Abstract:
A tent door panel assembly incorporating a pliable, soft material operatively connected to collapsible tubular frame to define an internal swinging door. The door panel of pliable material may be connected to the door opening or vestibule opening of the tent using well known attachment mechanisms. The collapsible tubular frame may be disassembled and reassembled for removal and portability.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of, and priority from, U.S. provisional application 61/566,840 filed 5 Dec. 2011. The contents of such prior application and all patent documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to tents, and more specifically to a framed door panel structure including a swinging door which is attachable to a vestibule or door opening of a soft-walled tent. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of soft-walled tents for shelter is well known. Such structures have the benefits of light weight and portability which facilitates their use as mobile, temporary structures. In some instances, it may be necessary to use a tent for a prolonged period of time. In such circumstances, it may be desirable for the tent to exhibit characteristics of a more permanent structure to provide the user with a greater degree of comfort and security. 
     It is known to use a wooden or metal framework for the body of the tent. However, even in such framed structures, the entryway covering was typically a soft structure such as a flap or the like which did not mimic the action of a standard hinging door. Thus, a user did not have the perception of entering and leaving a permanent structure. It is also known to use solid wooden doors for operative connection to a tent frame. However, such structures are not highly portable due to substantial bulk and weight. Moreover, such structures may be relatively difficult to install in the field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a tent door panel assembly incorporating a pliable, soft material operatively connected to collapsible tubular frame to define an internal swinging door. The door panel of pliable material may be connected to the door opening or vestibule opening of the tent using well known attachment mechanisms. The collapsible tubular frame may be disassembled and reassembled for removal and portability. 
     In accordance with one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure provides a modular tent door panel adapted to be folded and unfolded for storage and shipment. The door panel includes a structural frame including a door skeleton defining a rotatable door adapted to rotate about a hinge line. The door skeleton includes a plurality of tube sections. One or more of the tube sections are multi-piece tube sections comprising multiple tube segments interconnected in releasable relation to one another along a length dimension such that the multi-piece tube sections have an enhanced length relative to the constituent tube segments. A pliable door skin panel is disposed in covering relation across one side of the door skeleton. The door skin panel is anchored in fixed relation to multiple tube segments forming a first outboard multi-piece tube section. The first outboard multi-piece tube section is positioned substantially parallel to the hinge line and outboard from the hinge line. The door skin panel is further anchored in fixed relation to multiple tube segments forming an inboard multi-piece tube section defining a free edge of the door oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line. A pliable side panel is anchored in fixed relation to multiple tube segments forming a second outboard multi-piece tube section. The second outboard multi-piece tube section is positioned substantially parallel to the hinge line and outboard from the free edge of the door when the door is in a closed position. 
     Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating the front surface (i.e. exterior) of a fully assembled exemplary modular tent door consistent with the present disclosure wherein fabric materials are disposed in attached covering relation to a collapsible frame; 
         FIG. 2  is schematic view illustrating the interior surface of the fully assembled exemplary modular tent door of  FIG. 1  wherein fabric materials are disposed in attached relation to a collapsible frame; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 1  illustrating the front face of a fully assembled supporting frame consistent with the present disclosure wherein fabric materials have been removed to illustrate the underlying support structure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 2  illustrating the interior of a fully assembled supporting frame consistent with the present disclosure wherein fabric materials have been removed to illustrate the underlying support structure; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken generally along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1  illustrating an exemplary hinge construction for an exemplary modular tent door consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken generally along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 1  illustrating an exemplary overlapping door and jam arrangement for an exemplary modular tent door consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken generally along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 1  illustrating an exemplary Becket loop and weather seal flap arrangement for an exemplary modular tent door consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken generally along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 1  illustrating an exemplary door window for a modular tent door consistent with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view illustrating fabric panels for use in an exemplary modular tent door consistent with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Before the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is in no way limited in its application or construction to the details and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein, to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the various views. The figures illustrate various views of a modular tent door assembly  10  adapted for operative connection at the inner perimeter of a tent mouth opening or vestibule (not shown) as will be well known to those of skill in the art. The door assembly  10  include includes an outer covering  11  made up of panels of synthetic fabric or the like ( FIG. 9 ) disposed in overlying relation to a supporting door frame  12  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) as will be described further hereinafter. In this regard, the outer covering is preferably formed from a pliable polymeric fabric material including an insulation layer as will be described further hereinafter, although different materials may be used if desired. 
