PORTABLE SHELTER

Abstract: The shelter comprises a foldable or rollable sheet (10) and four telescopic supports (12). The shelter can be erected as an awning (Fig. 1), in which the sheet (10) is supported at its corners by the supports (12) and its orientation can be adjusted by extension or contraction of the supports (12). Alternatively, the shelter can be erected as a wind break (Fig. 2), in which the supports are received in four elongate pockets (18) extending across the sheet (10). A detachable curtain (20) (Fig. 3) allows the sides and ends of the awning to be closed.

Description: PORTABLE SHELTER Description This invention relates to portable shelters. Previously-known portable shelters have tended to be inconvenient to erect or use and have been limited in their range of uses. The present invention provides a portable shelter comprising a sheet capable of being. rolled or folded, support means including at least two elongate support members, and means for engagement of the sheet with the support means to allow the sheet to be supported in a selected one of a plurality of orientations relative to a surface supporting the shelter. Preferably, the plurality of orientations includes an orientation in which at least a portion of the sheet extends in a generally-vertical plane to form a wind break. ' The invention can thus achieve the object of providing a portable shelter which can be erected - selectively as a wind break or as awning for providing shelter from sun or rain. The rollable or foldable sheet allows the shelter to be readily packed for transportation and the support means may also be of a type which can be readily transported, for example in a carrying bag, with the rolled or folded sheet. The support means advantageously allows the sheet to be supported in two or more generally- vertical planes, adjacent planes being angled relative to each other and additional wind break protection against variations in wind direction can thus be provided. The elongate support members are preferably receivable by the engagement means to extend across the sheet and substantially co lanar therewith. Conveniently the engagement means comprises a espective pocket for each support member. The support members are preferably arranged such that, where the shelter is erected as an awning, the orientation of the sheet can be adjusted to extend either horizontally or to be inclined to the horizontal. This feature can be taken advantage of when the shelter is used on the beach because the orientation of the sheet can be adjusted according to the position of the sun in the sky. The feature also allows the sheet to be angled to let rain run off the shelter. Advantageously, the shelter includes a foldable or rollable curtain which can be attached to close at least one side of the shelter when erected as an awning. This can provide further protection from the elements, for example when hunting or fishing, or, particularly when the curcain encloses all sides of the shelter, provide privacy when the shelter is used for changing on the beach. A particularly preferred shelter according to the invention comprises a rectangular sheet capable of being rolled or folded and support means comprising four elongate support members of adjustable length, the sheet having four elongate pockets open at both ends extending parallel to the shorter edges of the sheet, two pockets being adjacent respective shorter edges and two pockets being at spaced positions therebetween, and means for engagement of its corners with respective upper OMPI ends of the support members, the shelter being erectable selectively as a wind break with the support members inserted into the pockets or as an awning with the support members engaging respective corners of the sheet, the orientation of the sheet when the shelter is erected as an awning being adjustable by adjustment of the length of the support members and the maximum length of the support members being greater than the length of the pockets so that when the shelter is erected as a wind break one or both ends of the support members protrude from the pockets for insertion into the ground and/or attachment of guy lines. Such a shelter can include a foldable or rollable curtain and means for attachment of the curtain to close the sides of the shelter when erected as an awning. The attachment means preferably comprise four pairs of apertures adjacent one edge of the curtain, the pairs being spaced such the upper end of a respective support member can be inserted through both apertures of each pair for attachment of the curtain to the support members. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable shelter erected as an awning, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shelter of Figure 1 erected as a wind break, and Figure 3 shows a side curtain for the shelter of Figures 1 and 2. The shelter shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings consists of a sheet 10 of a suitable textile or plastics material, four telescopic supports 12 each having an upper part 12a, a lower part 12b and a locking screw 12c, four adjustable guy lines 14 and four tent pegs 16. The sheet 10 can measure, for example, about 1.8m by about 1.2m and the maximum length of the supports can be about 1.5m. The upper support parts 12b may be received in -apertures adjacent the corners of the sheet 10, which also has four transversely extending pockets 18 for receiving the supports 12, two pockets 18 being 5 adjacent the ends of the sheet 10 and the other two being intermediate its ends. The pockets 18 are open at both their ends. As shown in Figure 1 , the shelter can be erected as a awning for protection from the sun, 10 for example for a person lying beneath the awning. The upper parts 12a of the supports 12 are received in the corner apertures of the sheet 10 and held upright by the guy lines 14 and tent pegs 16. The screws 12c_ are tightened to lock the upper supports 15 parts 12a to the lower parts 12b at a length appropriate to the desired height of the awning. Alternatively, the support members 12 along one longer side of the sheet 10 can be shortened by- telescoping of the parts 12a and 12b to incline the 20 sheet 10 at a desired angle. In a further arrangement, two of the supports 12 are dispensed with and the shelter is erected with one longitudinal edge of the sheet 10 secured to the ground by tent pegs passing through two corner apertures and the opposite 25 longitudinal edge supported by two supports 12. The shelter may also be erected using four of fewer supports adjacent the doors of a car or caravan. When fewer than four supports are used, the sheet 10 can be partly supported by the car or caravan. 30 Figure 2 shows the shelter erected as a wind break. The supports 12 are extended fully and inserted in the pockets 18 and, together with the guy lines 14 attached to the upper ends of the supports 12 and pegs 16, hold the sheet 10 in three 35 upwardly-extending planes orientated for protection from the prevailing wind. When used on soft ground such as sand, the guy <a' OMPI lines 14 may be dispensed with and the shelter supported by insertion of the supports into the ground. Figure 3 of the drawings shows a side curtain 20 for the shelter, of Figures ' ! and 2. The curtain 20 is made from a suitable textile or fabrics material which can be rolled or folded for transportation. The height of the curtain 20 is equal to the extended length of the supports 12 and its length is equal to the length of the periphery of the sheet 10. In use, the curtain 20 is folded along transverse lines 22a., 22b, 22c and 22d to form panels 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d and 24e. Panel 24c is fitted along one side of the erected shelter, panels 24b and 24d extend across the respective ends of the shelter and panels 24a and-24e meet together to close the other side of the shelter. Eyelets 26 are provided adjacent the upper edge of the curtain 20, one lying to each side of each of the fold lines 22a, 22b, 22£ and 22d. When the curtain 20 is folded, both eyelets of each pair can be fitted of the upper end of one of the upper support parts 12b. The upper edge of the curtain 20 also has a series of parts ' 28 of two-part fasteners such as press-studs, which engage with corresponding parts (not shown) adjacent the edges of the sheet 10. Two further eyelets 30 at opposite ends of the lower edge of the curtain 20 can receive tent pegs to secure the curtain to the ground and close the opening between the ends of the curtain. By way of further modification, the curtain can be made to close fewer than all of the sides and ends of the shelter. For example, the curtain may close both ends and one side. For transportation, the sheet 10 and any curtain 20 can be rolled or folded and the- supports 12 contracted to their minimum length. The shelter can therefore be packed into a suitcase. A protective bag may be provided if desired. Instead of two telescoping parts 12a, 12b, each elongate support may consist of two or more tubular 5 support sections which fit together by reception of a narrowed end portion of one section inside another section. Preferably three sections are provided and adjustment of the length of the supports can then be effected by omission of one support section. 10 The sheet 10 and any curtain 20 can be made in any desired colour, or with any desired pattern thereon. The name of an hotel or a travel agent may, for example, be printed on the sheet. The sheet may also be made from camouflage material so that the shelter can be used 15 during activities such as hunting, shooting and fishing. OMPI

