TENT TRANSFORMABLE INTO A JACKET

Abstract: A tent which is easily transformable into an outdoor jacket comprises a flysheet, elastic shock-corded poles (1, 2) and a canopy, said canopy being a hollow one-piece volume the form of which is essentially a pyramid of four sides that has been elongated at one side and rounded off at the peak and thus forms a dome, the structure of the dome being achieved with two arching elastic shock-corded poles (1, 2) that run diagonally across the top dome-like surface. A special designed screw peg (46, 47) can be utilized in connection with the tent. The tent advantageously replaces a pack tent.

Description: Tent transformable into a jacket The present invention is concerned with a tent which is easily transformable into an outdoor jacket. Up to now, considerable work has been done on improvement of tent design, particularly of backpacking tents for providing shelter, lightweight, compactness, ease to erect and functionality. In most cases backpacking tents consist of three structural main components, the fly, the canopy which is by far the most important one in terms of weight and volume and the poles, and additionally minor components, the pegs for fixing the tent and the fly to the ground. The problem with backpacking tents is that, no matter their weight and volume when folded, they have to be fixed on the back pack. The purpose of the invention is to provide a tent which has all the required characteristics of a backpacking tent but which can be easily transformed into an outdoor jacket and thus serves as a jacket which would be needed anyway. The invention thus concerns a tent comprising: a flysheet, a one-piece canopy which is transformable into an outdoor jacket, and which comprises a flat under part of substantially trapezoidal shape which constitutes the groundsheet of the tent, a dome-shaped upper part adapted to the shape of the under part which constitutes the sidewallsheet and the uppersheet of the tent, attaching means at the ends of the under part and holding means at the upper part, arching poles cooperating with said holding means of the canopy for forming a dome-shaped volume and pegs cooperating with said attaching means of the canopy for attaching the under part of the canopy to the floor. The tent of the invention has a structure similar to the basic human form constituted by the arms and the legs in extension joined by the spine. This structure is basically that of a simple tent, it means that a person would be able to wear a tent in form of an overall. By unzipping certain sections along the side seams, additional material is released to form the covering of the tent or the dome. In the case of a jacket additional material is added to the basic jacket patterns thereby creating a larger overall surface and a larger volume making the formation of the canopy possible. The supporting members, the poles are fitted into the suit. The length of the canopy is achieved by pulling out the inner lining of the jacket and is preferably about twice the length of the jacket and corresponds to the outer lining plus the inner lining of the jacket. This extension defines the length of the groundsheet and the lengthwise volume of the tent and is sufficient to house a reclining person or possibly two reclining persons. The under part of the canopy has thus a substantially trapezoidal shape. The canopy comprises lateral sidewings of substantially triangular shape which are pulled out of both the left and right sideseams of the jacket and its extended lining to create a larger tent footprint and more surface area to lie on in the upper body region of the canopy. The sidewings also aid in the formation of the dome giving the canopy its distinctive shape and look. Additional material is released along the centre-front of the jacket and forms the dome shape of the canopy. In a preferred embodiment, the additional material which also contributes in the formation of the dome can be released and elongates the jacket into a longer raincoat or anorak. The jacket may preferably comprise pockets which can function as the air vents on the tent. A synthetic mesh is fixed into the canopy sidewalls and is covered by the pockets. By opening or closing the pocket openings the air flow inside the tent can be regulated. The opening on the tent is also the neckline of the jacket where the collar is attached. In the tent configuration the collar seals the opening when the drawstring at the edge of the collar is completely pulled together and knotted. It can be closed from inside or on the outside of the tent. In cold weather this system allows for an opening when things are handed into or out of the tent without having to open the entire entrance. By attaching a mesh seal on the inside