BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to a tent with a vented truncated corner.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, a tent generally comprises a frame comprising poles configured in an erect configuration. A shell is secured to the frame to define an enclosed living space. The shell comprises a floor, two adjacent walls extending upward from the floor, and a truncated corner between the two adjacent walls and having opposite sides secured to and interconnecting the respective adjacent walls. A venting opening extends through the truncated corner to allow air flow through the corner between the enclosed living space and outside the tent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective of a first embodiment of a tent having truncated corners;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the truncated corners of the tent in FIG. 1 as viewed from inside the tent;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective of a second embodiment of a tent having truncated corners;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the truncated corners of the tent in FIG. 3 as view from outside the tent;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of one of the truncated corners of the tent in FIG. 3 as viewed from inside the tent with a venting flap shown in a closed position;
FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 except that the venting flap is in an open position;
FIG. 7 is a perspective of a third embodiment of a tent having truncated corners;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of one of the truncated corners of the tent in FIG. 7 as viewed from inside the tent; and
FIG. 9 is a partial perspective of a fourth embodiment of a tent having truncated corners.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a tent constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. In general, the tent comprises a flexible fabric shell 12 secured to and supported by poles 14 forming a collapsible frame. The poles 14 of the frame may be generally resilient and bent into an arched configuration when erected and/or at least some of the poles may be generally linear and rigid and secured to one another into a generally arched configuration. The poles 14 are suitably secured to the shell 12, such as by being positioned in sleeves 16 attached to the shell. The poles 14 may be of other configurations and may be secured to the shell 12 in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the erected configuration, the shell 12 encloses an interior living space. The shell 12 generally comprises a floor 17, walls 18 extending upward from the floor, and a roof (hidden in FIG. 1). In the first embodiment, the tent 10 comprises four walls 18, including a front wall, a rear wall, and opposite side walls. The tent 10 includes a door 22 in the front wall 18 which is openable and closable by a fastener (e.g., a slide fastener, not shown) for entering and exiting the tent. The tent 10 also includes windows 24, which may be extendable or non-extendable, comprising mesh panels in the walls 18 of the shell 12 as shown. Details of extendable windows are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,763,841 and 7,261,116, the entireties of which are herein incorporated by reference. It is understood that the tent 10 of may have configurations other than shown in the illustrated embodiments. For example, the tent 10 may have fewer or more than four walls, and the configurations and arrangements of the roof, windows and door(s) may vary.
The shell 12 of the tent 10 includes truncated corners, generally indicated at 30, between adjacent walls 18. Each of the truncated corners 30 includes a gusset 32 extending upward from the floor 17 toward the roof 20 of the shell 12 and interconnecting the two adjacent walls 18. The gusset 32 is secured to adjacent walls 18 by stitching or other suitable means and, in effect, replaces what would otherwise be a conventional corner defined by adjacent walls intersecting along a longitudinal seam or edge. In effect, the conventional corner is “truncated” by the plane of the gusset. This plane can be vertical or (as shown in FIGS. 1-3) off-vertical by a suitable angle, e.g., 0-45 degrees. Other ways of forming the truncated corners 30 do not depart from the scope of the present invention. The illustrated gussets 32 are generally triangular, although it is understood that the gussets may be of other shapes and do not have to be of the same shape. It is understood that less than all of the corners, including only one corner, may be a truncated corner. For ease of explanation, only one truncated corner 30 of the tent 10 will be referred to hereinafter with the understanding that the teachings and features of this truncated corner apply equally to the other truncated corners.
The triangular, truncated corner 30 (e.g., the gusset 32) has an upper apex 33, a lower base 34, and opposite sides 35 secured to respective adjacent walls 18. In the first embodiment, the sides 35 of the truncated corner 30 extend substantially the entire heights of the adjacent walls 18. The upper apex 33 is situated adjacent to the upper ends of the walls 18, and the base 34 is secured to the floor 17. The sides 35 of the truncated corner 30 may be secured to the respective walls 18 of the shell 12 and the base 34 may be secured to the floor 17 by sewing or other suitable fastening ways. Alternatively, the corner 30 and the adjacent walls 18 or the corner, the adjacent walls and the floor 17 may be integrally formed as a one-piece structure. It is understood that the truncated corner(s) 30 may be of other shapes (e.g., rectangular or square-shaped) and may extend only partially along the heights of the respective adjacent walls 18 within the scope of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, the truncated corner 30 includes a venting opening 40 to allow air flow between outside the tent 10 and the interior living space. Moreover, in the first embodiment the air flow through the venting opening 40 is capable of being selectively regulated to either increase or decrease air flow through the opening. An air-impermeable venting flap 42 (broadly, a venting portion) in registration with (i.e., disposed therein or in opposing relation thereto) the venting opening 40 allows for selective regulation of air flow through the corner 30. It is understood that the corner 30 may not include a venting portion for regulating air flow through the venting opening and still fall within the scope of the present invention. The truncated corner 30 in the first embodiment also includes a venting screen 44 in registration with (i.e., disposed therein or in opposing relation thereto) the venting opening 40 to prevent insects and debris from entering the tent 10 through the opening. It is understood that the tent 10 may not include the venting screen 44 without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first embodiment also includes a hood 46 (FIG. 1) covering the venting opening 40, the purpose of which is explained below.
