Patent Application
20240360688
This application claims priority to DE Application No. 202023102344, filed Apr. 28, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to tent support structure with a frame component and an insert fastened to the frame component. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a tent and an insert.
Roof tents are mounted, for example, on a roof rack of a motor vehicle. Roof tents can be adjusted between a stowed state, in which the roof tents are folded together, and an erected state, in which the roof tents form an interior for persons. In the stowed state, roof tents can be transported on a vehicle roof. For comfortable use of roof tents, it is desirable if the adjustment between these states is possible particularly quickly and simply. Frequently, respective frame components and/or rods of a tent support structure have to be adjusted and/or plugged into one another.
In addition, tents are exposed to the elements. For example, a roof tent remains permanently mounted on a motor vehicle. As a result, respective parts of the support structure are exposed to moisture and rain. As a result of this moisture exposure, an adjustment of the tent should not be hindered and parts of the tent should not be damaged. In addition, a user should not undesirably be exposed to moisture during the adjustment of the tent. A penetration of water into an interior of the tent is also undesirable.
A first aspect relates to a tent support structure with a frame component and an insert fastened to the frame component. A tent support structure can serve to be able to span a tent shell of a tent. A tent support structure can also serve for fastening the tent, for example to a vehicle. This fastening can be state-dependent or state-independent. A tent support structure can comprise a plurality of rods and frame components. The respective frame components and rods can be held to one another. Depending on the state of the tent, the frame components and the rods can be connected to one another in different arrangements and configurations. For example, a rod can be removed from the frame component in order to be able to fold the tent together. In order to erect the tent, the rod can then be correspondingly arranged again on the frame component and held in a specific position, for example, by the frame component.
The frame component can be formed, for example, as an elongate component which forms a supporting part of the tent with other frame components. The frame component can form, for example, a part of a platform of the tent. The platform can form, for example, a base of the tent. The frame component can be formed, for example, as a rod or a connecting part between two further rods. The frame component can be formed as a rigid, for example metallic, component. The frame component can also be formed as an inflatable component. For example, the frame component can be inflated in order to erect the tent. The insert can be a component separate from the frame component. The insert can be formed, for example, from a different material than the frame component. The insert can be permanently and non-detachably fastened to the frame component, for example. The insert can be configured to facilitate a coupling of further components to the frame component. For example, the insert can facilitate the coupling of elongate elements having different shapes and sizes, in particular different cross sections. Thus, the use of the tent can be particularly simple for the user. The frame component and the insert can be formed, for example, as metallic components. The rod can be formed, for example, with a substantially smaller diameter and/or for substantially lower loads.
The frame component has an insert opening and can be formed as a hollow profile. A hollow profile can be, for example, a component which at least partially delimits an inner space. For example, the hollow profile can be formed as a long product, the walls of which delimit an inner space. The hollow profile can be formed open at its respective head ends. In addition, openings can also be provided in the wall delimiting the inner space for access to the inner space. A hollow profile can be produced, for example, simply in a continuous drawing process or a continuous casting process. In the inner space delimited by the hollow profile, for example, a further component of the tent support structure can simply be held in order to span the tent, such as, for example, a further frame component or a rod. The insert opening can be, for example, a through-opening in a wall of the hollow profile. However, the frame component can also be formed, for example, as a solid component. The insert opening can then be formed, for example, by a blind hole in the frame component. The wall can delimit the inner space of the hollow profile. The through-opening can be formed, for example, by drilling. The insert opening can be, for example, an opening separate from the respective openings at respective head ends of the hollow profile. The insert opening can be formed for partially receiving the insert. For example, a cross section of the insert opening can correspond to a cross-sectional region of the insert. This cross-sectional region of the insert can be arranged, for example, in the insert opening when the insert is fastened to the frame component.
The insert comprises a receptacle for a rod. The insert can thus function as an adapter between the frame component and this rod. The insert can thus facilitate a coupling of the rod to the frame component. For example, the insert can be permanently fastened to the frame component and the rod can be detachably inserted into the receptacle of the insert. The receptacle can additionally provide a defined coupling position for the rod on the frame component. For example, the receptacle can specify an orientation of the rod relative to the frame component. The insert can be substantially smaller and lighter than the frame component. A corresponding shaping of the frame component for a specified orientation of the rod on the frame component can, in contrast, be expensive and complex. For example, a corresponding receptacle in the frame component cannot readily be formed in a continuous casting process, for which reason the provision of the insert can be more favorable.
