The present disclosure relates to tents, and more particularly to tents with improved clearance.
A tent typically includes a plurality of tent poles, which form an assembled tent frame, and one or more tent fabrics that are supported by the tent frame to form a temporary shelter or an enclosed space. Generally speaking, conventional tent frames are constructed from rigid or flexible tent poles that, when assembled, form a tent frame that has a rounded or upwardly tapered shape. A tent fabric supported on these assembled tent frames will follow the shape or contour of the frame, thereby causing the enclosure to be narrower or tapered towards the top of the tent. In this way, conventional tents typically have limited headspace and low entrance heights, which encumber access and movement within the tent. Additionally, when a rainfly is used with these conventional tent constructions, the concave-down shape imparted on the rainfly by the tent frame limits the opening heights for airflow that can be formed within the rainfly and restricts ventilation.
Some conventional tents incorporate a ridgepole with one or more ends that cantilever from the rounded tent frame to suspend the upper regions of the tent fabric or rainfly further away from the other tent poles, such as to provide an awning, improve headspace, or improve ventilation within the tent. Conventionally, the ends of the ridgepole are cantilevered in a horizontal manner that causes the strength of each cantilevered end to diminish the further it extends from the rounded tent frame. In this way, each cantilevered end, and often the entire ridgepole, is bowed downwardly under the weight of a tent fabric or rainfly, thereby diminishing headspace, further reducing the height of the entranceway, and impeding ventilation. Thus, a need exists for tent constructions with greater clearance, such as to provide higher entranceways, greater headspace, and improved ventilation.
The present disclosure is directed to tents, and particularly to tents that include at least one clearance pole. A tent according to the present disclosure includes a tent frame that, when assembled, forms an assembled tent frame that is configured to support the tent on a support surface and defines an inner space between the assembled tent frame and the support surface. The tent also includes at least one clearance pole and a clearance mechanism. When operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame, the at least one clearance pole extends away from the inner space to define an outer space. The clearance mechanism is configured to operatively couple the at least one clearance pole to the assembled tent frame and orient the at least one clearance pole to project in an upward direction relative to the support surface. The clearance mechanism includes a connector that is configured to operatively couple the clearance pole to the assembled tent frame, and which may be configured to orient a proximal end of the at least one clearance pole to extend in the upward direction. The clearance mechanism also may include a tensioning structure that extends between the at least one clearance pole and at least one other portion of the tent and which is configured to tension the at least one clearance pole in the upward direction. The tent according to the present disclosure further may include one or more of an inner tent fabric and an outer tent fabric. The inner tent fabric surrounds at least a portion of the inner space and is configured to be operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame and optionally the at least one clearance pole. The outer tent fabric surrounds at least a portion of the outer space and is configured to be operatively supported by at least the distal end of the at least one clearance pole.
Hereinafter, the examples of tents according to the present disclosure that are disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which identical or similar reference numbers are given to identical or similar elements, and an overlapping description is omitted herein.
It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical spirit disclosed herein is not limited by the accompanying drawings and covers all modifications, equivalents, or substituents included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, so as not to detract from the core subject matter of the present disclosure, known and/or conventional tent features are not necessarily illustrated.
Terms including ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” and the like may be used to describe various elements, but such elements are not limited by these terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one element from another within a particular example, and these various elements may include the same or substantially similar components, features, and/or functions while being assigned different ordinal numbers.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected to,” “coupled to,” “operably connected to,” or “operably coupled to” another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. When intervening elements are present, the element may be referred to as being indirectly connected or interconnected to the other element.
As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” or “includes,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.
In particular, clearance mechanism 20 includes a connector 140 that is configured to operatively couple clearance pole 130 to tent frame 100. Connector 140 may be configured to operatively couple to proximal end 32 of clearance pole 130 and orient proximal end 32 of clearance pole 130 to extend in the upward direction, when connector 140 operatively couples clearance pole 130 to assembled tent frame 110. Additionally or alternatively, connector 140 may be configured to operatively couple to the midsection of clearance pole 130.
As indicated in dot-dot-dash lines in
As discussed herein, the upward direction may refer to any direction having a component directed perpendicularly and positively away from support surface 16. For example, when support surface 16 is a horizontal plane and/or a level ground surface, the upward direction may include any direction that has a positive vertical component and/or a component that opposes a direction of gravity. As a more specific example, when support surface 16 is a horizontal plane, clearance pole 130 will project in a direction that includes a positive vertical component and/or a component that opposes gravity.
When clearance pole 130 is operatively coupled to assembled tent frame 110 and oriented by clearance mechanism 20, clearance pole 130 may form a clearance angle, which may be defined as the angle formed between a line extending from proximal end 32 to distal end 34 of clearance pole 130 and a plane defined by support surface 16, in which proximal end 32 and the plane defined by support surface 16 form the vertex of the angle. As examples, the clearance angle may be at least 2°, at least 4° at least 6°, at least 10°, at least 20°, at least 40°, at most 60°, at most 80°, and/or at most 90°.
Support surface 16 includes any suitable and/or any desirable support surface 16. As examples, support surface 16 may include a ground surface, a rocky surface, a grassy surface, a dirt surface, a sleeping platform, a cot, the bed of a vehicle, a built floor, a raised surface, and/or a building floor. Support surface 16 also may include a horizontal surface, a substantially horizontal surface, a level surface, a sloped surface, an even surface, and/or an uneven surface. In other words, assembled tent frame 110 may be configured to be supported by any suitable support surface 16. In general, when an element, group of elements, and/or a structure is discussed herein as being supported on support surface 16, at least a portion of the element, elements, and/or structure may be supported on support surface 16 in any suitable manner, such as by being inserted into support surface 16, extending against support surface 16, by being received in sockets or receivers that are positioned along support surface 16, and/or by extending against a tarp, fabric, or other liner that extends against support surface 16. As a specific example, as shown in
Assembled tent frame 110 may include an upwardly extending section 44 that extends away from support surface 16 to provide height to tent 10, and one or more clearance poles 130 may be operatively coupled to, and extend upwardly and outwardly from, upwardly extending section 44 to provide width and additional height to tent 10. Assembled tent frame 110 also may include at least a pair of upwardly extending sections 44 that extend away from support surface 16 to provide height to assembled tent frame 110 and at least one laterally extending section 40 that extends between upwardly extending sections 44 to create or define inner space 12. That said, upwardly extending sections 44 also may be at least partially laterally extending, and/or include a laterally extending component, such as when assembled tent frame 110 includes arcuate support members. Inner space 12 may be described as a having a cross-sectional area taken, or measured, normal to support surface 16, with such cross-sectional area being confined by upwardly extending sections 44, laterally extending section 40, and support surface 16. Clearance pole 130 may extend from any suitable region of upwardly extending sections 44 and/or laterally extending section 40 to project in the upward direction and away from inner space 12 to define outer space 14. As such, when operatively coupled to assembled tent frame 110, clearance pole 130 may be described as creating outer space 14 that extends beyond inner space 12 to increase a cross-sectional area of tent 10 taken normal to support surface 16 relative to the cross-sectional area of assembled tent frame 110 taken normal to support surface 16. In view of the above, clearance pole 130 also may increase a height of tent 10 at least proximate the position clearance pole 130 is operatively coupled to assembled tent frame 110, which may correspond to the total height of tent 10.
Clearance pole 130, together with clearance mechanism 20, also may be configured to provide additional support to tent 10 and/or assembled tent frame 110. More specifically, as discussed herein, clearance mechanism 20 may include tensioning structure 30 that is operatively coupled to clearance pole 130 and at least one other portion of tent 10, with tensioning structure 30 tensioning clearance pole 130 against the at least one other portion of tent 10. Connector 140 may distribute at least a portion of the tension applied to clearance pole 130 by tensioning structure 30 to the region of assembled tent frame 110 to which connector 140 is coupled. In other words, tensioning structure 30 and clearance pole 130 may be described as creating a tensioned pair between discrete regions of tent 10. The tensioned pair formed with tensioning structure 30, clearance pole 130, and the at least one other portion of tent 10 may serve to reinforce and/or distribute forces about tent 10 and/or assembled tent frame 110, which may benefit load distribution about tent 10 and/or assembled tent frame 110 and/or benefit the resilience of tent 10 and/or assembled tent frame 110 towards external forces, such as wind, rain, and/or snow loading.
As discussed herein, clearance pole 130 also may be referred to as divergent pole 130, upwardly projecting pole 130, outer space pole 130, and/or lofting pole 130. Tent 10 may include a plurality of clearance poles 130, in which each clearance pole 130 may be operatively coupled to assembled tent frame 110 via a single connector 140 or respective connectors 140, and oriented, as discussed herein, by clearance mechanism 20. As shown in
Two clearance poles 130 may extend from a single connector 140 to form a pair of clearance poles 132, which additionally or alternatively may be referred to herein as a pair of ridge poles 132 and/or a clearance pole pair 132. Connector 140 may operatively couple to proximate ends 32 of each clearance pole 130 of pair of clearance poles 132 and orient pair of clearance poles 132 to extend from connector 140 in opposing upward directions relative to one another. More specifically, connector 140 may orient pair of clearance poles 132 to extend from connector 140 in opposing radial directions relative to one another, while also orienting both clearance poles 130 to project upwardly relative to support surface 16 and/or away from inner space 12. In other words, pair of clearance poles 132 may form a V-shaped, or convex, configuration when pair of clearance poles 132 is viewed in a side profile and may form a straight line when pair of clearance poles 132 is viewed as a top plan. Tensioning structure 30 may extend between clearance poles 130 of pair of clearance poles 132, such as distal ends 34 thereof, to form a tensioned pair therebetween. Tensioning structure 30 also may tension pair of clearance poles 132 against one another to project in the upward direction. Alternatively, connector 140 may orient proximal ends 32 of each clearance pole 130 of pair of clearance poles 132 to extend downwardly, while tensioning structure 30 tensions each clearance pole 130, such as distal ends 34 thereof, to extend in the upward direction, such that each clearance pole 130 of pair of clearance poles 132 projects in the upward direction.
Pair of clearance poles 132 optionally may be formed from a single clearance pole 130. More specifically, connector 140 may operatively couple to the midsection of the single clearance pole 130, such that the single clearance pole 130 extends from connector 140 to form a pair of distal ends 34 that extend away from inner space 12, and tensioning structure 30 may tension distal ends 34 to project in the upward direction.
Tent 10 may include a plurality of clearance pole pairs 132, and each pair of clearance poles 132 may be operatively coupled to a discrete region of assembled tent frame 110. Additionally, tensioning structure 30 may extend between two or more clearance pole pairs 132 to form a tensioned network therebetween.
Clearance mechanism 20 may orient each pair of clearance poles 132 to form a clearance pair angle between the two clearance poles 130. The clearance angle formed between pair of clearance poles 132 may be defined as an angle formed between lines extending from connector 140 to distal ends 34 of the two clearance poles. Connector 140 may orient at least proximal ends 32 of each clearance pole 130, and/or tensioning structure 30 may orient at least distal ends 34 of each clearance pole 130, such that clearance pole pair 132 forms a desired clearance pair angle therebetween. As examples, each clearance pole pair 132 may form a clearance pair angle that is at least 70° at least 80°, at least 90°, at least 100°, at least 130°, at least 140°, at most 150°, at most 160°, at most 165°, at most 170°, and/or at most 175°.
As shown in
Tent 10 additionally or alternatively may include one or more clearance poles 130 that extend from connector(s) 140 independently without forming a pair of clearance poles, and these clearance poles 130 may be referred to herein as individual clearance poles 134. Individual clearance poles 134 also may be referred to herein as independent clearance poles 134 and/or horn shafts 134. For example, tent 10 may include a plurality of individual clearance poles 134, and each individual clearance pole 134 may be operatively coupled to a discrete region of assembled tent frame 110 via a separate connector 140. Individual clearance pole 134 also may be operatively coupled to the same connector 140 as a pair of clearance poles 132, with connector 140 orienting individual clearance pole 134 separately from pair of clearance poles 132. When tent 10 includes two or more individual clearance poles 134, tensioning structure 30 may extend between two or more individual clearance poles 134, such as distal ends 34 thereof, to form a tensioned pair and/or a tensioned network therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, tent 10 may include at least one pair of clearance poles 132 and at least one individual clearance pole 134, and tensioning structure 30 may form a tensioned network between the at least one individual clearance pole 134 and the at least one pair of clearance poles 132.
Tensioning structure 30 may include any suitable structure for tensioning at least one clearance pole 130 against at least one other portion of tent 10. As examples, tensioning structure 30 may include one or more cords, one or more straps, one or more elastic cords, a fabric and/or one or more ropes. Tensioning structure 30 also may include a plurality of couplers, including at least one coupler that operatively couples to clearance pole 130, such as distal end 34 thereof, and a second coupler that operatively couples tensioning structure 30 to another region of tent 10, such as distal end 34 of another clearance pole 130. As discussed in more detail herein, tent 10 may include an outer tent fabric 120, and outer tent fabric 120 may include tensioning structure 30.
As shown in dotted lines in
Generally speaking, inner tent fabric 122 may be utilized to form an enclosed, covered, and/or livable space within tent 10. Inner tent fabric 122 may include a plurality of sides, such as a base that forms a floor for tent 10 and a plurality of walls that extend from the base to the sidewalls, roof, and/or an awning to the enclosed space. With this in mind, inner tent fabric 122 may include one or more doors that provide ingress and egress to the enclosed space. When inner tent fabric 122 is operatively coupled to, such as hung or suspended from, one or more clearance poles 130, inner tent fabric 122 may surround at least a portion of outer space 14, extend above at least a portion of inner space 12, and/or extend above at least a portion of assembled tent frame 110. As such, when inner tent fabric 122 is operatively coupled to clearance poles 130, clearance poles 130 may increase the height of the enclosed space formed by inner tent fabric 122 and/or increase the volume of the enclosed space formed by inner tent fabric 122 relative to when inner tent fabric 122 is operatively coupled to assembled tent frame 110 alone. Stated differently, clearance pole(s) 130 may provide tent 10 with an enclosed or living space that is larger in volume or higher than the living space provided by conventional tents with an otherwise identical assembled tent frame that does not include a clearance pole 130 and a clearance mechanism 20. Additionally, inner tent fabric 122 may be operatively coupled to clearance pole(s) 130 such that the one or more doors or entranceways of inner tent fabric 122 are positioned below clearance pole(s) 130. In this case, clearance pole(s) 130 may increase the door or entranceway height of inner tent fabric 122 to improve ingress and egress to tent 10.
As shown in dot-dash lines in
Outer tent fabric 120 also may be operatively coupled to one or more additional regions of the assembled tent 10, such as base portions of assembled tent frame 110 and/or anchors 28 installed along support surface 16.
Outer tent fabric 120 may include and/or may be a rainfly, a tarp, and/or any other fabric member that is configured to prevent moisture from entering tent 10. In many conventional tents, the rainfly generally is supported directly upon a roof region of the assembled tent frame. During use, condensation often forms along the inner surface of the rainfly due to the presence of humid air within the tent, and the curvature of the rainfly causes the condensation to accumulate along the contact area between the rainfly and the assembled tent frame, which may cause water to collect within the tent. As illustrated in
As further shown in
Outer tent fabric 120 may include tensioning structure 30. In particular, as shown in
Each clearance pole 130 also may be described as a tensile member that imparts an outward force on outer tent fabric 120 to tension outer tent fabric 120 into a desired shape. As shown in
With continued reference to
Support frame 42 may include at least one frame pole 114. Frame pole 114 also may be referred to herein as tent pole 114, support pole 114, tent rod 114, support rod 114, and/or tent frame member 114. When support frame 42 includes a single frame pole 114, frame pole 114 may be bent in an arcuate shape such that both ends of frame pole 114 are supported by support surface 16 and the remainder of frame pole 114 extends above support surface 16 to the closed shape. When support frame 42 includes a single frame pole 114, the single frame pole 114 may be referred to herein as a unit pole.
Support frame 42 also may include a plurality of frame poles 114. For example, support frame 42 may include a pair of leg poles 112 that extend upwardly from support surface 16 and each have one end, which also may be referred to as a base end, that is supported by support surface 16. The other ends, which also may be referred as upper ends, of leg poles 112 may be operatively coupled to one another to form the closed shape, such as a triangle or other three-sided shape.
Additionally or alternatively, support frame 42 may include a roof pole 111 that extends between and is operatively coupled to the upper ends of both leg poles 112 to form the closed shape. For example, the closed shape formed by support frame 42 having a pair of leg poles 112 and roof pole 111 may include a rectangular shape, a rectangular shape with one or more rounded sides, a rhombic shape, a diamond shape, and/or a substantially arcuate shape. Generally speaking, roof pole 111 may include laterally extending section 40, and leg poles 112 may include upwardly extending sections 44.
Clearance pole(s) 130 may be operatively coupled along any suitable region of support frame 42 via connector 140 and extend from support frame 42 in any suitable manner. For example, one or more clearance poles 130, such as pair of clearance poles 132, may be operatively coupled to roof pole 111 via connector 140, and connector 140 may orient pair of clearance poles 132 to extend traverse to roof pole 111. Additionally or alternatively, one, or both ends of roof pole 111 may be operatively coupled to leg pole(s) 112 via connector 140, and one or more clearance poles 130 may extend from connector 140. As another example, the upper ends of two leg poles 112 may be operatively coupled to one another via connector 140, and one or more clearance poles 130 may extend from connector 140.
As shown in
Assembled tent frame 110 may include a roof pole 111 that interconnects support frame 42 to another support member, in which the support member may be spaced apart from support frame 42 along support surface 16, and the support member includes at least one end that is supported by support surface 16. As an example, the support member may include a single leg pole 112 having a base end that is supported by support surface 16, and roof pole 111 may extend between support frame 42 and the other, or upper end, of the leg pole 112, such that assembled tent frame 110 includes three ends that are supported by support surface 16. The support member also may include a second support frame 42, such that assembled tent frame 110 includes a pair of spaced-apart support frames 42 that are interconnected via roof pole 111. For example, the second support frame 42 may include a pair of leg poles 112 that are joined together to form a second support frame 42 or an arcuate unit pole 311 having a pair of ends that operatively contact support surface 16. Roof pole 111 may be operatively coupled to support frame 42 and/or the support member via connector(s) 140, and one or more clearance poles 130 may extend from each connector 140.
With continued reference to
Frame poles 114 may be interconnected by any suitable mechanism. For example, as shown in
Tent 10 may include an assembled state 18, such as shown and discussed herein with reference to
That said, when tent 10 is in the disassembled state, one or more components of tent 10 may remain elastically interconnected to one another. As an example, segments 118 of frame pole 114 or clearance pole 130 may remain elastically interconnected to one another when tent 10 is in the disassembled state. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of frame pole(s) 114, pole segments 118, frame pole connector(s) 141, clearance pole(s) 130, connector(s) 140, and/or combinations thereof may be elastically interconnected via one or more elastic cords, such as discussed herein, when tent 10 is in the disassembled state.
Stated in slightly different terms, tent 10 may be described as including a plurality of interconnecting sections, in which each interconnecting section is interconnected to one or more other interconnecting sections when tent 10 is in assembled state 18 and each interconnecting section may be disengaged from the one or more other interconnecting sections when the tent is in the disassembled state. When tent 10 is in the disassembled state, at least two of, some of, or all of, the interconnecting sections may remain elastically interconnected via one or more elastic cords to form an elastically interconnected network. In particular, the plurality of interconnected sections may include each connector 140, each frame pole connector 141, each frame pole 114, each clearance pole 130, and/or each connector 140. The plurality of interconnecting sections also may include pole segments 118 when one or more frame poles 114 and/or clearance poles 130 comprise pole segments 118. The plurality of interconnecting sections also may include inner tent fabric 122, outer tent fabric 120, base surface 24, anchors 28, and/or tensioning structure 30. However, inner tent fabric 122, outer tent fabric 120, base surface 24, anchors 28, and/or tensioning structure 30 may not remain elastically interconnected to the other interconnecting sections when tent 10 is in the disassembled state. When tent 10 is in the disassembled state, the plurality of interconnecting sections may be described as being or forming a kit for assembling tent 10 to assembled state 18.
When tent 10 is in the disassembled state, the plurality of interconnecting sections may be configured stored and/or transported in a condensed state. In the condensed state, each clearance pole 130, each frame pole 114, and/or each pole segment 118 may be generally aligned with one another. Tent 10 also may include a stowage bag that is configured to receive the plurality of interconnecting sections, such as while the plurality of interconnecting sections are in the condensed state.
Turning now to
As shown, tent 10 further includes two clearance poles 130 that are operatively coupled to assembled tent frame 110 via a clearance mechanism 20. More specifically, clearance mechanism 20 includes a connector 140 that is operatively coupled to roof pole 111 proximate and/or along laterally extending section 40. A first clearance pole 130 and a second clearance pole 130 are operatively coupled to connector 140 and extend from connector 140 away from inner space 12 to define outer space 14. Each clearance pole 130 includes a proximal end 32 that is operatively coupled to connector 140, and connector 140 orients proximal ends 32 to extend in an upward direction. Connector 140 also orients clearance poles 130 to extend in opposing radial directions relative to one another, such that the first clearance pole 130 and the second clearance pole 130 define a pair of clearance poles 132.
Clearance mechanism 20 also may include a tensioning structure 30 that may extend between distal ends 34 of pair of clearance poles 132 to tension at least distal ends 34 in the upward direction against one another. Tensioning structure 30 may include a strap, a cord, a wire, a brace or the like. Additionally or alternatively, tensioning structure 30 may be included in an outer tent fabric 120.
With continued reference to
Outer tent fabric 120 may be operatively coupled to distal ends 34 of pair of clearance poles 132 via pole receivers 124, and clearance poles 130 may tension outer tent fabric 120 to form a ridge of tent 10 and steep sidewalls extending up to the ridge of tent 10. Pair of clearance poles 132 also may tension outer tent fabric 120 to adopt an angular shape, which as discussed herein, may facilitate movement of condensation along the inner surface of outer tent fabric 120 away from inner space 12, and/or may permit outer tent fabric 120 to direct water or snow down and off its outer surface. The tension imparted on outer tent fabric 120 by pair of clearance poles 132 also may stiffen outer tent fabric 120 to benefit the resilience of tent 10 against external forces, such as wind, rain, and snow loading.
Some conventional tents include cantilevered poles, such as eave poles or ridge struts, that are cantilevered from the assembled tent frame and used to support one or more tent fabrics. Generally speaking, the cantilevered poles of conventional tents are coupled to the assembled tent frame to extend laterally or parallel to the support surface. When one or more tent fabrics are attached to the cantilevered poles, the tent fabrics apply a downward force that strains the cantilevered poles to droop and point downwardly relative to the support surface. This drooping often causes a reduction in headspace within the tent and also may reduce the effective height of entranceway to the tent.
As shown in
As further shown in the examples of
While
As shown, inner tent fabric 122 is hung from assembled tent frame 110 and is configured to surround at least a portion of inner space 12. In these examples, inner tent fabric 122 also is hung from clearance poles 130. Inner tent fabric 122 may be hung from assembled tent frame 110 and clearance poles 130 in any suitable manner, for example, via straps, clips, hooks, loops, Velcro (e.g., hook and loop) fasteners, and/or combinations thereof. Inner tent fabric 122 may define a living space within tent 10, and clearance poles 130 support inner tent fabric 122 above and outward from roof pole 111. In this way, inner tent fabric 122 may offer a living space with a higher and wider head space and a wider floor space than that which inner tent fabric 122 would offer when hung from assembled tent frame 110 alone.
Outer tent fabric 120 is supported by at least distal ends 34 of each clearance pole 130, and pair of clearance poles 132 tensions outer tent fabric 120 to form the ridge and/or a tensioned ridge of tent 10. As shown, clearance poles 130 support outer tent fabric 120 spaced above at least a portion of assembled tent frame 110. When tent 10 includes both inner tent fabric 122 and outer tent fabric 120, clearance poles 130 support, tension, or suspend outer tent fabric 120 spaced from, or spaced above, at least a portion of inner tent fabric 122 to create a clearance volume 22 therebetween. In particular, clearance poles 130 may support outer tent fabric 120 spaced apart from inner tent fabric 122, at least along the ridge of tent 10.
The clearance volume 22 afforded by clearance poles 130 supporting or suspending outer tent fabric 120 above assembled tent frame 110 and inner tent fabric 122 may offer several advantages over conventional tents, in which the outer tent fabric generally is supported directly upon the assembled tent frame with a small separation from inner tent fabric. More specifically, clearance volume 22 may facilitate airflow between inner tent fabric 122 and outer tent fabric 120 to improve ventilation within tent 10 and prevent moisture or condensation from accumulating within tent 10. Additionally, clearance volume 22 may prevent the transfer of condensation from outer tent fabric 120 to inner tent fabric 122 by preventing contact therebetween.
Tent 10 also includes pair of clearance poles 132 that are operatively coupled to roof pole 111 by connector 140, and connector 140 orients proximal end 32 of each clearance pole 130 to project in the upward direction traverse to roof pole 111. As indicated in dotted lines, tent 10 may include inner tent fabric 122. When included, inner tent fabric 122 may be hung from assembled tent frame 110 along leg pole 112, roof pole 111, and support frame 42. Inner tent fabric 122 also may be operatively coupled to the three base ends of assembled tent frame 110 and to anchors 28 to spread the floor of inner tent fabric 122 into a generally rectangular shape. As shown in
As indicated in dot-dashed lines, in some examples of
Pair of clearance poles 132 also may contribute to the stability of tent 10. For example, as shown in
Turning to
Further shown in the examples of
As shown, tent 10 includes assembled tent frame 110 that includes a pair of support frames 42, and a roof pole 111 that extends between and interconnects support frames 42, such as discussed herein with reference to the examples of
Clearance mechanism 20 also includes tensioning structure 30 that may extend between distal ends 34 of pair of clearance poles 132 and individual clearance pole 134. More specifically, tensioning structure 30 tensions distal ends 34 of pair of clearance poles 132 against distal end 34 of individual clearance pole 134, such that distal ends 34 of pair of clearance poles 132 extend in the upward direction relative to support surface 16 and are positioned above proximal ends 32 and roof pole 111. In other words, tensioning structure 30 tensions pair of clearance poles 132 upwardly against individual clearance pole 134. As such,
Tensioning structure 30 may include any suitable structure, such as one or more straps, one or more wires, one or more braces, and/or one or more cords. Additionally or alternatively, tensioning structure 30 may be included in outer tent fabric 120.
As shown in
Turning to
More specifically, as shown in
Connectors 140 also operatively couple support frames 42 to either end of roof pole 111, such that roof pole 111 and support frames 42 define inner space 12. Pair of clearance poles 132 are operatively coupled to roof pole 111 proximate and/or along laterally extending section 40 via connector 140, and connector 140 may orient pair of clearance poles 130 to project in the upward direction relative to support surface 16 and away from inner space 12 to define outer space 14.
Tent 10 also may include tensioning structure 30. As shown, tensioning structure 30 may extend between each clearance pole 130 of pair of clearance poles 132. Additionally or alternatively, tensioning structure 30 may extend between each individual clearance pole 134 and one or both clearance poles 130 of pair of clearance poles 132.
Each clearance pole 130 may be oriented by tensioning structure 30 to project in the upward direction. More specifically, tensioning structure 30 may tension pair of clearance poles 132 against one another to project in the upward direction. Tensioning structure 30 also may tension individual clearance poles 134 against pair of clearance poles 132 and/or against one another to project in the upward direction. Additionally or alternatively, tensioning structure 30 may form a tensioned pair between two clearance poles 130 and/or a tensioned network between three or more clearance poles 130. For example, when tensioning structure 30 extends between pair of clearance poles 132, tensioning structure 30 may be described as forming a tensioned pair therebetween that may distribute loads about the ridge of tent 10. When tensioning structure 30 extends between pair of clearance poles 132 and either individual clearance pole 134, tensioning structure 30 may be described as forming a tensioning network that distributes loads about the roof and sides of the tent. Additionally, when tensioning structure 30 extends between both individual clearance poles 134 and pair of clearance poles 132, the tensioned network formed therebetween also may distribute loads about either side of the tent.
Individual clearance poles 134 and/or tensioning structure 30 illustrated and discussed herein with reference to
Pair of clearance poles 132 is operatively coupled to one or both support frames 42 via connector 140 proximate laterally extending sections 40 and/or apex 70 of tent 10. Connector 140 also may operatively couple the two support frames 42 of assembled tent frame 110 to one another. As shown, connector 140 orients proximal end 32 of each clearance pole 130 of pair of clearance poles 132 to extend in the upward direction, such that pair of clearance poles 132 projects in the upward direction and away from inner space 12 to define outer space 14.
Tent 10 also may include an individual clearance pole 134 that is operatively coupled to connector 140 between pair of clearance poles 132, and connector 140 may orient individual clearance pole 134 to project upwardly in a vertical or substantially vertical direction relative to support surface 16. Additionally or alternatively, tent 10 may include one or more auxiliary pairs of clearance poles 136. As shown, each auxiliary pair of clearance poles 136 includes two clearance poles 130 that are coupled to one another via a clearance pole connector 142, which orients auxiliary pair of clearance poles 136 to form in a V-shape. Each auxiliary pair of clearance poles 136 may be operatively coupled along upwardly extending sections 44 of assembled tent frame 110 via one or more connectors 140, such that each clearance pole 130 of pair of clearance poles 132 projects upwardly relative to support surface 16 and away from inner space 12 to define outer space 14. More specifically, a first connector 140 may operatively couple a first clearance pole 130 of auxiliary pair of clearance poles 136 to a first support frame 42, and a second connector 140 may operatively couple a second clearance pole 130 of auxiliary pair of clearance poles 136 to a second support frame 42.
With continued reference to
As further shown in
Auxiliary pair of clearance poles 136 also may be included in and/or utilized with any of the examples of tents 10 illustrated in
As shown in
Tent 10 also may include one or more individual clearance poles 134 and one or more connectors 140 to orient individual clearance poles 134 to project in the upward direction and away from inner space 12 to define outer space 14. In particular, tent 10 may include a first connector 140 that operatively couples a first individual clearance pole 134 to support frame 42 and a second connector 140 that operatively couples a second individual clearance pole 134 to support frame 42. The first connector 140 and the second connector 140 also may operatively couple roof pole 111 to leg poles 112. Tensioning structure 30 may extend between each individual clearance pole 134 and pair of clearance poles 132 such as to form a tensioned network therebetween. As discussed herein, tensioning structure 30 may include one or more straps, one or more wires, one or more braces, and/or cords, and/or tensioning structure 30 may be included in outer tent fabric 120.
As shown in
Now with reference to
As shown in
Connectors 140 also orient individual clearance poles 134 to extend in opposing upward directions relative to one another. As shown, tent 10 may include tensioning structure 30 that extends between the first individual clearance pole 134 and the second individual clearance pole 134, such as distal ends 34 thereof, such as to form a tensioned pair therebetween and distribute loads along the ridge of tent 10. With connectors 140 orienting individual clearance poles 134 to extend in opposing upward directions relative to one another, tensioning structure 30 additionally or alternatively may tension individual clearance poles 134 in the upward direction against one another.
With continued reference to
Tent 10 further may include inner tent fabric 122, which may be hung from assembled tent frame 110 and surround at least a portion of inner space 12. When tent 10 includes both inner tent fabric 122 and outer tent fabric 120, individual clearance poles 134 support or suspend outer tent fabric 120 spaced apart from at least a portion of inner tent fabric 122, with clearance volume 22 being formed therebetween.
A first individual clearance pole 134 and a second individual clearance pole 134 are operatively coupled to the first support frame 42 via a first connector 140 and a second connector 140, and a third individual clearance pole 134 and a fourth individual clearance pole 134 are operatively coupled to the second support frame 42 via a third connector 140 and a fourth connector 140. As shown in
In some examples, tent 10 includes tensioning structure 30 that extends between two or more individual clearance poles 134. In particular, tensioning structure 30 may extend between individual clearance poles 134 that are operatively coupled to the same support frame 42 and/or may extend between individual clearance poles 134 that are operatively coupled to separate support frames 42.
Tent 10 also may include an outer tent fabric 120, and each individual clearance pole 134 may support or suspend outer tent fabric 120 spaced apart from assembled tent frame 110. Individual clearance poles 134 may tension outer tent fabric 120 to take on an angular or box shape. Additionally or alternatively, outer tent fabric 120 may include tensioning structure 30. Tent 10 also may include inner tent fabric 122, which may be hung from assembled tent frame 110 and optionally one or more individual clearance poles 134.
As shown, tent 10 includes a plurality of individual clearance poles 134 that are operatively coupled to assembled tent frame 110 through a plurality of connectors 140. More specifically, a first individual clearance pole 134 and a second individual clearance pole 134 are operatively coupled to the first support frame 42, such as on either end of roof pole 111, via a first connector 140 and a second connector 140. A third individual clearance pole 134 and a fourth individual clearance pole 134 are operatively coupled to the second support frame 42, such as on either end of roof pole 111, via a third connector 140 and a fourth connector 140. Tent 10 further includes a fifth individual clearance pole 134 that is operatively coupled to first support frame 42 and/or the second support frame 42 via a fifth connector 140 proximate the intersection of the first support frame 42 and the second support frame 42 and/or proximate apex 70. The fifth connector 140 may operatively couple the first support frame 42 and the second support frame 42 to one another.
