SELF-OPENING AND COLLAPSIBLE TENT STRUCTURE

Abstract

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

Description

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIGS. 17A through 17F are front perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a panel of the inventive self-opening tent structure being folded into a figure-eight and collapsed into a single stack of two disks.

FIGS. 18A through 18G are front perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a panel of the inventive self-opening tent structure being folded into a first figure-eight and then a sub-figure eight to allow for collapsing of the panel into a single stack of three disks.

FIG. 19 is front view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive self-opening and collapsible tent structure, having six sides, in a fully opened configuration with roof line pole elements to raise the tent roof line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The ribs or rib elements 30 may be manufactured from, or formed from a variety of materials, including spring steel. It has been determined that rib elements 30 manufactured from a polymer-based material is lighter than, and has more long term durability than rib elements made of spring steel. In certain exemplary embodiments, the rib elements may be manufactured from various thermoplastic compounds including at least one of polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), polyvinylchloride (“PVC”), poly carbonate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).

It has also been determined that the rib elements have enhanced resiliency and durability where the rib elements 30 are formed having at least one additional coat or layer over the base rib material. For example, the rib element may be formed using PVC, and then coated with another thermoplastic, such as a polycarbonate or ABS. With the additional coat, the rib elements have higher strength and durability when stressed as part of the collapsing, twisting process.

In different preferred embodiments, the rib elements 130 may be formed having an outer diameter of approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The larger diameter rib element 130 will result in a heavier tent structure 10, while the smaller diameter rib element 130 will result in a lighter tent structure 10. Because the rib elements in either configuration are manufactured from a durable and resilient thermoplastic material, and the rib elements 130 are covered with a resilient cover 90, the tent structure 10, in either configuration, is very resilient to various stresses or outside forces.

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

In another embodiment of the rib element or rib 30 construction, each rib 30 may be fabricated from at least two “sub” ribs that are twisted together to form, essentially, a braided rib element 30. Such a rib construction will have increased strength and durability, which may be useful or necessary for certain configurations of tent structures 10 that may be subject to higher or more continuous stresses and loads. Moreover, such a “braided” or multi-rib configuration will result in an increased weight for the overall tent structure 10.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An alternative embodiment and further configuration of the tent structure 10 may comprise pre-formed or pre-fabricated rib elements 130 that are approximately circular or oval in shape. The rib elements 130 are pre-formed into the desired approximately circular or oval shape, such that the rib elements 130, due to the elasticity, restoring force, or spring-like characteristics of the rib elements, tend to return to their pre-formed panel shape or equilibrium shape whenever the rib elements 130 are released or simply let go. Unlike the above described rib elements 30, the pre-formed rib elements 130 do not need or include connector ends 21, 22 because the pre-formed rib elements 130 are fabricated as contiguous “circle” or panel perimeter elements. Examples of such a tent configuration incorporating the pre-formed rib elements 130, as a larger “gazebo-type” or “bubble-type” tent, are shown in FIGS. 16A and 17A.

The rib elements 130 that are pre-formed in the desired panel shape may be manufactured from a variety of materials so long as the pre-formed panel shape has the appropriate flexibility to allow for ready twisting and folding, and equally important has the appropriate level or restoring force, or tendency to return to the pre-formed, equilibrium panel shape. Such restoring force should not be so high as to snap back to the pre-formed shape, nor so low as to not satisfying the “self-opening” characteristics of the invention. Examples of such materials that the rib elements may be manufactured from include spring steel and/or polymer spring material.

Similar to the above described procedures, the process to take-down or collapse the tent structure is easy and intuitive. As illustrated in the sequence of images in FIGS. 17A through 17F for a single panel, the tent structure 10 is folded into itself such that each of the side panels 93 formed by a circular rib element 130 is positioned adjacent to or on top of a corresponding panel. Once all of the panels are stacked on top of each other, as shown by example in FIG. 17A for a single panel 93, essentially forming a stack of circular rib elements 130, then the panels 93 are twisted such that the circular shaped rib elements or panels form essentially a figure-eight shape as shown in FIG. 17C.

