Collapsible shelter structure

The collapsible shelter structure comprises a pair of composite frame sections corresponding, generally, to front and back walls of the shelter. The front and back frame sections are held in spaced relationship by struts that themselves may be foldable as by a retractable splint structure. The struts are external of the fabric or other flexible walls forming the shelter and all of the frame elements remain connected to the companion elements when the structure is collapsed. In a tent configuration, the front and rear frame sections each include rafters that pivotally connect together to form a weather stable arrangement even absent a ridge pole.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to a portable shelter structure such as of the type 
shown and described in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,588 issed Sept. 30, 
1969 entitled ARTICULATED MULTI-SECTION SHELTER OR FRAME STRUCTURE. More 
particularly, this invention relates to a camper's tent and a foldable 
frame structure therefor. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The usual camper's tent is an enigma comprising a series of disconnected 
tubes and canvas parts. Ordinarily, it isn't sufficient to understand how 
the parts go together to comprise the tent; it is also essential to know 
the specific sequence in which the parts go together. Given a little wind 
and weather, the chances of a prompt assembly are low. 
In my said prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,588, there is shown a collapsible 
frame structure. Primarily the object of this invention is to provide an 
improved collapsible tent structure in which all of the parts remain at 
least partially connected when the tent is collapsed so that the task of 
erecting the tent is vastly simplified. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible shelter or 
tent that can easily be erected by one person and that has vastly improved 
characteristics of stability. Staking is required only in extreme weather 
conditions. Still another object of this invention is to provide an 
improved connected structure especially suitable for use in a collapsible 
tent or shelter organization. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, I provide a collapsible tent 
structure in which the operative frame parts are arrayed as elements of a 
truncated four-sided pyramid. Front and rear frame sections are held in 
spaced apart relationship by folding struts. By a unique arrangement of 
rafters articulated relative to the pyramid elements, it is possible 
readily to open and close the tent. By virtue of the relative orientation 
of frame components, the tent structure is without a ridge pole; yet 
exceptional stability is achieved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated 
modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken 
in a limiting sense, but is made merely for purposes of illustrating the 
general principles of invention since the scope of the invention is best 
defined by the appended claims. 
Structural and operational characteristics attributed to forms of the 
invention first described shall also be attributed to forms later 
described, unless such characteristics are obviously inapplicable or 
unless specific exception is made. 
The tent shown in FIG. 1 comprises an external frame with the flexible 
fabric draped along the frame interior. The frame comprises a generally 
vertical front section 10 and a generally vertical rear section 12 held 
apart by a series of horizontally extending spacers 24. The front and rear 
sections 10 and 12 are indentical, and generally of multi-element inverted 
U-shaped form. The front section, for example, comprises four serially 
joined frame elements, a pair of standards 16 and 18 and a pair of rafters 
20 and 22. The standards 16 and 18 and the rafters 20 and 22 are pivotally 
connected. Thus the upper end of the standard 16 is pivotally connected to 
the lower end of the rafter 20 and the top of the rafter 20 is pivotally 
connected at the ridge point to the companion rafter 22 which in turn is 
pivotally connected at its lower end to the top of the opposite standard 
18. 
One of the horizontal spacers 24 for holding corresponding frame elements 
of the front and rear sections is shown in FIG. 10 
The spacer 24 comprises a series of jointed spacer elements 26a, 26b, 26c 
and 26d. One of the spacer elements 26a is pivotally connected to the 
center of the rear standard 14 so that it can be folded alongside. The 
other elements are successively jointed with the opposite end section 26d 
pivotally connected to the center of the front standard 18. 
The spacer elements 26 are made into a rigid brace by the aid of three 
splint tubes 28 slidably accommodated on the first three elements 26a, 26b 
and 26c. The manner in which the spacer sections are connected to each 
other and to the standards 14 and 18 is best shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the end spacer element 26d (like the opposite end 
section 26a) carries a cup 30 attached to the section 26d as by a rivet 
32. The cup has a pivot plate 33 that is fastened between ears of a clamp 
34 (FIG. 5) that encircles the standard 18. A rivet 36 extends through the 
ears and the pivot plate 32. 