     As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , in the exemplary construction, the door frame  12  may be disposed across the surface of the door facing into the interior of the tent such that components of the door frame may be visible to an occupant in the tent. However, these components will typically be covered across the exterior so as to be substantially hidden from view at the exterior. By way of example only, and not limitation, the covering material may be affixed to the door frame by a multiplicity of rivets  14  extending through the covering material and into hollow tubes  16  of aluminum or other suitable tubular material forming the frame  12 . 
     By way of example only, and not limitation, one or more of the tubes  16  may be formed from multiple tube segments of relatively short length connected by use of joints having a structure generally as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,255, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. However other suitable connection structures which can be engaged and disengaged may likewise be used if desired. As will be appreciated, by using relatively short length tube segments which can be reversibly connected and disconnected, the frame  12  may be disassembled, while individual tube segments may remain attached in riveted relation to the outer covering  11 . Thus, when the frame  12  is disassembled, the door assembly  10  may be folded into a relatively compact structure without requiring complete disengagement of the covering from the tube segments. 
     A best seen in  FIGS. 3-5 , the frame  12  is configured to correspond generally to a standard door frame as would exist in a permanent structure. In this regard, the frame  12  includes a rotatable door skeleton  20  of substantially rectangular configuration. In the exemplary construction, the rotatable door skeleton  20  includes a first inboard lateral tube section  22  made up of one or more tube segments and a second inboard lateral tube section  23  made up of one or more tube segments forming opposite sides of the door skeleton  20 . As will be readily understood, the first inboard lateral tube section  22  defines a free edge of the door skeleton  20  and the second inboard lateral tube section  23  defines a hinged edge of the door skeleton  20  as will be described further hereinafter. A top edge tube section  24  made up of one or more tube segments extends in crossing relation between the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  to define the top of the door skeleton  20 . Likewise, a bottom edge tube section  26  made up of one or more tube segments extends in crossing relation between the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  to define the bottom of the door skeleton  20 . A midline tube section  28  made up of one or more tube segments extends in crossing relation between the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  to define an intermediate support. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , in the final construction a pair of removable top corner bolt connections  27  secures the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  to the top edge tube section. By way of example only, and not limitation, the connections between the top edge tube section  24  and the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  may be made by providing the top edge tube section  24  with a pair of short length ears (not shown) of tubing material which are matedly received in the corresponding inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  and are then held in place by the top corner bolt connections  27 . Of course, any other suitable connection technique as may be desired may likewise be used. A pair of removable bottom corner bolt connections  29  secures the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  to the bottom edge tube section  26 . By way of example only, and not limitation, the connections between the bottom edge tube section  26  and the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  may be made by inserting the ends of the bottom edge tube section  26  into cutouts in the corresponding inboard lateral tube sections and then securing the bottom corner bolt connections  29  in place. Of course, any other suitable connection technique as may be desired may likewise be used. 
     In the exemplary construction, a pattern of rivets  14  extends between a door skin panel  30  ( FIG. 9 ) and the first inboard lateral tube section  22  ( FIG. 6 ). Rivets  14  also extend between a door skin panel  30  and the top edge tube section  24 , the bottom edge tube section  26  and the midline tube section  28 . In this regard, the rivets  14  are disposed in spaced relation to one another at positions along the length dimension of the underlying tube sections. As best seen in  FIG. 5 , in the exemplary construction the door skin panel  30  is not riveted to the second inboard lateral tube section  23  adjacent the door hinge line. Rather, an operative connection between the second inboard lateral tube section  23  and the door skin panel  30  is established by a hinge connection as will be described further hereinafter. 
