Patent Description:
Traditionally, zippers are used for closures for openings in tents or awnings. It is always important to provide as effective a closure as possible in order to keep insects from the interior of the tent or awning. Furthermore, at night, when a user leaves the tent for different purposes, it is problematic that a zipper closing is very noisy, risking waking other residents in the tent or awning. <CIT> discloses a closure with magnets. However, weather conditions may require a very strong closure to avoid that it opens or that water or snow enters the tent or awning, and water or wind may enter through a zipper closing.

<CIT> discloses a waterproof zipper with a waterproof and moisture proof function for the objects such as bags, tents, or shoes by blocking the zipper cloth as well as the interlocking zipper rail portion. The zipper rail is covered with a pair of waterproof membranes made of a soft synthetic resin material mixed or coated with magnetic powder. The magnetic membranes connect magnetically to form a waterproof barrier in front of the zipper. Further examples of tents according to the state of the art are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. <CIT> discloses an alternative use of zippers and magnets in a different technical field.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a tent or awning closure solving at least some of the above problems.

A first aspect relates to a tent or awning comprising a door with a left wing and a right wing; wherein each wing comprises a first side part adapted for being connected to the wall of the tent or awning, and a second side part; wherein the second side part of the left wing is adapted for being connected to the opposing second side part of the right wing; wherein each second side part is split into a first and a second flap; wherein the first flap comprises a zipper or other closure means, such as snap closures or hook and loop fasteners, and wherein the second flap comprises a magnet.

A second aspect relates to a tent or awning comprising a door with a left wing and a right wing; wherein each wing comprises an upper part adapted for being connected to the roof of the tent or awning, a bottom part adapted for being connected to the floor of the tent or awning, a first side part adapted for being connected to the wall of the tent or awning, and a second side part; wherein the second side part of the left wing is adapted for being connected to the opposing second side part of the right wing; wherein each second side part is split into a first and a second flap; wherein the first flap comprises a zipper or other closure means, such as snap closures or hook and loop fasteners, and wherein the second flap comprises a magnet.

The present invention allows the user of a tent or awning according to claim <NUM> to choose which type(s) of closure(s) that is needed for a specific condition.

In the present context, the term "wing" should be interpreted broadly, thereby covering all types of doors suitable for tents or awnings. The terms "wing" and "panel" can be used interchangeably.

In one or more embodiments, the first flap of the left wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, the second flap of the left wing is facing the surroundings, the first flap of the right wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, and the second flap of the right wing is facing the surroundings. In this configuration, the zipper closure is facing the inside of the tent or awning, and the magnetic closure is facing the surroundings. The user, when inside the tent or awning, may thereby choose not to use the zipper closure, and when both closures are used, it provides for a weather resistant closure.

In one or more embodiments, the second flap of the left wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, the first flap of the left wing is facing the surroundings, the second flap of the right wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, and the first flap of the right wing is facing the surroundings. In this configuration, the magnetic closure is facing the inside of the tent or awning, and the zipper closure is facing the surroundings. The user, when inside the tent or awning, will in this configuration have to use both the closures, as the magnetic closure cannot be prevented from closing, unless means are present that are adapted for folding the second flaps away from one another. When both closures are used, it provides for a weather resistant closure.

In one or more embodiments, the first flap of the left wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, the second flap of the left wing is facing the surroundings, the first flap of the right wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, and the second flap of the right wing is facing the surroundings, or vice versa.

In one or more embodiments, the first flap of the left wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, the second flap of the left wing is facing the surroundings, the first flap of the right wing is facing the surroundings, and the second flap of the right wing is facing the inside of the tent or awning, or vice versa. This configuration prevents both closures from being used at a time, but at the same time provides a cover for the closure on one or both sides thereof, depending on the length of the flaps. In one or more embodiments, the first flaps are of a length suitable for providing a shield for the magnetic closure. In one or more embodiments, the second flaps are of a length suitable for providing a shield for the zipper or other closure means.

In one or more embodiments, the first flap of the left wing is longer than the first flap of the right wing, and the second flap of the left wing is shorter than the second flap of the right wing, or vice versa. This configuration results in the zipper closure and the magnetic closure being offset from each other, thereby providing for a very weather resistant closure.

In one or more embodiments, the first flap of the left wing comprises a first part of a zipper, and wherein the first flap of the right wing comprises the corresponding part of said zipper.

In one or more embodiments, the second flaps each comprises one or more plate shaped permanent magnets positioned along the length of the wings.

In one or more embodiments, the second flaps each comprises a plurality of plate shaped permanent magnets positioned along the length of the wings.

In one or more embodiments, the plate shaped permanent magnet(s) of the second flap of the left wing are magnetized in a first pattern of areas with alternating polarity; and.

The first and the second pattern of areas with alternating polarity may be formed by magnetization with magnetic poles of alternating polarities, which poles are in the form of some geometrical shape, such as stripes, sectors, concentrically arranged rings, quadrangles and the like. For example, a magnetic north stripe is followed by a magnetic south stripe in alternating fashion.

In one or more embodiments, the first and the second pattern of areas with alternating polarity are striated.

In one or more embodiments, the first and the second pattern of areas with alternating polarity are striated, and wherein each stripe has a width of at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the first and the second pattern of areas with alternating polarity are checkered, with alternating squares of positive or negative polarity.

In one or more embodiments, the first and the second pattern of areas with alternating polarity are checkered, with alternating squares of positive or negative polarity; and wherein square has a width of at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the first and the second pattern of areas with alternating polarity are checkered, with alternating squares of positive or negative polarity; and wherein square has a width and length of at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>. The squares may in one or more embodiments be different in width and/or length.

In one or more embodiments, the first and the second pattern of areas with alternating polarity are made from rectangular areas with a width and length of at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, such as within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g. at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

The invention is described in more detail in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the figures.

<FIG> shows a closed tent or awning door with a left wing <NUM> and a right wing <NUM>. Each wing <NUM>, <NUM> comprises an upper part <NUM>, <NUM> adapted for being connected to the roof of the tent or awning (not shown), a bottom part <NUM>, <NUM> adapted for being connected to the floor <NUM> of the tent or awning, a first side part <NUM>, <NUM> adapted for being connected to the wall (not shown) of the tent or awning, and a second side part <NUM>, <NUM>. The second side part <NUM> of the left wing <NUM> is adapted for being connected to the opposing second side part <NUM> of the right wing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view through a closed tent or awning door according to the present invention. Each of the second side parts <NUM>, <NUM> is split into a first <NUM>, <NUM> and a second <NUM>, <NUM> flap. The first flap <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a zipper <NUM>, <NUM>, and the second flap <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a magnet <NUM>, <NUM>. The tent or awning door is closed by the aid of the zipper <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> also show a closed tent or awning door like the one in <FIG>, but where it is closed by the aid of the magnet closure <NUM>, <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG>, the magnet closure and the zipper closure cannot be closed at the same time. The second flaps <NUM>, <NUM> are however of a length suitable for providing a shield for the zipper or other closure means, thereby preventing wind or water from entering therethrough.

The magnet closure closes differently in <FIG> and <FIG> due to the polarization of the magnets. <FIG> is a perspective view of two magnets, A, B, with a pattern of areas that is striated and with alternating polarity. <FIG> is a perspective view of two magnets, A, B, with a pattern of areas that is made from rectangular areas and with alternating polarity. A magnet polarization as shown in both <FIG> and <FIG> would result in the closure seen in <FIG>, whereas a simple north-south magnet polarization along the length or width of the magnets would result in the closure seen in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A tent or awning comprising:
- a door (<NUM>) with a left wing (<NUM>), and a right wing (<NUM>);
- a zipper (<NUM>, <NUM>) or other closure means, such as snap closures or hook and loop fasteners; and
- one or more plate shaped permanent magnets (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned along the length of the wings (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein each of said left (<NUM>) and right (<NUM>) wings comprises:
- an upper part (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted for being connected to a roof of said tent or awning;
- a bottom part (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted for being connected to a floor of said tent or awning;
- a first side part (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted for being connected to a wall of said tent or awning; and
- a second side part (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein the second side part (<NUM>) of said left wing (<NUM>) is adapted for being connected to the opposing second side part (<NUM>) of said right wing (<NUM>);
characterized in that each of said second side parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) is split into a first (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second (<NUM>, <NUM>) flap; wherein said first flap (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises said zipper (<NUM>, <NUM>) or other closure means, such as snap closures or hook and loop fasteners, and wherein said second flap (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises said one or more plate shaped permanent magnets (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the first flap (<NUM>) of the left wing (<NUM>) is facing the inside of the tent or awning, the second flap (<NUM>) of the left wing (<NUM>) is facing the surroundings, the first flap (<NUM>) of the right wing (<NUM>) is facing the surroundings, and the second flap (<NUM>) of the right wing (<NUM>) is facing the inside of the tent or awning, or vice versa.