The spacer elements are pivotally connected together in a manner best shown 
in FIGS. 8 and 9. The ends of adjoining spacer elements 26d and 26c, for 
example, are each formed to provide spaced ears as at 40 and 42 between 
which opposite ends of a pivot bar 44 are received. Rivets 46 and 48 
pivotally connect the ends of the spacer elements and the pivot bar 44. 
The center-to-center distance of the rivets corresponds to the diameter of 
the tubular spacer elements 26c and 26d. Accordingly, the elements 26c and 
26d can be folded one along the other as indicated in phantom lines in 
FIG. 8 without detaching the connection. By such means the mechanism may 
be collapsed when the splint tube 28 is withdrawn. However, when the 
splint tube 28 is positioned over the contiguous ends of both spacer 
elements 26c and 26d, the elements act as a unitary brace. A stop 50 in 
the form of a screw or rivet limits the movement of the splint tube and 
properly positions it centrally of the ends of the spacer elements. In a 
like manner, spacers are provided for corresponding rafters of the front 
and rear sections. 
Rafters 20 and 22 of the front section are pivotally connected together by 
a ridge connector 51 comprising a pair of pivot bars 52 and (FIGS. 6 and 
7). These bars are connected at opposite ends respectively to pivot plates 
54 and 56 of fittings 58 and 60 secured to the ends of the rafters 20 and 
22. Rivets 62 and 64 secure the pivot bars to the pivot plates and have a 
center-to-center distance equal to the diameter of the rafters 22 such 
that they too may be folded back one along the other. 
The standards 16 and 18 are pivotally connected to the rafters 20 and 22 
respectively in a manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus the fitting 70, 
similar to the fitting 58, is secured to the upper end of the standard 18 
to provide a pivot plate 72 cooperable with ears of a clamp 74 encircling 
the end of the rafter. A rivet 76 secures the parts together. The rivet 76 
is offset sufficiently from the axis of the rafter 22 to allow the 
standard and rafter to be folded in side-by-side relationship as indicated 
in FIG. 10. A toggle brace 80 between the standard 18 and rafter 22 
comprises a pair of links 82 and 84 respectively pivoted to the front 
section elements by rivets 86 and 88. The links 82 and 84 are aligned and 
held against over center movement by a channel 90. The channel 90 receives 
the link ends and pivotally connect to each of them. Rivets 89 and 91 
secure the links. 
FIG. 10 illustrates the tent in an intermediate stage of extension. In the 
position shown, the front and rear frame sections are folded and the 
toggle brace 80 is broken. The standards and rafters form a series of 
links folded one to the next with the ridge connector 51 positioned 
downwardly adjacent the lower ends of the standards 16 and 18. With all 
spacers broken like spacer 24, the folded front section of the frame and 
the folded rear section of the frame can be moved towards each other to 
complete a compact bundle. 
In order to extend the tent from the intermediate folded position 
illustrated in FIG. 10, all braces 24 are first extended by properly 
positioning the splint tubes 28. The tent can then be raised by moving the 
ridge connector 51 upwardly. This can be done by one person. To do this, 
one stands beside the spacer 24 between the standards 14 and 18 facing the 
roof region, reaching into the trough. The spacer between the rafters of 
the front and rear frame sections is then grasped with hands spread well 
apart. With a motion corresponding generally to a weight lifter's arm 
curl, the spacer is raised. The rafters move into proper position. With 
the tent assuming its near erect configuration, the toggle braces 80 are 
snapped into position. Two persons can readily erect and fold the tent, 
one person manipulating the elements of the front frame section and 
another manipulating the elements of the rear frame section. 
