Improvements in Tents.
Year: 1890

page_text: Improvements in Tents.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication to me from abroad from the Impresa Industriale Italiana
di Costruzioni Metalliche, of Naples, in the Kingdom of Italy, Manufacturers,) and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of improvements in the construction of tents adapted for
military, hospital, sporting or other purposes, whereby greater simplicity, durability,
efficiency and lightness are attained, together with increased facility for transport.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents in end elevation the framework
of a tent constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side
elevation a portion of the tent cloth being shewn. Fig. 3 is a corresponding plan.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views of details drawn to a larger scale.
The improved tent comprises a series of A-shaped frames a, preferably made from
iron or steel tubing; each frame being hinged or jointed at its upper end b. In
Fig. 5, the joint-pin is marked c. Each frame may be opened or closed like a pair of
compasses. The lower extremities of each frame are provided with suitably-formed
shoes, which may be of cast iron. These shoes rest on stone supports e, or on
masonry, or wood or iron sleepers. Each frame-leg may, if desired, be made in two
or more pieces jointed together, instead of being made in one single piece as shown.
The frames are connected by tubular rods f having turned-down portions at their
extremities, which enter eyes or holes f2 formed in the joint-pins c, or in the brackets f³
carried by the struts or frame-legs. The frames are kept open to the required extent
by means of transverse rods i, the bont-down portions of which enter eyes in lugs h
on the struts or frame lege.
The framework having been erected, the tent cloth a' is supplied. The latter may
be provided with windows or openings for admitting light and for ventilation.
Shelves, such as m, and racks for holding guns or other articles, may also be provided.
The racks may consist of bars such as pp secured to the frames and to uprights n n
at the ends of the tent. A flooring o of boards for the reception of bedding may also
be added.
In a tent constructed as herein before described, the frame can be made very light,
and some of the pieces comprised in the same, such as the rods f and i may be
interchangeable. The erection, striking and packing of the tent is by the present
improvements greatly facilitated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed (as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents), I claim :-
1. The improved construction of tent adapted for military, sporting and other
purposes, and comprising a stout covering of canvas or other suitable material stretched
over a series of binged A-frames, such as a, connected together by means of removable
rods, such as f, substantially as herein described.
2. For use as a member of a tent-frame, a pair of tubular struts or frame-legs, such
as a, such struts being hinged together at their upper ends and furnished at their
lower ends with shoes, such as d, substantially as herein described.
3. In a tent-frame, the combination, with hinged A-frames, such as a, of removable
rods, such as f, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
4. In a tent-frame, the combination, with a hinged A-frame (a) and rods (f), of a

page_text: joint-pin (c) provided with eyes for the reception of the ends of the rods, substantially
as and for the purpose herein described.
5. In a tent-frame, the combination, with a hinged A-frame (a) and rods (f), of a
bracket (3) mounted on the strut or frame-leg and provided with eyes for the
reception of the ends of the rods, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1890.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM.