Patent Document

[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/658,473 filed on Feb. 4, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a foldable tent and more particularly to an instant tent with an integrated ventilation system and rain fly. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    For novice campers, foldable tents are a popular alternative to conventional assemble-to-use tents. Foldable tents, which are commonly referred to as “instant tents,” “one-touch tents” or “pop-up tents,” are sold preassembled, making opening and closing of the tent easy and less time consuming. 
         [0006]    Instant tents are sold in several different designs. One type of instant tent, for example, is manufactured and sold as a structure similar to that of a conventional umbrella as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,617. In those structures, the tent is opened and collapsed by movable sub-braces which are pivotally connected to a central shaft. These structures often times have locking mechanisms on the central shaft to maintain the tent in the open state. Umbrella type instant tents, however, are problematic for a number of reasons which include but are not limited to: (1) the additional costs in manufacturing due to the parts required for the tent, i.e., the central shaft, sub-braces and locking mechanism, as well as increased labor to assemble those parts; (2) the increased potential for failure and necessary repair of the central shaft, sub-braces and locking mechanism; and (3) the increased size and weight of the tent due to the extra components. 
         [0007]    To overcome the disadvantages of umbrella tents, an instant tent that does not require a central shaft, sub-braces or locking mechanism was developed. As described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/658,473 (“the &#39;473 Application”), the poles are pivotally connected directly to the hub, and pivot to and from open and closed configurations without additional components. Even though the instant tent described in the &#39;473 Application solved many of the problems associated with umbrella type instant tents as well as the disadvantages in other instant tents, there was room for improvement to develop a better design to accommodate the user. 
         [0008]    First, tents in general lack sufficient ventilation. For most novice campers, tents are used during the summer season and often times the interior of the tent becomes uncomfortably warm and sometimes even hot. Moreover, condensation can develop due to the lack of air circulation. Even though tents are commonly equipped with screen windows or doors on one or more sides of the tent, it is difficult to achieve sufficient ventilation unless a wind or draft is blowing directly into an open window or door and out another open window or door. When adverse weather conditions are present, such as rain or snow, the windows and doors must be closed to prevent rain or snow from entering the tent and thus the interior of the tent cannot ventilate. Furthermore, when a user wishes to close the windows or doors for other reasons such as for safety or privacy it is difficult to ventilate the interior of the tent. 
         [0009]    Second, even though some instant tents are sold with a separate cover or fly to protect the tent from adverse weather conditions such as rain, sleet or snow, or to provide shade from the sun light, the cover or fly is not integrated with the instant tent and, thus, the user is required to separately attach and detach the cover or fly to and from the instant tent. In addition, because the rain fly typically covers most of the tent including the windows, it is not possible to achieve proper ventilation. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is intended to overcome at least the above-described disadvantages and to provide further improvements to instant tents in the prior art. The objects and advantages of the present invention, more specifically, are to provide instant tents with improved ventilation at all times including when the windows and doors are closed, and during inclement weather conditions; and to provide a rain fly integral to the instant tent such that the user could simply open and close the tent without having to attach additional components to the instant tent. 
         [0011]    For achieving the above-mentioned objects, the present invention generally provides a permeable fabric such as a mesh fabric integrated to the tent canopy at or near a top portion of the tent canopy. The instant tent is also provided with an integral rain fly at or near the permeable fabric to provide the tent with additional protection from various weather conditions while maintaining sufficient ventilation of the interior of the tent. 
