Flexible base structure for portable shelters

An example method for providing a flexible base structure for a portable shelter includes the steps of forming a continuous loop of a flexible material and attaching a plurality of rib intersections such as grommets at respective locations along the flexible loop. An alternative method for constructing a flexible base structure for a floorless portable shelter includes forming a continuous loop of a flexible material and arranging a plurality of openings at respective locations along the continuous loop. An embodiment of a base structure for supporting the ribs of a portable shelter includes a flexible loop and a plurality of rib intersections arranged along the flexible loop. Each of the plurality of rib intersections forms an opening for receiving a respective end of a rib that supports the portable shelter.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor portable shelters such as tents have been used to provide temporary shelter and protection from the sun, wind, precipitation, harsh temperatures, condensation, biting insects, and other outdoor elements for workers, equipment, and outdoor enthusiasts for many years. Aside from protecting an interior volume from the elements, modern day shelters should be quick to set-up and portable. To be portable, the temporary shelter should be lightweight so it is easily carried to a proposed site as well as easy to assemble and disassemble.

Most conventional tents are configured with a floor that is made of a heavier material than that used for the portions of the tent that will not be in contact with the ground. The weight of the heavier material used to construct the floor of these tents makes up a significant portion of the overall weight of the tent. The floor is often configured with loops at fixed locations along the perimeter of the tent for receiving a stake that sets or fixes the floor of the tent to the ground. These floors are often configured with additional hardware and or loops for locating and receiving an end of a flexible support rib. Once all the support ribs are flexed and set at their designated receiving ends in or near the perimeter of the floor, the upper panels of the tent can be supported from the ribs. Some conventional tents use sleeves formed or otherwise attached to the outer surface of the upper panels of material to suspend the tent. Other conventional tents use hooks connected to tabs or other extensions that are sewn to the upper panels of the tent to suspend the tent under the support ribs. Many of these conventional tents use a rain fly to further shelter the tent.

A rain fly protects the tent from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In addition to protecting the tent from the sun, a rain fly provides an additional barrier in the rain and snow, can help keep sparks from a fire or wood stove away from the exterior surface of the tent and when set up correctly can provide an insulating layer when it is cold. Conventional rain flies are made from a relatively lightweight fabric made from man-made fibers (e.g., nylon, polyester) with canvas ties or other heavier fabrics used together with hook and loop fasteners for fixing the rain fly to support ribs. The fabric is often treated or coated with various waterproofing and fire resistant agents. When appropriate, a hole for a stove jack or vent will be formed with canvas or reinforced webbing.

Some outdoor enthusiasts prefer to travel with as little gear as possible. For example, some hikers and climbers when faced with transporting food, water, fuel, a sleeping bag and roll, a portable shelter and perhaps additional items including a community shelter for meeting, cooking, or other functions will elect to carry a relatively lightweight rain fly with the necessary support ribs rather than a conventional tent with a floor.

However, absent the orientation and resistance provided by a conventional tent with a floor, a lightweight rain fly or other lightweight portable shelter without a floor can be difficult if not impossible to set-up by oneself. Setup of a lightweight cover, such as a rain fly, is problematic for at least the reason that it is difficult to align and flex the various ribs into their desired orientation absent the footprint provided by the floor of the corresponding tent.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop an apparatus and various methods that overcome these shortcomings.

SUMMARY

A flexible and scalable base structure for floorless portable shelters and methods for constructing and using the same are invented and disclosed.

One embodiment of a base structure for floorless portable shelters includes a flexible loop and a plurality of rib intersections arranged along the flexible loop, each of the plurality of rib intersections forming an opening for receiving a respective end of a rib. The flexible loop is arranged in a length that enables each of the rib intersections to be positioned to receive a corresponding end of a rib or other flexible member that supports the material of a rain fly or other cover in a desired configuration.

