US3058480A - Collapsible tent construction - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 16, 1962 R. L. BLANCHARD COLLAPSIBLE TENT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1958.

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IENTOR. Robe/"2 1 B/a/m/mrd Mari/7, Zidoy, Dar/"615 J Marci ATTORNEYS 1962 R. L. BLANCHARD 3,058,480

COLLAPSIBLE TENT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 9, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Kobe/'1 L. B/ancfiard ATTORNEYS United States Patent O l 3,658,480 COLLAPSELE TENT CONSTRUCTION Robert L. Blanchard, 163 W. 58th St., New York 19,

Filed June 9, 1958, Ser. No. 740,809 Claims. (til. 135-1) This invention relates to relatively small tent constructions such as are used for camping and other outdoor activities, and more particularly to tent structures which are intended to be dismantled and collapsed into compact bundles or assemblages adapted to be fitted into small packages.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved tent construction of the type which may be completely dismantled, wherein the frame structure is characterized by being made up of a relatively large number of small, identical modular units adapted to coact and interfit with one another in a simple manner so as to constitute an advantageous framework for a tent body assemblage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tent construction having a frame structure .as above characterized, which structure may be most easily and quickly set up and as readily dismantled, all with a minimum of knowledge or thought on the part of the user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and advantageous tent frame structure in accordance with the above, which is at all times sturdy and reliable, and able to withstand rough handling and appreciable stresses without the likelihood of failure.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel, modular-type tent frame structure wherein the modular units may be quickly and economically fabricated by well-known machine operations and techniques, at relatively low cost.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved tent frame structure employing modular units, wherein a standardized interfitting connection is employed which is so constituted as to insure easy, quick fits at all times, even under adverse conditions of weather and temperature.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tent cover assemblage characterized by a unique protected or hooded ventilating window which prevents or minimizes the ingress of rain.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a simple and unique tent frame construction constituted of inter-fitting modular parts or units, wherein the tent covering portion of the construction when suspended by the frame structure functions to keep the latter completely assembled, preventing inadvertent separation of any of the modular units which make up the flame.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved tent construction as above characterized, wherein both the frame structure and the tent covering assemblage may be easily and very quickly set up and assembled to each other, and also dismantled.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an improved I tent construction made in accordance with the invention.

PEG. 2 is a top plan view of the tent construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in axial section, of one of a multiplicity of identical modular units employed in making up the frame structure of the tent construction of FIGS. 1 and 2.

3,@5%8,48@ Patented Oct. 16, 1962 FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the tent construction, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the improved tent construction.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of the frame structure of the tent construction.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the foremost upper portion of the tent, showing the method of attaching the tent body to the frame structure.

The tent construction of the present invention is of the type having a suspended tent cover assemblage, and is streamlined and characterized by being not only stakeless and poleless, but also ropeless.

Referring first to H68. 1 and 2, the present tent construction as illustrated therein is seen to be constituted of a rigid, external frame structure indicated generally by the numeral 10, and a tent covering structure or assemblage indicated by the numeral 11, the latter being adapted to be slung or suspended from the frame structure 16. The tent cover assemblage 11 is formed of usual tent material such as .a tight-woven fabric, canvas or the like, and comprises a main body portion having expansive fabric side panels 13 and 14 connected together along their top edges by an intermediate top panel 15 of generally rectangular configuration.

The lower edges of the expansive side panels 13 and 14 are joined to a rectangular fabric fioor panel 17 which, at its rear edge 18 is joined to an upstanding rear panel 20 having generally the form of a regular trapezoid. The configuration of the rear panel 20 is clearly shown in FIG. 4 for example.

In its upper portion, the rear panel 20 has a tapered flap 21 provided with zippers 22 by which it may be readily separated along its side edges from the rear panel for the purpose of providing a screened-window or ventilation opening.

In accordance with the invention, a protective cover or hood is provided for the rear ventilation opening, having the form of a tapered or pointed rear projection or hood on the fabric tent body, said projection being indicated in F168. 1 and 2 by the numeral 24. The projecting hood 24 may have four triangular sides, i.e., a top side or panel 25, two sloping side panels 26, and a bottom panel 27, FIG. 1.