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
As shown in
As discussed herein, pole-receiving regions 151 also may be referred to as cylindrical portions 151, pole sockets 151, pole couplers 151, pole envelopes 151, pole receivers 151, and/or pole housings 151. As shown in
Similarly, when connector 140 includes a plurality of frame pole-receiving regions 160, frame pole-receiving regions 160 may be disposed along or within body 150 to orient frame poles 114 relative to one another to define a shape of tent 10 and/or relative to one or more clearance poles 130. That said, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 and frame pole-receiving regions 160 may be symmetrically disposed about body 150 such that frame pole-receiving regions 160 may be used for receiving clearance poles 130 and vice versa, with connector 140 still being configured to orient clearance poles 130 and frame poles 114 in the predetermined arrangement.
Each pole-receiving region 151 also may be configured to receive a pole segment 118 of frame pole 114 or clearance pole 130. For example, connector 140 may include a pair of substantially collinear frame pole-receiving regions 160 that receive pole segments 118 of a single frame pole.
Connector 140 may be formed in any suitable shape, and pole-receiving regions 151 may extend along, within and/or from body 150 in any suitable manner. As examples, connector 140 may be spherical, box-shaped, cylindrical, and/or hub-shaped. Pole-receiving regions 151 may extend within body 150 and/or pole-receiving regions 151 may form protrusions that extend outwardly from body 150. Additionally or alternatively, body 150 may comprise a plurality of socket-shaped members that are fixed together in a predetermined arrangement to define a plurality of pole-receiving regions 151. Connector 140 and/or pole-receiving regions 151 may be formed from any suitable one or more materials, such as one or more of aluminum or another metal or alloy, fiberglass, carbon fiber, a polymer, a polymeric material, and/or a plastic.
With continued reference to
Each pole-receiving region 151 may be configured to selectively and fixedly couple to, or pivotally couple to, clearance pole 130 or frame pole 114. Additionally or alternatively, each pole-receiving region 151 may be configured to repeatedly couple to and uncouple from clearance pole 130 or frame pole 114. For example, when pole slot 162 is configured to receive a proximal end of frame pole 114 or clearance pole 130, frame pole 114 or clearance pole 130 may be at least partially telescoping from pole slot 162. As a more specific example, clearance pole 130 or frame pole 114 may include an elastic cord 60 that extends within frame pole 114 or clearance pole 130. As shown in
As further shown in
Additionally or alternatively, each pole slot 162 may include a pole stop 156 that is configured to support or retain frame pole 114 or clearance pole 130 at a predetermined position within pole slot 162. For example, when pole slot 162 is configured to receive the proximal end of clearance pole 130 or frame pole 114, pole stop 156 may include a ledge, a wall, or a stop ring that supports the proximal end of clearance pole 130 or frame pole 114 within pole slot 162. As discussed herein, two pole slots 162 may be interconnected via a passageway, and pole stop 156, such as a stop ring, may be positioned within the passageway and configured to support the proximal ends of clearance poles 130 or frame poles 114 that are received in either pole slot 162.
As discussed herein, in some examples, tent 10 includes one or more frame pole connectors 141 that are configured to operatively couple frame poles 114 to one another and do not couple to clearance poles 130.
As discussed herein, tent 10 additionally or alternatively may include one or more clearance pole connectors 142 that are configured to operatively couple one or more clearance poles 130 to one another and do not operatively couple to frame poles 114.
Turning now to
In these particular examples, connector 140 may be described as a hub-style connector 140, with body 150 being formed in a generally cylindrical shape. Each clearance pole 130 and each frame pole 114 is illustrated as being removed from the respective pole slot 162 and at least partially disconnected from connector 140. However, each clearance pole 130 and each frame pole 114 may remain elastically interconnected to connector 140 while removed from pole slot 162. More specifically, each clearance pole 130 and each frame pole 114 may include an elastic cord 60, and each pole-receiving region 151 may include an elastic cord receiver 186 that is configured to receive elastic cord 60. Each elastic cord 60 may be secured to elastic cord receiver 186 to elastically connect frame pole 114 or clearance pole 130 to connector 140. Additionally or alternatively, elastic cord receivers 186 of two or more pole-receiving regions 151 may be interconnected and elastic cord 60 may extend between two or more pole-receiving regions 151 to elastically interconnect frame poles 114, clearance poles 130 and/or combinations thereof.
With continued reference to
As shown, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 may be configured to support and orient pair of clearance poles 132, such that, as discussed herein, pair of clearance poles 132 form a clearance pair angle therebetween. Thus, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 may define pair of clearance pole-receiving regions 172. As examples, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 may orient pair of clearance poles 132 with a clearance pair angle of at least 80°, at least 90°, at least 100°, at least 130°, at least 140°, at most 150°, at most 160°, at most 165°, at most 170°, and/or at most 175°. Each frame pole-receiving region 160 may be configured to support and orient frame poles 114 with any suitable angle relative to one another, such as to determine a shape of the tent.
Additionally or alternatively, each frame pole-receiving region 160 may be configured to orient frame pole 114 with any suitable angle relative to each clearance pole 130 and/or a plane formed between clearance poles 130.
The examples of connector 140 that are illustrated in
Clearance pole-receiving regions 161 orient proximal ends 32 of clearance poles 130 to extend upwardly and traverse relative to frame pole 114. Clearance pole-receiving regions 161 also orient clearance poles 130 to project in opposing directions relative to one another, such that clearance poles 130 define pair of clearance poles 132. In other words, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 may be described as a pair of clearance pole-receiving regions 172 configured to orient pair of clearance poles 132. Clearance pole-receiving regions 161 also may include elastic cord receivers 186, and an elastic cord 60 may extend through elastic cord receivers 186 to elastically interconnect pair of clearance poles 132.
With continued reference to
The examples of connector 140 of
In the examples of
Each clearance pole-receiving region 161 may be positioned within body 150 above frame pole-receiving region 160, and individual clearance pole-receiving region 174 may be positioned within body 150 above pair of clearance pole-receiving regions 172. Connector 140 further may include reinforcing bodies 155, which may extend between frame pole-receiving region 160 and pair of clearance pole-receiving regions 172 and/or between individual clearance pole-receiving region 174 and pair of clearance pole-receiving regions 172.
The examples of connector 140 illustrated in
Turning to
With continued reference to
Connector 140 also may include reinforcing bodies 155 that extend between two or more pole-receiving regions 151. Additionally or alternatively, each pole-receiving region 151 may include elastic cord receiver 186 and/or pole stop 156, as discussed herein.
The examples of connector 140 shown in
Now with reference to
Connector 140 also includes clearance pole-receiving region 161 that is configured to receive and orient individual clearance pole 134 to extend outwardly or away from frame poles 114. As shown, clearance pole-receiving region 161 may orient individual clearance pole 134 to extend along a plane formed by frame poles 114, and connector 140 may orient each frame pole 114 and individual clearance pole 134 to extend away from connector 140 with any suitable angle relative to one another. As a more specific example, when connector 140 receives roof pole 111 and leg pole 112 within assembled tent frame 110, frame pole-receiving regions 160 may orient leg pole 112 to project downwardly or generally towards the support surface and orient roof pole 111 to project upwardly and laterally relative to the support surface. Meanwhile, clearance pole-receiving region 161 may orient individual clearance pole 134 to project outwardly from the angle formed by leg pole 112 and roof pole 111 and upwardly with a predetermined clearance angle relative to the support surface.
Connector 140 also may include reinforcing bodies 155 that may extend between two or more pole-receiving regions 151. Additionally or alternatively, each pole-receiving region 151 may include elastic cord receiver 186 and/or pole stop 156, as discussed herein.
The examples of connector 140 illustrated and discussed herein with reference to
Connector 140 also includes clearance pole-receiving region 161 that is positioned within body 150 above frame pole-receiving region 160 and is configured to orient clearance pole 130 to extend from connector 140 with any suitable angle relative to frame pole 114, such as traverse to and/or perpendicular to frame pole 114. Clearance pole-receiving region 161 includes pole slot 162 that is configured to receive a midsection of clearance pole 130. In particular, pole slot 162 may include a groove and/or a semi-cylindrical recess that is configured to be slid onto clearance pole 130 and/or inserted laterally onto clearance pole 130. Clearance pole-receiving region 161 also may include pole retainer 184 that is configured to retain clearance pole 130 within pole slot 162. As an example, pole retainer 184 may include a latch that is selectively secured over clearance pole 130 to retain clearance pole 130 within pole slot 162 and/or to prevent clearance pole 130 from sliding or rotating within pole slot 162. Pole retainer 184 additionally or alternatively may selectively engage with and secure clearance pole 130 via a friction fit.