An alternative embodiment of a base structure for supporting the ribs of a portable shelter includes a continuous loop formed by a fixed junction that connects a first end and a second end of a single length of webbing material to each other, the continuous loop being devoid of an intersecting member in a plane defined by the continuous loop, the continuous loop forming a perimeter of a floorless portable shelter and a plurality of grommets separated from each other and arranged within the perimeter defined by the continuous loop. Each of the grommets includes an opening for receiving a respective end of a rib. In this alternative embodiment, the fixed junction provides an indicator identifying the location of a feature of the portable shelter and the grommets are located at positions other than a location of the fixed junction such that the fixed junction is substantially equidistant from the closest two grommets. Moreover, each of the grommets is a member of a set of two grommets configured to receive a first end of a rib and a second end of the rib.

Another alternative embodiment of a base structure for a floorless portable shelter includes a flexible loop having an adjustable length and a plurality of rib receiving members arranged along the length of the flexible loop. Each of the plurality of rib receiving members can be moved along the length of the flexible loop. In this alternative embodiment, an even number of the rib receiving members can be suitably positioned to support any number of floorless portable shelters by setting the length of the perimeter formed by the flexible loop and moving each of the rib receiving members to an appropriate location along the flexible loop.

Another embodiment of a base structure for floorless portable shelters includes a flexible loop and a plurality of rib receiving members arranged at fixed positions relative to each other along the length of the flexible loop.

Still another embodiment of a base structure for supporting the ribs of a portable shelter includes a continuous loop formed by a fixed junction that directly connects a first end to a second end of a single length of webbing material, the continuous loop being devoid of an intersecting member in a plane formed by the continuous loop and a plurality of grommets arranged within a perimeter defined by the continuous loop. The grommets are located at respective positions along the webbing material for receiving a respective end of a rib and arranged such that the fixed junction is substantially equidistant from the closest two grommets. A grommet is not located within the fixed junction.

An embodiment of a method for providing a flexible base structure for a portable shelter includes the steps of forming a continuous loop of a flexible material and attaching a plurality of rib intersections at respective locations along the flexible loop.

An alternative embodiment of a method for constructing a flexible base structure for a floorless portable shelter includes the steps of forming a continuous loop of a flexible material and arranging a plurality of openings at respective locations along the continuous loop.

Other devices, methods, features and advantages will be or will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional devices, methods, features and advantages are defined and protected by the accompanying claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Flexible and scalable base structures for floorless portable shelters and methods for constructing and using the same are invented and disclosed. The base structures for floorless portable shelters are lightweight and enable a user to assemble easily a floorless portable shelter without the assistance of others.

The base structures include a continuous or primary loop that can be formed from webbing, rope, cable or wire or other lightweight materials that will not stretch or shrink significantly over a range of temperature, humidity and in the presence of contaminants. In some configurations, the continuous loop of webbing material forms a fixed perimeter. In these configurations, a fixed junction connects a first end to a second end of a single length of webbing material. The fixed junction is located at a reference point that identifies a corresponding feature of the portable shelter that is assembled or constructed above the base structure. The fixed junction is located at a position along the continuous loop that is substantially equidistant from the closest two grommets. Preferably, the fixed junction is located near the center of a door or opening in the portable shelter.

In a first alternative embodiment, a first end of webbing, rope or other materials is connected to a strap or buckle that can receive the opposing end of the webbing, rope or other material to enable a user to form a primary loop with an adjustable length. In a second alternative embodiment, one or more sections or segments of the primary loop are arranged with respective friction lock collars that are fixed to respective ends of a wire or cable. The friction lock collars provide a mechanism for adjusting the perimeter of the flexible base structure.

Rib intersections or grommets are arranged at desired locations along the continuous loop. The grommets receive respective rib ends (i.e., the ends of support members) of the portable shelter to be constructed and supported using the base structure. Some of the illustrated embodiments show the grommets directly embedded within the continuous loop (i.e., in the webbing), while other embodiments include a secondary loop with a respective grommet for receiving and locating the rib ends. Embodiments that include a secondary loop can be arranged such that the secondary loop is at a fixed location along the length of the primary loop. Alternatively, one or more of the secondary loops can be configured to be moved along the length of the primary loop. Embodiments that use a secondary loop of sufficient size that surrounds the continuous loop can be twisted to align an opening for receiving and holding a respective rib end. These arrangements can be constructed without grommets. A rib intersection can also be formed by a member with a channel for receiving a portion of the continuous loop and a tab with a suitably sized hole for receiving a rib end.