The tent cover assemblage 11 is also provided with a shielded or protected front opening or entrance-exit, which is also constituted to have a pointed or tapered formation. This entrance and exit portion of the tent cover assemblage is designated generally by the character 30, and comprises a pair of triangular side panels 31 joined together along their juxtaposed central edges by a zipper fastener 32, see FIG. 5. The entrance-exit portion 30 further comprises narrow, elongate triangular panels 33 joined to the upper edges of the side panels 31 and a triangular top panel 35 joined to the proximal edges of the panels 33. As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panels 31, 33 .and 35 are joined to the side panels 13 and 14 and the top panel 15 of the main portion of the tent cover assemblage.

By the present invention there is provided a unique and advantageous frame structure adapted to support the tent cover construction described above. The said frame structure is of the type which may be completely dismantled and packed into a small space, and is constituted of a plurality of relatively small modular units each of which is identical to the others, in conjunction with a pair of transverse connector units of special construction, and a pair of special adapter units cooperable with the connector and modular units, all to the end that there is effected a simple, easily erected and dismantled yet strong and sturdy frame structure which is especially advantageous in supporting the cover assemblage above described. All of the modular units are characterized by male and female connector means at their respective ends, which are stardardized so that any one connector means will accommodate another connector means of the opposite kind.

The present improved frame structure is illustrated in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 6, and comprises essentially a plurality of the identical modular units designated generally by the character 38. One such unit 38 is shown in FIG. 3 by itself, said unit constituting an elongate piece of tubular stock 39 having fitted to one end a short length of solid rod 40. Both the tubular member 39 and the solid member or rod 40 are constituted of standard stock sizes of material, preferably metal. For example, the tubular member 39 may be advantageously formed of aluminum or similar tubing, and the rod-like member 40 may be constituted of aluminum alloy or of stiff and tough steel or metal having similar properties. In each modular unit 38 the rod 40 has a maximum outside diameter which is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the open end of the tubular member 39, and by such construction the projecting portion of the rod 40 may be easily, slideably fited into any of the open ends or sockets of other modular units 38.

Referring further to FIG. 3, the rod member 40 of the modular unit 38 is securely, rigidly fastened to one end of the tubular member 39 in the position shown, and this may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, the enveloping end of the tubular member 39 may be staked r punched as indicated at 41, or may be reduced in diameter to cause it to securely grip and hold the inserted portion of the rod 40, or the rod 40 may be swaged or knurled to increase its diameter where it is disposed in the tubular member 39, and cement, solder or welding techniques may be employed together or by themselves to fasten the rod-like member 40 in the tubular member 39.

Referring now to FIG. 6, it is seen that the frame structure has a pair of front legs constituted each of three of the modular units 38, and a pair of rear legs each constituted of two of the modular units 38. As indicated, the said modular units 38 making up the legs are connected to each other by inserting a rod portion 40 of one unit into the open end of a tubular portion 39 of another unit. It is understood that any of the rod portions may loosely slideably lit in any of the open end portions of other modular units, thereby making for quick assembly and disassembly of the frame structure.

As shown, all of the four legs of the frame structure extend outward and downward from an upper, rectangular portion of the structure, so as to be divergent. This upper, rectangular portion of the frame structure is constituted of two composite side members each of which consists of a pair of the modular units 38, and in addition a single short adapter unit 42. The adapter units 42 are constituted each of a short section of tubular stock 43, and a longer rod-like portion or member 44 which is passed through the tubular member 43 so that the two ends of the member 44 project beyond the ends of the tubular member in a manner similar to that of the rod portions 40 of the modular units 38. The rectangular upper portion of the frame structure further comprises a pair of transverse connector units 46 formed of lengths of heavy tubular metal stock having a diameter appreciably larger than that of the tubular portionns 39 of the modular units 38. The connector units 46 have transverse through openings or sockets 47 for accommodating the rods or pins of the long, side composite members of the upper portion of the frame. At the rear of the tent, such pins would be the rods 44 of the adapted units 42, whereas at the front of the frame the pins would be constituted of the rods 40 of the foremost modular units 38.

