided within the tent 30 to allow users to secure personal materials therein. Additionally, misters or showers 88 may be mounted around the tent 30. For instance, when the tent 30 is used for sunbathing or physical activities, misters or showers may be mounted around the perimeter of the tent 30 and extend therein to provide cooling water to occupants. These misters or showers can be connected to a garden hose (not shown) for easy delivery of water to the mister and/or shower. The tent 30 may also include a variety of lights 90 mounted around the tent 30. This is especially appealing when the tent 30 is used in nighttime conditions, such as in connection with a hot tub. The lights may be built-in outdoor LED lights, battery-powered lights, solar-powered lights, and the like.
It should be understood that the above description, while indicating representative embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
Various additions, modifications, and rearrangements are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarding as the invention, and it is intended that the following claims cover all such additions, modifications, and rearrangements.
The present application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/937,447, filed Nov. 19, 2019 and entitled Modular Tent System with Removable Roof and Floor, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2020/061071 | 11/18/2020 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62937447 | Nov 2019 | US |