Having generally described the base structures for floorless portable shelters, various additional embodiments will be described in detail with respect toFIGS. 1-13.FIG. 1is an exploded front view illustrating a portable shelter10above a base structure100. Portable shelter10is supported by three ribs. A first rib end20aextends beyond the lower edge of panel40and the lower edge of panel42at the intersection of the panels. Rib20forms an arch that extends to an opposing side of the portable shelter10where rib end20bextends below the lower edge of panel34and panel36at the intersection of the panels. A second rib end22aextends beyond the lower edge of panel42and the lower edge of panel32at the intersection of the panels. Rib22forms an arch that extends to an opposing side of the portable shelter10where rib end22bextends below the lower edge of panel36and panel38at the intersection of the panels. A third rib end24aextends beyond the lower edge of panel32and the lower edge of panel34at the intersection of the panels. Rib24forms an arch that extends to an opposing side of the portable shelter10where rib end24bextends below the lower edge of panel38and the lower edge of panel40at the intersection of the panels.

Panel30, panel32, panel34, panel36, panel38, panel40and panel42lie above rib20, rib22, and rib24. Each of the panels is made from a lightweight fabric made from man-made fibers (e.g., nylon, polyester). The panels may be treated with various sprays, solutions or other agents to make the portable shelter10resistant to fire, wind and water penetration and damage from ultraviolet radiation. Each of the panels is configured with hooks, ties or hook-and-loop fasteners to keep the panels correctly positioned above and in close contact with the respective ribs.

Unlike most conventional tents, portable shelter10is open to the ground or surface that will support rib end20a, rib end20b, rib end22a, rib end22b, rib end24aand rib end24b.

Panel30is located at the upper edge of panel42and between panel40and panel32. The edges of panel42are connected to panel30and one or both of panel40and32via a zipper so that panel42can be removed or inserted in place to enable access and egress to the interior of the portable shelter10.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, base structure100can be placed along a supporting surface and arranged such that rib intersections (e.g., grommets)110align with a corresponding rib end from the portable shelter10. Rib end20ais received by rib intersection110f. Rib end22ais received by rib intersection110e. Rib intersection24ais received by rib intersection110d. Rib end20bis received by rib intersection110c. Rib end22bis received by rib intersection110b. Rib intersection24bis received by rib intersection110a.

In an example embodiment, the base structure100is constructed of a continuous loop of webbing material. The continuous loop of webbing material forms the perimeter of the portable shelter10. The portable shelter10is a floorless shelter that permits the portable shelter10to be constructed on uneven or rocky ground, above a portable latrine, etc. The base structure100of the portable shelter10is entirely devoid of intersecting members in a plane defined by the continuous loop. A first end of a single length of webbing material is connected to a second end of the webbing material at a fixed junction115. The fixed junction115provides an indication of a feature of the portable shelter10to be constructed upon the base structure100. The fixed junction115is substantially equidistant from the closest two grommets or rib intersections located along the continuous loop. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed junction115is sewn and provides an indication of the center of an opening or door in the portable shelter10. In some embodiments, the fixed junction115is formed by overlapping a portion of one of the first end or the second end of the single length of webbing material over the remaining end before sewing and/or gluing or applying an adhesive layer in contact with the overlapping portion of the webbing material to complete the fixed junction115.

Rib intersections110or grommets are located within a perimeter defined by the continuous loop. In addition, rib intersections110or grommets are not located in or near the fixed junction115. Moreover, each of the rib intersections110or grommets is a member of a set of two grommets configured to receive a first end and a second end of a rib.

FIG. 2shows portable shelter10in position over base structure100. Panel42is folded over panel32to reveal the interior volume of portable shelter10. In the field, an assembler constructs the portable shelter10by arranging base structure100along the ground. The fixed junction115provides a reference for the assembler in that it defines the location of a feature of the portable shelter10that is supported by the base structure100. In the illustrated embodiments, the fixed junction115marks the center of a door or opening in the portable shelter10. Next, rib20, rib22and rib24are positioned in the base structure100by engaging a first rib end such as rib end20ain rib intersection110fand flexing rib20until rib end20bcan be inserted into rib intersection110c. The flexed rib20is then placed on the ground in its flexed condition. Next, another rib end, such as rib end22ais inserted in rib intersection110e. Rib22is flexed until the opposing rib end22bcan be inserted in rib intersection110b. The flexed rib22is placed on the ground in its flexed condition. Thereafter, the remaining rib, rib24is added by placing rib end24ainto rib intersection110dand flexing rib24until rib end24bcan be inserted in rib intersection110a. After the ribs have been flexed, they can be lifted and arranged close to one another above the ground in proximity with the center of the area encompassed by the base structure100where they can be tied, clamped or otherwise connected to each other such that they remain standing above the ground.

Upon easily accomplishing the heretofore difficult task of arranging the support ribs for the portable shelter10, the assembler arranges the various panel intersections over the ribs and connects the panel intersections to corresponding ribs with the provided hooks, ties, or hook and loop fasteners so that the base edge of each of the respective panels is proximally located to the base structure100.

FIGS. 3 and 4are schematic diagrams detailing the integration of a supporting rib and cover of a portable shelter at a select location along the base structure100ofFIGS. 1 and 2.FIG. 3shows rib end24aseparated from a first grommet120integrated with base structure100and a second grommet70integrated with an extension strap62. Rib end24aincludes probe50, which fits within the corresponding openings formed by grommet120and grommet70. Once probe50engages grommet120and grommet70, extension strap62and cover strap60can be adjusted via buckle65or some other tensioning apparatus to pull panel32and panel34into position near base structure100.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating the integration of a supporting rib of a portable shelter with an alternative base structure. As illustrated inFIG. 5, a secondary loop130with a corresponding grommet135can be located at an appropriate position along base structure100for receiving probe50of rib end24a. In the illustrated embodiment, secondary loop130is fixed to base structure100by sewing the secondary loop130to the webbing as indicated by stitch pattern132.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating the integration of a supporting rib of a portable shelter with a third alternative base structure. As shown inFIG. 6, a secondary loop130with a corresponding grommet135can be sewn together via stitches134beyond the webbing of base structure100, such that secondary loop130can be positioned as may be desired along the length of base structure100.

In still another embodiment (not shown), a secondary loop130can be formed absent a grommet. The secondary loop130can be fixed to the base structure100as indicated inFIG. 5or configured as shown inFIG. 6such that the secondary loop130can be manipulated along base structure100. As long as the secondary loop can be twisted to receive probe50, no grommet is required. This alternative configuration would benefit from a slot or groove in probe50or near the intersection of probe50and rib end24ato engage the secondary loop.

FIGS. 7-11are schematic diagrams illustrating various embodiments of a base structure for portable shelters10that integrate with three support ribs. The base structures illustrated inFIGS. 7-11are shown in a taught arrangement as if they were positioned by flexed ribs.

FIG. 7includes base structure700made of a length of webbing sewn together at junction710to form a primary or continuous loop. Rib intersections include grommets120strategically separated from their nearest neighbor grommets along the length of base structure700. An uppermost segment100ais defined by grommet120aand grommet120b. Moving in a clockwise rotation around base structure700, segment100bis defined by grommet120band junction710. Segment100cis defined by junction710and grommet120c. Segment100dis defined by grommet120cand grommet120d. Segment100eis defined by grommet120dand grommet120e. Segment100fis defined by grommet120eand grommet120f. Lastly, segment100gis defined by grommet120fand grommet120a. As described above in association withFIGS. 1 and 2, grommets120are separated from their nearest neighbor grommets such that each of the grommets can receive a respective rib end of a correspondingly arranged portable shelter.

