Patent Publication Number: US-2003226586-A1

Title: Convertible tent

Description:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0001] Not Applicable  
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
       [0002] Not Applicable  
       FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0003] This invention pertains to a tent for camping, and more particularly to a tent having a retractable roof.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] Conventional tents of a dome like nature have windows and doors of limited size and transparency usually opening to the side and operated with zippers. Therefore, there exists a need for a tent that can be fully opened to the sky for night-time viewing of stars, or during the day when an individual wants to lay down to nap but does not want to be fully enclosed in a tent, and that can be quickly and easily closed again in case the weather turns inclimate.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005] The present invention discloses a dome tent with a fixed pole structure and a movable pole structure that allows the tent to be easily opened to the sky and then quickly closed again.  
       [0006] The shape and configuration of the structural pole assembly contributes to the smooth, quick operation of the convertible portion of the tent.  
       [0007] This structural pole assembly configuration can be enlarged or reduced depending on the number of individuals that the tent is designed to house.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0008] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
     [0009]FIG. 1 shows plan views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
     [0010]FIG. 2 shows plan views of the structural poles of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 3 shows the front views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 4 shows the back views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 5 shows the left side views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention and showing the tent closed; and  
     [0014]FIG. 6 shows the right side views of the 1 person, 2 person, and 3 person versions of a tent formed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention showing the tent open. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE MATERIALS  
     [0015] 101  Fabric ground membrane  
     [0016] 102  Ground membrane-side  
     [0017] 103  Ground membrane-corner  
     [0018] 104  Structural pole assembly  
     [0019] 105  Structural pole assembly  
     [0020] 106  Structural pole assembly  
     [0021] 107  Moveable pole structure  
     [0022] 108  Outer membrane to ground membrane connection  
     [0023] 109  Inner fabric membrane  
     [0024] 110  Outer fabric membrane  
     [0025] 111  Axis of rotation  
     [0026] 112  Fully open position  
     [0027] 113  Partially open position  
     [0028] 114  Fully closed position  
     [0029] 115  Separate doors  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0030]FIGS. 1, 2,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  show three embodiments of a tent constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.  
     [0031] Each tent has a fabric ground membrane  101  with six sides  102  and six corners  103 . Although a ground cloth with six sides and corners is illustrated, ground cloths with more or fewer sides and corners, such as eight or four, are also within the scope of the present invention. The end of each pole  104 ,  105 ,  106  anchors each corner  103  of the ground cloth  101  in place. The ground cloth  101  is integral with the tent body  109 . A ground cloth that is separate from the tent body is also within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0032] The tent body  109  is suspended within the framework described by the poles  104 ,  105 ,  106 . The poles  104 ,  105 ,  106  crisscross to make up the structure of the tent body  109 . A rain-fly  110  of waterproof material then lays over the pole structure  104 ,  105 ,  106  allowing for separation between the tent body  109  and the rain-fly  110 .  
     [0033] An additional, moveable pole  107  is removeably associated with the tent body and the rain-fly  110  and can move up and down in an annular direction about an axis  111  allowing the tent body and the rain-fly  110  to be raised and lowered like a visor or awning. The ends of the moveable pole  107  anchor at the same points as the ends of the poles  106 .  
     [0034] The moveable pole  107  allows for the three embodiments of the tent to be fully opened  112 , partially opened  113 , or fully closed  114 .  
     [0035] Separate doors  115  allow access to the tent in the three embodiments of the design.  
     [0036] When closed, the 3 embodiments can then be zipped up tight to prevent moisture and insect penetration.  
     [0037] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention.