Abstract:
A tent for human or animal habitation with a separate pet entrance which offers pets separate entry and exit to and from the interior of the tent at will. The pet entrance offers freedom of movement therethrough in either direction at the pet&#39;s discretion followed by automatic closure and sealing of a pet entry door panel against planar panels at the side of the pet entrance.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for a tent, and more particularly, relates to a tent generally used to house humans but which has a pet entrance separate from the main entrance. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Portable housings or shelters for animals or pets in the form of a tent structure are known in the prior art; however, no tent structure is known which is for human habitation and has an entrance for pets separate from that of an entrance generally incorporated for entrance of a human or which has a pet entrance that is used solely for entry to or exit from the interior of the tent structure by a pet. Opening of a human entry of a tent in order to allow passage of a pet to or from the interior of the tent can include the opening of multiple components, such as a screen door panel of flexible screen and/or a fabric door panel, and such can often be undesirable in that multiple closure devices such as zippers, ties, or the like must be actuated or manipulated. Also, to allow entry or exit of a pet through the human entry, an entry of extraordinary size with respect to the size of a pet must be opened. Opening of the large human entry, while being laborious, can also expose the interior of the tent for infiltration by insects or rain. Other issues also exist where a pet is housed in a tent and shares the interior of the tent with humans. A pet may track mud or dirt into the tent, thereby soiling the tent floor or other items, such as sleeping bags, clothing and the like; or the pet may even have unwanted access to food items stored in the tent. Pets may also have sharp claws which could puncture the tent floor. Clearly what is needed is a tent for human habitation which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art tents for human habitation by having a separate entrance for a pet, or, alternatively, by having provision for separate kenneling of a pet in a portion of the tent. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a tent with a pet entrance. The tent with a pet entrance includes a tent having support structure, a plurality of side panels, one or more screen panels, a floor, a human entry door panel, a human entry door panel surround, a pet entry door panel surround, a dew barrier, a screen door panel and a separate pet entrance located preferably adjacent to the human entry door panel. The pet entrance includes opposing vertical side panels being triangular in shape, much like door jambs, extending inwardly from a tent panel towards the tent interior, an opening which aligns between the vertical side panels, the tent floor, and an edge or living hinge of a tent panel extending between the tops of the vertical side panels, and a positionable pet entry door panel of tent fabric or other fabric or other material pivoting about the edge or living hinge of the tent panel which extends between the tops of the vertical side panels. A pet can at will gain entrance to or exit the interior of the tent through the pet entrance by simply moving through the pet entrance, whereby the pet entry door panel pivots or is displaced to permit passage of the pet. Subsequent to passage therethrough, gravitational forces cause the pet entry door panel to automatically close. A fastening means, such as a zipper, can also be included for sealing of the positionable pet entry door panel in the closed position, if desired. In the alternative, an integral kennel can extend inwardly from the pet entrance and can include a closeable rear door panel for entrance to the interior of the tent, if required or desired. Also, in the alternative, a plastic rigid wall kennel could align to the rear of the pet entrance. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tent with a pet entrance. A pet entrance preferably is located near one side of the human entry door panel. An opening is provided as part of the pet entrance and includes a pet entry door panel co-located with the opening. The pet entry door panel pivots about a living hinge of a tent panel. The pet entry door panel seals against opposing triangular vertically oriented panels and the floor of the tent. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tent having a pet entrance separate from a larger entrance for humans. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tent with a pet entrance which is self-closing. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tent with a pet entrance which operates without human assistance as a pet enters or exits the tent. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tent with a pet entrance which can be sealed by a human to contain a pet within or exclude a pet from the interior of the tent. 
     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tent with a pet entrance which can include a flexible pet entry door panel of the same material as the general construction of the tent or, in the alternative, can include a pet entry door panel of flexible plastic material. 
     Alternatively, a still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an internally located kennel adjacent to a pet entrance where the kennel can be integral to the construction of the tent or where the kennel can be a plastic rigid wall kennel suitably positioned or attached to the pet entrance. 
     Having thus described embodiments of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a tent for humans with a separate pet entrance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a tent with a pet entrance, the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of the structure of the pet entrance where the pet entry door panel is shown in actuated position; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the use of a rigid wall kennel with the tent with a pet entrance; 