At their centers, the connector members 46 also have through openings 49 to accommodate frame extensions 50 and 51 located rspectively at the rear and front of the frame structure. The rear extension 50 is constituted of a single modular unit 38, whereas the front frame extension 51 is constituted of a pair of modular units 38. Also, the transverse connector units 46 have additional pairs of through-openings 54 to accommodate the rod portions 40 of the upper-most modular units of the four legs of the frame structure.

As with the modular units 38, the through-openings in the connector units 46 are sufficiently large to loosely slideably receive the rods 40 whereby the assemblage of these various components may be quickly and easily effected, as well as the disassembly of such components. The completely assembled frame structure as provided by the invention is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

For the purpose of accommodating the lower extremities of the legs of the frame structure, the tent cover assemblage at the lower four corners thereof is provided with tubular boots or receptacles 56 which may be of rawhide or the like, into which such extremities may be readily slid. The tips of the pointed projections 24 and 38 of the tent cover assemblage are provided with hookshaped fittings 53 adapted to hook into the open ends of the tubular members 39 of the modular units constituting the front and rear frame projections 50 and 51, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. Also, the tent cover assemblage has hook-like fittings 66 at its front and rear corners, by which it may be hooked or fastened to the four legs of the frame structure between the lower and upper extremities thereof.

Further, in accordance with the invention, I provide a novel hanger or fastening means by which the upper rectangular portion of the tent cover assemblage may be easily and quickly attached to and suspended from the upper rectangular portion of the frame structure. This hanger means comprises a pair of elongate, flexible and stretchable fastening members 62, which are in the nature of elastic straps, said members at their extremities being anchored to the four upper corner portions of the tent cover construction at the points indicated by the numerals 63 in FIG. 1. The elastic straps 62 extend along the elongate side members of the upper rectangular portion of the frame structure, and are passed around the ends of the connector units 46, inside of the protruding rod portions 40 of the composite side members. This is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be seen that by stretching the elastic straps 62 these may be quickly applied to or removed from the upper portion of the frame structure.

Preferably the adapter pieces 42 have knotted thongs or strings 65 passing through them, said strings being permanently attached to the upper rear corners of the tent cover assemblage, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for the purpose of holding the adapters captive and preventing their loss.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that the tent cover assemblage as thus provided securely holds in assembled relation all of the separable joints of the tent frame structure, and that before such tent frame structure may be dismantled the tent cover assemblage must first be removed therefrom. This is of considerable advantage in that it prevents accidental or inadverent collapse of the frame structure and of the tent under adverse conditions of use. However, whenever it is desired to disman tle the tent, this may be quickly and easily accomplished by first stretching and removing the elastic strips 62, and then separating the rest of the tent cover assemblage from the frame structure, whereupon the latter quickly and easily comes apart. The entire tent construction when dismantled may be packed into a very small unit occupying but little space. Yet, when the tent construction is assembled it will provide an appreciable space, and constitutes an advantageous and practical shelter Wherever this may be desired, for outdoor activities.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. The combination of a tent frame structure having an upper polygonal frame portion provided with pairs of oppositely disposed spaced projections; a tent cover assemblage having a main body portion constituted of a plurality of flexible panels, and having a flexible top panel constituting a roof of said main body portion; and a pair of flexible, elongate, stretchable fastening members at their ends attached to the upper part of the main body portion at the said top panel, said elastic members being stretched and passed around the upper frame portion of the frame structure from below the same and extending alongside the top of the frame structure and the projections thereof for the purpose of suspending the cover assemblage from the frame structure.