Referring still to the first embodiment, the venting opening 40 is generally triangular having a truncated upper end and a pair of opposite sides that are generally coextensive with the sides of the truncated corner. It is understood that the venting opening 40 may be of other shapes and sizes than illustrated. The venting opening 40 also has a base that is parallel to and above the base 34 of the corner 30. The venting flap 42 is releasably attachable within the venting opening 40 by a pair of zippers 50 (broadly, a fastening device) extending along the sides of the venting opening and corresponding sides of the venting flap from adjacent the upper end of the venting flap to the base of the venting flap. Accordingly, the venting flap 42 is generally coincident with the venting opening 40, except at the apex of the venting opening, and can substantially close the venting opening and can allow for the venting opening to the partially opened or substantially completely opened. It is contemplated that the venting flap 42 may be substantially completely coincident with the venting opening 40, including having an apex coincident with the apex of the venting opening. Unzipping the zippers 50 from the upper end of the flap 42 downward allows for the flexible venting flap to be folded downward inside the living space to at least partially open the venting opening, as shown in FIG. 2. The base of the venting flap 42 remains fixedly secured to the corner 30, although it may also be releasably secured. It is understood that the venting flap 42 may be in opposing relationship to the venting opening 40, rather than secured within the opening without departing from the scope of the invention. Other fastening devices, including hook and loop components, may be used in lieu of the zippers 50.
The venting screen 44 of the first embodiment opposes or overlies, in a generally superposing relation, the venting opening 40. It is understood that the venting screen 44 may be secured in the venting opening 40. The venting screen 44 acts as a barrier to prevent insects and debris from entering the tent 10 through the venting opening 40. The venting screen 44 is made from a mesh fabric material, although other types of materials are within the scope of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the venting screen 44 is generally coincident with the venting opening 40 or slightly larger than the venting opening so that when the venting opening is opened, the venting screen covers the entire opening. The venting screen 44 may be secured to the truncated corner 30 or it may span between adjacent walls 18 of the shell 12. The venting screen 44 may have other shapes and sizes and does not have to be generally coincident with the venting opening 40.
Referring still to the first embodiment, as mentioned above the hoods 46 on the exterior of the shell 12 cover the venting openings 40 in the truncated corners 30. For ease of explanation, only one hood 46 will be described to hereinafter with the understanding that the teachings and features of this hood apply equally to the other hoods. The hood 46 has an upper end generally adjacent to the apex or upper region of the venting opening 40, and a pitched lower end spaced outward from the corner 30 generally adjacent to the base of the venting opening. The hood 46 covers a majority of the corner 30 because in this embodiment the upper end and the sides of the venting opening 40 are generally coextensive with the apex and the sides of the corner 30. The hood 46 is pitched along its length from its pitched lower end to its upper end to space the hood from the venting opening 40 and define a passageway. The pitched lower end of the hood 46 defines an opening 56 of the passageway that allows for air flow into the passageway to the venting opening 40. The hood 46 prevents rain and above-falling moisture from entering the tent 10 through the venting opening 40. A tensioning component 58 (e.g., a rope or a strap) that has one end secured to the lower end of the hood 46 and an opposite end staked in the ground, holds or maintains the hood in its pitched configuration. In another example, a rib, such as a semi-rigid or rigid rib, runs along at least the lower end of the hood. Other ways of configuring the hood 46 to maintain its pitched configuration are within the scope of the invention.
Although not illustrated, the hood 46 may include a screen in or covering the hood opening 56 to prevent insects and debris from entering the hood. In such an embodiment, the tent may not, although it could, include the venting screen because the hood may adequately prevent moisture, insects and debris from entering the tent through the venting opening. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention.
The tent 10 in the first embodiment may include a rain fly 60 (FIG. 1) which overlies the shell 12 and the frame to prevent moisture from falling on the shell. The fly 60 may comprise a fabric member made of polyester or other suitable material waterproof material that is sized and shape to overlie the roof 20. In this embodiment, the fly 60 does not have to overlie the truncated corners 30 because the corners include hoods 46 for preventing water and debris from entering the venting openings 40 when they are open. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 3-6, a second embodiment of a tent is generally indicated at 110. Because this second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, like components are indicated by corresponding reference numerals plus 100 and the like components will not be discussed in detail. Briefly, this tent 110 is similar to the first tent 10 in that the venting opening 140 in each truncated corner 130 is generally coincident with the corner, the hoods 146 cover the venting openings, and the venting screens 144 are in registration with the venting openings. However, the venting flaps 142 in the second tent 110 are different from the venting flaps 42 in first tent 10 in that the venting flaps in the second tent are not generally coincident with the respective venting openings 140 and do not substantially completely close the venting openings. Instead, each venting flap 142 extends upward from the base of the opening 140 to a location only partially closing the venting opening. More specifically, each venting flap 142 extends up to a location generally corresponding to the opening 140 at the lower end of the hood 146 but does not extend upward substantially past the hood opening 156. In this configuration, the venting opening 140 is continuously open, but the user can regulate the amount of air flow through the venting opening by using the one or more of the zippers 150 on the venting flap 142.
Another difference between the first tent 10 and the second tent 110 is that corner poles 114 of the frame of the second tent extend generally along a longitudinal centerline of the truncated corners 130, and the hoods 146 in the second tent are secured to the corner poles, such as by sleeves or clips 162 on the hoods, to maintain the hoods in the pitched configuration. In this arrangement, the tent 110 may also include straps 164 (broadly, a corner support) extending outward from adjacent the base 134 of each corner 130. The corner poles 14 are secured to the corner straps 164 (FIGS. 3 and 4), such as by clips 165 (FIG. 4), or openings in the straps or rings, to stabilize the tent. Other ways of securing a lower portion of each of the corners 130 to the corresponding corner pole 114 are within the scope of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a third embodiment of a tent is generally indicated at 210. Because this third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, like components are indicated by corresponding reference numerals plus 200 and the like components will not be discussed in detail. The third tent 210 is similar to the first tent 10 except that venting openings 240 (FIG. 8) in the third tent are not generally coincident with the truncated corners 230, but instead have a smaller area or footprint than the truncated corners. The third tent 210 includes venting flaps 242 (FIG. 8) in registration and generally coincident with the venting openings 240 for regulating air flow through the opening. As such, the venting openings 240 may be selectively, substantially completely closed and selectively, only partially opened. Hoods 246 cover the venting openings 240 and are secured in their pitched configurations to the corner poles 214, as in the second tent 110. In addition, each corner pole 214 is secured to a generally triangular corner flap 264 (broadly, a corner support) extending outward from adjacent lower portion of each of the corners 230.
Referring to FIG. 9, a fourth embodiment of a tent is generally indicated at 310. Because this fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, like components are indicated by corresponding reference numerals plus 300 and the like components will not be discussed in detail. The tent 310 includes truncated corners 330 (only one is shown in FIG. 9), but does not include a hoods at the corners. The tent 310 includes a venting opening 340 and a venting flap (not shown) that is substantially identical to the venting opening 40 and venting flap 42 in FIG. 2. The tent 310 also includes a venting screen 344 in registration with the venting opening. In this embodiment, a fly 360 is configured to cover or overlie, in generally opposing relationship, at least a portion of an outside of the truncated corner 330, including the venting opening 340, to prevent moisture from entering the tent through the venting opening. The fly 360 includes a roof-overlying portion 360A, awnings 360B extending downward from the roof-overlying portion and generally overlying the windows 324, and corner-overlying portions 360C extending between the awnings and covering upper portions of the corners 330. In this embodiment, sides of the corner-overlying portions 360C of the fly 360 extend along the respective poles 314 at the corresponding corner. Hold-down straps 380 are secured to lower ends of the corner-overlying portions 360C. The straps 380 have free ends that can be staked into the ground.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. It is also understood that the features presented in each of the embodiments may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments to make different tent embodiment incorporating one or more of the features described herein.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Patent Application
20090301536