         [0012]    More specifically, the present invention provides an instant tent, convertible between open and closed configurations, comprising a central hub with a base having an engaging surface. First and second sets of slots are formed on the engaging surface of the base, and each slot is formed by first and second slot walls and the engaging surface of the base. Each of the first and second slot walls extend independently from the engaging surface of the base and substantially parallel to each other. The first set of slots comprises at least three slots spaced apart radially and the second set of slots comprises at least one slot disposed between adjacent slots of the first set. The instant tent further comprises at least one eave pole corresponding to the number of slots of the second set of slots. Each eave pole has first and second ends and each eave pole first end is pivotally coupled to a corresponding slot of the second set. The instant tent further comprises a plurality of roof poles corresponding to the number of slots of the first set of slots. Each roof pole has a first and second end and each roof pole first end is pivotally coupled to a corresponding slot of the first set. The instant tent further comprises a plurality of leg poles corresponding to the number of roof poles. Each leg pole has a middle section and a lower section and each middle and lower section has a first end and a second end. Each roof pole second end is coupled to a corresponding middle section first end, and said middle section second end is coupled to a corresponding lower section first end. The instant tent further comprises a canopy having a plurality of adjoining canopy walls and a floor coupled together at seams to form an enclosure. Each canopy wall has a top, bottom and two side portions and at least one of the canopy walls has a vent. The canopy is continuously connected to the roof poles and leg poles in the open and closed configurations. The instant tent further comprises at least one rain fly disposed proximate the vent. The at least one rain fly has a plurality of perimeters and the at least one rain fly is continuously connected to the canopy and corresponding eave pole in the open and closed configurations. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the instant tent of the present invention includes a hub assembly comprising a base having first and second surfaces. The hub assembly further comprises first and second sets of slots. The first set of slots comprises at least three slots spaced apart radially and the second set of slots comprises at least one slot disposed between adjacent slots of the first set. Each slot is formed by first and second slot walls, and each of the first and second slot walls extend independently from the first surface of the base and substantially parallel to each other. Each slot wall also has an inner and outer end. The hub assembly also comprises a plurality of roof poles corresponding to the number of slots of the first set of slots. Each roof pole has a first and second end and each roof pole first end is pivotally coupled to first and second slot walls of a corresponding slot of the first set. The hub assembly further comprises at least one eave pole corresponding to the number of slots of the second set of slots. Each eave pole has first and second ends and each eave pole first end is pivotally coupled to first and second slot walls of a corresponding slot of the second set. In the open configuration the first ends of each roof pole and eave pole engage the first surface of the base, and in the closed configuration said first ends are disengaged from the first surface of the base and pivoted substantially perpendicular to said top surface. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the instant tent includes a hub assembly comprising a base having first and second surfaces, and first and second sets of slots. The first set of slots comprises at least three slots spaced apart radially. The second set of slots comprises at least one slot disposed between adjacent slots of the first set. Each slot is formed by first and second slot walls and each of the first and second slot walls extend independently from the second surface of the base and substantially parallel to each other. Each slot wall has an inner and outer end. The hub assembly further comprises a plurality of roof poles corresponding to the number of slots of the first set of slots. Each roof pole has a first and second end. Each roof pole first end is pivotally coupled to first and second slot walls of a corresponding slot of the first set. The hub assembly further comprises at least one eave pole corresponding to the number of slots of the second set of slots. Each eave pole has first and second ends and each eave pole first end is pivotally coupled to first and second slot walls of a corresponding slot of the second set. In the open configuration the first ends of each roof pole and eave pole engage the second surface of the base, and in the closed configuration said first ends are disengaged from the second surface of the base and pivoted substantially perpendicular to the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the instant tent of the present invention in an open configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of the top portion of instant tent, denoted “ 1 A” in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the instant tent shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is an alternate side view of the instant tent shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the instant tent shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the instant tent of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the instant tent shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a hub of the instant tent of the first embodiment of the present invention in the open configuration; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hub of the instant tent of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a bottom perspective view of the hub of the instant tent of the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is a top perspective view of the hub shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8C  is a top view of the hub shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8D  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hub shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the frame of the instant tent of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the frame of the instant tent shown in  FIG. 9  in a partially closed configuration; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11A  is a partial bottom perspective view of the frame shown in  FIG. 9  in a closed configuration; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 11B  is a side perspective view of the frame shown in  FIG. 9  in a closed configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a foldable tent  1  of the present invention is shown. The foldable tent is opened or erected to an open configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 , and folded or collapsed to a collapsed configuration as shown in  FIG. 11B , without requiring assembly or disassembly of any parts. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  8 A-D, the foldable tent  1  is centrally supported by a hub  100 ,  200 . In the preferred embodiment, the hub  100 ,  200  is circular but the shape of the hub  100 ,  200  can be modified to other shapes including but not limited to square, hexagon or octagon shapes. The hub  100 ,  200  is preferably formed of a tough, molded plastic but can also be constructed with other materials and methods without departing from the scope of the invention. The hub  100 ,  200  can also be molded such that it includes voids  121 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A-D , to reduce the weight of the hub as well as manufacturing costs. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the first embodiment, the hub  100  comprises a stopper or base  12  having a top surface  12   a  and a bottom surface  12   b . The base  12  includes a plurality of cabinets or slots  11  provided on the top surface of the base  12   a  and arranged in radial configuration. Each slot  11  is formed by a pair of adjacent walls  51 , each having an inner end  51   a  and an outer end  51   b , extending independently from the base top surface  12   a . The inner surfaces of each wall  51  preferably include a curved groove  111  but the walls  51  can also function within the scope of the invention without the curved grooves  111 . The walls of each slot  51  are also provided with pivoting holes  41  located at a radially inner end of the walls  51   a  and are substantially aligned. In the first embodiment, the base  12  uniformly extends radially and provides a surface below each entire slot  11 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-D , the connecting hub  200  of the second embodiment is shown. Here, the general structure of the hub  200  is similar to the hub of the first embodiment  100  with a few exceptions. First, the pivoting cabinets or slots  11  extend downward from the bottom surface of the base  12   b . Second, the walls of each slot  51  have pivoting holes  41  located at a radially outer end of the walls  51   b  such that the holes  41  are substantially aligned. Third, the base portion  12  of each slot  11  is only partially extended radially outward such that an opening or void  61  extends radially outward through the rest of the slot  11  including below the pivoting holes of the walls  41 . Fourth, a platform  51   c  having voids  121  extends radially outward between lower portions of adjacent slots  11  to provide additional strength to the slots  11 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , in the preferred embodiment, the tent  1  further comprises four flexible poles to form the frame of the tent, even though the tent  1  can operate with as few as three poles (see  FIG. 7 ) and without limitation to the number of poles. While a variety of materials such as metal tubing, composite tubing (tubing made of resin impregnated fibers) or solid composite poles may be used, the flexible poles preferably each comprise segmented flexible poles formed from three fiberglass pole sections—a roof pole (or upper section)  2   a , and a leg pole comprising a middle section  2   b  and a lower section  2   c —that are connectable together. The pole sections  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  are preferably hollow to reduce the overall weight as well as manufacturing costs of the tent  1 . The tent  1  can also be provided with any number of pole sections depending on the desired height of the tent in its open and collapsed configurations. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , each roof pole  2   a  has first and second ends  71 ,  73 , and forms a roof portion of the tent  1 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, a substantially tubular pivoting cap  3 , having first and second ends  3   a ,  3   b , is secured to the first end of each roof pole  71 . The caps  3  are constructed of a hard, molded plastic and provide the roof poles with additional protection from wear. The cap second end  3   b  is sufficiently secured onto the roof pole first end  71  by form-fit and/or adhesive but can also be secured via fastener  3   d  as shown in  FIGS. 8A-D . The cap  3  may also include a curved outer surface  31  to correspond to the curved grooves  111  of the walls  51  of each slot  11 . Therefore, the external diameter of each pivoting cap  3  is slightly less than or equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls  51  of each slot  11  to allow for each corresponding cap  3  to fit snugly into the slot  11  but also to allow the caps  3  to disengage from each slot  11  without excessive force. Referring to  FIGS. 8A-D , it is preferred that the caps  3  are constructed such that the surface of the caps  3  contacting the slot walls  51  as well as the slot walls  51  are substantially flat while maintaining a close fit. However, the caps  3  and slots  11  can be modified to other shapes and sizes to provide a close fit without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS.  6  and  8 A-D, each cap  3  also has holes extending through opposing sides of the cap  3  such that the holes are substantially aligned. In the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the holes are located at the cap first end  3   a . In each slot  11 , a fastener or pivoting pin  4  extends through the holes of the cap  3  as well as the pivoting holes  41  located at the inner end of each wall  51   a , thereby forming a pivoting axis for the roof poles  2   a . In the second embodiment, the aligned holes are located at or near the cap second end  3   b  and a fastener  4  extends through each cap as well as the pivoting holes  41  located on the outer end of each wall  51   b  to form a pivoting axis. Alternatively, the roof poles  2   a  can be directly connected to the slots  11  without a pivoting cap as shown in  FIG. 7 . The pivoting pin  4  can be any type of fastener such as a rivet, rod, bolt or screw. 