The examples of connector 140 that are illustrated in
Turning to
With continued reference to
Connector 140 also may include reinforcing bodies 155 that may extend between two or more pole-receiving regions 151. Additionally or alternatively, each pole-receiving region 151 may include elastic cord receiver 186 and/or pole stop 156, as discussed herein.
The examples of connector 140 of
Connector 140 further includes two clearance pole-receiving regions 161, each being configured to receive proximal end 32 of clearance pole 130 and orient clearance pole 130 to project away from assembled tent frame 110 and upwardly relative to the support surface. In particular, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 define pair of clearance pole-receiving regions 172 configured to orient pair of clearance poles 132 to extend from connector 140 in opposing upward directions relative to one another. As shown, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 may be formed within body 150 between the third frame pole-receiving region 160 that receives roof pole 111 and the first and second frame pole-receiving regions 160 that receive leg poles 112. In this way, clearance pole-receiving regions 161 may orient clearance poles 130 to extend upwardly and away from a curvature of assembled tent frame 110 defined by leg poles 112 and roof pole 111.
Connector 140 also may include reinforcing bodies 155 that extend between two or more pole-receiving regions 151. Additionally or alternatively, each pole-receiving region 151 may include elastic cord receiver 186 and/or pole stop 156, as discussed herein.
The examples of connector 140 illustrated in
The tents 10 described and illustrated herein are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, and some or all of the embodiments may be selectively combined to make various modifications thereto. Examples of tents according to the present disclosure are presented in the following enumerated paragraphs.
A1. A tent (10), comprising:
a tent frame (100) that, when assembled, forms an assembled tent frame (110) that is configured to support the tent (10) on a support surface (16) and define an inner space (12) between the assembled tent frame (110) and the support surface (16);
at least one clearance pole (130) that, when operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110), extends away from the inner space (12) to define an outer space (14); and
a clearance mechanism (20) that is configured to operatively couple the at least one clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110) and orient the at least one clearance pole (130) to project in an upward direction relative to the support surface (16), wherein the clearance mechanism (20) includes a connector (140) that is configured to operatively couple the at least one clearance pole (130) to the tent frame (100).
A1.1 The tent (10) of paragraph A1, wherein the clearance mechanism (20) is configured to orient at least a distal end (34) of the at least one clearance pole (130) to project in the upward direction.
A1.2 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A1.1 wherein the clearance mechanism (20) is configured to orient a substantial portion of the at least one clearance pole (130) to extend in the upward direction.
A1.3 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A1.2, wherein the clearance mechanism (20) is configured to orient the entirety of the at least one clearance pole (130) to extend in the upward direction.
A1.4 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A1.3, wherein the clearance mechanism (20) is configured to orient the at least one clearance pole (130) with a/the distal end (34) of the at least one clearance pole (130) positioned further from support surface (16) than a proximal end (32) of the at least one clearance pole (130).
A1.5 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A1.4, wherein the clearance mechanism (20) is configured to orient at least a proximal end (32) of the at least one clearance pole (130) to extend in the upward direction.
A2. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A1.5, wherein the connector (140) is configured to operatively couple to a/the proximal end (32) of the at least one clearance pole (130), and wherein the connector (140) is configured to orient the proximal end (32) of the at least one clearance pole (130) to extend in the upward direction when the connector (140) operatively couples the at least one clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110).
A3. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the clearance mechanism (20) includes a tensioning structure (30) that operatively couples to at least a/the distal end (34) of the at least one clearance pole (130) and at least one other portion of the tent (10), and wherein the tensioning structure (30) is configured to tension at least the distal end (34) of the at least one clearance pole (130) in the upward direction when the at least one clearance pole is operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110).
A3.1. The tent (10) of paragraph A3, wherein the tensioning structure (30) includes a cord (60) that operatively couples the distal end (34) of the at least one clearance pole (130) and the at least one other portion of the tent (10).
A4. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A3.1, further comprising an inner tent fabric (122) that is configured to be operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110) and surround at least a portion of the inner space (12).
A5. The tent (10) of paragraph A4, wherein the inner tent fabric (122) further is configured to be coupled to the at least one clearance pole (130), and wherein the at least one clearance pole (130) is configured to support a portion of the inner tent fabric (122) when the at least one clearance pole (130) is operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110).
A6. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A4-A5, wherein the inner tent fabric (122) is configured to be hung from the assembled tent frame (110).
A6.1 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A6, wherein the inner tent fabric (122) is configured to be hung from the at least one clearance pole (130).
A7. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A6.1, further comprising an outer tent fabric (120), wherein the at least one clearance pole (130) is configured to operatively support the outer tent fabric (120) when the at least one clearance pole (130) is operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110), and wherein the outer tent fabric (120) surrounds at least a portion of the outer space (14) when supported by the at least one clearance pole (130).
A8. The tent (10) of paragraph A7, wherein the outer tent fabric (120) is configured to surround at least a portion of the assembled tent frame (110).
A8.1. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A7-A8, wherein the outer tent fabric (120) is configured to surround the entire assembled tent frame (110).
A9. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A7-A8.1, wherein the outer tent fabric (120) includes a/the tensioning structure (30).
A10. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A7-A9, wherein the outer tent fabric (120) includes one or more pole receivers (124), wherein at least one pole receiver (124) of the one or more pole receivers (124) is configured to receive a/the distal end (34) of the at least one clearance pole (130), and wherein the at least one pole receiver (124) defines a portion of a/the tensioning structure (30).
A11. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A4-A10, wherein the at least one clearance pole (130) is configured to support at least a portion of a/the outer tent fabric (120) spaced apart from the inner tent fabric (122) to form a clearance volume (22) therebetween.
A12. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A11, wherein the connector (140) is configured to selectively receive the at least one clearance pole (130) and at least one frame pole (114) of the tent frame (100), wherein the connector (140) is configured to orient the at least one clearance pole (130) and the at least one frame pole (114) of the tent frame relative to one another in a predetermined arrangement.
A13. The tent (10) of paragraph A12, wherein the connector (140) is configured to receive a plurality of frame poles (114) and orient the at least one clearance pole (130) and the plurality of frame poles (114) relative to one another in the predetermined arrangement.
A14. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A12-A13, wherein the tent includes a plurality of clearance poles (130), wherein the connector (140) is configured to receive the plurality of clearance poles (130), and wherein the connector is configured to orient the plurality of clearance poles (130) and the at least one frame pole (114) relative to one another in the predetermined arrangement.
A15. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A12-A14, wherein the connector (140) includes a body (150) and a plurality of pole-receiving regions (151) formed within the body (150), wherein each pole-receiving region (151) includes a pole slot (162) that is configured to receive one of a frame pole (114) and a clearance pole (130).
A16. The tent (10) of paragraph A15, wherein the plurality of pole-receiving regions (151) are formed within the body (150) to orient the at least one clearance pole (130) and the at least one frame pole (114) in a/the predetermined arrangement.
A17. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A15-A16, wherein at least one pole-receiving region (151) includes a pole retainer (184) that is configured to selectively and operatively retain one of the frame pole (114) and the at least one clearance pole (130) within the respective pole slot (162).
A18. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A15-A17, wherein the connector (140) further includes at least one reinforcing body (155) that extends between two or more pole-receiving regions (151).
A19. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A15-A18, wherein the at least one clearance pole (130) includes an elastic cord (60) that extends within the at least one clearance pole (130), wherein the connector includes a clearance pole-receiving region (161) that receives the at least one clearance pole (130), and wherein the clearance pole-receiving region (161) includes an elastic cord receiver (186) that receives the elastic cord (60).