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A portable shelter comprising a sheet capable of being rolled or folded, support means including at least two elongate support members, and means for engagement of the sheet with the support means to allow the sheet to be supported in a selected one of a plurality of orientations relative to a surface supporting the shelter. 2. A shelter according to claim 1, in which the plurality of orientations includes an orientation in which at least a portion of the sheet extends in a generally-vertical plane to form a wind break. 3. A shelter according to claim 2, in which the support means allows the sheet to be supported in two or more generally-vertical planes, adjacent planes being angled relative to each other. 4. A shelter according to claim 2 or 3 , in which the elongate support members are receivable. by the engagement means to extend across the .sheet and substantially coplanar therewith. 5. A shelter according to claim 4, in which the engagement means comprises a respective pocket for each support member. 6. A shelter according to claim 5, in which the sheet is rectangular and has respective pockets adjacent and parallel to opposed shorter edges of the sheet and two further pockets between the shorter edges, the support means comprising four elongate support members for supporting the sheet as a wind break in three angled planes. 7. A shelter according to claim 5 or 6, in which the pockets are open at both ends so that both ends of the support members can protrude therefrom for insertion into a soft ground surface and for attachment of a guy line. 8. A shelter according to any preceding claim, 9_B_■ . wOMiPPOI in which the -support members are arranged to support the sheet with the sheet extending in an inclined plane above or extending upwardly from the ground surface. 5 9. A shelter according to any one of claims " 1 to 7, in which the support members are arranged - to support the sheet with the sheet extending generally horizontally. 10. A shelter according to any one of claims 10 1 to 7 , in which the support means comprises four elongate support members and the engaςrement means permits the four support members to be secured to the sheet at spaced positions such that the sheet extends in a generally-horizontal or inclined plane above 15 a surface supporting the shelter. 11. A shelter according to claim 10 , including a foldable or rollabie curtain attachable to close at least one side of the shelter when the sheet is supported by the support means . 20 12. A shelter according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , in which the support means are adjustable in length for adjustment of the orientation of the sheet. 13. A shelter according to claim 12, in which the 25 support means are adjustable telescopically. 14. A shelter comprising a rectangular sheet capable of being rolled or folded and support means comprising four elongate support members of adjustable length, the sheet having four elongate 30 pockets open at both ends extending parallel to the shorter edges of the sheet, two pockets being adjacent respective shorter edges and two pockets being at spaced positions therebetween, and means for engagement of its corners with respective 35 upper ends of the support members, the shelter being erectable selectively as a wind break with the - support members inserted into the pockets or as an OMPI awning with the support members engaging respective corners of the sheet, the orientation of the sheet when the shelter is erected as an awning being adjustable by adjustment of the length of the support members and the maximum length of the support members being greater than the length of the pockets so that when the shelter is erected as a wind break one or both ends of the support members protrude from the pockets for insertion into the ground and/or attachment of guy lines. 15. A shelter according to claim 14, in which the engagement means comprise apertures for receiving the support members. 16. A shelter according to claim 14 or 15, including a foldable or rollable curtain and means for attachment of the curtain to close the sides of the shelter when erected as an awning. 17. A shelter according to claim 16, in which the attachment means comprise four pairs of apertures adjacent one edge of the curtain, the pairs being spaced such the upper end of a respective support member can be inserted through both apertures of each pair for attachment of the curtain to the support members.

Inventors: PAYS HAROLD REGINALD, PAYS, HAROLD, REGINALD
Applicants: SOLSHADE LTD, SOLSHADE LIMITED
Application year: 1984
Main classification: E04H15
IPC codes: E04H15