Improvements in or relating to Portable Tents.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Portable Tents.
I, ALFRED JOHN NICHOLSON of 2 Silverlands, Buxton, Rainproof Garment
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The canvas covering of a portable tent as at present made ontails a considerable
addition to the baggage or travelling impedimenta of exploring or expeditionary
parties, and to reduce such baggage to a minimum or facilitate its being carried
about from place to place is a desideratum greatly desired.
To effect such lessening of the baggage or to provide for the better transport
or conveyance of the tent covering is the object of my invention which consists
essentially in making the tent covering from special rainproof or water-proof
material, of cloth-like character and making such covering in the form of two
(or more) cloaks or coats which are so made and adapted as to form the entire tent
covering, and when removed from the tent may be worn as garments instead of
being packed away to swell the quantity of baggage as heretofore, or in other
words, the desired tent covering is produced by the use of two rain-proof cloaks or
ccats adapted for the purpose.
With the covering so made and worn the poles or frame of the tent, which are
preferably of light wood or bamboo, are the only parts to be specially carried, and
by forming two of such poles with spiked extremities they may serve as
mountaineering staffs.
Certain parts of the garments are provided with means for securing tent cords
thereto, and the inner sides of such garments with adjustable and folding portions
for producing the complete tent covering, which portions, when the garments are
being worn, are hidden from view. Special additional parts may be provided
which may be carried in the pockets of the garments, or be otherwise disposed
about the garments.
Three or more garments may be used in the construction of the improved tent,
bul for use by two persons only, 'two garments are sufficient.
.
11 11:00. 1 1... Data 190e
ALFRED JOHN NICHOLSON.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Portable Tents.
I, ALFRED JOHN NICHOLSON of 2 Silverlands, Buxton, Rainproof Garment
5 Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
[Price 8d.1

page_text: the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The canvas covering of a portable tent especially of the tente d'abri' class,
entails a considerable addition to the baggage or travelling impedimenta of explor-
ing or expeditionary parties, and to reduce such baggage to a minimum, or facili-
tate its being carried about from place to place is a great desideratum. To effect
such lessening of the baggage, or to provide for the better transport or conveyance
of the tent covering is the object of my invention, which consists essentially in
making the tent covering from special rain-proof or water-proof material, of cloth-
like character, and making such covering in the form of two (or more) cloaks or
coats which are so made and adapted as to form the entire tent covering, and when
removed from the tent may be worn as garments, instead of being packed away
to swell the quantity of baggage as heretofore, or in other words, the desired tent
covering is produced by the use of two (or more) rain-proof cloaks or coats adapted
for the purpose.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect I have horeunto annexed two sheets of drawings and will now
proceed to describe the same with the figures and letters of reference marked
thereon.
On Sheet one, Fig. 1 illustrates one of the improved garments in its fully
extended state and ready for use as one half of the tent covering. Fig. 2 shows
a rear view of the garment adjusted ready for wear as a cloak.
On Sheet two, Figs. 3 and 4 shew one of the garments (or half parts of tent
covering) in wear (or transit), and Fig. 5 shews the garment rolled up and carried
over the shoulder.
Fig. 6 illustrates the garments in use and forming respectively one half of the
ten't covering, and extending over an area of about 6 ft. square within which 2
persons can comfortably lie full length. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate details of the
main tent pole, and a tent peg respectively.
The garment is made of rain-proof fabric, as used in ordinary wear, and this
made extra wide, its f 1 width being shewn in Fig. 1 which is drawn to a scale
of about 1 ft. In such distended condition the garment is used as the tent
covering, the opening or eyelet (A) being passed over the central tent pole (B),
nd the opening (C) being passed over the side or end pole (1), and
the edges of the garment secured by knotted cords (E) passing through eyelet
holes and secured to the tent pegs (F). The neck, shoulder parts and cape of
the garment hang loosely down and form the end of the tent, or if the tent opens at
the end forming the door of the tent.
In Fig. 6 I shew the entrance of the tent at the side which will probably be most
convenient for use in the daytime, but for use at night-time, the side may be
closed and the entrance gained from the end, beneath the loose hangings.
To allow the garment to come as near the ground as possible I form the cloth
facing or edging along the inner parts at (G) loose, and capable of hanging down
as a loose flap or curtain beneath the edging (H). When in wear as a garment
the facing (G) is secured by buttons or other convenient means.
In taking down the tent, and carrying the materials of which it is made from
place to place, the garments are folded in the manner shewn in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, i.e.
with a large box' or 'double' pleat down the centre, which draws in the garment
to an ordinary size, and which pleat is retained in wear by a waist belt or strap (I),
and tab (J) and buttons (K) on the collar.
Instead of a single pleat I may employ two pleats (one on either side of the
collar), and provide two tabs or straps and sets of buttons.
In the drawings I have shewn the Cape as forming a permanent part of the
garment, but it may be loose and detachable and in such event may be of ordinary
width and make, and afford a saving of material, as well as a saving of weight.
Each garment is provided with large pockets (L) which are used for holding tent

page_text: pegs and short cords, divided equally among the number of persons using the tent.
The main or longer cords are carried round the waist (see Fig. 3) from which is
suspended the central tent pole (B), which is, by preference, formed in halves with
socket joint (B¹) (B2) (see Fig. 7), and both halves connected together by cord (B)
which prevents them getting separated, and serves to suspend them from the waist
cord.
The respective end poles (D) are carried as shafts or walking sticks by the
persons wearing the garments as shewn in Figs. 3 and 4.
In such way I provide garments which can be converted into, or used as tent
covering, or enable a tent covering to be worn as garments, and so be more readily
transported from place to place than heretofore. All the poles and tent pegs are
made as light as possible, and the tent pegs are, by preference, of the form shewn
in Fig. 8, and made of light metal such as Aluminium.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my sail
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise form of garment herein described as
the same may be varied without departing from my invention, and what I claim
and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. A portable tent constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore set
forth and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
2. Cloaks or garments made substantially in the manner herein before described
and shewn on the accompanying drawings for the purpose specified.
Dated this 22nd day of July 1897.
ALFRED JOHN
NICHOLSON.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.