Because of the elastic or spring tendency of each of the rib elements 130, the figure-eight shape will tend to unwind and achieve the pre-formed equilibrium shape of the rib elements 130. With a slight force, the figure-eight shape is easily folded in half, or the top half of the figure-eight is folding onto the lower half of the figure-eight, as shown in FIGS. 17E and 17F. This stack created from the folded figure-eight shaped panels comprises twice the number of discs as the original number of panels 93 in the tent structure. As such, for a six panel 93 tent, the folded figure-eight stack of folded panels 93 will be twelve discs, and similarly, for a ten panel tent, the folded figure-eight stack will include twenty discs. Once the figure-eight stack of panels is folded upon itself, the user can simply place the stack of folded panels into a pouch, as shown in a prior embodiment in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

Given the resiliency and durability of the rib elements 130, each of the side panels 93 formed by a rib element 130 may alternatively be “folded” into two sequential figure-eight shapes as illustrated in 18A through 18G. As shown, each side panel 93, or stack of side panels is first twisted to form a first figure-eight (similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 17B and 17C, but the cross over point for the figure-eight is formed at approximately a location one-third of the height of the stack of side panels or rib elements. Then the larger of the two figure-eight loops is next itself twisted, as shown in FIGS. 18C and 18D, to form a “sub” figure-eight. The resulting stack of side panels has now been twisted twice to form three sub “circles” as illustrated in FIG. 18C. To continue the collapsing procedure, the end or last of the three sub “circles” is folded on top of the middle sub “circle” as shown in FIGS. 18D and 18E. Then this stack of folded sub “circles” is folded on top of the bottom sub “circle” as shown in FIGS. 18F and 18G to form a single stack of “circles.” Using this folding procedure, the total number of “circles” is three times the number of side panels 93. Using this procedure, the tendency for the stack of “circles” to return to the fully open equilibrium shape of the side panels is larger than the above described single twist procedure forming a single figure-eight shape.

Because of the design of a lower or lighter restoring or elastic force in the rib elements for this embodiment, there is not a need for restraining straps 33 and ratchet clips 34 to form the figure-eight shape or hour-glass shape as described above, which makes collapsing and storage of this embodiment easier. Even though the rib elements in this embodiment has a reduced restoring or spring force for the rib elements, the rib elements 130 still do have sufficient elastic tendency to open or return to their pre-formed, equilibrium shape. In alternative embodiments, the rib elements 130 may include one or more restraining straps 33 and ratchet clips 34 to assist in retaining the folded shape of each panel 93.

Accordingly, through the design and selection of appropriate pliable, or flexible, or bendable rib elements 130 shaped and configured into a desired shape, provides the tent structure 10 with a self-opening or “pop-up” deployment capability. More specifically, the deployment or opening of the tent structure 10 using these type of rib elements 130 is essentially automatic.

The process to open the tent structure 10 is first to remove the stack of discs from the pouch, and to remove any strap or retaining element which may be positioned about the stack of discs. While holding the stack of discs together, the user can safely, and in a controlled manner, release the stack of discs away from the user and away from other third parties who may be nearby. Upon release the stack of discs will first unfold into the figure eight shape, and will then automatically untwist from the figure eight shape back to the pre-formed circular panel shapes.

Upon the release of the stack of disc, the panels 93 will self-open into the stack of pre-formed panels, thereby releasing the elastic or opening force of the rib elements 130. At this point, the user can easily stand the tent structure up and separate the panels 93 from the stack of panels and the shape of the tent into the intended three-dimensional structure.

In order to anchor or retain the tent structure 10 to the ground, as described above, separate, or pre-formed bag sections 200 (not shown) may be used to weigh down or provide ballast to the structure. At the beach, sand can be easily placed in the bag sections 200, whereas for use with camping or non-beach activities, stones or a plurality of smaller rocks can be placed in the bag sections to provide additional weight or ballast. When it is time to collapse and transport the tent structure 10, the sand, stones, or small rocks may be readily removed from the bag sections 200, and disassembly or folding is easily achieved as described above. An alternative to ballast to weigh down the tent includes the use of a plurality of guy-wires that are anchored to the ground a limited distance from the tent structure 10. Such guy-wires are most applicable where the remote end of the guy-wire or guy-rope can be readily anchored to the ground with a stake, or tied to a separate or natural anchor (e.g., a rock or tree root).