     As shown, the frame  12  further includes a stationary rim joist disposed in adjacent outboard relation to the door skeleton  20 . In the exemplary construction, the stationary rim joist includes a first outboard lateral tube section  34  made up of one or more tube segments disposed in adjacent outboard relation to the first inboard lateral tube section  22 . The stationary rim joist further includes a second outboard lateral tube section  35  made up of one or more tube segments disposed in adjacent outboard relation to the second inboard lateral tube section  23 . As will be readily understood, the first outboard lateral tube section  34  defines a latching stop for the free edge of the door skeleton  20  and the second outboard lateral tube section  35  defines supporting anchor for the hinged edge of the door skeleton  20 . A header tube  38  made up of one or more tube segments is disposed in crossing relation above the outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35 . A footer tube section  40  made up of one or more tube segments is disposed in crossing relation between the first and second outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , in the final construction a pair of removable header bolt connections  42  secures the outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35  to the header tube  38 . By way of example only, and not limitation, the connections between the header tube  38  and the outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35  may be made by providing the header tube  38  with a pair of short length ears (not shown) of tubing material which are matedly received in the corresponding outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35  and are then held in place by the header bolt connections  42 . Of course, any other suitable connection technique as may be desired may likewise be used. A pair of removable footer bolt connections  44  secures the outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35  to the footer tube  40 . By way of example only, and not limitation, the connections between the footer tube  40  and the outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35  may be made by inserting the ends of the footer tube  40  into cutouts in the corresponding outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35  and then securing the footer bolt connections  44  in place. Of course, any other suitable connection technique as may be desired may likewise be used. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the frame  12  may further include a first vestibule leg pole  46  and a second vestibule leg pole  47  disposed on opposing lateral sides of the rotatable door  20 . A peaked vestibule A-frame  48  extends upwardly from the leg poles  46 ,  47 . The vestibule leg poles  46 ,  47  and the A-frame  48  may each be formed from an arrangement of hollow metal tubes as will be well known to those of skill in the art. As will be appreciated, the configuration of the vestibule leg poles  46 ,  47  and the A-frame  48  may substantially correspond to the opening of a tent such that the leg poles  46 ,  47  and the A-frame  48  may provide perimeter support when the door assembly  10  is installed. Of course, other perimeter geometries may be used depending on the configuration of the tent opening. 
     Referring now jointly to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , it may be seen that in the exemplary construction a line of rivets  14  extends between a door skin panel  30  and the second outboard lateral tube section  35 . A pair of spring hinges  49  extends in connecting relation between the second inboard lateral tube section  23  and the second outboard lateral tube section  35 . Thus, an operative connection is established between the door skin panel  30  and the rotatable door skeleton along the hinge line defined by the spring hinges  49 . As will be appreciated through reference to  FIG. 5 , in the exemplary arrangement the portion of the door skin panel overlying the spring hinges  49  forms a living hinge which flexes as the door  20  swings on its axis. 
     Referring jointly to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , it can be seen that in the exemplary construction the first outboard lateral tube section  34  is secured to a fabric side panel  50  by a series of rivets  14  (only one shown) disposed in spaced relation along the length of the first outboard lateral tube section  34 . In this regard, the rivets  14  extend through the fabric side panel  50  along an inboard edge and into the underlying first outboard lateral tube section  34 . The fabric side panel  50  may be folded over onto itself and seamed to form a pocket adapted for receipt of the first vestibule leg pole  46 . In the exemplary construction, the outboard edge of the fabric side panel  50  may include a pattern of rivets secured to grommets  52  ( FIG. 2 ) adapted to provide a snap connection along one side of the tent opening. 
     As noted previously, the first outboard lateral tube section  34  defines a latching stop for the free edge of the hinge-mounted door skeleton  20 . Accordingly, in the final construction, when the rotatable door  20  is closed, the opposing surfaces of the door skin panel  30  and the first fabric side panel  50  will be in close overlapping relation ( FIG. 6 ). If desired, an optional handle  54  in the form of a strip of fabric or the like may be secured to the exterior of the door skin panel  30  to facilitate opening. According to the illustrated exemplary construction, the handle  54  may be mounted by rivets  14  to the underlying inboard lateral tube section  22  so as to promote stability. An optional latch  56  also may be provided to prevent unwanted opening of the rotatable door  20 . 
     In the exemplary construction, the portion of the door skin panel  30  extending outboard from the second outboard lateral tube section  35  may be folded over onto itself and seamed to form a pocket adapted for receipt of the second vestibule leg pole  47 . As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the outboard edge of the door skin panel  30  may include a pattern of rivets  14  and may be seamed or otherwise secured to a loop support flap  58  supporting an arrangement of Becket loops  60  adapted to be joined in cinched relation to the perimeter of the tent vestibule opening in a manner as will be well known to those of skill in the art. 
     So as to promote a weather-tight covering at the location of the Becket loop attachments, a barrier flap  64  of PVC coated polyester fabric or the like extends outboard from the edge of door skin panel  30  adjacent the location of the Becket loops. As shown, the barrier flap  64  includes a flap connection element  66  along its free edge. By way of example only, the flap connection element may be one half of a hook and loop fabric connection such that the barrier flap may be folded over the Becket loops and be attached to a complementary element on the surface of the door skin panel  30 . An effective weather cover may thus be established. 
     As illustrated through joint reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  9 , a vestibule header panel  70  of fabric or the like may be secured between the header tube  38  and the vestibule A-frame  48 . According to the illustrated exemplary construction, the vestibule header panel  70  may have a generally pyramidal shape with a first lateral edge  72  and a second lateral edge  74  converging to form a peak. 
     According to one exemplary practice, the vestibule header panel  70  may be secured along the header tube  38  by a multiplicity of rivets  14  as previously described in relation to other fabric panels. Heat welds  75  ( FIG. 1 ) may be used to join the lower edge of the vestibule header panel  70  to the adjacent upper edges of the door skin panel  30  and fabric side panel  50 . The vestibule header panel  70  may be may be folded over onto itself along the first lateral edge  72  and seamed to form a pocket adapted for receipt of a first A-frame leg  76 . In the illustrated exemplary construction, the outboard edge of the header panel adjacent to the first A-frame leg  76  may include a pattern of rivets  14  ( FIG. 1 ) secured to grommets  52  ( FIG. 2 ) adapted to provide a snap connection along one side of the tent opening. Thus, the grommets  52  disposed adjacent the first vestibule leg pole  46  and the grommets  52  disposed adjacent the first A-frame leg cooperatively form a substantially continuous connection along one half of a surrounding tent vestibule opening. 
     The vestibule header panel  70  may be may be folded over onto itself along the second lateral edge  74  and seamed to form a pocket adapted for receipt of a second A-frame leg  78 . In the exemplary construction, the outboard edge of the vestibule header panel  70  may be seamed or otherwise secured to a flap supporting a multiplicity of Becket loops  60  adapted to be joined in cinched relation to the perimeter of the tent vestibule opening in a manner as will be well known to those of skill in the art. The Becket loops  60  disposed adjacent the second vestibule leg pole  47  and the Becket loops  60  disposed adjacent the second A-frame leg  78  thus cooperatively form a substantially continuous cinched connection along one half of a surrounding tent vestibule opening. 