A19.1. The tent (10) of paragraph A19, wherein the tent (10) includes two clearance poles (130), wherein the at least one clearance pole (130) is a first clearance pole (130) and the tent (10) includes a second clearance pole (130), wherein the clearance pole-receiving region (161) is a first clearance pole-receiving region (161), and connector (140) includes a second clearance pole-receiving region (161) that receives the second clearance pole (130) and that includes an elastic cord receiver (186), wherein the elastic cord receivers (186) of the first clearance pole-receiving region (161) and the second clearance pole-receiving region (161) are interconnected, and wherein the elastic cord (60) further extends from the elastic cord receiver (186) of the first clearance pole-receiving region (161) through the elastic cord receiver (186) of the second clearance pole-receiving region (161) and to within the second clearance pole (130) to elastically interconnect the first clearance pole (130) and the second clearance pole (130).
A19.2. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A15-A19.1, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) includes at least one frame pole (114), and wherein the at least one frame pole (114) includes an elastic cord (60) that extends within the at least one frame pole (114), wherein the plurality of pole-receiving regions (151) includes a frame pole-receiving region (160) that receives the at least one frame pole (114), wherein the frame pole-receiving region (160) includes an elastic cord receiver (186) that receives the elastic cord (60) that extends within the at least one frame pole (114).
A19.2.1. The tent (10) of paragraph A19.2, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) includes a plurality of frame poles (114), wherein the at least one frame pole (114) is a first frame pole (114) and the plurality of frame poles (114) includes a second frame pole (114), wherein the frame pole-receiving region (160) is a first frame pole-receiving region (160), and wherein the connector (140) includes a second frame pole-receiving region (160) that receives the second frame pole (114) and that includes an elastic cord receiver (186), wherein the elastic cord receivers (186) of the first frame pole-receiving region (160) and the second frame pole-receiving region (160) are interconnected, and wherein the elastic cord (60) further extends from the elastic cord receiver (186) of the first frame pole-receiving region (160) through the elastic cord receiver (186) of the second frame pole-receiving region (160) to within the second frame pole (114) to elastically interconnect the first frame pole (114) and the second frame pole (114).
A20. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A19.2.1, wherein the tent (10) includes a plurality of clearance poles (130).
A21. The tent (10) of paragraph A20, wherein when the plurality of clearance poles (130) are operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110), a/the tensioning structure (30) extends between a/the distal ends (34) of two or more clearance poles (130) of the plurality of clearance poles (130).
A21.1 The tent (10) of paragraph A21, wherein the tensioning structure (30) tensions at least the distal ends (34) of the two or more clearance poles (130) in the upward direction.
A21.2 The tent (10) of paragraph A21.2, wherein the two or more clearance poles form a tensioned pair or a tensioned network.
A22. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A20-A21.2, wherein the plurality of clearance poles (130) includes a pair of clearance poles (132), wherein each clearance pole (130) of the pair of clearance poles (132) includes a proximal end (32) that is operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110) via the connector (140), and wherein the pair of clearance poles (132) extend from the connector (140) in opposing directions.
A23. The tent (10) of paragraph A22, wherein a/the tensioning structure (30) extends between a/the distal ends (34) of the pair of clearance poles (132).
A24. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A22-A23, wherein the pair of clearance poles (132) form a clearance pair angle therebetween, wherein the clearance pair angle is at least 100° or at most 170°.
A24.1. The tent (10) of paragraph A24, wherein the clearance pair angle is at least 130° or at most 165°.
A25. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A22-A24, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) includes at least one laterally extending section (40) that extends substantially parallel to the support surface (16), and wherein the connector (140) is configured to orient the pair of clearance poles (132) to project traverse to the at least one laterally extending section (40).
A26. The tent (10) of paragraph A25, wherein the pair of clearance poles (132) are operatively coupled to the at least one laterally extending section (40) of the assembled tent frame (110) via the connector (140).
A27. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A22-A23, wherein the plurality of clearance poles (130) comprises an individual clearance pole (134), wherein the individual clearance pole (134) is operatively coupled to the connector (140), and wherein the individual clearance pole (134) extends from the connector (140) between the pair of clearance poles (132).
A28. The tent (10) of paragraph 27, wherein a/the tensioning structure (30) extends between the pair of clearance poles (132) and the individual clearance pole (134).
A29. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A20-A28, wherein the clearance mechanism (20) includes a plurality of connectors (140), wherein the connector (140) is a first connector (140), and wherein the plurality of connectors (140) further includes at least a second connector (140).
A30. The tent (10) of paragraph A29, when depending from any of paragraphs A22-A28, wherein the pair of clearance poles (132) is a first pair of clearance poles (132), wherein the plurality of clearance poles (130) further includes a second pair of clearance poles (132), and wherein the first connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the first pair of clearance poles (132) to the assembled tent frame (110), and the second connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the second pair of clearance poles (132) to the assembled tent frame (110).
A31. The tent (10) of paragraph A29, wherein the plurality of clearance poles (130) comprises a first clearance pole (130) and a second clearance pole (130), wherein the connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the first clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110) and the second connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the second clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110).
A31.1 The tent of paragraph A31, wherein the first clearance pole (130) and the second clearance pole (130) are individual clearance poles (134).
A32. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A31-A31.1, wherein the first connector (140) and the second connector (140) are configured to orient the first clearance pole (130) and the second clearance pole (130) to extend in opposing directions relative to one another.
A33. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A31-A32, wherein a/the tensioning structure (30) extends between a/the distal end (34) of the first clearance pole (130) and a/the distal end (34) of the second clearance pole (130) when the first clearance pole (130) and the second clearance pole (130) are operatively coupled to the assembled tent frame (110).
A34. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A29-A33, wherein the plurality of connectors (140) further comprises a third connector (140) and a fourth connector (140), wherein the plurality of clearance poles (130) comprises a third clearance pole (130) and a fourth clearance pole (130), and wherein the third connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the third clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110), and the fourth connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the fourth clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110).
A34.1. The tent (10) of paragraph A34, wherein the third connector (140) and the fourth connector (140) are configured orient the third clearance pole (130) and the fourth clearance pole (130) to extend in opposing directions relative to one another.
A34.2 the tent (10) of any of paragraphs A34-A34.1, wherein the third clearance pole (130) and the fourth clearance pole (130) are individual clearance poles (134).
A35. The tent (10) of paragraph A29, when depending from any of paragraphs A22-A28, wherein the plurality of connectors (140) further includes a third connector (140), wherein the plurality of clearance poles (130) comprises a first clearance pole (130) and a second clearance pole (130), and wherein the second connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the first clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110) and the third connector (140) is configured to operatively couple the second clearance pole (130) to the assembled tent frame (110).
A35.1 The tent of paragraph A35, wherein the second clearance pole (130) and the third clearance pole (130) are individual clearance poles.
A36. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A35.1, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) includes a support frame (42) having a pair of ends that operatively contact the support surface (16).
A37. The tent (10) of paragraph A36, wherein the support frame (42) includes a/the laterally extending section (40) and a pair of upwardly extending sections (44).
A38. The tent (10) of paragraph A37, when depending from any of paragraphs A29-A35.1, wherein the first connector (140) and the second connector (140) are operatively coupled to either upwardly extending section (44) of the pair of upwardly extending sections (44).
A39. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A36-A38, wherein the support frame (42) includes a single frame pole (114).
A39.1 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A36-A39, wherein the support frame (42) includes a unit pole (311).
A40. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A36-A38, wherein the support frame (42) includes a pair of leg poles (112), which each have one end that operatively contacts the support surface (16), and a roof pole (111) that extends between the pair of leg poles (112), wherein the roof pole (111) includes a pair of ends, and each end of roof pole (111) is operatively coupled to an upper end of a leg pole (112) of the pair of leg poles (112).
A41. The tent (10) of paragraph A40, when depending from any of paragraphs A29-A34.2, wherein the first connector (140) and the second connector (140) are operatively coupled to either end of the roof pole (111), and wherein the first connector (140) and the second connector (140) operatively couple the roof pole (111) to the pair of leg poles (112).
A41.1 The tent (10) of paragraph A40, when depending from any of paragraphs A35-A35.1, wherein the second connector (140) and the third connector (140) are operatively coupled to either end of the roof pole (111), and wherein the first connector (140) is operatively coupled to a/the laterally extending section of the roof pole (111).
A42. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A39-A41, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) comprises a plurality of support frames (42), wherein the support frame (42) is a first support frame (42), and wherein the plurality of support frames (42) further includes a second support frame (42).
A43. The tent (10) of paragraphs A42, wherein the second support frame (42) includes a/the laterally extending section (40) and a pair of upwardly extending sections (44).
A44. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A42-A43, wherein the first support frame (42) and the second support frame (42) cross over one another proximate an apex (70) of the assembled tent frame (110).
A45. The tent (10) of paragraph A44, wherein the apex (70) comprises a/the laterally extending section (40).
A46. The tent (10) of paragraph A43, wherein the first support frame (42) and the second support frame (42) cross over one another along a/the upwardly extending sections (44) of the first support frame (42) and the second support frame (42).
A47. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A42-A46, when depending from any of paragraphs A34-A34.1, wherein the third connector (140) and the fourth connector (140) are operatively coupled to either upwardly extending section (44) of a/the pair of upwardly extending sections (44) of the second support frame (42).
A48. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A42-A47, wherein the second support frame (42) includes a single frame pole (114).
A48.1. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A42-A48, wherein the second support frame (42) includes a unit pole (311).
A49. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A42-A47, wherein the second support frame (42) includes a pair of leg poles (112), which each have one end that operatively contacts the support surface (16) and a roof pole (111) that extends between the pair of leg poles (112), wherein the roof pole (111) includes a pair of ends and each end of roof pole (111) is operatively coupled to an upper end of a leg pole (112) of the pair of leg poles (111).
A50. The tent (10) of paragraph A49, when depending from any of paragraphs A34-A35.1, wherein the third connector (140) and the fourth connector (140) are operatively coupled to either end of the roof pole (111) of the second support frame (42), and wherein the third connector (140) and the fourth connector (140) operatively couple the pair of leg poles (112) to the roof pole (111) of the second support frame (42).
A51. The tent (10) of paragraph A36, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) further comprises at least one leg pole (112) having at least one end that operatively contacts the support surface (16) and a roof pole (111) that extends between the support frame (42) and the at least one leg pole (112).
A51.1 The tent (10) of paragraph A51, wherein the roof pole (111) includes a/the laterally extending section (40).
A52. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A51-A51.1, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) comprises a plurality of support frames (42), wherein the support frame (42) is a first support frame (42), wherein the plurality of support frames (42) further includes a second support frame (42), and wherein the second support frame includes the at least one leg pole (112).
A52.1. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A51-A52, when depending from any of paragraphs A35-A35.1, wherein the first connector (140) operatively couples a/the pair of clearance poles (132) to the roof pole (111), and wherein the second connector (140) operatively couples the first clearance pole (130) to the first support frame (42) and the roof pole (111), and wherein the third connector (140) operatively couples the second clearance pole (130) to the at least one leg pole (112) and the roof pole (111).
A52.2. The tent (10) of paragraph A52.1, wherein the second connector (140) and the third connector (140) orient the first clearance pole (130) and the second clearance pole (130) to extend in opposing directions relative to one another.
A53. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A51-A52, when depending from any of paragraphs A22-A28, wherein the connector (140) operatively couples the pair of clearance poles (132) to the roof pole (111).
A54. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A51-A52, when depending from any of paragraphs A30-A34.2, wherein the first connector (140) is operatively coupled to the support frame (42) and one end of the roof pole (111), and wherein the first connector (140) interconnects the one end of the roof pole (111) with the support frame (42), and wherein the second connector (140) is operatively coupled to the at least one leg pole (112) and the other end of the roof pole (111), and wherein the second connector (140) interconnects the other end of the roof pole (111) and the at least one leg pole (112).
A55. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A54, wherein the assembled tent frame (110) comprises a plurality of interconnected frame poles (114).
A56. The tent (10) of paragraph A55, wherein the plurality of interconnected frame poles (114) are interconnected via at least one of one or more connectors (140) and one or more frame pole connectors (141).
A57. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A55-A56, wherein at least one frame pole (114) of the plurality of interconnected frame poles (114) is a segmented frame pole and includes a plurality of pole segments (118) that are configured to be interconnected to form the at least one frame pole (114).
A58. The tent (10) of paragraph A57, wherein the segmented frame pole further includes an elastic cord (60) that extends within the segmented frame pole and interconnects the plurality of pole segments (118).
A59. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A55-A58, wherein two or more frame poles (114) of the plurality of interconnected frame poles (114) include an elastic cord (60), wherein the elastic cord (60) extends within each frame pole (114) of the two or more frame poles (114), and wherein the elastic cord (60) extends between the two or more frame poles (114).
A60. The tent (10) of paragraph A59, wherein the two or more frame poles (114) are interconnected via one of the connector (140) and a frame pole connector (141), and wherein the elastic cord (60) extends through one of the connector (140) and the frame pole connector (141).
A61. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A60, wherein the at least one clearance pole (130) includes an elastic cord (60), and wherein the elastic cord (60) extends between the at least one clearance pole (130) and the connector (140).
A61.1 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A55-A61, wherein each frame pole (114) of the plurality of interconnected frame poles (114) and the at least one clearance pole (130) are interconnected via one or more elastic cords (60).
A62. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A1-A61.1, wherein the tent (10) is configured to be selectively and repeatedly assembled from a disassembled state to an assembled state (18) and disassembled from the assembled state (18) to the disassembled state without damage to the tent frame (100), the at least one clearance pole (130), and the clearance mechanism (20).
A63. The tent (10) of paragraph A62, wherein the at least one clearance pole (130) is configured to be at least disengaged from the tent frame (100) and the clearance mechanism (20) when the tent is in the disassembled state.
A64. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A62-A63, wherein the tent includes a plurality of interconnecting sections, wherein each section of the plurality of interconnecting sections is interconnected to one or more other sections of the plurality of interconnecting sections when the tent is in the assembled state, and wherein each section is configured to be disengaged from the one or more other sections to disassemble the tent.
A64.1 The tent (10) of paragraph A64, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections are elastically interconnected by one or more elastic cords when the tent is disassembled.
A65. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A64.1, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections includes at least one connector (140).
A66. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A65, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections includes a/the plurality of interconnected frame poles (114).
A67. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A66, when depending from any of paragraphs A57-A58, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections includes the plurality of pole segments (118).
A67.1 The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A66, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections includes a/the at least one frame pole (114).
A68. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A67, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections includes a/the inner tent fabric (122).
A69. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A68, wherein the plurality of interconnecting section includes a/the outer tent fabric (120).
A70. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A69, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections are configured to be stowed in a condensed state.
A71. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A70, further including a stowage bag that is configured to receive and surround the plurality of interconnecting sections in a/the condensed state.
A72. The tent (10) of any of paragraphs A64-A71, wherein the plurality of interconnecting sections define a kit for forming an assembled tent when the plurality of interconnected sections are in the disassembled state.
A73. An assembled tent according to any of paragraphs A1-A72.
A74. A disassembled tent according to any of paragraphs A1-A73.
The present disclosure may be embodied in any other specific form without departing from the spirit and essential feature of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that the detailed description is for illustration only, but not intended to be limiting in all aspects. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and the scope of the present disclosure covers all modifications made within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure.
As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entity in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity.
As used herein, “selective” and “selectively,” when modifying an action, movement, configuration, or other activity of one or more components or characteristics of a tent according to the present disclosure, means that the specified action, movement, configuration, or other activity is a direct or indirect result of user manipulation of an aspect of, or one or more components of, the tent.
As used herein, the phrase, “for example,” the phrase, “as an example,” and/or simply the term “example,” when used with reference to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, are intended to convey that the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is an illustrative, non-exclusive example of components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure. Thus, the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is not intended to be limiting, required, or exclusive/exhaustive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, including structurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
As used herein the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It also is within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa.
As used herein, “at least substantially,” when modifying a degree or relationship, includes not only the recited “substantial” degree or relationship, but also the full extent of the recited degree or relationship. A substantial amount of a recited degree or relationship may include at least 75% of the recited degree or relationship. For example, an object that is at least substantially formed from a material includes an object for which at least 75% of the object is formed from the material and also includes an object that is completely formed from the material. As another example, a first direction that is at least substantially parallel to a second direction includes a first direction that forms an angle with respect to the second direction that is at most 22.5 degrees and also includes a first direction that is exactly parallel to the second direction. As another example, a first length that is substantially equal to a second length includes a first length that is at least 75% of the second length, a first length that is equal to the second length, and a first length that exceeds the second length such that the second length is at least 75% of the first length.
In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other references are incorporated by reference herein and (1) define a term in a manner that is inconsistent with and/or (2) are otherwise inconsistent with, either the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure or any of the other incorporated references, the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control, and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or the incorporated disclosure was present originally.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2019-0041848 | Apr 2019 | KR | national |
10-2019-0056210 | May 2019 | KR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/KR2020/004861 | 4/9/2020 | WO | 00 |