The receptacle of the insert protrudes through the insert opening into the frame component. The receptacle can thus enable a defined arrangement of the rod in an inner region of the profile of the frame component. In addition, the receptacle can thus simultaneously contribute to a fastening of the insert to the frame component. The receptacle can be formed, for example, as a partial section of the insert, wherein a partial region of this partial section is located within the cross section and thus the inner space of the hollow profile and/or the insert opening and a further partial region of this partial section is located within a mouth of the insert opening of the frame component. A further partial region of this partial section of the insert can also be located outside the frame component.
The frame component can have, for example, a round or angular outer base cross section which delimits the inner space. Further walls can extend therefrom, which protrude from the wall delimiting the inner space. The frame component can thus have, for example, partial regions deviating from the basic shape in its cross section, which serve, for example, for threading the tent shell along the frame component.
The receptacle of the insert can have, for example, a round or angular cross section. The cross section of the receptacle of the insert can correspond to a shape of the insert opening of the frame component. The insert can be arranged in the insert opening. The insert can abut with a partial region on the outside of the frame component, such as, for example, with a fastening region. The insert opening can be arranged, for example, centrally in the wall of the frame component or also, for example, closer to an edge of the frame component.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the receptacle of the insert is formed as a blind hole and/or cylindrically. For example, the receptacle can have a shape corresponding to an end region of the rod which is to be inserted into the receptacle. For example, the receptacle can have a limited length, such that only a limited partial region of the rod can also be inserted into the receptacle. For example, the receptacle can have a shorter receptacle length than would be possible at most in the case of insertion of the rod through the insert opening into the hollow profile of the frame component without the insert. As a result, a specified insertion depth and thus also a penetration depth into the frame component can be specified. Thus, a coupling position of the rod to the frame component can simply be predefined. A blind hole can have, for example, a lateral wall and a base. The base can be arranged, for example, at an end of the receptacle of the insert opposite the insert opening. The blind hole can have, for example, a round or an angular cross section. A cylindrical receptacle can have, for example, a round cross section. A cylindrical receptacle can be free of a base, for example. In this case, the insertion depth of the rod is delimited, for example, by abutment against a wall region of the frame component opposite the insert opening.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the receptacle of the insert forms a receptacle opening on the outside of the frame component. The receptacle opening can be, for example, a mouth of the receptacle in an outer wall of the frame component. The receptacle opening can be, for example, an opening of the insert opposite the base of the receptacle of the insert. As a result of the arrangement of the receptacle opening on the outside, the receptacle opening is accessible for coupling further components to the frame component. For example, the rod can be inserted into the receptacle through the receptacle opening when the tent is adjusted between an erected state and a stowed state. The receptacle opening can have, for example, a cross section corresponding to a cross section of the rod. For example, the receptacle opening can be round or angular. An angular receptacle opening can be square or rectangular, for example.
The receptacle opening can be arranged corresponding to the insert opening. For example, the receptacle opening can be arranged within the insert opening or directly outside of it. The receptacle opening can also be shaped corresponding to the insert opening, for example. For example, the receptacle opening can have a shape corresponding to the insert opening, wherein a cross-sectional area of the receptacle opening can be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the insert opening by a thickness of respective walls of the receptacle of the insert.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the receptacle of the insert has a longitudinal extension direction which extends transversely to a normal of the insert opening. A normal can be a straight line which is oriented orthogonally to a reference surface. Here, the normal can be an imaginary line which extends perpendicularly to a cross-sectional area of the insert opening. For example, the insert opening can be an opening in a lateral wall of the frame component. This lateral wall of the frame component can form, for example, a flat surface. The normal can then likewise be perpendicular to this lateral surface of the frame component. A longitudinal extension direction of the receptacle can be, for example, a main extension. For example, the longitudinal extension direction of the receptacle can correspond to a center line of a blind hole shape or a cylindrical shape of the receptacle of the insert. The longitudinal extension direction thus extends, for example, not parallel to the normal and also not orthogonally to the normal. For example, the longitudinal extension direction extends to the normal at an angle of 10° to 80°, in particular 25° to 65°, furthermore in particular 40° to 50°. Correspondingly, the rod received in the receptacle likewise extends transversely to this normal. The longitudinal extension direction of the receptacle can correspond to a longitudinal extension direction of the partial region of the rod which is inserted into the receptacle. The longitudinal extension direction can correspond to a longitudinal extension direction of the entire rod which is inserted into the receptacle, provided that, for example, the rod is not bent by load on account of the tent shell being spanned. The rod can thus be held in a predetermined transverse orientation with respect to the frame component. When the rod is plugged together with the frame component, the user no longer has to manually adjust an orientation of the rod relative to the frame component, as could be the case, for example, in the case of insertion of the rod into only one through-opening in the wall of the frame component. Assembly of the tent support structure and/or adjustment of the tent support structure into the erected state can thus be particularly simple.