Improvements in Tents.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left,. 4th May, 1889-Accepted, 24th Aug., 1589
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tents.
I, LIZZIE GERTRUDE RYLAND, at present residing at Le Chalet; Queen's Road,
St. Helier, Jersey, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me from abroad from my husband, Henry George Ryland, Captain in Her
Majesty's Bengal Staff Corps, at present stationed at Balooghat, Calcutta, in-the
Empire of India) to be as follows:
This invention consists in improvements principally applicable to milatary, or
sporting tents, whereby greater simplicity, durability, security, efficiency and
portability than hitherto attained are secured.
A tent constructed in the manner preferred for carrying out this invention
comprises arch-pieces formed either from solid steel or from metal tubing, and
provided with socket joints in order to permit of the side-pieces, being, readily
connected thereto. The side-pieces may be formed either from ordinary or from
telescopic metal tubing or from male bamboo and may be in sections or in single
lengths. The tent-cloth is formed with pipings or pockets of strong canvas or other
suitable material for the reception and concealment of the aforesaid side-pieces
when the tent is pitched. The tent, if a large one, is bounded by ground-wires
fixed to the side-pieces or to sockets or pegs into or upon which the side-pieces fit;
the tent-cloth being hooked or otherwise fastened to the ground-wires. Two guy-ropes
only need be employed, one at each extremity of the tent; each of these being by
preference connected by means of branch ropes to two or more ground-pegs; the
strain being hereby spread and the tendency for the pegs to draw diminished. By
these means, the numerous side-ropes and pegs heretofore employed" are dispensed
with. The guy-ropes may be furnished with screw-shackles for tightening purposes.
In large tents, the guy-ropes may be united by a ridge-rope; or the guy-ropes
and ridge-rope may be continued in one piece and may be provided. with rings or
other suitable connections for engaging with the frame work of the tent.
When double or triple flies or half-flies are desired, additional standards or pieces
of tubing provided with suitable projections are employed at the top of the tent' in
the centre of the framework to support the additional thicknesses of cloth; the
several flies or flies and half-flies being afterwards laced or hooked together:
To prevent the several component parts becoming separated or lost, they may be,
as far as possible, connected together by lanyards or short lengths of chain..
Instead of independent arch-pieces being employed; the side-pieces may be, curved
and prolonged to meet in the centre of the top of the tent. They may be attached
in pairs to one another by means of compass-joints or otherwise to permit of the tent
being readily folded up for packing or transport.
A very light tent may be constructed without side-pieces; the arch-pièces being
supported centrally by two uprights, one at each end of the tent, and being secured
to the ground by ropes in the tent-cloth attached to ground-pegs.. When the arch-
pieces are formed from flexible steel bands, the two extremities of each arch-piece
may be united by means of a flexible connection or otherwise; the tent-cloth being
hereby relieved from the strain incidental to maintaining the curve of the tent-top.
Such flexible arch-pieces are preferably sewn into the canvas and rolled up. therewith
when the tent is packed for transport.
Dated this 8th day of October 1888.
G.. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191,. Fleet Street, London, E.C.,. Agent for the Applicant:

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tents.
1, LIZZIE GERTRUDE RYLAND, at present residing at Le Chalet, Queen's Road,
St. Helier, Jersey, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me from abroad from my husband Henry George Ryland, Captain in Her
Majesty's Bengal Staff Corps, at present stationed at Balooghat, Calcutta, in the
Empire of India) and in what manner the same is to be performed to bo
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention consists in improvements principally applicable to military or
sporting tents, whereby greater simplicity, durability, security, efficiency and
portability than hitherto attained are secured.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents framework constructed in
accordance with this invention and suitable for use in a light tent for cavalry or
mounted infantry, or for sporting purposes; Fig. 2 being a modification thereof.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view, drawn to a smaller scale, of a comparatively large and
substantial tent, capable of withstanding the stormiest weather. Fig. 4 illustrates a
double-fly tent in sectional elevation. Fig. 5 shews part of the framework of a
sloping awning for protecting stores in the field.
a reception tent. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a tent provided with guy-ropes and a
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of
ridge-rope in one piece or united together. Figs. 8 and 9 represent tents of canvas,
silk or patent pulpware and intended for picnics, fêtes, cricket-grounds, &c.
illustrates in perspective a portable pulpware but with metal tubing framework.
Fig. 10
Fig. 11 is a sectional view shewing the lower part of one of the side-pieces fitting
over an arm on the tent-peg. In Fig. 12, the side-piece fits into a hollow socket on
the peg.
In Fig. 13, the side-piece is fitted over an arm on a socket through which
the tent-peg is driven after the tent has been erected.
application of a compass-joint to the top framework of a tent of the kind illustrated
Fig. 14 represents the
in Fig. 4.
A tent constructed in the manner preferred for carrying out this invention
comprises arch-pieces a formed either from solid steel, as in Fig. 1, or from metal
tubing, as in Fig. 2, and provided with socket-joints a¹ in order to permit of the side-
pieces b being readily connected thereto. The part a in Fig. 1 may be a spring and
is preferably encased in leather. The side-pieces may be formed either from telescopic
metal tubing, or from ordinary metal tubing, as in Fig. 1, or from male bamboo, as
in Fig. 2, and may be in sections or in single lengths. The tent-cloth is formed with
pipings or pockets of strong canvas or other suitable material for the reception and
concealment of the side-pieces when the tent is pitched.
is bounded by ground-wires c (Fig. 3) fixed to the side-pieces or to sockets or pegs
The tent, if a large one,
(Figs. 11 to 13) into or upon which the side-pieces fit; the tent-cloth d being hooked
or otherwise fastened to the ground-wires.
pegs are used, the ground-wires should be laid out first; the side-pieces being then
In pitching the tent, when sockets or
passed through the canvas pipings and united. The tent may then be lifted up and
fixed; the tent-cloth being thereupon hooked or otherwise secured to the ground-
wires, and the guy-ropes adjusted. Only two guy-ropes e need be used, one at each
extremity of the tent; each of these being by preference connected by means of
branch-ropes e to two, three or more ground-pegs e², the strain being hereby
spread and the tendency for the pegs to draw diminished.
furnished with a screw-shackle e for tightening purposes.
Each guy-rope may be
In a tent constructed as above set forth, the numerous side-ropes andi-pegs heretofore
employed are dispensed with.
In large tents, the guy-ropes e (Fig. 7) may be united by a ridge-rope f; or the
guy-ropes and ridge-rope may be in one piece and provided with rings or other
suitable connections for engaging with the framework of the tent.
When double or triple flies or half-flies are desired, additional standards or pieces
of tubing provided with suitable projections are employed at the top of the tent in

page_text: the centre of the framework!to support the additional thicknesses of cloth; the several
flies or flies and half-flies being afterwards laced or hooked together.
To prevent the several component parts becoming separated or lost, they may be,
as far as possible, connected together by laniards or short lengths of chain 9 as in
Fig. 1.
Instead of independent arch-pieces being employed, the side-pieces b may be
curved and prolonged to meet in the centre of the top of the tent. The side-pieces
may be attached in pairs to one another by means of compass-joints, or otherwise,
to permit of the tent being readily folded up for packing or transport.
The side-pieces, when straight, instead of being withdrawn from the canvas
pipings, may be left therein when the tent is struck; the tent-cloth being rolled
for transport upon the aforesaid side-pieces.
A very light tent may be constructed without side-pieces; the arch-pieces
being supported centrally by two uprights, one at each end of the tent, and being
secured to the ground by ropes in the tent-cloth attached to ground-pegs. When
the arch-pieces are formed from flexible steel bands, the two extremities of each
arch-piece may be united by means of a flexible connection h (Fig. 1) or otherwise ;
the tent-cloth being hereby relieved from the strain incidental to maintaining the
curve of the tent top. Such flexible arch-pieces are preferably sewn into the canvas
and rolled up therewith when the tent is packed for transport.
In the tents described, ventilation may be secured by pushing up the sides of
the tent and tying them at the required height. In stormy weather, a trench is
dug round the outside of the tent and the earth thrown inwards and patted down,
the tent being thus rendered sufficiently air-tight for warmth and comfort.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved construction of portable tent for military or sporting purposes
substantially as set forth.
2. A portable tent for military or sporting purposes in which framework coincident
with the fall of the tent-cloth is employed in order that superior internal accomodation
may be afforded, the usual side-pegs and ropes being dispensed with.
3. A portable tent for military or sporting purposes in which the tent-cloth is
stretched over arched framework substantially as set forth.
4. In a portable tent for military or sporting purposes, the employment of two
guy-ropes only, one at each end of the tent, substantially. as described.
3. For use with a portable tent of the kind herein referred to, the improved
construction of guy-rope having its extremity spread and pegged to the ground at
two or more points substantially as set forth.
6. In a portable tent for military, or sporting purposes, the combination of the
guy-ropes with a ridge-rope substantially as described with reference to Fig. 7.
7. In a portable tent for military or sporting purposes, the combination, with
framework of the kind herein referred to, of ground-wires to which the tent-cloth is
secured, substantially as described.
Dated the 3rd day of Mo 1989
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.