FAST-ERECTING TENT

Abstract: The present invention is a fast erecting tent (86) in which several loops (16, 20) interconnect via a single connector (26). The frame (10) of the tent comprises a resilient, planar open filiform base loop (16); a resilient, arcuately bent open filiform upper loop (20); a connector (26) which links one end (58) of the base (16) plus one end (62) of the upper loop (20) to the other end (60) of the base (16) plus the other end (64) of the upper loop (20); and a segmented internally biased arch shaped tubular strut (22). The ends of the strut (22) are slidably and rotatably connected to the base (16). The strut (22) is connected to the upper loop (20) by means of a twist clip (34). The fabric covering (90) is wrapped around and attached to the frame (10). The connector (26) is a sleeve with a through-bore (54). The through-bore (54) has a cross section of interconnected cylinders such that the filiform loops (16, 20) can be retained in the through-bore (54) solely by friction. The filiform loops (16, 20) are permanently fixed within the through-bore (54) at one end (46) of the connector (26) but are free to slide, rotate, and swivel in and be detached from the through-bore (54) at the other end (50). The base loop (16) and upper loop (20) can both be elliptical or semi-elliptical.

Description: FAST-ERECTING TENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of connectors for wires or monofilaments and more particularly to connectors which are used to connect wires or monofilaments which provide the frames for fast-erecting structures such as tents. Self-erecting structures have been known for some years. The salient features of self-erecting tents are loops of springy material which normally form a three- dimensional frame but which can be coiled into an essentially flat disk. The tent fabric is draped over and attached to these loops. Guy wires and tent pegs are not usually required for erecting such tents. The term "self-erecting" is somewhat of a misnomer since, at least in the larger sizes, the tents need some manual assistance to go from the stored to the fully erected position. Such tents should more properly be called "fast-erecting" since, at least, the time required for assembly and insertion of poles and placement of guy wires and tent pegs is eliminated. Among the earliest inventors of fast-erecting tents was Norman. In his U.S. patents 3,960,161 and 3,990,463, issued in 1976, he described tents supported by a single continuous loop preferably made of spring steel. In one version the loop was saddle shaped while in the other the loop essentially formed a figure eight. While not specifically mentioned in the Norman patents, the loops must have been formed by permanently joining together, probably by welding, the ends of a single strip. In 1989, McLeese patented a fast-erecting tent in which the frame was formed from at least two ellipses of a springy material, one of which was planar and the others of which were saddle shaped, clipped together. Patent no. 4,858,634 again does not mention how the ellipses are fabricated but does say that they can be made of spring steel, fiber composite or highly flexible plastic. Such materials can be fabricated into loops by permanently joining the ends of strips, such as by welding or adhesive bonding. Also, composites and plastics can be molded into continuous circles and ellipses if desired, thus avoiding the necessity for joining ends. Patent no. 5,163,461 was issued to Ivanovich et al. in 1992. Ivanovich et al. teach that coiling of prior art tents was made difficult by the torsional resistance of the continuous loops. Ivanovich et al. therefore designed a tent similar to the prior art but with: 1) a frame coiled into several, separated ellipses but formed from a single, continuous loop and 2) several rotatable connectors inserted at strategic points within this loop. The rotatable connectors are short sleeves firmly swaged to one end ofthe loop at one extremity and with the other end of the loop inserted into the other extremity. The arcuate bias of the loop retains the loop end within the connector while allowing for rotation ofthe loop end within the sleeve. Hazinski et al. teach that the connector designed by Ivanovich et al. had several deficiencies. Hazinski et al. therefore patented a different type of connector (U.S. Patent no. 5,407,291) in 1995. This connector has opposing tapered pockets. When the ends ofthe loop are fully inserted into these tapered pockets, the pockets grip the ends ofthe loop while allowing both ends to rotate. There are many problems with prior designs of fast-erecting structures. In designs without connectors, torsional forces must be overcome when coiling the frame. In all prior art designs, the floor does not lay flat after erection. Frames are more costly to manufacture when the frames are single continuous loops with multiple ellipses. In designs with a single loop, the frame cannot include loops of different materials and diameters. Current connectors are only designed to connect with a single loop. If several, separate loops are used, clips or clamps are needed to connect them. Finally, current designs do not allow for expansion and contraction of frame and fabric. Development of a fast-erecting tent which addresses these problems represents a great improvement in the field of tent design and satisfies several needs ofthe tent camper. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a fast-erecting tent in which multiple loops connect via the same connector and the connector is designed so that the ends ofthe loops are free to slide swivel and rotate within the connector. This means that: 1) there are reduced torsional forces to overcome when coiling the frame; 2) the floor lays flat against the ground after erection; 3) frames are less costly to manufacture 4) the tent fabric can be removed from the frame for cleaning; 5) the frame can include loops of different materials and diameters; and 6) expansion and contraction of frame and fabric are compensated. The frame of the tent comprises: 1) a resilient, planar, filiform base, in the shape of an open loop, which defines the floor of the tent; 2) a resilient, arcuately bent, filiform upper member in the shape of an open loop; 3) a connector which links one end of the base loop plus one end ofthe upper loop to the other end ofthe base loop plus the other end ofthe upper loop; and 4) a segmented, internally biased, arch shaped tubular strut. The ends of the strut are slidably and rotatably connected to the base loop by means of an eye hook. The strut is connected to the upper loop by means of a twist clip. The tent fabric covering is wrapped around and attached to the frame by conventional means and can include a door and windows. The connector is an elongated body with a through-bore. The bore has the shape of multiple, parallel, partial, interconnected, right circular cylinders and is designed to retain the filiform members in the bore. The filiform members are can be fixed within the bore at one end of the connector but are free to slide, rotate, and swivel to the point of detachment from the bore at the other end. Upon erection ofthe frame, the base loop and upper loop can be substantially elliptical in shape or any other shape known in the art. An appreciation ofthe other aims and objectives ofthe present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and description of a preferred embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS Figure 1 shows a perspective view ofthe preferred embodiment ofthe erected tent frame. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment ofthe erected tent frame. Figure 3 is a perspective view ofthe preferred embodiment ofthe unswaged connector. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the area shown in circle 4 of Figure 1, illustrating the assembly ofthe preferred embodiment ofthe connector with the tent frame loops. Figure 5 is a transverse cross section ofthe preferred connector, taken at 5-5on Figure 4. Figure 6 is an axial cross section ofthe connector, taken at 6-6 on Figure 4. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tent according to this invention in its fully erected position. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the area shown in circle 8 of Figure 7, illustrating connection ofthe shock strut to the upper member via a twist clip. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the area shown in circle 9 of Figure 7, illustrating connection ofthe fabric to the shock strut via a sewn-in C-clip. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the area shown in circle 10 of Figure 7, illustrating how the shock strut is attached to the base frame with an eye hook and how the base frame runs through pockets sewn into the tent fabric. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 shows the frame 10 of the tent in its fully erected state. In the preferred embodiment, the frame 10 comprises two base loops 14, two upper loops 18 and two shock struts 22. The base loops 14 are semi-elliptical in shape, the upper loops 18 are shaped like upward curving semi-ellipses and the shock struts 22 are shaped like arches. The base 14 and upper 18 loops can be made of any resilient filiform material such as spring wire, composite rod or high strength plastic rod. The shock strut 22 is of conventional design. The strut 22 is made of a series of tubular segments 70 of varying curvature with widened ends 74. In this way the segments 70 can be inserted into one another to form an arch shape. To ensure that the segments 70 are inserted in the correct sequence and to facilitate assembly and disassembly all the segments 70, are retained in sequence on a bungee cord (not illustrated) which is retained internally at either end ofthe strut 22. To assemble the strut 22 it is only necessary to allow the bungee to pull all the segments 70 into engagement. To disassemble it is only necessary to pull the segments 70 away from one another The opposing, semi-elliptical pairs of base 14 and upper loops 18 are linked to each other via two connectors 26 - one in the front 11 ofthe frame 10 and one in the rear 12. Figure 1 shows that the opposing, pair of base loops 14 link to form essentially a complete, planar ellipse and the opposing pair of upper loops 18 link to form a saddle shaped structure. The shock struts 22 are connected to the base loops 14 by eye hooks 30 and to the upper loops 18 by twist clips 34. These connections will be described in more detail below. The preferred embodiment ofthe connector 26 is illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. The connector 26 has an elongated body 42 with a through-bore 54. One end of the connector 26 is the fixed end 46 and the other is the insertable end 50. The straight bore 54 goes completely through the body 42 from one end 46 to the other 50. The bore 54 has the shape of multiple, parallel, partial, interconnected, right circular cylinders. In the preferred embodiment the bore 54 has the shape of two interconnected cylinders. Figure 3 illustrates the preferred dimensions for the preferred connector 26. Dimension A is about 3/32 in., dimension B is about 3/16 in., dimension C is about 5/8 in., dimension D is about 5/16 in. and dimension E is about 5 in. In alternate embodiments this bore 54 would have the shape of three or more interconnected cylinders. The connector 26 is preferably made as an aluminum extrusion. However, it could be made from other metals, composites or plastics of sufficient strength. Figure 4 is a magnified detail of circle 4 of Figure 1. Figure 4 illustrates the connector 26 assembled into the preferred tent frame 10. Figure 4 shows how the ends 58, 60 ofthe base loops 14 as well as the ends 62, 64 ofthe upper loops 18 are inserted into the bore 54 at either end 46, 50 ofthe elongated body 42. While Figure 4 shows ends 62, 58 inserted into the fixed end 46 of the bore 54, since the loops 14, 18 are symmetrical, the exact orientation is immaterial. The dimension ofthe bore 54 is such that the loop ends 58, 60, 62, 64 will be entirely retained internally largely by friction between the loops 14, 18 and the body 42. The depth of penetration ofthe ends 58, 60, 62, 64 into the bore 54 can be varied but in the preferred embodiment will extend midway as shown in Figure 6. And, the ends 58, 62 are retained inside the fixed end 46 by swaging. This results in a swaging depression 66 close to the end 46. While swaging is the preferred method of fixing, other means of attachment, such as welding or adhesive bonding could also be used, especially if the connector 26 is not made out of an aluminum extrusion. Figure 5 is a transverse cross ofthe assembled connector 26 at the location illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 5 clearly shows deformation 66 ofthe body 42, as a result of the swaging operation, which secures the ends 58, 62 inside the bore. Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross ofthe assembled connector 26 at the location illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 again shows the deformation 66 ofthe body 42 which traps the end 58 inside the bore 54 at the fixed end 46 ofthe connector 26. Figure 6 also shows, schematically, the loose fit ofthe other end 60 inside the bore 54 at the insertable end 50 of the connector 26. As a result, this end 60 can: be inserted and removed from the bore 54; rotate inside the bore 54; and swivel from side to side. All these motions are shown by arrows on Figure 6. As was stated above, the ends 60, 64 are retained inside the bore 54 at the insertable end 50 ofthe connector 26 mainly by friction. The amount of frictional force required to move these ends 60, 64 is dictated by the diameter ofthe loops 14, 18 in relation to dimensions ofthe bore 54 and the bends in the loops 14, 18. Figure 7 shows the fully erected tent 86 in accordance with this invention, with the fabric covering 90 draped over and attached to the frame 10. In conventional manner, attachment is made by means of sleeves 92, sewn into the fabric 90 and clips 94, attached by sewing to the fabric 90. In conventional manner, the fabric covering 90 is provided with a door 96 and one or more windows 98. Figure 8 illustrates connection o the shock strut 22 to the upper loop 18 by means of a conventional twist clip 34, which protrudes through a hole 106 in the fabric 90. One of the sleeves 92 is better illustrated in this Figure. Alternate methods of attachment are commercially available. Figure 9 illustrates attachment ofthe fabric 90 to the shock strut 22 by means of a C-clip 94. In the conventional method shown in this Figure, the clip 94 is attached to a tab 110 which is sewn on the fabric 90. Other conventional methods to make this attachment are available on the marketplace. Figure 10 illustrates attachment ofthe shock strut 22 to the base loop 14. An eye hook 30 is fastened into the end ofthe shock strut 22. This eye hook 30 encircles the loop 14 forming a permanent slidable and rotatable attachment. Sliding and rotational motions are shown by arrows on the Figure. This Figure again provides a better illustration of a typical sleeve 92. The tent 86, described above, and more particularly the frame 10, is designed so that, by coiling the frame 10, the tent 86 can be quickly and easily made into a disk for convenient transportation and storage. Storing the tent 86 is accomplished by manually pulling apart the segments 70 ofthe shock struts 22, coiling the frame 10 and securing the tent 86 in this position. When it is desired to use the tent 86, the frame 10 is allowed to assume its unconstrained shape and the segments 70 of the shock struts 22 are manually reassembled. It takes approximately two minutes to erect or flatten the tent 86. While all loops 14, 16, 18, 20 have been described as having particular shapes, other shapes can be used. Figure 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the frame 10. In this embodiment, there is only one base loop 16, upper loop 20 and connector 26. The base loop 16 is an almost complete planar ellipse and the upper loop 20 forms an almost complete saddle shape. The base 16 and upper 20 loops are linked via the one connector 26 which is located in the front 11 ofthe frame 10. In the rear 12 ofthe frame 10 the base 16 and upper 20 loops are fastened to each other by means of a standard clip 38. While Figures 1 and 2 illustrate embodiments of this invention having only one upper loop 20, or a pair of opposing upper half loops 18, this invention could have two or more upper loops 20 or two or more pairs of opposing upper half-loops 18. The improved tent 86, frame 10 and connector 26 have been described with reference to a particular embodiment. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe claims that follow. UST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS Frame Front of frame Rear of frame Base half-loop Base complete loop Upper half-loop Upper complete loop Shock strut Connector Eye hook Twist clip Clip Elongated body Fixed end of connector Insertable end of connector Through-bore One end of base loop Other end of base loop One end of upper loop Other end of upper loop Swage indent Tubular segment Widened end 86 Fast-erecting tent 90 Fabric covering 92 Sleeve 94 C-clip 96 Door 98 Window 106 Hole in fabric 110 Tab

Claims: CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. An improved fast-erecting tent ofthe type having at least two resilient, filiform, open loops, each of said loops having a first end and a second end, and a fabric membrane wrapped around and attached to said loops, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a connector which links said first ends to said second ends in opposition to each other; and b. a segmented, internally biased, arch shaped tubular strut; and c. means for connecting said strut to said loops. 2. An improved fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 1 in which said connector is a sleeve having two extremities and a bore designed to accept and retain by friction said first and second ends; whereby said ends can rotate, slide and swivel; and whereby ends can be inserted into and removed from said bore as desired. 3. A connector as claimed in Claim 2 in which said bore has the shape of at least two parallel, partial, interconnected, right circular cylinders. 4. A connector as claimed in Claim 2 in which said sleeve has one of its extremities fixably engaging said first ends. 5. A fast-erecting tent having a floor and wall comprising: a. a connector having, an insertable end, a fixed end, and a straight through- bore; said through-bore being designed to accept at least two filiform members; said through-bore extending centrally from the exterior of said insertable end to the exterior of said fixed end; b. a resilient, planar, open, filiform base loop, having two ends; said base loop intended to define the floor of said tent; one end of said base loop being permanently fastened within said through-bore at said fixed end of said connector and the other end of said base loop being inserted into said through-bore at said insertable end of said connector; the shapes and dimensions of said end of said base loop and said insertable end of said connector being selected so that said end of said base loop is retained within said through-bore only by friction so that said other end of said base loop is able to rotate, slide and swivel and so that said end can be removed and reinserted if desired; c. a resilient, arcuately bent, open, filiform upper loop, having two ends; one end of said upper loop being permanently fastened within said through-bore at said fixed end of said connector and the other end of said upper loop being inserted into said through-bore at said insertable end of said connector; the shapes and dimensions of said end of said upper loop and said insertable end of said connector being selected so that said end of said upper loop is retained within said through-bore only by friction so that said end of said upper loop is able to rotate, slide and swivel and so that said end can be removed and reinserted if desired; d. a segmented, internally biased, arch shaped tubular strut; e. means for rotatably and slidably connecting the end of said strut to said base loop; f. means for rotatably and slidably connecting said strut to said upper loop; g. a fabric membrane wrapped around said base loop, said upper loop, and said strut; said fabric membrane including an entry port and a screened window; and h. means for attaching said fabric membrane to said base loop, said upper loop, and said strut. 6. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 5 in which said base loop and said upper loop are both substantially in the shape of a semi-ellipse. 7. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 5 in which said base loop and said upper loop are both substantially in the shape of an ellipse. 8. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 7 further including a clip means for connecting said base loop and said upper loop to each other. 9. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 5 in which the cross-section of said through- bore is shaped like at least two parallel, partial, interconnected, right circular cylinders. 10. A fast-erecting tent having a floor and wall comprising: a. a resilient, planar, open, filiform base loop, having a first end and a second end; said base loop intended to define the floor of said tent; b. a resilient, arcuately bent, open, filiform upper loop, having a first end and a second end; c. a connector means for linking said first end of said base loop and said first end of said upper loop to said second end of said base loop and said second end of said upper loop; d. a segmented, internally biased, arch shaped tubular strut; e. a hook means for rotatably and slidably connecting the end of said strut to said base loop; f. a clip means for rotatably and slidably connecting said strut to said upper loop; g. a fabric membrane wrapped around said base loop, said upper loop, and said strut; said fabric membrane including an entry port and a screened window; and h. an attaching means for attaching said fabric membrane to said base loop, said upper loop, and said strut. 11. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 10 in which said connector means comprises a sleeve with two extremities and a through-bore; said through-bore having the shape of at least two, parallel, partial, interconnected, right circular cylinders. 12. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 11 in which said sleeve has one of its extremities fixably engaging said first ends and has its opposite extremity detachably, slidably, rotatably and swivelably engaging said second ends. 13. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 10 in which said base loop and said upper loop are both substantially in the shape of a semi-ellipse. 14. A fast-erecting tent as claimed in Claim 10 in which said base loop and said upper loop are both substantially in the shape of an ellipse. 15. For use in a fast-erecting tent having at least two resilient, filiform, open loops, each of said loops having a first end and a second end, and a fabric membrane wrapped around said loops, a connector comprising a sleeve having two extremities and a through-bore; said through-bore being designed to accept and retain by friction said first and second ends, in opposition to each other; whereby said ends can rotate, slide and swivel; and whereby ends can be inserted into and removed from said through- bore as desired. 16. A connector as claimed in Claim 15 in which said through-bore has the cross-section of at least two interconnected cylinders. 17. A connector as claimed in Claim 15 in which said sleeve has one of its extremities fixably engaging said first ends.

Inventors: PRICE WALTER, PRICE, WALTER
Applicants: PRICE WALTER, PRICE, WALTER
Application year: 1996
Main classification: E04H15
IPC codes: E04H15