A New or Improved Construction of Tent.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 25th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1899
A New or Improved Construction of Tent.
We, HARRY ARCHIBALD DE LAUTOUR, of 85, Harcourt Terrace, South
Kensington, London, Surgeon, and ALFRED JOHN NICHOLSON, of 17, Exchange
Street, Cheetham, Manchester, Rainproof Garment Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of our said invention to be as follows:--
The objects of our invention are to combine in a tent the greatest possible
amount of internal space with the least amount of material together with lightness,
ease of transport, strength and rapidity of construction, also to afford great resistance
to storms.
In accordance with our invention the material which forms the tent covering is
that commonly used, or is by preference of what is known as "Porous yet Rain-
proof" cloth as used in garments, and such covering is cut out to fit the frame-
work. The framework consists of an arrangement of light ribs of wood, hickory,
metal, or other suitable material, and each rib consists by preference of two parts
or sections joined together by sockets. Each of such ribs is also steamed
mould or otherwise bent to retain a permanent shape according to the shape
of tent, which is by preference that of a dome. There may be 3 or more ribs, and
they may be of flat, round, half round or other cross-section.
In constructing the tent the ribs are all fitted radially into a centre block
with radiating holes in, and to which said bleck the tent covering is attached.
To keep the covering properly distended, or the ribs in position, we cause the ribs
to pass through loops in the fabric, or through rings or loops upon the interior of the
tent. The covering is held taut and the tent secured to the ground by tent pegs
and cords.
16
Upon and secured to the centre block is a cap or cover to which may be secured a
Hy" or outer covering, which is held in a distended form by cords and stakes, or pegs,
or is supported by ribs similar to those of the tent proper in which case the "fly" is
self sustaining, or by the use of vertical struts may allow of the cords and pegs being
placed near to the tent.
The tent is provided with suitable ventilating opening and cover.
The ribs are by preference, joined by metal sockets with the ends of the ribs
champered off. The longitudinal shape of such ribs may vary to suit the size of tent
but we prefer them to be arched and to present as large an area, compatable with
height, as is possible.
Lastly we would observe that the chief feature of our improved tent is that it has
no centre pole and affords the maximum of room, it has no weight or arrangement,
of pulleys and cords to preserve the shape of the tent, and is extremely simple in
construction and easy to erect.
1100 1 1
1000
HARRY ARCHIBALD DE LAUTOUR,
ALFRED JOHN NICHOLSON,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.

page_text: Construction Of Tent.
We, HARRY ARCHIBALD DE LAUTOUR, of 85, Harcourt Terrace, South Kensington,
London, Surgeon, and ALFRED JOHN NICHOLSON, of 17, Exchange Street, Cheetham,
Manchester, Rainproof Garment Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :--
The objects of our invention are to combine in a tent the greatest possible amount
of internal space with the least amount of material, together with lightness, ease
of transport, strength and rapidity of construction, also to afford great resistance to
storms.
"
In accordance with our invention the material which forms the tent covering is
that commonly used, or is by preference what is known as "Porous-yet-Rainproof'
cloth as used in garments or kaki-drill aud such covering is cut out to fit the
framework. The framework consists of an arrangement of light ribs of wood,
hickory, metal, or other suitable material, and each rib cousists, by preference, of
two parts or sections joined together by sockets. Each of such ribs is also steam
moulded or otherwise bent to retain a permanent shape according to the shape of
tent, which is, by preference that of a dome.
There may be three or more ribs, and they may be of flat, round, half-round or
other suitable cross-section.
In constructing the tent the ribs are all fitted into a centre block with radiating
holes and to such block the tent covering is attached. To keep the covering
properly distended, or the ribs in their proper relative positions the ribs pass
through loops in the fabric, or through rings or loops upon the interior of the tent.
The covering is also held taut, and the tent secured to the ground, by tent pegs and
cords.
Upon and secured to the centre block is a device to which may be secured a
"fly" or outer covering held in a distended form by cords and stakes, or pegs, or
supported by ribs similar to those of the tent proper in which case the "fly" is
self sustaining, or by cords, pegs and struts which allow of the cords and pegs
being placed near to the tent.
The tent is also provided with suitable ventilating openings and the ribs are, by
preference, joined by metal sockets with the ends of the ribs champered or
tapered off.
The longitudinal shape of such ribs may vary to suit the size of tent, but we
prefer them to be arched and to present as large an area as is possible compatible
with height.
To make our invention clear we have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and
by the aid of the various figures and letters of reference marked thereon we now will
describe the same in detail.
Fig. 1 is an exterior view of a portable tent constructed in accordance with our
invention, and with the entrance closed.
Fig. 2 is a similar view with the entrance of the tent open.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate details.
In accordance with our invention, we employ ribs of hickory or like hard wood
or material made, by preference, in two portions (A), (A) and permanently bent to
produce the curve of a dome. The two portions are joined together by socket (B)
and ferrule (C), the latter fitting into the former with a slight taper. The upper
ends of the ribs are also (by preference) protected by a metal ferrule, and such
protected ends are designed to fit holes (D) in a wooden block (E). This wooden

