Abstract:
A tent having two joints, multiple frames and a fly. The frames are mounted on the joints and are classified into a stationary frame, a supporting frame and at least one pivoting frame. The frames cooperate to define a parking space for receiving a cycle when unfolding. The fly covers the frames and the parking space. The frames are capable of folding and overlapping one another to facilitate carrying and storage of the tent.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a tent, and more particularly to a tent that is convenient for use and storage. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    More and more people enjoy riding cycles such as bicycles or motorcycles to relax and ease pressure. Some people spend more money on expensive cycles for higher performance and extraordinary style. These people also maintain their cycles periodically to keep the cycles in the best status. 
         [0005]    However, the cycles parked and exposed outdoors suffer harm from the sun and rain and therefore components thereof easily get aged or rusty. Some users use a sheet of canvas to cover their cycles. However, conventional sheets of canvas are not designed exclusively for cycles and cannot completely cover the whole cycles. 
         [0006]    To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a tent to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The main objective of the invention is to provide a tent that is convenient for use and storage. 
         [0008]    A tent in accordance with the present invention comprises two joints, multiple frames and a fly. The frames are mounted on the joints and are classified into a stationary frame, a supporting frame and at least one pivoting frame. The frames cooperate to define a parking space for receiving a cycle when unfolding. The fly covers the frames and the parking space. The frames are capable of folding and overlapping one another to facilitate carrying and storage of the tent. 
         [0009]    Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tent in accordance with the present application omitting a fly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tent in  FIG. 1  with the fly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the tent in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the tent in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an operational enlarged cross sectional side view of the tent in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an operational side view of the tent in  FIG. 1  showing that the tent is folded into a compact configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the telescopic assembly of each frame of the tent in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional side view of the telescopic assembly of the tent in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of hook and loop fasteners of the fly mounted around one frame of the tent in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an operational perspective view of hook and loop fasteners of the fly mounted around one frame of the tent in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a clamp assembly of the tent in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  an enlarged cross sectional side view of the clamp assembly of the tent in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of a loop assembly of the tent in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is an operational cross sectional side view of the tent in  FIG. 2  sheltering a bicycle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a tent in accordance with the present invention comprises two joints  10 , multiple frames, a fly  30 , at least one clamp assembly  40  and four loop assemblies  50 . 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the joints  10  are formed from sheet metals by bending or stamping processes. Each joint  10  has a bottom plate  11 , two opposite wings  12 , an assembling slot  13  and two positioning slots  14 . 
         [0026]    The wings  12  are formed on and protrude from the bottom plate  11  and each wing  12  has an outer edge that may be convex. The assembling slot  13  is defined between the wings  12 . The positioning slots  14  are formed respectively on the outer edges of the wings  12 . 
         [0027]    The frames are U-shaped and hollow, may be classified into a stationary frame  20 A, a supporting frame  20 B and at least one pivoting frame  20 C. 
         [0028]    The stationary frame  20 A parallels the bottom plates  11  of the joints  10  and the ground and has two mounting ends mounted respectively in the assembling slots  13  of the joints  10 . 
         [0029]    The supporting frame  20 B is located near the stationary frame  20 A and has an axial hole and two pivoting ends. The axial hole is defined in the supporting frame  20 B. The pivoting ends are pivotally mounted respectively in the assembling slots  13  of the joints  10  and each pivoting end has two pivot pins  201 B, two elongated slots  202 B, a locking pin  203 B, a lock release  204 B and a spring  205 B. 