While preferred embodiments of the inventive collapsible tent structure 10 have been described and disclosed, in particular by reference to certain figures and exemplary embodiments relating to a two, four, six, and eight rib or side panel tent embodiment, such embodiments and designs are not to be construed as limiting the scope of application of the inventive devices or products. For example, as described and claimed, the collapsible tent structure 10 may be configured with additional ribs or side panels, including three, five, seven, nine, or more than ten side panels. As such with additional rib elements, the integral tent structure may be designed and configured in a variety of shapes and sizes, including for use as a beach, bed, shower, or pod-type tent configuration. Similarly, while the embodiments shown each have a relative flat roof line or roof shape, the collapsible tent structure 10 may be configured to use one or more separate poles that attach to the top of opposing side panels to raise or elevate the roof line, as shown in one embodiment in FIG. 19. With such use of separate poles, such poles would be removed prior to the above disclosed collapsing or folding procedure.

As noted, with less ribs, the folding process is less bulky, and easier to transport, while more ribs will result in a heavier and more bulky folded configuration. All such alternate embodiments are believed to be within the scope of the inventive design and below claims.

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

Claims

1. A self-opening and collapsible tent structure comprising: a plurality of disc-shaped side panels with each said disc-shaped side panel formed from at least one contiguous rib element; anda flexible cover enveloping each of said plurality of disc-shaped side panels;wherein for disassembly of said tent structure, (a) First, each of said plurality of disc-shaped side panels are folded to be positioned directly adjacent to each other to form a first stack of disc-shaped side panels;(b) Second, said first stack of disc-shaped side panels are twisted to form an approximate figure eight shape;(c) Third, said figure eight shape is folded in half to form a second stack of disc-shaped side panels comprising two times a number of said first stack of disc-shaped side panels;(d) Fourth, said second stack of disc-shaped side panels are placed within a pouch that is shaped and sized to fit said second stack of disc-shaped side panels;wherein for opening of said tent structure, (a) First, said second stack of disc-shaped side panels are removed from said pouch;(b) Second, said second stack of disc-shaped side panels are released such that said disc-shaped side panels self-open as a result of a restoring elastic force within each disc-shaped side panel to achieve a pre-formed disc-shape;(c) Third, unfolding each of said plurality of disc-shaped side panel to form a three-dimensional tent structure.

2. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having four disc-shaped side panels.

3. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having six disc-shaped side panels.

4. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having eight disc-shaped side panels.

5. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having ten disc-shaped side panels.

6. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, having at least ten disc-shaped side panels.

7. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said rib element is formed from a polymer-based material including at least one of polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), polyvinylchloride (“PVC”), polycarbonate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).

8. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 7, wherein said rib element is formed with at least one addition coat of a polymer-based material including at least one of polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), polyvinylchloride (“PVC”), polycarbonate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), and wherein each said at least one additional coat is distinct from the material forming said rib element, and any other at least one additional coat.

9. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said rib elements have an outside diameter approximately in the range of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm.

10. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said rib elements are formed from at least two distinct rib elements uniformly twisted around each other.

11. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material.

12. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is formed from a polymer-based material including at least one of polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), polyvinylchloride (“PVC”), polycarbonate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).

13. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising at least one openable door within said flexible cover.

14. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover.

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

16. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stakes to anchor said tent structure to the ground.

17. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pouches to hold ballast to anchor said tent structure to the ground.

18. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, wherein said ballast comprises at least one of sand, rocks, pebbles, dirt, and water.

19. The self-opening and collapsible tent structure, as provided in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of guy-wires or guy-ropes to anchor said tent structure to the ground.