Patent Publication Number: US-7717309-B1

Title: Tent and backpack combination apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to tent devices and more particularly pertains to a new tent device for that includes backpack having an integrated tent structure that may be extended outwardly from the backpack, covered and used for a shelter. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of tent devices is known in the prior art. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that allows the convenience of a backpack having an integrated tent for the convenience of a person requiring both a tent and a backpack. Further, the device should be convertible into a wheeled litter device for transporting game or an injured person. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a satchel has a front wall, a back wall, a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first end wall and a second end wall. A pair of shoulder straps is attached to the back wall. The satchel has an elongated opening therein for accessing an interior of the satchel. A closure is attached to the satchel and is configured to selectively close the elongated opening. A support is attached to and extends through the satchel. The support includes a lower portion extending away from the first end wall of the satchel that is configured to engage a ground surface. The support includes an upper portion extending away from the second end wall that is configured to support the satchel in a spaced relationship with the ground surface and to angle the satchel upwardly from the first end wall to the second end wall. The support is telescopic. A sleeve has an open end and the support is positionable in the open end and covered by the sleeve to define a tent. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tent and backpack combination apparatus according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a ski of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the ski of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a back view of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 9  thereof, a new tent device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 , the tent and backpack combination apparatus  10  generally comprises a satchel  12  having a front wall  13 , a back wall  14 , a first lateral wall  15 , a second lateral wall  16 , a first end wall  17  and a second end wall  18 . A pair of shoulder straps  19  is attached to the back wall  14 . The satchel  12  has an elongated opening  20 , and preferably a plurality of elongated openings, therein for accessing an interior of the satchel  12 . A closure  21  is attached to the satchel  12  and is configured to selectively close the elongated opening  20 . The closure  21  is preferably a zipper. A plurality of pockets  22  is attached to an outer surface of the satchel  12 . 
   A support  25  is attached to and extends through the satchel  12 . The support  25  includes a lower portion  26  extending away from the first end wall  17  of the satchel  12  and is configured to engage a ground surface. The support  25  includes an upper portion  36  extending away from the second end wall  18  and is configured to support the satchel  12  in a spaced relationship with the ground surface and to angle the satchel  12  upwardly from the first end wall  17  to the second end wall  18 . The support  25  is telescopic. The lower portion  26  includes a free end  27  positioned opposite of the satchel  12 . A hook  28  is attached to the free end  27  and extends upwardly from a plane of the lower portion  26 . A pin  29  is removably extended through the free end  27 . A wheel  30  is rotatably mounted on the pin  29 . The pin  29  has a longitudinal axis orientated substantially parallel to the first end wall  17 . The support  25  includes a first arm  31  and a second arm  32 . The first  31  and second  32  arms each extend through the satchel  12 . The first  31  and second  32  arms each has a first end  33  and a second end  34 . The first ends  33  are aligned with each other and define the free end  27  of the lower portion  26 . The second ends  34  extend away from the second end wall  18 . The first  31  and second  32  arms taper toward each other with respect to the first ends  33  and taper away from each other with respect to the second ends  34 . A vertical portion  37  is configured to engage the second ends  34  and support the second ends  34  above a ground surface. 
   The vertical portion  37  includes a first elongated member  38  and a second elongated member  39 . Each of the first  38  and second  39  elongated members has a top end  40  and a bottom end  41 . Each of the first  38  and second  39  elongated members has a bend  42  therein positioned between a respective one of the top  40  and bottom  41  ends. The bends  42  each have an angle between 90 degrees and 145 degrees. The first  38  and second  39  elongated members each include a top section  43  positioned between associated ones of the bends  42  and the top ends  40  and a bottom section  44  positioned between associated ones of the bends  42  and the bottom ends  41 . The top ends  40  of the first  38  and second  39  elongated members are removably attached together. Each of the bottom sections  44  is telescopic. Each of the bottom ends  41  is pointed and extendable into the ground surface to horizontally orientate the top sections  43  over the ground surface. A pair of couplers  45  is provided and configured to releasably engage one of the second ends  34  of the first  31  and second arms  32 . Each of the coupler  45  is attached to one of the first  38  and second  39  elongated members adjacent to an associated one of the bends  40 . A lateral stabilizer  46  is engaged to and extended between bottom sections  44 . The lateral stabilizer  46  is telescopic and includes a pair of semi-circular ends  47  that are extended around a portion of each of the bottom sections  44 . 
   A sleeve  50  has an open end  51  and the support  25  is positionable in the open end  51  and covered by the sleeve  50  to define a tent. The sleeve  50  is preferably comprised of a substantially watertight and air impermeable material. A securing member  52  is attached to the satchel  12  and is configured to releasably secure the sleeve  50  to the satchel  12 . The securing member  52  preferably includes one or more straps. 
   A tether  55  is removably attached to the hook  28 . The tether  55  includes a loop end  56  and a gripping end  57 . The hook  28  may be extended through the loop end  56  to secure the tether  55  to the hook  28  while the gripping end  57  may be used to pull the support  12  and the attached satchel  12 . 
   A pair of handles  60  is provided. Each of the handles  60  is attached to one of the second ends  34  of the first  31  and second  32  arms. The handles  60  allow a person to use the support  12  as a lift with the wheel  30  attached to the free end  29 . The support  25  may be used in this fashion for transporting game, an injured person, or other relatively heavy items. A ski  62  is provided that may be removably attached to the wheel  30 . This facilitates movement of the support  12  through snow. 
   In use, the satchel  12  may be used as a conventional backpack. When a person requires a tent, the support  12  may be telescopically extended outwardly from the satchel  12  and the sleeve  50  extended over the support  12  to provide a shelter within. The support  12  may also be used, when needed, for transporting bulky items. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.