In the form shown, the braces 24 are made up of an even number of elements. 
This allows the elements to fold neatly in side-by-side relationship. With 
an odd number of elements, one brace element may detach from the companion 
brace element or front or rear frame section element, as by a socket 
arrangement. Optionally all braces may remain pivotally in which case the 
folded front and rear sections will be offset from each other when the 
mechanism is collapsed. 
The four standards 14, 16 etc. are purposely not vertical. Instead they 
tilt inwardly toward the center of the tent to form elements of a 
truncated pyramid. This requires the fabric side panels 94, roof panels 96 
as well as the front and rear panels 98 to be cut substantially as 
trapezoids. By virtue of the sloping configuration of the tent walls, the 
tent is exceedingly stable and capable of resisting moderate wind. The 
lower edges of the panels preferably have loops (not shown) for stakes 
that may be required to secure the tent in heavy wind and weather. The 
panels are secured to the inside of the frame by a series of fabric tubes 
99 sewn about the standards and rafters. 
In the form shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 an elementary shelter 100 is provided 
that includes a front frame section 102 and a rear frame section 104 held 
apart by a series of spacers 107, 109 and 111. The front frame section is 
in the form of a curved inverted U. A single generally semi-cylindrical 
fabric panel inside the spacers 106 provides the shelter. 
The front and rear frame sections are identical. The front section 
comprises three elements 106, 108 and 110 pivotally connected together in 
a manner shown in FIG. 12. Thus adjacent sections 106 and 108 are 
illustrated that have ends flattened to provide ears 112 pivotally 
connected to a pivot bar 110. The three frame elements are splinted by 
tubes 114 and 116 both curved to conform to the configuration of the frame 
elements. The double pivot connection between adjacent frame elements 
allows them to be folded in side-by-side relationship. 
The spacers 106 may be made in parts as in the previous form. Optionally in 
the present instance the spacer bars 106 are of one piece construction 
having ends acting as sockets detachably to receive the ends of 
projections 118 pivotally mounted at corresponding positions on the front 
and rear frame sections. The spacers 106 in the present instance are 
installed by a toggle like action described more fully in my said prior 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,588. In the present instance the frame sections may be 
folded together and arranged in a compact package. 
Multipart spacers may be made rigid by a different form of splint. Thus as 
shown in FIG. 13, a pair of spacer elements 120 and 122 are pivotally 
connected together by an offset clamp 124. The clamp encircles the 
companion spacer sections 120 near, but spaced from its end. The end of 
the companion spacer section 122 carries a fitting 126 having a pivot 
plate 128 attached to the ears of clamp 124 by rivet at 130. The rivet 130 
is offset sufficiently such that the brace section 120 can be moved in a 
counterclockwise direction (FIG. 13) to lie alongside the spacer section 
122. However, by moving the element 120 in a clockwise direction, the 
elements form essentially straight line extensions one of the other. In 
order to lock the sections in such extended position, a splint 132 is 
provided. The splint is slidably mounted on the element 122 and provides 
an offset socket 134 to receive the end of the companion element 120 
beyond the clamp 124 and as illustrated in FIG. 14. 
The splint can be used in the tent structure of FIG. 1 as well as the 
shelter structure of FIG. 11. One simple use is shown in FIG. 16. Elements 
120 and 122 are used between parallel frame elements 136 and 138 to 
stretch fabric 140 into a generally flat panel. Pivoted legs 142 and 144 
convert the panel into a lean-to. 
The proximal ends of the legs 142 and 144 are riveted to ears of clamps 146 
and 148. The rivets provide offset axes of movement of the legs so that 
they may be folded alongside the frame element 124. 
In order to collapse the unit, the splint 132 is retracted and frame 
elements 120, 122, 124 and 126 and moved into a tight bundle. The legs 142 
and 144 are then folded inwardly. As in the previous forms, the elements 
of the shelter structure all remain in together when collapsed. No 
guesswork is involved.