1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tent structure with a sprinkler mechanism positioned on the top of the tent to spray water into the air when a water transfer system is connected to a garden hose.
2. Background of the Invention
Tents and sprinklers are well known in the art. Presently, tents are used for camping and protection from the elements while sprinklers are used for watering lawns and occasional children's play. The present invention seeks to improve on the prior art by providing a structure, water transfer system and sprinkler to create an water enhanced and enjoyable play experience.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided in one embodiment, an outdoor water tent device. The water tent device includes a tent structure defined to include a plurality of supports. The plurality supports secure an outer membrane thereto to define an enclosed area under the outer membrane and within the plurality of supports. A sprinkler mechanism positioned at the top of the tent structure. The sprinkler mechanism has a means for spraying liquid upwardly on top of a side of the outer membrane external to the enclosed area, whereby liquid sprayed from the sprinkler mechanism is directed upwardly such that the liquid tends to rain down on the top of the outer membrane maintaining the enclosed area substantially dry. Lastly, the water tent device would include a means for coupling the sprinkler mechanism to a pressurized source of liquid.
In other aspects of this embodiment, the means for coupling the sprinkler mechanism to a pressurized source of liquid may include, an inner channel running through one of the plurality of supports. The inner channel would have an upper end connected to an intake opening on the sprinkler mechanism, and would have a lower end and a base hose connector to securely attach the pressurized source of liquid to the lower end of the inner channel defined by one of the plurality of supports. The sprinkler mechanism may further include an upper tube, a spray aperture, a receiving port sized to receive an upper portion of the support such that the upper tube is in fluid communication with the inner channel at one end and in fluid communication with the spray aperture at the other end.
In yet other aspects, the outdoor water tent device could have the plurality of supports being inflatable segments and an upper portion of each of the inflatable segments fixed to the sprinkler mechanism positioned at the top of the structure. In this aspect, the base portion of each of the plurality of supports would be fixed to an inflatable base segment and the outer membrane would be joined to the inflatable segments and the inflatable base segment, such that the outer membrane prevents an enclosed area within the tent structure from receiving water.
Furthermore, the sprinkler mechanism may be motorized such that the water can spray would in a pattern. Alternatively, the tent device would further include a shower head with a triggering cord positioned within the tent structure. The triggering cord can be used to divert the water flow from the sprinkler mechanism to the shower head. This could be accomplished by a two directional valve positioned in the flow of water to divert water to the shower head. Pulling the triggering cord diverts the water flow to an outlet port on the two directional valve in fluid communication with the shower head, such that water is disbursed through the shower head and into the enclosed area.
Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
a is a front perspective view of a tent structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
b is a front perspective view of a tent structure where a sprinkler mechanism is spraying water above the tent structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
a is a side cutaway view of a water transfer system for a tent structure showing the path of water travel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
b is a side cutaway view of
c is a side cutaway view of
While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention, the claims or the embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to
Now additionally referring to
a further shows the path of water travel within the water transfer system. The spray aperture 50 is in fluid connection with a tube 55 connected to at least one of the plurality of apertures 45 which is further removeably connected to one of the supports 30 with an internal channel 60 including an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62, the internal channel 60 extending the length of the support 30 to the base hose connector 46. The base hose connector 46 removeably attaches to the garden hose 22, such that water may travel from the garden hose 22, through the base hose connector 46 via a tube 71, up through the internal channel 60 and sprinkler mechanism 25 via the tube 55 to spray out of the spray aperture 50 as shown in
Now referring to
Referring now to
The invention includes a means to transfer water from a garden hose to a sprinkler mechanism positioned at the top of a tent structure.
Referring now to
From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or inferred.
The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/178,763.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20100288320 A1 | Nov 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61178763 | May 2009 | US |