FIG. 8includes base structure800made of a length of webbing coupled together at buckle810to form a primary or continuous loop. The addition of buckle810permits easy adjustment of the length of base structure800. Rib intersections include grommets120strategically separated from their nearest neighbor grommets along the length of base structure800. Additional grommets are integrated in the webbing to enable a user to select the most appropriate grommet for receiving a probe to form a desired portable shelter. In this regard, grommets may be color coded, labeled or otherwise marked to indicate a set of grommets that can be used to support the ribs of a portable shelter. An uppermost segment800ais defined by grommet120aand grommet120bwith additional grommets disposed between the two. Moving in a clockwise rotation around base structure800, segment800bis defined by grommet120band buckle810. Segment800cis defined by buckle810and grommet120c. Segment800dis defined by grommet120cand grommet120d. Segment800eis defined by grommet120dand grommet120e. Segment800fis defined by grommet120eand grommet120f. Lastly, segment800gis defined by grommet120fand grommet120a. As with segment800a, each of the remaining segments includes additional grommets between the end grommets that define the segment. As described above in association withFIGS. 1 and 2, grommets120are configured to receive a respective rib end of a correspondingly arranged portable shelter. However, in the adjustable embodiment illustrated inFIG. 8only a select number of the grommets available will be used to support a rib end.

FIG. 9includes base structure900made of a length of webbing910that forms a primary or continuous loop. Rib intersections include grommets135in secondary loops130separated from their nearest neighbor grommets along the length of base structure900. As described above, secondary loops130can be arranged to slide along the length of webbing910. An uppermost portion is defined by secondary loop130aand grommet135aat a left most location and secondary loop130band grommet135bat a right most location. Moving in a clockwise rotation around base structure900, an upper right side portion is defined by secondary loop130band grommet135bat an upper location and secondary loop130cand grommet135cat a lower location. A lower right side portion is defined by secondary loop130cand grommet135cat an upper location and secondary loop130dand grommet135dat a lower location. A lowermost portion is defined by secondary loop130dand grommet135dat a rightmost location and secondary loop130eand grommet135eat a leftmost location. A lower left side portion is defined at a lower location by secondary loop130eand grommet135eat a rightmost location and secondary loop130fand grommet135fat a leftmost location. A last portion is defined by secondary loop130fand grommet135fat a leftmost location and secondary loop130aand grommet135aat a rightmost location. As described above in association withFIGS. 1 and 2, grommets135are separated from their nearest neighbor grommets such that each of the grommets can receive a respective rib end of a correspondingly arranged portable shelter.

FIG. 10includes base structure1000made of a length of cord200. Cord200may be tied to itself, crimped or otherwise coupled via a mechanical coupler. Rope, wire, cable, etc. can be used as substitutes for cord200as long as the material used is arranged in a primary loop. Rib intersections include grommets135in secondary loops130strategically separated from their nearest neighbor grommets along the length of base structure1000. As described above, secondary loops130can be arranged to slide along the length of cord200. An uppermost portion is defined by secondary loop130aand grommet135aat a left most location and secondary loop130band grommet135bat a right most location. Moving in a clockwise rotation around base structure1000, an upper right side portion is defined by secondary loop130band grommet135bat an upper location and secondary loop130cand grommet135cat a lower location. A lower right side portion is defined by secondary loop130cand grommet135cat an upper location and secondary loop130dand grommet135dat a lower location. A lowermost portion is defined by secondary loop130dand grommet135dat a rightmost location and secondary loop130eand grommet135eat a leftmost location. A lower left side portion is defined at a lower location by secondary loop130eand grommet135eat a rightmost location and secondary loop130fand grommet135fat a leftmost location. A last portion is defined by secondary loop130fand grommet135fat a leftmost location and secondary loop130aand grommet135aat a rightmost location. As described above in association withFIGS. 1 and 2, grommets135are separated from their nearest neighbor grommets such that each of the grommets can receive a respective rib end of a correspondingly arranged portable shelter.

FIG. 11includes base structure1100made of a length of webbing sewn together at junction1110to form a primary loop. Rib intersections include grommets120strategically separated from their nearest neighbor grommets along the length of base structure1100. An uppermost segment1100ais defined by grommet120aand grommet120b. Moving in a clockwise rotation around base structure1100, segment1100bis defined by grommet120band junction1110. Segment1100cis defined by junction1110and grommet120c. Segment1100dis defined by grommet120cand grommet120d. Segment1100eis defined by grommet120dand grommet120e. Segment1100fis defined by grommet120eand grommet120f. Lastly, segment1100gis defined by grommet120fand grommet120a. As described above in association withFIGS. 1 and 2, grommets120are separated from their nearest neighbor grommets such that each of the grommets can receive a respective rib end of a correspondingly arranged portable shelter.

Base structure1100differs from base structure700(FIG. 7) in that the uppermost and lowermost segments have a length that is longer than the other segments. Other arrangements are possible as may be desired to support variously configured portable shelters.

FIG. 12is a schematic diagram illustrating a base structure for portable shelters that integrates with four support ribs.FIG. 12includes base structure1200made of a length of webbing sewn together at junction1210to form a primary or continuous loop. Rib intersections include grommets120strategically separated from their nearest neighbor grommets along the length of base structure1200. An uppermost segment1200ais defined by grommet120aand grommet120b. Moving in a clockwise rotation around base structure1200, segment1200bis defined by grommet120band grommet120c. Segment1200cis defined by junction1210and grommet120c. Segment1200dis defined by junction120and grommet120d. Segment1200eis defined by grommet120dand grommet120e. Segment1200fis defined by grommet120eand grommet120f. Segment1200gis defined by grommet120fand grommet120g. Segment1200his defined by grommet120gand grommet120h. Lastly, segment1200iis defined by grommet120hand grommet120a. As described above in association withFIGS. 1 and 2, grommets120are separated from their nearest neighbor grommets such that each of the grommets can receive a respective rib end of a correspondingly arranged portable shelter. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various base structure configurations are possible. For example, base structure configurations that include more or less rib intersections.

FIG. 13is a schematic diagram illustrating an adjustable length segment1300or portion of a base structure. Member125dincludes a channel that encompasses a portion of a cable or wire used to form the primary loop. Member125dfurther includes a tab with a hole suitably configured for receiving a rib end. Member125eincludes similar features (i.e., the channel and tab) for receiving a different rib end. A first cable portion1310, which traverses the channel of member125eis coupled to friction lock collar1315. A second cable portion1320, which traverses the channel of member125dis coupled to friction lock collar1325. Length “D,” or the distance along the primary loop defined by the location of the respective friction lock collars is adjusted by rotating the coupled portion of the friction lock collar towards the closer of the two members to disengage the collar from the cable. Once disengaged, the friction lock collar can be adjusted along the length of the opposing cable. Once the friction lock collar is positioned where desired, the friction lock collar can be re-engaged along the opposing cable.

A method for constructing a flexible base structure100for a floorless portable shelter10includes the steps of forming a continuous loop of a flexible material and arranging openings at respective locations along the continuous loop.

A method for providing a flexible base structure for a portable shelter includes the steps of forming a continuous loop of a flexible material and attaching rib intersections at respective locations along the flexible loop. Thereafter, the continuous loop can be placed along a surface to form a perimeter that closely approximates a base edge of a desired portable shelter.

Although disclosed embodiments use arrangements configured to engage flexible portable shelters that use three and four ribs to support a fabric cover, it should be understood that alternative arrangements are possible. For example, a flexible base structure can be configured to engage as few as two ribs and up to as many ribs as may be desired.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed, however, were chosen and described to enable one of ordinary skill to utilize various embodiments of the present flexible base structures and methods for constructing and using the same. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.