         [0039]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  8 A-D, the instant tent also includes eave poles  2   d , having first and second ends  75 ,  77  pivotally connected to the slots  11  in the same manner as the roof poles  2   a  as described above. In the one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  6 ,  8 A-D, two eave poles  2   d  are included and each eave pole  2   d  is located on opposite sides of the base  12  between the roof poles  2   a  and extends radially outward at a length slightly shorter than the width of the tent  1 . In an another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , four eave poles  2   d  are included. Thus, one skilled in the art will recognize that the number, length and location of the eave poles can vary. Moreover, the eave poles could have one of more extensions that are slidably or pivotally coupled, for example, by a pivoting joint  21  as shown in  FIG. 9 , to accommodate rain flies of any size or shape. 
         [0040]    One of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the pole sections  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  can also be coupled by other means, uniformly or in combination, including slidably, pivotably or by securing the pole sections  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  together by and elastic cord extending through the interior of the poles. 
         [0041]    In the first embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6 , the base  12  uniformly extends radially and provides a surface  12   a  below the pivoting pins  4  and caps  3  so that the first ends of each roof pole and eave pole  71 ,  75  can pivot to and from the open and closed configurations within each corresponding slot  11 . The base  12  is extended to cover the area under the caps  3  to relieve the stresses exerted on the roof poles  2   a  but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the base  12  need not extend fully to provide a surface to cover the entire length of the caps  3 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-D , in the second embodiment, the base  12  extends radially outward except that the base  12  does not extend above the radially outer portions of the slots  11  where the caps  3  are pivotally connected to the walls  51 , thereby forming an opening or a void  61 . Thus, in the open configuration, as shown in  FIG. 8D , the bottom surface of the base  12   b  restricts the caps  3  and first ends of each the roof pole and eave pole  71 ,  75  from any upward pivotal movement beyond the bottom surface of the base  12   b . As a result, the roof pole and eave pole first ends  71 ,  75  are secured in a substantially horizontal position or substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the base  12   b . Referring to  FIG. 11A , in the closed configuration, the opening  61  provided on the radially outer portions of the slots  11  allow the pole second ends  73 ,  77  to pivotally move upward while all or a substantial portion of the caps  3  located at the pole first ends  71 ,  75  remain below a horizontal plane extending from the top surface of the base  12   a  in the closed configuration. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the leg pole middle section  2   b  has a first end  101  and a second end  103 . The roof pole  2   a  and the leg pole middle section  2   b  are pivotally coupled by a pivoting joint  21 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivoting joint  21  is constructed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,159, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, but the pivoting joint  21  can be constructed by any other conventional coupling means. 
         [0044]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , each leg pole lower section  2   c  includes first and second ends  121 ,  123 . The inner diameter of the lower section  2   c  is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the middle section  2   b  such that the middle section  2   b  is telescopically slidable within the lower section  2   c . The second end of the middle section  103  is provided with a locking member  25 . Each telescoping lower section  2   c  includes a spring loaded detent pin for indexing in apertures provided in each corresponding middle section  2   b  for locking the leg pole  2   b ,  2   c  in an extended position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , and depressing the detent pin to disengage the apertures to unlock and retract the leg pole lower section  2   c  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11B . It is preferred that the length of the lower section  2   c  is less than or equal to the length of the middle section  2   b  such that when retracted substantially all of the middle section  2   b  is stored within the lower section  2   c . The length of the retracted leg pole  2   b ,  2   c  is less than the distance between the top surface of the base  12   a  and the second end of the roof pole  73  so that the retracted leg pole  2   b ,  2   c  could be folded and stored above the base  12  as shown in  FIG. 11B . Each extendable lower section  2   c  also preferably includes a foot  53  for engagement with the ground or other floor surface. 