     According to the illustrated exemplary construction, the second lateral edge  74  of the vestibule header panel  70  may be seamed or otherwise secured to a barrier flap  80  ( FIG. 9 ) similar in construction to the barrier flap  64  such that substantially the same arrangement as illustrated in  FIG. 7  is established with an arrangement of Becket loops  60 . So as to promote a weather-tight covering at the location of the Becket loop attachments, the barrier flap  80  of PVC coated polyester fabric or the like extends outboard from the edge of the vestibule header panel  70  adjacent the location of the Becket loops. The barrier flap  80  includes a flap connection element  81  along its free edge. By way of example only, the flap connection element  81  may be one half of a hook and loop fabric connection such that the barrier flap  80  may be folded over the Becket loops and be attached to a complementary element. An effective weather cover may thus be established. 
     As will be understood, the combination of Becket loop attachments forming a perimeter connection structure substantially along one half of the door assembly  10  and grommets forming a perimeter connection structure substantially along an opposing half of the door assembly  10  permits the door assembly to be free of perimeter zipper connections. The avoidance of zipper connections between the door assembly and a surrounding tent is believed to provide substantially improved reliability in harsh environments in which sand and/or rain main may degrade zipper performance over time. 
     As best illustrated through joint reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8 , the door assembly  10  may include a window port  82  for seeing through the rotatable door  20 . By way of example only, and not limitation, the window port  82  may be formed at a cut-out  84  in the door skin panel  30  ( FIG. 9 ). A window pane  86  ( FIG. 8 ) may be secured in place in covering relation to the cut-out  84 . A window flap  88  may be secured by rivets  14  or other suitable connections to permit selective displacement of the window flap  88  relative to the pane  86 . According to the illustrated exemplary practice, the window flap  88  may be a folded fabric material having a distal edge supporting hook or loop connection material  92  adapted to engage a complementary hook or loop connection material  93  on the window pane  86 . Thus, the window flap  88  may be pulled in releasable covering relation over the window pane  86 . One or more straps  94  with hook or loop connection material  96  which is complementary to the hook or loop connection material  92  on the window flap  88  may be provided to hold the window flap in rolled-up stowed relation if continuous visibility is desired. 
     In accordance with an exemplary construction, the door skin panel  30 , the fabric side panel  50 , the vestibule header panel  70  and the window flap  88  may each have a multi-layer insulated construction. According to one exemplary construction, one or more of these structures may be formed from a polymeric outer fabric  98  of polyester, nylon, or the like with an outer surface coating of PVC or the like disposed in wrap-around relation to one or more layers of an insulating cellular foam  99  such as polyethylene foam or the like having a reflective coating of aluminum or the like on one or both sides oriented to face outwardly away from the interior of the tent. By way of example only, and not limitation, one such insulating cellular material is believed to be available under the trade name LOW-E® sold by Environmentally Safe Products, Inc. having a place of business in New Oxford, Pa. Such a construction is believed to provide substantial protection from intense outside heat, while also containing warmth within the tent when heaters are being used. Of course, virtually any other pliable fabric material may be used if desired. 
     As will be appreciated, a significant benefit of a modular tent door consistent with the present disclosure is the ability to disengage segments making up the individual frame support members from one another and to then fold the structure. By way of example only, and not limitation, each of the inboard lateral tube sections  22 ,  23  and each of the outboard lateral tube sections  34 ,  35  may be formed from multiple rectangular tube segments joined together in the manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,255 (incorporated by reference). When these segments are disconnected from one another and the vestibule leg poles  46 ,  47  are removed, the door skin panel  30  and the fabric side panel  50  may be folded while the individual tubular segments remain riveted to the fabric. Upon reuse, the tube segments are properly positioned and may be easily reconnected. Regardless of the actual geometry of the door panel assembly, the use of the collapsible frame facilitates permits relatively easy and rapid disassembly and compact packaging due to the pliable nature of the covering. Moreover, disassembly and reassembly may be carried out using only a single tightening tool such as a socket wrench or the like. 
     Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. All dimensions are merely exemplary. Thus, it is to be understood that the disclosure disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure.