Information
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Patent Grant
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6644329
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Patent Number
6,644,329
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Date Filed
Friday, August 3, 200122 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, November 11, 200320 years ago
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 135 115
- 135 117
- 135 90
- 135 96
- 135 124
- 005 111
- 005 113
- 005 121
- 005 414
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A tent is adapted for attachment to a cot. A preferred version of a tent includes a body made of fabric or similar sheet material, with a floor, two ends and two sides. A frame includes first and second frame poles carried within sleeves defined within the fabric body. Four to six fasteners secure the body to the frame of the cot. Each fastener passes around the frame, through a hole defined between the cot frame and cot fabric, and is secured to the bottom of the floor. A rain guard includes two opposed side panels and two opposed end panels. The rain guard prevents rain from pooling on the tent floor or on the horizontal fabric of the cot. Rain moving down the fabric body is guided past the tent floor and cot fabric, where it is released.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES
There are no applications related to this application filed in this or any foreign country.
BACKGROUND
Small tents have undergone considerable change in recent years. Small tents previously included only “pup tents,” which tended to be heavy to carry and uncomfortable to use. As a result, lighter weight back packing tents have essentially replaced this type of tent. Backpacking tents offer light weight construction, easier set-up and take-down, and tend to provide better service overall.
Unfortunately, while improvements in weight, strength and durability have been made, small tents still tend to be uncomfortable in use. In large part, this is because they are still dependent upon air mattresses and similar devices to support sleeping people. As a result, larger tents, which allow use of cots, are generally perceived as being more comfortable. Unfortunately, tents of a larger size are typically very heavy, and because the tent is typically made in one piece, the weight may not be shared by a number of people.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a smaller tent that includes the advantages of smaller tents, but that also allows the use of cots to provide sleeping comfort in a manner similar to large tents.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the above needs. A novel tent adapted for attachment to a cot is disclosed that combines the advantages of a small tent with the advantages of large tents, which allow the use of cots.
A tent
10
is adapted for attachment to a cot
100
, particularly a cot of the type having a frame with at least four legs and a generally horizontal fabric panel for the support of a resting individual, wherein four to six holes are defined between the frame and a perimeter of the fabric panel. A preferred version of a tent includes some or all of the components below.
(A) A body
20
is typically made of fabric or similar sheet material, and includes a floor
30
, two ends
40
,
42
and two sides
50
,
52
.
(B) A frame
60
includes first and second frame poles
62
,
64
carried within sleeves defined within the fabric body.
(C) Four to six fasteners
80
secure the body
20
to the frame of the cot. Each fastener passes around the frame, through a hole defined between the cot frame and cot fabric, and is secured to the bottom of the floor
30
. VELCRO(tm) or similar fastening material may be used to secure the fasteners.
(D) A rain guard
90
includes two opposed side panels and two opposed end panels. The rain guard prevents rain from pooling on the tent floor
30
or on the horizontal fabric of the cot. Rain moving down the fabric body is guided past the tent floor and cot fabric, where it is released.
It is therefore a primary advantage of the present invention to provide a novel tent adapted for attachment to a cot wherein a rain guard prevents rain water from accumulating on the floor of the tent or on the surface of the cot.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel tent adapted for attachment to a cot wherein the tent assembles and disassembles, and attaches and detaches to the cot, without difficulty.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel tent adapted for attachment to a cot that combines the light weight and portability of a small tent with the comfort and adaptability for use with a cot found in a large tent.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification and the accompanying drawings.
DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
FIG. 1
is an exploded perspective view of a version of the tent adapted for attachment to a cot, showing how the tent and cot are related in use.
FIG. 2
is an enlarged perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 1
, showing details of a door and window.
FIG. 3
is a cross sectional view according to the
3
—
3
lines of
FIG. 2
, showing the wall and rain guard of the tent and the fabric and frame of the cot.
FIG. 4
is a cross section view according to the
4
—
4
lines of
FIG. 2
, showing the manner in which the fasteners attach to an opening defined between the frame and fabric bed of the cot.