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the insert is configured to be fastenable to the frame component only in a predetermined orientation. For example, when the insert is mounted on the frame component, insertion of the receptacle into the insert opening can be possible only in a predetermined orientation. For example, when the insert is mounted on the frame component, fastening of the insert to the frame component can be possible only in a predetermined orientation. For this purpose, the insert has to be oriented correctly with respect to the frame component, for example. As a result, mounting of the insert can be particularly simple and/or incorrect mounting can be prevented. For example, the receptacle of the insert can extend with its longitudinal extension only in a specific orientation transversely to the normal of the insert opening when the insert is fastened to the frame component. As a result, an orientation of the receptacle with respect to the frame component and thus also of the rod received in the receptacle can be specified structurally. For example, the frame component can have an abutment region against which the insert can be mounted only when abutting in a specific orientation. For this purpose, a lateral wall of the frame component which delimits the insert opening, for example, can have respective projections and/or recesses. The orientation of the insert relative to the frame component can also be specified, for example, by a shape of the insert opening and/or further through-opening of the frame component in which fastening elements or further regions of the insert are arranged.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the insert has a fastening region which abuts against the outside of the frame component next to the insert opening. The fastening region can be a partial section of the insert which differs from the receptacle. For example, the fastening region can adjoin the receptacle on the outside of the frame component. By providing the fastening region in addition to the receptacle, the fastening can be affected independently of the receptacle. As a result, the receptacle does not have to be additionally configured, for example, for fastening the insert to the insert opening. The fastening region can abut, for example, flat against the frame component adjacent to the insert opening. The fastening region can be arranged, for example, outside of the insert opening. By providing both a fastening region and the receptacle, an orientation of the insert relative to the frame component can be specified. The fastening region and the receptacle can be formed, for example, in one piece. The insert can overall be formed, for example, in one piece.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the insert is fastened to the frame component by means of a fastening element, such as a rivet. The insert can be permanently fixed to the frame component by the fastening element. The fastening element can fix an orientation of the insert to the frame component. The fastening element can support loads acting on the insert alone or in addition to the receptacle. Alternatively, the fastening element can be formed, for example, as a screw or pin. Alternatively or additionally, the insert can also be fastened in a materially bonded and/or form-fitting manner. For example, the insert can be welded, adhesively bonded, clipped in or soldered to the frame component. The insert can also be riveted to itself for fastening in order to be held, for example, in a clamping manner on the frame component. For example, the fastening element can also be adhesively bonded to the insert and the frame component. However, the fastening element can also be configured for fastening without an additional materially bonded fastening, such as adhesive bonding. The fastening means can extend, for example, into the inner space of the hollow profile.
It can be provided that the insert is fastened to the frame component by means of only a single fastening element. For example, the receptacle in the insert opening can nevertheless specify a defined position of the insert on the frame component. For example, the insert can be fastened to the frame component by means of only a single rivet. By providing only a single fastening element, the insert can be mounted particularly simply and quickly. The frame component can have a fastening opening adjacent to the insert opening. The fastening element can extend through the fastening opening. The fastening opening can be formed, for example, as a through-opening in a wall of the frame component. By providing the fastening opening, the orientation of the insert on the frame component can be further defined. In addition, mounting can be particularly simple since the fastening element does not have to penetrate a wall of the frame component when the insert is fastened to the frame component. The fastening opening and the insert opening can be formed identically, for example, and can then be manufactured successively in a cost-effective manner using the same tool, for example by drilling or punching. The insert opening and the fastening opening can also be formed differently. For example, the insert opening and the fastening opening can have a different diameter. As a result, a mounting position of the insert can be clearly specified.
The fastening element can fasten the insert to the frame component at the fastening region, for example. For example, the fastening element can extend through the fastening region. The fastening region can likewise have a fastening opening, for example. The fastening opening of the fastening region of the insert can be oriented in alignment with the fastening opening of the frame component for the mounting of the insert and/or the insertion of the fastening element, for example. The fastening opening of the insert and the fastening opening of the frame component can be formed corresponding to one another, for example.
The insert opening and/or the fastening opening of the frame component can be sealed, for example when the insert is fastened to the frame component. For example, the insert can close the insert opening with its receptacle. For example, the receptacle can be inserted into the insert opening as a press fit. Alternatively or additionally, an additional seal can be provided, for example as an O-ring between the frame component and the insert, in particular between the frame component and the receptacle and/or the fastening region. Adhesive bonding, welding and/or soldering can also be sealing. The rivet connection of the insert to the frame component can also be sealing. As a result, entry of water into the inner space of the frame component, as would be possible, for example, in the case of a mere opening for the rod without the insert in the frame component, can be prevented.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the insert is formed from a material which comprises zinc. For example, the insert can be formed from a zinc alloy. For example, the insert can be formed from a zinc-coated iron or steel. By using zinc as the material of the insert, insertion of the rod into the receptacle can be particularly simple. For example, the insert can be formed from brass. A metallic rod or a rod made from another very hard material can slide particularly well along brass. As a result, for example, the rod is prevented from becoming stuck even before it is completely inserted into the receptacle. Thus, for example, the coupling of the rod to the frame component can be almost equally simple, independently of whether or not the rod is already fastened to the tent shell. Alternatively, the insert can also be formed, for example, from a plastic. The insert can then be particularly light and production can also be cost-effective. The frame component and the insert can be formed, for example, from different materials. As a result, highly stable materials can be used for the frame component and particularly light materials can be used for the insert.
Alternatively or additionally, the frame component is formed from an aluminum material. An aluminum material can be particularly light and robust. For example, the frame component can thus be produced particularly simply in a continuous casting process.
Alternatively or additionally, the tent support structure can comprise the rod arranged in the receptacle of the insert. The rod can be formed from a steel material. For example, the rod can be formed from spring steel. As a result, the rod can be highly flexible and can span parts of the tent shell particularly strongly. In addition, high tent loads can thus be absorbed without breaking or bending. Alternatively, the rod can be formed, for example, from a carbon material, an aluminum material or a plastic. The rod can also be formed, for example, as a glass fiber rod or wooden rod. The insert and the rod and/or the frame component and the rod can be formed from different materials.
In a further embodiment of the tent support structure, it is provided that the tent support structure forms at least one base platform, wherein the frame component is a part of the base platform. A base platform can form or at least support, for example, a tent floor. The base platform can protect a vehicle roof, for example, if the tent is configured as a roof tent for a vehicle. The base platform can form, for example, a rectangular, in particular square, basic shape. The frame component can form, for example, an outer edge of the base platform. The base platform can be formed, for example, from four or more frame components connected to one another. A base plate can be fastened between the respective frame components. The base plate can be formed from one or more elements. The base platform can retain its shape, for example, independently of the state in which the tent is adjusted. However, the base platform can also be foldable, for example, with the rest of the tent. The base platform of the tent can carry particularly high loads as a result of the frame construction with the at least one frame component. For example, the base platform can be fastened as a free-standing construction to a roof rack of the vehicle. The base platform can also be fastenable, for example, to a trailer coupling of a vehicle. The insert opening and therefore, for example, also the receptacle opening of the tent support structure can be oriented, for example, pointing away outward from a rest of the base platform. For example, the insert can be fastened to a side of the frame component which extends substantially vertically on the outside of the base platform when the tent is mounted on the vehicle.
A second aspect relates to a tent. The tent comprises a tent support structure according to the first aspect. Respective advantages and further features can be taken from the description of the first aspect, wherein configurations of the first aspect also form configurations of the second aspect and vice versa.
The tent can comprise a tent shell. The tent shell can be formed, for example, as a tent tarpaulin. The tent shell can be formed, for example, as a tent tarpaulin. The tent shell can be formed, for example, from a textile and be impermeable to water. The tent support structure can at least partially span the tent shell. For example, the tent support structure with the base platform can span at least one basic shape of the tent shell. The tent shell can be partially erected, for example, by means of the rod. The tent can be configured to be adjustable between a stowed state and an erected state. The tent can be configured, for example, to be fastened to the outside of the car in the stowed state. In the stowed state, the tent can have a smaller size than in the erected state. In the erected state, the tent can form, for example, an interior. The inner space can be delimited, for example, by the tent shell and optionally the base platform. However, the tent shell can also have a floor which covers the base platform. The inner space can be configured, for example, to accommodate one or more persons. In the stowed state, by contrast, the tent cannot form, for example, an inner space which can be used by persons.
In a further embodiment of the tent, it is provided that the rod fastened in the receptacle of the insert at least partially spans the tent shell, in particular a tent door, an over-tent or a tent window. Tent doors, over-tents and tent windows frequently only have to be spanned for a short time, for example depending on the situation of use. By means of the insert, the rod can be connected quickly and simply to the frame component, in particular in a specific orientation which ensures correct spanning. Likewise, the rod can be released quickly from the frame component again. The spanning can cause, for example, a tensile load between two points of the tent shell which are connected to the tent support structure. For example, the tent shell can be spanned by the rod between the frame component and an end of the rod opposite the frame component.
In a further embodiment of the tent, it is provided that the tent is configured as a roof tent, trailer tent and/or as another form of car tent. A roof tent is, for example, a type of tent which is configured for fastening to a vehicle roof. For example, a roof tent can be erected on a tent of a passenger car. A trailer tent can be configured, for example, for fastening to a trailer coupling of a vehicle. The trailer tent can be configured, for example, only for transport on the trailer coupling or also for erection on the trailer coupling.
A third aspect relates to an insert. The insert can be, for example, a part of the tent support structure according to the first aspect and/or of the tent according to the second aspect. Respective advantages and further features can be taken from the description of the first and second aspects, respectively, wherein configurations of the first and second aspects also form configurations of the third aspect and vice versa.
The insert can be configured for a tent support structure with a frame component configured in particular as a hollow profile. The insert can be configured for fastening to a frame component of the tent support structure. The insert comprises a receptacle for a rod. The receptacle can be configured to protrude into an insert opening of the frame component into the frame component when the insert is fastened to the frame component. The insert can have a fastening region with which the insert can be fastened to the outside of the frame component.
The tent support structure forms at least one rigid base platform 26 which forms a stable floor of the tent 10 and is shown in
The rods 24 are each held on an adjacently facing frame component 28. For this purpose, the tent support structure comprises, per rod 24, an associated insert 38 which is fastened to the respective frame component 28 at a side facing away from the base plates 30 and extending substantially vertically when the tent support structure is fastened to the vehicle 14. The inserts 38 are arranged in a lower end region of the frame components 28 so that they are located at the height of the inner space 40 and the outer wall of the frame component 28 delimiting it. A position of one of the inserts 38 can be clearly seen, for example, in the detailed view according to
One of the inserts 38 is shown in a perspective view in
As can be seen in
The associated rod 24 can thus be inserted with one end through the receptacle
opening 48 into the receptacle 42 and thus also the inner space 40 when the tent window 22 is to be spanned into its open position. For this purpose, a zipper of the tent shell 16 is opened so that the insert 38 is exposed. Nevertheless, no or only little water can penetrate into the inner space 40 of the frame component 28 at this point since the insert 38 forms a closure for the insert opening.
The insert 38 extends with its receptacle 42 in the shown embodiment completely through the inner space 40 into an optional further inner space 62 which adjoins the inner space 40. This inner space 62 is formed by a further hollow profile 64. This further hollow profile 64 can be a separate component or a part of a base plate 30 adjoining the frame component 28. For this purpose, the further hollow profile 64 has a through-opening through which the receptacle 42 extends. The receptacle 42 can thus hold the further hollow profile 64 in its position along the base plate receiving region 34 on the frame component 28. As a result, the further hollow profile 64 can also be fixed by the insert 38. Alternatively or additionally, the insert 38 thus assists in the positioning of the further hollow profile 64 along the frame component 28, as a result of which mounting can be facilitated.
The insert 38 is fastened to the frame component 28 and is secured to the frame component 28 by means of a single rivet 54 as a fastening element, which extends through the fastening opening 52 of the fastening region 50 of the insert 38 and the underlying wall of the frame component 28. Optionally, the frame component 28 comprises a corresponding fastening opening.
As can be seen in
By means of the receptacle 42 and the rivet 54, in particular provided that the frame component 28 also has a fastening opening adjacent to the insert opening, an orientation of the insert 38 on the frame component 28 is fixedly predetermined. The receptacle 42 has a longitudinal extension direction 58 which is coaxial to the tubular wall 44 and a normal of the base 46. The longitudinal extension direction 58 extends transversely to a normal 60 of the insert opening of the frame component 28 and thus also transversely to a normal of the receptacle opening 48 and to the wall delimiting the insert opening of the frame component 28. Here, the normal 60 is also parallel to a normal of a side of the fastening region 50 abutting against the frame component 28. The extension of the receptacle 42 in the inner space 40 can be particularly clearly seen in
Correspondingly, a partial extension of the rod 24 is already specified by the receptacle 42. In contrast to a mere through-opening on the frame component 28 for holding the rod 24, the rod 24 is held in the insert 38 at an insertion depth delimited by the base 46 with an orientation along the longitudinal extension direction 58. Thus, the rod 24 has an orientation pointing obliquely upward with always the same free length when fully inserted, so that the tent window 22 is spanned in a predetermined manner. As a result, a position of the tent shell 16 and a tension of the tent shell 16 can be better specified structurally by the rods 24.
The coupling component 32 can likewise form a frame component to which one of the inserts 38 is fastened in one embodiment. The coupling component 32 can then likewise have an insert opening for this purpose.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 2023 102 344.4 | Apr 2023 | DE | national |
