Abstract:
A tent with a carpeted floor having a floor constructed of flexible PVC material backing and a fibrous material secured to the upper surface of the backing and extending upwardly from the backing to increase comfortableness by the addition of loft.

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 having a carpeted floor. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Prior art tents include built-in floors extending between the lower edges of the tent panels to offer protection against moisture, water, insect infestation and the like. Often the material incorporated for floor usage is of thin material which is woven and coated to impart a waterproof but yet stiffer quality to the floor, or the floor is of single sheet plastic material. Either type floor or other floors known to the art often assume an undesirable noise-making quality or audible crinkling, rattling, rustling or other undesirable sound when physically disturbed or physically agitated, such as by being walked upon or when objects are moved on or slid across the floor. Such floors, being of thin construction, offer little resistance to cold from the earth underlying the tent floor from being transmitted through the tent floor to the interior of the tent or to a person sitting on the tent floor. Also, the shape of the terrain and irregular objects on the surface of the terrain such as sticks, stones or pebbles, for instance, can be felt through such thin tent floors, contributing much to the discomfort of a person sitting on the floor of the tent. Clearly what is needed is a tent which overcomes the disadvantages or prior art tents, by providing a tent with an improved and carpeted floor, especially with respect to comfort. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a carpeted floor tent where such carpeted floor tent enhances the comfort level of the user occupant. The carpeted floor tent includes support structure, a plurality of curved or planar side panels, one or more screen panels, a dew barrier, an entry door panel, a screen door panel, and a carpeted floor. In general, the carpeted floor includes a backing and a fibrous material secured to the backing to give the floor loft. More specifically, the carpeted floor is comprised of a flexible waterproof or water resistant material backing, preferably in sheet form, such as, but not limited to, flexible PVC (polyvinylchloride) material having non-woven loft enhancing fibrous material of soft carpet like fabric, pile, felt or other material suitably secured by such as bonding, sewing, welding, or other attachment methods to the upper surface of the backing to provide suitable loft or a comfort enhancing cushion extending above the backing. The fibrous material can be strands, tufts or other arrangements of flexible PVC, nylon, polyethylene or other suitable fiber. Various fibrous material having suitable loft heights, such as determined by the thickness of pile or felt or other material, can be provided for use with the backing and, if desired, an intermediate pad can also be included which locates between the backing and the fibrous material. The use of flexible PVC backing material, which in itself can be substantially thicker than ordinary thinly constructed sound generating tent floor materials, serves to reduce unwanted floor noise, as well as providing for reduction of the transmission of irregularly shaped images through the tent floor and increasing the insulative value therethrough. The addition of fiber material to the backing further reinforces the desirable attributes just described by providing increased overall thickness of the tent floor. The increased loft provides an overall more comfortable tent floor by providing a desirable cushioning quality, as well as a desirable insulative quality. The PVC backing and the fiber material provide a tough and durable tent floor. The fiber material also serves to act as a buffer between the hard soles of shoes, camp stools, cots or other items and the upper surface of the flexible PVC backing, thereby offering abrasion protection therebetween to deter wearing of the backing and to provide a more durable tent floor. 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a carpeted floor tent having a floor constructed of flexible PVC backing having a fibrous material of soft carpet-like fabric extending upwardly therefrom. 
   One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tent having a carpeted floor. 
   Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a carpeted floor tent having a carpeted floor with backing and a soft carpet-like fibrous material extending upwardly therefrom to improve comfort. 
   Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a carpeted floor tent wherein the carpeted floor improves comfort, improves insulation from the underlying earth, and decreases floor noise. 
   Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a carpeted floor tent wherein the carpeted floor enhances floor durability. 
   A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a carpeted tent floor which is waterproof. 
   Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a carpeted floor for a tent which can be incorporated into an original tent design or can be added onto an existing tent. 
   Having thus described embodiments of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a tent with a carpeted floor. 

   
     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 partial cutaway view of the carpeted floor tent, the present invention; 
       FIG. 2 , a preferred embodiment, is a cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor; 
       FIG. 3 , a first alternative embodiment, is a cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor; 
       FIG. 4 , a second alternative embodiment, is a cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor; 
       FIG. 5 , a third alternative embodiment, is a cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor; and, 
       FIG. 6 , a fourth alternative embodiment, is a cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a carpeted floor tent  10 , the present invention, in partial cutaway. The carpeted floor tent  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 entry door panel surround  14  and a connected substantially planar and connected fabric panel  16 . A fabric entry door panel  18  and a co-located screen door panel  20  are located on the entry door panel surround  14 . The entry door panel surround  14  also extends parallel and in close juxtaposition to and behind the lower region of the fabric entry door panel  18 . A dew barrier  22  is located along and about the lower regions of the curved fabric panels  12   a - 12   n , planar fabric panel  16  and the planar entry door panel surround  14 . A carpeted floor  24  secures and extends between a plurality of lower edges  26   a - 26   n  of the curved fabric panels  12   a - 12   n  and the lower edges  28   a - 28   b  of the planar fabric panel  16  and the entry door panel surround  14 , respectively, each of which can co-locate with the lower regions of the dew barrier  22 . Optionally, a vestibule  25  as an extension of the carpeted floor  24  can be securingly located along and between the lower edge  28   b  of the entry door panel surround  14  and the lower edge  28   a  of the planar fabric panel  16 . A series of support poles  30   a - 30   n  directly or indirectly support the curved fabric panels  12   a - 12   n , the entry door panel surround  14 , the entry door panel  18 , the screen door panel  20 , and the planar fabric panel  16 . 
     FIGS. 2-6  illustrate various compositions of the carpeted floor  24  in the form of alternative embodiments, including carpeted floors  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d  and  24   e  each of which utilizes a PVC backing  32  and in most cases an adhesive  34  combined with different fibrous materials to form a carpeted floor  24  such as utilized with reference to FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2  is a depiction in cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor  24 , herein designated as carpeted floor  24   a . A flexible waterproof or water resistant material such as, but not limited to, a single layer sheet of flexible PVC (polyvinylchloride) backing  32  serves as a base for the carpeted floor  24   a  as well as for the carpeted floors  24   b - 24   e  shown in the following figures. A layer of adhesive  34 , also shown in the following figures, is applied to the upper surface of the PVC backing  32  to embed the lower portions of the fibrous material  36  and to bond the lower portions of the fibrous material  36  to the PVC backing  32  while leaving the upper portions of the fibrous material  36  extended well above the adhesive  34  and the PVC backing  32  to provide loft or thickness. The fibrous material  36  can be soft carpet-like fabric, such as strands, tufts, loops or other arrangements of flexible PVC, nylon, polyethylene or other suitable fiber. 
     FIG. 3 , a first alternative embodiment, is a depiction in cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor  24   b  where the fibrous material  36  is provided being embedded in a flexible sub-backing  38  in a separate process and mated to the PVC backing  32  described with reference to  FIG. 2 , which serves as a base for the carpeted floor  24   b . A layer of adhesive  34  applied to the upper surface of the PVC backing  32  bonds the sub-backing  38  to the PVC backing  32 , while the upper portions of the fibrous material  36  extend well above the sub-backing  38  and the PVC backing  32  to provide loft. 
     FIG. 4 , a second alternative embodiment, is a depiction in cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor  24   c  where felt  40 , another fibrous material, is mated to the PVC backing  32  described with reference to  FIG. 2  which serves as a base for the carpeted floor  24   c . A layer of adhesive  34  applied to the upper surface of the PVC backing  32  bonds the felt  40  to the PVC backing  32 , while the fibrous felt  40  extends above the PVC backing  32  to provide a dense loft. 
     FIG. 5 , a third alternative embodiment, is a depiction in cross section view of the composition of the carpeted floor  24   d  where felt  40 , another fibrous material, is provided being adhesively attached to a flexible sub-backing  42  in a separate process and then mated such as by a plurality of electronic weldments  44  to the PVC backing  32  described with reference to  FIG. 2  which serves as a base for the carpeted floor  24   d . Prior to electronic welding, a layer of adhesive  34  is applied to the upper surface of the sub-backing  42  to bond the sub-backing  42  to the felt  40 . The fibrous felt  40  extends above the PVC backing  32  to provide a dense loft. 
     FIG. 6 , a fourth alternative embodiment, is a depiction in cross section view of the composition of a carpeted floor  24   e  incorporating a pad  46 , disposed between the fibrous material  36  and the PVC backing  32  of the carpeted floor  24   a  for yet additional comfort. Pad  46  is preferably foam, but can be of any other suitable material. Adhesive  48  applied to the upper surface of the PVC backing  32  bonds the PVC backing  32  to the pad  46 . Adhesive  34  and fibrous material  36  is applied in the same manner and fashion to the upper surface of the pad  46  as previously described with reference to FIG.  2 . The pad  46  can also be incorporated into use with the carpeted floors  24   b  and  24   d  to provide greater comfort. 
   MODE OF OPERATION 
   The carpeted floor  24 , as previously described, can be incorporated into the design of a tent to produce a carpeted floor tent. The carpeted floor  24  can be provided in several forms consistent with the teachings of the invention, as evidenced by the preferred and alternate embodiments. The carpeted floor  24  can be used as an original floor to produce a carpeted floor tent or can be suitably installed over an existing tent floor to take advantage of the comfortable qualities and other desirable qualities provided by such a carpeted floor  24 . 
   Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               PARTS LIST 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
               10 
               carpeted floor tent 
               42 
               sub-backing 
             
             
                 
               12a-n 
               curved fabric panels 
               44 
               weldments 
             
             
                 
               14 
               entry door panel surround 
               46 
               pad 
             
             
                 
               16 
               planar fabric panel 
               48 
               adhesive 
             
             
                 
               18 
               entry door panel 
             
             
                 
               20 
               screen door panel 
             
             
                 
               22 
               dew barrier 
             
             
                 
               24 
               carpeted floor 
             
             
                 
               24a-e 
               carpeted floors 
             
             
                 
               25 
               vestibule 
             
             
                 
               26a-n 
               lower edges 
             
             
                 
               28a-b 
               lower edges 
             
             
                 
               30a-n 
               support poles 
             
             
                 
               32 
               PVC backing 
             
             
                 
               34 
               adhesive 
             
             
                 
               36 
               fibrous material 
             
             
                 
               38 
               sub-backing 
             
             
                 
               40 
               felt