of the tent it serves as an additional vent in warmer seasons. In the tent mode, loops are part of the hoisting system that guides the poles along the canopy. On the jacket they serve as attachment loops for all kind of equipment like carabiners, torches, knives, gloves etc. They are preferably made of durable nylon® webbing. The jacket is insulated to the extent that it can be worn in cooler temperatures and protect against wind and rain. The material and fabrics utilized should be comfortable allowing the body to breathe. The dimensions of the canopy as shown on the underside are preferably: length, 190-210 cm, width at the entrance side, 160-170 cm, width at the back side, 65-75 cm. The weight of the tent is preferably 1.8-2.2 kg. The invention further comprises a special designed peg which can be utilized in connection with the tent, which comprises two parts, a handle and a tapered shaft and in which the shape of the handle allows a firm grip when inserting the peg into the ground. In a preferred embodiment the peg according to the invention comprises an insert receiving the end piece of the pole, a hole as an attachment point for the flysheet, in which the tapered shaft of the peg has a thread for screwing the peg into the ground and a groove which aids when the peg is pushed into soft ground. The pegs are used at four ground points on the tent and attach it firmly to the ground. Essentially this wearable shelter will appeal to all outdoors and adventure enthusiasts including free-climbers, backpackers, mountain-bikers, paragliders, alpine-skiers, hunters, motorcyclists, scientists and especially to people who need quick and easy accomodation in the wildereness. By simply defolding, unzipping the garment and building the support structure, the wearer of the jacket will in an instant find himself within a dry and cozy little abode. The invention will be further described with the aid of the attached drawings which show a preferred embodiment of it by way of example only. In the drawings, figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are respectively top, side (from the right), back, front and underside views of the canopy, figures 6 and 7 are respectively top and side (from the right) views of the flysheet, figures 8 and 9 are respectively front and back views of the jacket and figures 10, 11 and 12 are respectively top, front and side views of the screw peg. The tent comprises as main parts the flysheet and the canopy. The flysheet is the protective exterior shield against wind, rain and snow. It will be described hereinafter with reference to fig. 6 and 7. The canopy is the actual main structure of the tent which can be transformed into an outdoor jacket. It is a hollow one-piece volume preferably constructed in a breathable rip-stop nylon®. The form when mounted essentially is a pyramid of four sides that has been elongated at one side and rounded off at the peak. The structure of the dome is achieved with two arching elastic preferably shock- corded aluminium poles 1, 2 than run diagonally across the outer dome-like surface and cross at the peak of the canopy at point A. One pole 1 is threaded through sleeves 3 and loops 4; it runs from point C to point B. The other pole 2 runs through sleeves 5 and loops 6 from point E to point D. The sleeves 3 and 5 are preferably all edge-bound with a nylon® webbing for durability and to prevent fraying. All the ends of the poles at points B, C, D and E are inserted into a specially designed peg (see fig. 10-12). The peg is inserted through preferably a chrome-plated eyelet and into the ground. The eyelets have preferably been punched into a short strip of nylon® webbing that is attached and extends away from the canopy at ground level at points B, C, D and E. Hereby the entire canopy is placed under tension: securing the arching poles, extending the floor and creating the dome structure of the canopy. At the ends F and G there are two preferably sealed holes 7 and 8 respectively. When opened they contribute to the ventilation of the tent interior. At end G, where the canopy attaches to the floor, there are two more preferably sealed openings 9 and 10 (see fig. 2). They are sleeve seams and correspond with the seams 12 and 11 at end F. In this case the sleeves are pulled to the inside and aid in sealing the tent whilst in the jacket they become the inner lining of the sleeves. The tentdoor is found at end F and is a combination of the opening 7 and the zip 13, which runs from the edge of the opening 7 to the peak A. The tent is transformed to a jacket in the following sequence of steps: I. The poles 1 and 2 are removed from the canopy by disengaging their ends from the pegs (non represented in fig. 1-5) at points B, C, D and E and by sliding them out of sleeves 3 and 5 and loops 4 and 6. Then the pegs are pulled or screwed out of the ground and removed from the eyelets of the canopy at points B, C, D and E. The poles are folded together and with the rolled up flysheet and the pegs are preferably inserted into a separate quiver/sheath preferably made of a nylon® fabric with a nylon® strap which can be slung over the shoulders, accross the back or connected to a backpack. II. The loose canopy is now assembled into a jacket. The sleeves 21 and 22 (see fig. 1, 4, 8 and 9) are disconnected from the lateral sidewings 17 and 18 (see fig. 1, 3 and 5) by undoing zips 23 and 24 (see fig. 1 and 8) respectively. The lateral sidewings are folded into the inside of the jacket (see fig. 5) and fastened to the groundsheet of the tent by any suitable means, e.g. having a hook and loop type, velcro® attachment. The zips 15 and 16 (see fig. 1, 3 and 5) run all the way from end G and continue along the under sleeve-seam. By closing them both the sidewings are sealed into the jacket and the sleeves are created. III. All the excess fabric along the centre-front which aids in forming the dome of the tent is tucked in and sealed with zip 14 (see fig. 1, 3 and 8). IV. By opening the seals 8 and 7, two holes appear which represent the neck- inserts of the lining and outer jacket. At both necklines 7 and 8 a collar is attached. V. At 10 and 9 the sleeves which have been rolled up and fastened on the inside of the tent are released by any suitable means (non represented for the sake of clarity of the drawings). VI. The fabric at end G is pulled into the inside of the jacket so that ends F and G meet. In so doing, necklines 7 and 8, the shoulder seams 25 and 27, and 26 and 28 and the seams 29 and 30 (see fig. 1 and 2) all meet with each other respectively. The one end G of the tent hereby forms the inner lining of the jacket and is fastened at the shoulder seams on the inside of the jacket by any suitable fastening means (non represented for the sake of clarity of the drawings). They hereby form the inner-sleeve lining. Both collars of necklines 7 and 8 also meet and are joined. The whole tent now basically has been halved along the line H. VII. The material at the bottom of the jacket which extends from line H to seam 29 is folded into the jacket and fastened by any suitable means (non represented) so that seam 29 becomes the hemline of the jacket and line H meets with line I (see fig. 8 and 9). The style of the converted jacket is a loose-fitting, lightweight outdoor jacket with long sleeves and a high collar which in its length reaches mid-thigh. The waterproof yet breathable fabric protects the wearer from moisture whilst still allowing the body to breathe. The folded, layered fabric of the tent, which now forms the inner lining of the jacket, stores air close to the body and retains body heat. The loose fit of the jacket facilitates the layering of undergarments. To be worn the jacket is pulled over the head like a pullover. It can be sealed for protection or opened for ventilation in various ways: Zip 13 is opened from the neckline to where it meets with zip 14 and creates a larger opening for the head when the jacket is put on. The elastic buttoning system 31, 32 with hooks 39 on the centre-front gathers the loose fabric for a tighter fit. The high collar 36 is sealed or opened in the front 38 for ventilation or even folded down onto the shoulder. The draw-string 37 runs along the edge of the collar and can be tightened for extra protection of the neck area. Another draw-string 42 runs through narrow sleeves at the hemline of the jacket and pulls the hem tight around the lower body. Zip 14 and the sideseam zips 15 and 16 always remain closed in the jacket configuration and are locked into place. Their only function is to aid in housing the additional material of the tent which has now become the lining and insulation of the jacket. The bands 33 and 34, and the loops 4 and 6 are preferably a strong, durable nylon® webbing. On the jacket these loops 4 and 6 serve as hooks for equipment like torches, carabiners, knives, gloves etc. The two large pockets 20 and 19 are sealed at 40 and 41. A synthetic mesh is sewn into the canopy sidewalls an is covered by the pockets. By opening or closing the pocket openings in the tent configuration the air flow inside the tent can be regulated. As shown in fig. 6 and 7 the flysheet is preferably sewn in a nylon® taffeta and waterproofed with a polyurethane coating. At points B, C, D and E the flysheet is attached to, preferably a special designed peg which will be described hereinafter with reference to fig. 10-12. At points J, K, L and M additional pegs (non represented) e. g. of simple design and preferably in aluminium are inserted through an elastic loop 43 pulling the flysheet tight and away from the canopy surface for maximum protection. The zip 44 allows opening of the flysheet and rools open until it reaches the dotted line 45 where the flap is secured by any suitable means (non represented). For attaching the tent and the flysheet to the ground, the peg (fig. 10-12) is preferably injection-moulded in nylon® in one piece and basically has two main parts: the handle or grip 46 and the shaft 47. The handle has following features: the shape of the handle allows a firm grip when screwing the peg into the ground. The insert 48 receives the end piece of the poles. The hole 49, preferably elliptical is an attachment point for the flysheet. The tapered shaft 47 of the peg preferably has a thread 50 which makes screwing the peg into the ground possible. The groove 51 aids when the peg is pushed into softer ground. The screw-peg is utilized at four ground points on the tent and attaches it firmly to the ground. Preferably, the handle is placed in the direction of the respective pole. In the preceding description some particularly suitable materials have been mentioned for the different parts of the tent and jacket. It should be clear that materials which are equivalent in the art could be used which fulfil the same functions, i.e. strength, lightweight, imperviousness, breathability without departing from the scope of the invention. For example fibreglass or carbon fiber could be used for the poles and pegs. Polyester, polypropylene, optionally modified, treated or coated, or a bi- or tricomponent, optionally laminated fabric could be used as garment for the canopy and flysheet.

Claims: Claims 1. A tent comprising: a flysheet, a one-piece canopy which is transformable into an outdoor jacket, and which comprises a flat under part of substantially trapezoidal shape which constitutes the groundsheet of the tent, a dome-shaped upper part adapted to the shape of the under part which constitutes the sidewallsheet and the uppersheet of the tent, attaching means at the ends of the under part and holding means at the upper part, arching poles cooperating with said holding means of the canopy for forming a dome-shaped volume and pegs cooperating with said attaching means of the canopy for attaching the under part of the canopy to the floor. 2. A tent according to claim 1, in which the length of the canopy is achieved by pulling out the inner lining of the jacket and is preferably about twice the length of the jacket and corresponds to the outer lining plus the inner lining of the jacket. 3. A tent according to claim 1, in which the canopy comprises lateral sidewings of substantially triangular shape which are pulled out of both the left and right sideseams of the jacket and its extended lining to create a larger tent footprint and more surface area to lie on in the upper body region of the canopy. 4. A tent according to claim 1 , in which additional material is released along the centre-front of the jacket and forms the dome shape of the canopy. 5. A tent according to claim 4, in which the additional material which also contributes in the formation of the dome can be released and elongates the jacket into a longer raincoat or anorak. 6. A tent according to claim 1, in which the sidewalls of the canopy further comprise a synthetic mesh which is covered by pockets of the jacket, which pockets can function as air vents on the tent. 7. A tent according to claim 1, in which the canopy comprises an opening which is also the neckline of the jacket and in which a collar of the jacket is attached to said opening and in which said collar can be closed and thus seals the opening. 8. A tent according to claim 1, in which the holding means of the canopy comprise loops which are part of the hoisting system that guides the poles along the canopy and which can also serve as attachment loops for equipment on the jacket. 9. A peg which can be utilized in connection with the tent of anyone of claims 1 to 8, which comprises two parts, a handle and a tapered shaft and in which the shape of the handle allows a firm grip when inserting the peg into the ground. 10. A peg accordmg to claim 9, which comprises an insert receiving the end piece of the pole, a hole as an attachment point for the flysheet, in which the tapered shaft of the peg has a thread for screwing the peg into the ground and a groove which aids when the peg is pushed into soft ground, and in which the pegs are used at four ground points on the tent and attach it firmly to the ground.

Inventors: BAHLIG MARK, BAHLIG SUZANNE, BAHLIG, MARK, BAHLIG, SUZANNE
Applicants: BAHLIG MARK, BAHLIG SUZANNE, BAHLIG, MARK, BAHLIG, SUZANNE
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A45F4
IPC codes: A41D15, A45F4