2. A tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use or dismantled for carrying and storage, said structure being constituted in large part of small individual and separate, identical telescoping modular units and comprising in combination an upper frame portion and a plu rality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, each of the legs having a plurality of said identical units telescoped one with another and extending one beyond another, the uppermost units of the legs having projecting pins, said upper frame portion having one pair of opposite sides constituted each of a plurality of said identical units, each of said sides having a projecting pin at one end; and a pair of elongate connector members constituting remaining sides of said upper frame portion, said connector members having sockets receiving the projecting pins of the legs, and having a center socket and other sockets, said projecting pins of the one pair of opposite sides of the upper frame portion being received in said other sockets of one connector member; and adapter members each having a pair of oppositely projecting pins, said adapter members joining the other connector member to said pair of opposite sides, the pins of said adapter members being received in said other sockets of the other connector member and in sockets provided in said pair of sides, and a rigid extension on the frame structure, constituted of a plurality of said identical modular units assembled as a single cantilever support, said extension having an axially projecting pin at one end, said pin being received in said center socket of one of said connector members.

3. A tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use or dismantled for carrying and storage, said structure being constituted in large part of small individual and separate, identical telescoping modular units and comprising in combination an upper frame portion and a plurality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, each of the legs having a plurality of said identical units telescoped one with another and extending one beyond another, the uppermost units of the legs having projecting pins, said upper frame portion having one pair of opposite sides constituted each of a plurality of said identical units, each of said sides having a projecting pin at one end; and a pair of elongate connector members constituting remaining sides of said upper frame portion, said connector members having sockets receiving the projecting pins of the legs, and having a center socket and other sockets, said projecting pins of the one pair of opposite sides of the upper frame portion being received in said other sockets of one connector member; and adapter members each having a pair of oppositely projecting pins, said adapter members joining the other connector member to said pair of opposite sides, the pins of said adapter members being received in said other sockets of the other connector member and in sockets provided in said pair of sides, and two rigid frame extensions extending in opposite directions from the upper frame portion, each such extension being constituted of a plurality of telescoping modular units assembled as a single cantilever support, and each extension having an axially projecting pin at one end, said pins being received in the said center sockets of the connector members.

4. A tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use or dismantled for carrying and storage, said structure being constituted in large part of small individual and separate, identical telescoping modular units and comprising in combination an upper frame portion and a plurality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, each of the legs having a plurality of said identical units telescoped one with another and extending one beyond another, the uppermost units of the legs having projecting pins, said upper frame portion having one pair of opposite sides constituted each of a plurality of said identical units, each of said sides having a projecting pin at one end; and a pair of elongate connector members constituting remaining sides of said upper frame portion, said connector members having sockets receiving the projecting pins of the legs, and having a center socket and other sockets, said projecting pins of the one pair of opposite sides of the upper frame portion being received in said other sockets of one connector member; and adapter members each having a pair of oppositely projecting pins, said adapter members joining the other connector member to said pair of opposite sides, the pins of said adapter members being received in said other sockets of the other connector member and in sockets provided in said pair of sides, and elastic fastening means formed to overlie the upper frame portion of the frame structure and depend from the upper frame portion outwardly thereof for securing a tent body assemblage to the frame structure by resilient suspension.

5. 'In a tent frame structure adapted to be readily set up for use or dismantled for carrying and storage, said frame structure being constituted in large part of small individual and separate, identical telescoping modular units and comprising an upper frame portion and a plurality of legs depending from said upper frame portion, said upper frame portion having opposite sides held in spaced-apart relation by a pair of elongate connector members secured thereto and constituting remaining sides of said upper frame portion, the combination of two elongate, elastic and stretchable fastening members formed each to extend across the upper frame portion of the frame structure at one side thereof and overhand outside the upper frame portion for securing a tent body assemblage to the frame structure by resilient suspension, and means for holding said fastening members in place on said upper frame portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 357,329 McKoon Feb. 8, 1887 1,456,918 Dudley May 29, 1923 1,531,622 Parsons Mar. 31, 1925 2,282,433 Solderquist May 12, 1942 2,391,871 Benson Jan. 1, 1946 2,646,057 Blanchard July 21, 1953 2,898,923 Smiley Aug. 11, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Obradovic: Yugoslavia publication Inventions, Federal Patent Oflice (page 139, item 33), published Sept. 30, 1957.

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