page_text: block forms the apex of the tent and the holes (D) are radially disposed at equal
distances apart to produce the dome-shaped frame.. Over such block and ribs we
fit the tent covering (F), composed of rain repellant material, and, by preference
what is known as "Kaki-drill", the entire covering being previously made of the
required size and shape to fit the dome-like frame of ribs.
In fixing the parts or erecting the tent, we prefer to apply the frame to the
covering, instead of the covering to the frame, by threading or passing
the several ribs (or their sections) through loops or rings (G) secured upon
the inner face of the covering, and by which all the parts of the covering are
securely held to the ribs.
The apex of the covering is then clamped by part (H) and screws (I) on to the
block (E) and remains permanently attached. The upper sections of the ribs are
then fitted into block (E) and joined up to the lower sections, as illustrated.
To preserve the shape of the holes (D) and to afford an easy fit, we line each hole
with a metal liner (J) and retain such liuer in the hole by a set screw (K). To
prevent the liner twisting we provide it with small ridges (L) (see Figs. 4
and 6).
The frame of the tent is secured to the ground by guy ropes (M) secured to
rings (N) passing through holes in the covering (F) and to pegs (O). The
cover (F) is secured to the frame, and the ground, by cords (P), (Q) and
pegs (R).
To allow of ventilation or airing when the tent is not in use we provide a
curtain (S), secured to the inner face of the tent cover (F), and capable of being
lifted up without disturbing the tent structure.
For ordinary ventilation we provide openings (T) and rain protectors (U), also
window (V) with rolled flap or blind to close it at night-time.
For use chiefly in hot climates we provide the tent with a "fly" or outer
covering (W) and support such "fly" by means of a cap or pillar (X) formed as
shewn in Figs. 3 and 6, with a shauk or spindle (XX) adapted to fit an opening (Y)
in the block (E), and to hold the "fly "a suitable distance above the teat. The
edges of the "fly" are, by preference secured by ropes (2) passing over struts (Z¹)
and secured to tent pegs (RX). This arrangement allows of the tent pegs lying
nearer the tent than if the struts were omitted."
The doorway is, by preference of the form shewn, and the door consists of two
flaps overlying each other when closed, and folded back and secured to the nearest
tent rib by cords (FX) when opened with the ends of the curtain (S) also overlapping
or turning back with the respective halves of the door.
To prevent rain dripping from the apex of the doorway we provide an
eave (**) for directing the rain on to sides of the doorway.
In taking the tent down especially when of a large size we provide a pole with
socket end, adapted to fit shank (X¹) and long enough to rest on the ground at the
same time, and thereby support the block (E) whilst the ribs are disconnected, or
joined up.
A tent constructed as aforesaid possesses the following advantages, viz. :—It
gives the greatest cubic capacity with the least superficial area of canvas. 'There
is no centre pole to obstruct the interior of the tent. The sides of the tent are
convex, and not concave as in ordinary "bell" tents, therefore giving more head
room. Its form is the best suited to resist wind pressure, and will remain standing
when all other ordinary shapes of tents are blown down. In wet weather the guy
ropes do not need altering as the shrinkage in the canvas acts only on the frame.
The tent can be moved bodily without being struck in order to air the space slept
on. It is also light in weight, quickly pitched and struck, and folds into very small
compass.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said. inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
laim is

page_text: 1: A portable tent constructed and arranged substantially as herein set forth
and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
"
2: A portable tent comprising a block with holes, a cap or pillar for supporting
a fly" or outer covering, and fitting upon the top of said block, and means for
holding the "fly" in a distended condition, as set forth.
:-
3 A central block with radiating holes fitted with metal or like protecting
liners, as and for the purposes set forth.
4-Permanently curved ribs fitted with ferrules and sockets as and for the pur-
poses set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1899.
HARRY ARCHIBALD DE LAUTOUR,
ALFRED JOHN NICHOLSON,
By John G. Wilson & Co,
55, Market Street, Manchester, Agents.