         [0000]    The pivot pin  201 B is mounted through the pivoting end of the supporting frame  20 B and extends through the wings  12  of one joint  10 . The elongated slots  202 B are diametrically opposed, are defined radially through the supporting frame  20 B near the pivoting end and communicate with the axial hole. The locking pin  203 B is mounted slidably through the elongated slots  202 B and selectively engages the positioning slots  14  of one joint  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The lock release  204 B is mounted slidably around the supporting frame  20 B over the elongated slots  202 B, is connected to the locking pin  203 B and has two connecting tabs  2041 B and a handling tab  2042 B. The connecting tabs  2041 B are formed on and protrude from the lock release  204 B and are connected to the locking pin  203 B. The handling tab  2042 B is formed on and protrudes from the lock release  204 B. The spring  205 B is mounted between the pivot pin  201 B and the locking pin  203 B and has two hooks  2051 B,  2052 B hooking respectively on the locking pin  203 B and the pivot pin  201 B. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the supporting frame  20 B is capable of pivoting relative to the joints  10 . When the supporting frame  20 B pivots up away from the stationary frame  20 A, each locking pin  203 B is located on top ends of the elongated slots  202 B in one pivot end and slides along the outer edges of the wings  12  of one joint  10 . At the same time, the spring  205 B is stretched and stores resilient force. With reference to  FIG. 3 , when the locking pin  203 B moves to the positioning slots  14  of the joint  10 , the resilient force of the spring  205 B engages the locking pin  203 B with the positioning slots  14  and holds the supporting frame  20 B at a specific angle relative to the joints  10 . Manually pulling the handling tab  2042 B of the lock release  204 B disengages the locking pins  203 B from the elongated slots  202 B so that the supporting frame  20 B is allowed to pivot relative to the joints  10 . 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the at least one pivoting frame  20 C has two connecting ends pivotally mounted respectively in the assembling slots  13  of the joints  10 . In a preferred embodiment, three pivoting frames  20 C are implemented. The supporting frame  20 B and pivoting frames  20 C pivot away from the stationary frame  20 A at intervals and one pivoting frame  20 C being farthest away from the supporting frame  20 B contacts the ground so that a parking space  23  is formed between the stationary frame  20 A, supporting frame  20 B and pivoting frames  20 C, as shown in  FIG. 6 . In summary, the parking space  23  is formed when the frames unfold. The pair of the mounting ends of the stationary frame  20 A, the pair of the pivoting ends of the supporting frame  20 B and the pairs of the connecting ends of the pivoting frames  20 C are located at different levels relative to the joints  10 , may be located by one over another in turn so that when all frames are folded, the pivoting frames  20 C and supporting frame  20 B parallel and overlap on the stationary frame  20 A. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , each of the stationary frame  20 A, the supporting frame  20 B and the at least one pivoting frame  20 C may be a telescopic configuration and further has two extension tubes  21  and a U-shaped tube  22 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each extension tube  21  is hollow and has a through hole, a guide slot  211  and multiple positioning bores  212 . The through hole is defined axially in the extension tube  21 . The guide slot  211  is defined radially in the extension tube  21  and communicates with the through hole. The positioning bores  212  are defined radially through the extension tube  21  and arranged longitudinally. 
         [0034]    The U-shaped tube  22  is hollow and has two ends, two transverse bores  221 , two guides  222  and two resilient elements  223 . The transverse bores  221  are defined respectively through the ends of the U-shaped tube  22 . The guides  222  are mounted respectively on the ends and are mounted respectively slidably in the through holes of the extension tubes  21 . Each guide  222  has a guiding rib  2221  formed on and protruding radially on the guide  22  and mounted slidably in the guide slot  211  of one extension tube  21  to ensure that the U-shaped tube  22  stably slides on the extension tubes  21  without inadvertent rotation. The resilient elements  223  are mounted respectively in the ends of the U-shaped tube  22  and each resilient element  223  has a locking protrusion  2231  mounted on the resilient element  223 , extending through the transverse bore  221  of one end of the U-shaped tube  22  and retractably extending through one positioning bore  212  of one extension tube  21 . When the locking protrusion  2231  extends through the transverse bore  221  and the positioning bore  212 , the extension tube  21  is positioned on the U-shaped tube  22 . Pressing the locking protrusion  2231  into the U-shaped tube  22  allows the U-shaped tube  22  to retract partially in the extension tubes  21  for storage. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the fly  30  covers the stationary frame  20 A, the supporting frame  20 B and the at least one pivoting frame  20 C, encloses the parking space  23  and has an inner surface, two opposite end edges, two first fastening assemblies and multiple second fastening assemblies. 
         [0036]    The end edges are mounted respectively to the stationary frame  20 A and one pivoting frame  20 C being farthest from the stationary frame  20 C. 
         [0037]    The first fastening assemblies are mounted respectively on the end edges of the fly  30  and each first fastening assembly has a first hook fastening member  31  and a first loop fastening member  31 A attached to the end edge at an interval. Setting each end edge of the fly  30  around the stationary frame  20 A or the pivoting frame  20 B and engaging the first hook fastening member  31  and first loop fastening member  31 A together securely mount the edge on the stationary frame  20 A or the pivoting frame  20 B. 
         [0038]    The second fastening assemblies are mounted on the inner surface of the fly  30  and each second fastening assembly has a second hook fastening member  32  and a second loop fastening member  32 A. The second hook fastening member  32  and the second loop fastening member  32 A are mounted on the inner surface, are mounted around one of the pivoting frames  20 C and engage each other to position the fly  30  on the pivoting frames  20 C. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 11 , each of the at least one clamp assembly  40  has a sleeve  41 , a telescopic bar and a clamp. 
         [0040]    The sleeve  41  is mounted slidably around one of the stationary frame  20 A, the supporting frame  20 B and the at least one pivoting frame  20 C. 
         [0041]    The telescopic bar is mounted on the sleeve  41  and has an inner tube  42  and an outer tube  43 . The inner tube  42  is mounted securely on the sleeve  41 . The outer tube  43  is mounted slidably around the inner tube  42 . 
         [0042]    The clamp is mounted on the outer tube  43  and has a stationary clamping member  44 , a pivoting clamping member  45 , a bolt  46 , a locking tab  48 , a nut  47  and a knob  49 . 
         [0043]    The stationary clamping member  44  is mounted securely on the outer tube  43  and has a fastening hole  442  and an inside friction pad  441 . The fastening hole  442  is defined through the stationary clamping member  44 . The inside friction pad  441  is mounted on the stationary clamping member  44 . 
         [0044]    The pivoting clamping member  45  is mounted pivotally on and cooperates with the stationary clamping member  44  to clamp a handlebar of a cycle. Furthermore, a clamping hole is defined between the pivoting clamping member  45  and the stationary clamping member  44 . The pivoting clamping member  45  has a fastening slot  452  and an inside friction pad  451 . The fastening slot  452  is defined through the pivoting clamping member  45 . The inside friction pad  451  is mounted on the pivoting clamping member  45 . 
         [0045]    The bolt  46  extends through the fastening hole  442  and the fastening slot  452  and has two ends and a stopper  461  formed on one end of the bolt  45  and abutting the stationary clamping member  44 . 
         [0046]    The locking tab  48  is mounted between the stationary clamping member  44  and the pivoting clamping member  45 , is mounted around the bolt  46  and has a locking hole  481  defined through the locking tab  48 . 
         [0047]    The nut  47  is screwed on the bolt  46  and abuts the locking tab  48 . 
         [0048]    The knob  49  is screwed on the bolt  46 , abuts the pivoting clamping member  45  and has a locking bore  491  defined through the knob  49  and corresponding to the locking hole  481  of the locking tab  48 . Extending a shackle of a lock through the locking hole  481  and the locking bore  491  prevents the knob  49  from rotating and prohibits the clamp assembly from opening Therefore, the cycle is kept from being stolen. 
         [0049]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the loop assemblies  50  are mounted respectively on the bottom plates  11  of the joints  10 , the stationary frame  20 A and the pivoting frame  20 C that is farthest away from the stationary frame  20 A. With reference to  FIG. 13 , each loop assembly  50  has a cushion pad  51  and a board  52 . 
         [0050]    The cushion pad  51  is mounted securely on one of the bottom plates  11  of the joints  10 , the stationary frame  20 A and the pivoting frame  20 C and has a first loop  511  mounted on the cushion pad  51 . 
         [0051]    The board  52  detachably contacts the cushion pad  51  and has two opposite side tabs  522  and a second loop  521 . The side tabs  522  are formed on the board  52  and each side tab  522  has a fastening hole  5221  defined through the side tab  522  for a fastener such as a nail to extend through the fastening hole  5221  into the ground. The second loop  521  is mounted on the board  52  and spaced from the first loop  511 . Mounting a stake through first loop  511  and the second loop  521  into the ground stably holds the tent on the ground. Furthermore, the board  52  may be secured on the ground and serves as a mark that facilitates always setting the tent on the same place. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , a bicycle  60  may be parked in the parking space  23  of the tent to prevent the bicycle  60  from suffering harm of the sun and rain. The clamp assembly  40  keeps the bicycle  60  from toppling. When a user needs to ride the bicycle  60 , the farthest pivoting frame  20 C pivots up with the stakes thereon removed to form an entrance that allows the user to access the bicycle  60 . 
         [0053]    Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.