     FIG. 4, a first alternative embodiment, illustrates a cutaway view of the structure of a tent with a pet entrance incorporating an integral kennel; 
     FIG. 5, a second alternative embodiment, illustrates a tent with a pet entrance; and, 
     FIG. 6, a third alternative embodiment, illustrates a tent with a pet entrance and an integral kennel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a tent with a pet entrance  10 , the present invention. The tent with a pet entrance  10  is comprised of components including, but not limited to, structures as now described herein. A plurality of full or shortened and connected curved fabric panels  12   a - 12   n  of suitable material adjoin and abut a substantially planar and connected fabric human entry door panel surround  14  and a connected substantially planar and connected fabric pet entry door panel surround  16 . A fabric human entry door panel  18  and a co-located screen door panel  20  are located on the human entry door panel surround  14 . A pet entrance  22  having a fabric pet entry door panel  24  is located on the pet entry door panel surround  16 . A dew barrier  26  is located along and about the lower regions of the curved fabric panels  12   a - 12   n , the human entry door panel surround  14 , and a greater portion of the pet entry door surround panel  16 . The dew barrier  26  also extends across and covers the lower region of the screen door panel  20 . A dew barrier panel  26   a  fastens to the lower region of the fabric pet entry door panel  24 , but does not extend across the opening  36  (FIG.  1 ). A fabric vestibule  28  is located between and along the lower region of the human entry door panel surround  14  and the lower region of the pet entry door panel surround  16  and extends inwardly as a tent floor  28   a  (FIG.  2 ). A series of flexible support poles  30   a - 30   n  support the curved fabric panels  12   a - 12   n , the human entry door panel surround  14 , the human entry door panel  18 , the screen door panel  20 , the pet entry door panel surround  16 , and the pet entrance  22 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of the structure of the pet entrance  22  where the pet entry door panel  24  is shown actuated and urged into the open position, such as if a pet were exiting the interior of the tent with a pet entrance  10  via the pet entrance  22 . Opposing vertically aligned fabric triangular panels  32  and  34 , much like door jams, form opposing sides of an opening  36 , while the other sides of the opening  36  are bound by the floor  28   a  and by a living hinge  38  extending horizontally along the pet entry door panel surround  16  between the top regions of the triangular panels  32  and  34 . The triangular panels  32  and  34  include securing tabs  32   a ,  32   b ,  34   a  and  34   b  extending at an angle therefrom as illustrated, for suitable attachment, such as by stitching, ultrasonic welding or the like, to the floor  28   a  and to the pet entry door panel surround  16 , respectively. Erection of the tent with a pet entrance  10  stretches and forms the triangular panels into taut structures against which the pet entry door panel  24  can seal. In the alternative, the triangular panels  32  and  34  can be extendingly formed by the fabric of the pet entry door panel surround  16  in lieu of separate triangular panels. Alternatively, the lower edge of the pet entry door panel  24  can be weighted to maintain the planarity of the pet entry door panel  24  and to maintain vertical orientation of the pet entry door panel  24  for sealing with the adjacent triangular panels  32  and  34 . Although the pet entry door panel  24  is suspended from and is an extension of the pet entry door panel surround  16  and acts as a living hinge  38  at the point of extension therefrom, a separate pet entry door panel of increased durability can be substituted and attached to the pet entry door panel surround  16  in the area of the living hinge  38  and shall be deemed to be within the teachings of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the use of a plastic rigid wall kennel  39  with the tent with a pet entrance  10 . The rigid wall kennel  39  can be maneuvered through the opening  36  if size permits or it can be maneuvered through the human entry door panel  18  and thence into position in alignment with or behind the opening  36 . A wire frame door commonly used with such a rigid wall kennel  39  (not shown) could be removed if desired, whereby the fabric pet entry door panel  24  could be incorporated to allow the pet to displace the pet entry door panel  24  to enter or exit at will. Some pet owners may desire to utilize the rigid wall kennel  39  housed in the tent with a pet entrance  10  to keep the rigid wall kennel  39  and the pet from the elements or may choose to incorporate the use of a wire frame door if free entry and exit is not required. Various securing devices can be incorporated to secure the rigid wall kennel  39  to the structure around and about the opening  36  or to the tent floor  28   a , as required. 
     FIG. 4, a first alternative embodiment, illustrates a cutaway view of the structure of a tent with a pet entrance  10   a  incorporating an integral kennel  40  in secured alignment with a pet entrance  42 , which is similar in many aspects to the pet entrance  22  previously described. The triangular panels  32  and  34  and their related securing tabs  32   a ,  32   b ,  34   a  and  34   b  of FIG. 2 are replaced by vertically oriented and opposing rectangular fabric side panels  44  and  46  and securing tabs  44   a ,  44   b ,  46   a  and  46   b , respectively. The rectangular fabric side panels  44  and  46  extend rearwardly from the opening  36  towards the interior of the tent with a pet entrance  10   a  to form opposing sides of the kennel  40 . A horizontally oriented rectangular fabric top panel  48  having a securing tab  48   a  secures to and extends from near the living hinge  38  rearwardly between and along the tops of the side panels  44  and  46  and a vertically oriented rectangular fabric rear panel  50  having a lower edge securing tab  50   a  extending downwardly from the rear edge of the top panel  48  along and between the rear edges of the side panels  44  and  46 . Securing tabs  44   a ,  46   a  and  48   a  suitably secure such as by stitching, ultrasonic welding or the like to the pet entry door panel surround  16 , and the securing tabs  44   b ,  46   b  and  50   a  suitably secure such as by stitching, ultrasonic welding or the like to the floor  28   a . Vertical support for the rearward and upwardly located portions of the kennel  40  is provided by securing tabs  52  and  54 , for purpose of example and illustration, secured to and extending vertically between the upper and rearward corners of the side panels  44  and  46  and the curved fabric panel  12   a . Alternatively, a fabric rear door panel  56 , shown in dashed lines, incorporating a zipper, Velcro®, tabs, buttons or other separable fastening devices can be incorporated so that a pet can gain access to the full interior of the tent with pet entrance  10   a , if allowed by a human. Although support of the rearward regions of the kennel  40  is provided by securing tabs  52  and  54 , other methods of support such as flexible support rods, bungee cords and the like can be incorporated and shall not be deemed to be limiting to the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 5, a second alternative embodiment, illustrates a view of the structure of a tent with a pet entrance  10   b  featuring a pet entrance  58 , the tent structure of which is similar in many aspects to the tent structure previously described. The pet entrance  58 , shown as partially closed or open, is located in the pet entry door panel surround  16  and includes a fabric semi-circular pet entry door panel  60  which mates to a correspondingly sized semi-circular opening  62 . The straight lower edge  64  of the semi-circular pet entry door panel  60  suitably secures by stitching, ultrasonic welding or the like to the floor  28   a  or, in the alternative, to the vestibule  28 . The lower edge  64  also serves as a living hinge about which the semi-circular pet entry door panel  60  pivots to either lay on the floor  28   a  or the vestibule  28  when not secured to the semi-circular opening  62 . Halves of a zipper  66  are located along the edge  62   a  of the semi-circular opening  62  and along the edge  60   a  of the semi-circular pet entry door panel  60  to afford closure and sealing of the semi-circular pet entry door panel  60  to the semi-circular opening  62 . In the alternative, other suitable methods of closure such as, but not limited to, VELCRO®, buttons, laces or the like can be incorporated. The semi-circular pet entry door panel  60  and the semi-circular opening  62  are described as being semi-circular in shape, but other geometrically configured and shaped panels and openings having shapes such as, but not limited to, rectangles, squares, triangles, and semi-elliptical can be used. 
     FIG. 6, a third alternative embodiment, illustrates a view of the structure of a tent with a pet entrance  10   c  featuring a pet entrance  58  combined with an integral kennel  68 . The tent structure is similar in many aspects to the tent with a pet entrance lob, previously described. A vertically oriented fabric panel  70  having securing tabs  70   a ,  70   b  and  70   c  is secured by stitching, ultrasonic welding or the like to and along the pet entry door panel surround  16  in reasonably close proximity to the pet entrance  58 , and thence along and about the floor  28   a  and the curved fabric panel  12   b . The integral kennel  68  is formed by the panel  70  and the lower portion of the pet entry door panel surround  16 , and included entire pet entrance  58 , the lower portion of the curved fabric panels  12   a  and  12   b , and the portion of the floor  28   a  located and bounded by the lower portion of the panel  70  and the lower portions of the pet entry door panel surround  16 , and included entire pet entrance  58  and the lower portions of the curved fabric panels  12   a  and  12   b . Alternatively, the panel  70  can be secured in the locations just described by the use of zippers, VELCRO®, buttons, laces or the like, and can be removable should the use of the kennel  68  not be required. Alternatively, a kennel with a top or a rigid wall kennel can be incorporated. 
     MODE OF OPERATION 
     FIG. 2 best illustrates the mode of operation of the present invention. The tent with a pet entrance  10  is first erected for normal use. During erection, the floor  28   a  and curved fabric panels  12   a - 12   n  and the human and pet entry door panel surrounds  14  and  16  are deployed and tensioned to their normal tightness, and as such the structure of the pet entrance  22  is formed. The triangular panels  32  and  34  assume a planar shape, and the living hinge  38  becomes taught and useful for flexible operation of the pet entry door panel  24  thereabout. A pet may enter or exit the pet entrance  22  merely by traversing the opening  36  whilst simultaneously repositioning the pet entry door panel  24  about the living hinge  38 . Subsequent to passage, the pet entry door panel  24  with gravitational assistance assumes a planar and vertical closed position with the vertical edges of the pet entry door panel  24  sealingly impinging the planar triangular panels  32  and  34 . 
     FIG. 5 best illustrates the mode of operation of a tent with a pet entrance  10   b  where a zipper  66  can be actuated to either open or close the pet entrance  58 . 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 tent with a pet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 entrance 
               
               
                   
                 10a 
                 tent with a pet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 entrance 
               
               
                   
                 10b 
                 tent with a pet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 entrance 
               
               
                   
                 12a-n 
                 curved fabric 
               
               
                   
                   
                 panels 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 human entry door 
               
               
                   
                   
                 panel surround 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 pet entry door 
               
               
                   
                   
                 panel surround 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 human entry door 
               
               
                   
                   
                 panel 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 screen door panel 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 pet entrance 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 pet entry door 
               
               
                   
                   
                 panel 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 dew barrier 
               
               
                   
                 26a 
                 dew barrier 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 vestibule 
               
               
                   
                 28a 
                 floor 
               
               
                   
                 30a-n 
                 support poles 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 triangular panel 
               
               
                   
                 32a-b 
                 securing tabs 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 triangular panel 
               
               
                   
                 34a-b 
                 securing tabs 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 living hinge 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 rigid wall kennel 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 kennel 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 pet entrance 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 side panel 
               
               
                   
                 44a-b 
                 securing tabs 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 side panel 
               
               
                   
                 46a-b 
                 securing tabs 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 top panel 
               
               
                   
                 48a 
                 securing tab 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 rear panel 
               
               
                   
                 50a 
                 securing tab 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 securing tab 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 securing tab 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 rear door panel 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 pet entrance 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 semi-circular pet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 entry door panel 
               
               
                   
                 60a 
                 edge 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 semi-circular 
               
               
                   
                   
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 62a 
                 edge 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 lower edge 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 zipper 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 integral kennel 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 panel 
               
               
                   
                 70a-c 
                 securing tabs