         [0045]    One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that multiple spring loaded detent pin-aperture combinations could be included in each leg pole  2   b ,  2   c  such that the leg poles  2   b ,  2   c  could be adjusted to different lengths. It will also be recognized that any other conventional means for connecting the leg poles  2   b ,  2   c  could be used, including but not limited to slidable and pivotal connections. It is also possible to couple multiple leg poles to a single roof pole, as described in China App. Pub. No. CN201474367U which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, to provide additional surface area for the floor of the tent (described below) as well as to provide additional support to the frame. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the tent  1  includes a tent canopy  55 . In the preferred embodiment, the tent canopy  55  is water and flame resistant, and is a fabric constructed from materials such as cotton, polyester or nylon, or any combination thereof. The tent canopy  55  can also be constructed with heat reflecting material. 
         [0047]    In the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the tent canopy  55  is an enclosure which includes four canopy walls and a floor. The tent canopy preferably includes windows  501  on three canopy walls with each window  501  having two overlapping layers. The outside layer of each window is constructed of a permeable fabric such as mesh or the like and is sewn into the remaining fabric of the tent canopy  55 . The permeable fabric allows outside air to enter the tent interior while also protecting the interior from bugs and debris. The inside layer is constructed of the water and flame resistant material described above, and is partially removable via a fastener such as a zipper or the like which is sewn into the remaining fabric of the tent canopy. The inside layer acts as a barrier between the interior of the tent and the outside such that when closed, the interior of the tent is protected from outside elements such as wind, rain or snow. Alternatively, the mesh outside layer of each window can be replaced with a transparent non-permeable material such as vinyl and the inside layer can be replaced with a shading device or curtain. 
         [0048]    The fourth side of the tent canopy is also equipped with a double layer of fabric identical to that of the three windows except that the mesh outer layer as well as the canopy fabric inner layer are both partially removable via fasteners thereby providing the tent with a door  503  for entering and exiting the tent, as shown in  FIG. 4 . One ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that the number of sides as well as the number of windows and doors could vary depending on preference and design without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the top portion of the tent canopy  55  on each side of the tent  1  where the eave poles  2   d  are located also includes a permeable fabric  505  such as mesh. The permeable fabric improves ventilation for the tent interior while also protecting the interior from bugs and debris. In the preferred embodiment, the permeable section  505  is triangular and is located above the windows  501 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a permeable fabric can be added to any number of sides of the tent and also take on other shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , a permeable section can be included on all sides of the tent canopy provided that additional eave poles  2   d  and rain flies  507  (described in more detail below) are included on those sides. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the canopy  55  is connected to each pole  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  proximate seams  509  which join the canopy walls. A sleeve  511  extends from each seam  509  and is connected to the roof pole  2   a . Three separate hooks  513  also extend from each seam  509  and are movably connected to the first and second ends of the middle section  101 ,  103  and at the first end of the lower section  121 . In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve  511 , instead of hooks, is provided on the roof pole  2   a  not only for aesthetic purposes but also because the length of the roof pole  2   a  remains constant throughout the opening and collapsing of the tent  200  and therefore a movable connection, i.e., a hook, is not required. The sleeve further provides the top portion of the canopy  55  with sufficient tension such that the top portion of the canopy does not sag. One with ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various connecting methods as well as locations of the connections could vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. An outer surface of the tent canopy at a top center location  55   a  can also be provided with a string  55   b  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2B ) attached to a bottom portion of the hub  55   c  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 8A-D ) to provide additional stability to the tent  1  as well as to ensure that the tent canopy  55  does not sag. 
         [0051]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-5 , the tent  1  also includes a rain fly  507  preferably constructed of the same material as the tent canopy  55  described above. The preferred embodiment includes two substantially triangular rain flies  507  on opposing sides of the tent  1 . Each rain fly  507  has three perimeters  507   a ,  507   b ,  507   c . Two of the three perimeters  507   a ,  507   b  are sewn into corresponding seams of the tent canopy  509  and culminate at the center of the tent canopy  55   a . The remaining perimeter of each rain fly  507   c  is a free end which rests above the canopy wall. Each rain fly  507  is attached to a corresponding eave pole  2   d  along a line extending from the center of the tent  55   a  to a midpoint of the remaining perimeter  507   c  and are attached to each eave pole  2   d  at the midpoint of the perimeter  507   c  to provide further support for the rain fly  507  and also to provide a decline on each side of the rain fly  507  to eliminate the possibility of water or debris accumulating on top of the rain fly  507 . The hook  515  located at the second end of the eave pole  77  is permanently attached so that the rain fly  507  is taut when the tent is opened without the user having to make any adjustments. 
         [0052]    The rain fly  507  also sufficiently covers the permeable upper portion of the tent canopy  505  and protects the permeable portion  505  and the interior of the tent  1  from rain or snow and also provides shading. Furthermore, because there is sufficient space between the rain fly  507  and permeable portion  505 , air from the exterior of the tent  1  can enter and exit the tent interior uninhibitedly to provide continuous ventilation. Furthermore, the windows  501  located beneath the rain flies  507  are provided with overhead protection as well. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the size, shape and number of the rain flies could vary. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , a rain fly can be added to all sides of the tent  1 . 
         [0053]    In operation, the collapsed tent  1  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11B ) is erected by pulling the roof poles  2   a , leg poles  2   b ,  2   c  and eave poles  2   d  radially outward from the hub  1  (see  FIG. 10 ) and then unfolding and extending the leg poles  2   b ,  2   c  radially outward (see  FIG. 9 ). Only the frame of the tent is illustrated in these drawings to clearly show the instant tent  1  in the closed and partially closed configurations. 
         [0054]    In the first embodiment, the first ends of each roof pole and eave pole  71 ,  75  are secured within each corresponding slot  11  on the top surface of the base  12   a  and the curved outer surface  31  of the caps  3  and the curved grooves  111  of the slot walls  51  are engaged (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ). Similarly, in the second embodiment, the first ends of each pole  71 ,  75  is secured within each corresponding slot  11  as the caps of each roof pole and eave pole  3  engages the bottom surface of the base  12   b  and the slot walls  51  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 8A-D ). 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , each roof pole second end  73  and leg pole middle portion first end  101  are aligned and engaged as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,159 or by any other conventional means. The leg pole lower section  2   c  is telescopically extended and locked to the middle section  2   b  via the locking member  25  by engaging the push pin with the aperture. The poles  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  are pulled radially outward to fully expand the tent canopy  55  and rain flies  507 , the feet of the poles  53  are then fixed to the surface, and the tent  1  remains opened and securely erected. The tent  1  is further stabilized by downward forces exerted on the poles  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  by the tent canopy  55  through the various attachments (hooks  513  and sleeves  511 ) which tend to keep the poles  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  from pivoting upward. 
         [0056]    To close the tent  1 , the feet of the poles  53  are first disengaged from the supporting surface and the overall tension in the tent canopy  55  is decreased. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the lower sections of the poles  2   c  are telescopically retracted by disengaging the push pin and aperture of the locking mechanism  25 . The roof pole  2   a  and leg pole middle portion  2   b  are pulled apart and each section is pivotally disengaged via the pivoting joint  21 . The leg poles  2   b ,  2   c  and the tent canopy  55  are then folded radially inward toward the hub  100 ,  200 . The poles are pivoted radially inward until the poles  2   a - d  (and canopy  55 ) are gathered above the hub  100 ,  200  in a compact closed configuration for convenient storage and transportability. In the first embodiment, the caps  3  are pivoted within the slots  11  above the top surface of the base  12   a . In the second embodiment, the caps  3  are pivoted within the voids  61  of the base  12  such that the caps  3  remain within the voids  61  as shown in  FIG. 11A  and extend below the bottom surface of the base  12   b.    
         [0057]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Category: e