DESCRIPTION
OVERVIEW. Referring in generally to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a tent
10
is adapted for attachment to a cot
100
, particularly a cot of the type having a frame
102
with at least four legs
104
, in some cases supported by a brace
106
. A generally horizontal fabric panel
108
is sewn
110
to the frame, and supports a resting individual, wherein the fabric panel defines four to six holes or openings
112
between the frame and a perimeter of the fabric panel. A preferred version of a tent includes a body
20
made of fabric or similar sheet material, with a floor
30
, two ends
40
,
42
and two sides
50
,
52
. A frame
60
includes first and second frame poles carried within sleeves defined within the fabric body. Four to six fasteners
80
secure the body
20
to the frame of the cot. Each fastener passes around the frame, through a hole defined between the cot frame and cot fabric, and is secured to the bottom surface of the floor
30
. A rain guard
90
includes two opposed side panels and two opposed end panels. The rain guard prevents rain from pooling on the tent floor
30
or on the horizontal fabric of the cot. Rain moving down the fabric body is guided past the tent floor and cot fabric, where it is released.
TENT BODY. A body
20
is typically made of fabric or similar sheet material, and includes a floor
30
, two ends
40
,
42
and two sides
50
,
52
. One of the sides
50
typically includes a door flap
54
and associated screen door
56
. By placing the door flap on the side, the user is able to enter the tent without collapsing the cot. The opposite side
52
may include a window and screen, if desired.
One or both ends
40
,
42
typically include a window flap
44
and screen
46
. The screen is typically sewn closed, while the window flap may be opened as needed.
FRAME. A tent frame
60
includes first and second frame poles
62
,
64
carried within sleeves
66
defined within the fabric body
20
. A sleeve opening
68
allows a pole to be inserted into the sleeve, while a sleeve socket
70
secures the end of the pole.
FASTENERS. Four to six fasteners
80
secure the body
20
to the frame of the cot. Each fastener passes around the frame, through a hole
112
defined between the cot frame and cot fabric, and is secured to the bottom of the floor
30
. VELCRO(tm) or similar fastening material may be used to secure the fasteners. Generally, the number of fasteners
80
is equal to the number of openings
112
defined in the cot to be used.
Referring particularly to
FIG. 4
, it can be seen that the fastener
80
includes a strap
82
. The strap is passed through the hole or opening
112
in the cot
100
. A first VELCRO(tm) or similar fastener
84
is carried on the end of the strap. A second VELCRO(tm) or similar fastener
86
is carried on the bottom of the tent floor
30
. By passing the strap
82
through the opening
112
, and securing the fasteners
84
,
86
, the tent
10
is securely connected to the cot.
RAIN GUARD. A rain guard
90
includes two opposed side panels
92
and two opposed end panels
94
. The rain guard may be a continuous extension of the tent sides and ends, or may be formed of separate panels secured to the perimeter of the floor of the tent. In use, the rain guard prevents rain from pooling on the tent floor
30
or on the horizontal fabric of the cot. Rain moving down the fabric body is guided past the tent floor and cot fabric, where it is released.
ADVANTAGES. The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including a primary advantage of providing a novel tent adapted for attachment to a cot wherein a rain guard prevents rain water from accumulating on the floor of the tent or on the surface of the cot.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel tent adapted for attachment to a cot wherein the tent assembles and disassembles, and attaches and detaches to the cot, without difficulty.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel tent adapted for attachment to a cot that combines the light weight and portability of a small tent with the comfort and adaptability for use with a cot found in a large tent.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail and with reference to certain preferred versions, other versions are possible. For example, while a tent adapted for use with a cot having three pair of openings associated with three double or six individual legs was disclosed, a similar tent, adapted for use with cots of differing number of legs could alternatively be constructed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions disclosed.
In compliance with the U.S. patent Laws, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to methodical features. The invention is not, however, limited to the specific features described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
- 1. A tent adapted for attachment to a cot, the tent comprising:(A) a tent body, comprising a floor connected to two end panels and two side panels; (B) a tent frame, comprising first and second frame poles carried within sleeves defined within the tent body; (C) at least four fasteners to secure the tent body to a frame of the cot, each fastener comprising a strap extending from the floor carrying a first fastening material connectable to a second fastening material carried on a lower surface of the floor; and (D) a rain guard, comprising two opposed side panels and two opposed end panels, attached to a perimeter of the floor.
- 2. A tent and associated cot, comprising:(A) a cot having a frame; (B) a tent body, comprising a floor connected to two end panels and two side panels; (C) a tent frame, comprising first and second frame poles carried within sleeves defined within the tent body; (D) at least four fasteners to secure the tent body to the frame of the cot, each fastener comprising a strap extending from the floor carrying a first fastening material connectable to a second fastening material carried on a lower surface of the floor; and (E) a rain guard, comprising two opposed side panels and two opposed end panels, attached to a perimeter of the floor.
US Referenced Citations (12)