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Title:
A GUY ELEMENT FOR A TENT AND A TENT COMPRISING SUCH A GUY ELEMENT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/211370
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A tent system comprising a fly sheet (109) and an inner tent (111), wherein said system further comprises at least one guy element for securing said fly sheet to said inner tent, wherein said guy element is for interconnecting said fly sheet and said inner tent and is adapted to be connected to said inner tent at a second point of connection (101b) and said fly sheet at a first point of connection (101a); The guy element comprises between said first and second point of connection: - a stretchable flexible rubber ring (103) for providing flexibility to said guy element and - a stretch-limiting element (105) for limiting the amount of possible stretching of said stretchable flexible rubber ring, Thereby a flexible connection can be obtained between a fly net and an inner tent which, due to the stretch-limiting element, can withstand even extreme weather conditions without breaking.

Inventors:
POULSEN JOHN JUEL (DK)
Application Number:
PCT/DK2017/050189
Publication Date:
December 14, 2017
Filing Date:
June 08, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
NORDISK COMPANY AS (DK)
International Classes:
E04H15/32; B60P7/08
Foreign References:
CH287424A1952-11-30
GB2258666A1993-02-17
US20110109026A12011-05-12
EP0255281A21988-02-03
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CHAS. HUDE A/S (DK)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . A tent system comprising a fly sheet and an inner tent, wherein said system further comprises at least one guy element for securing said fly sheet to said inner tent, wherein said guy element is for interconnecting said fly sheet and said inner tent and is adapted to be connected to said inner tent at a first point of connection and said fly sheet at a second point of connection, characterised in that said guy element comprises between said first and second point of connection;

- a stretchable flexible rubber ring for providing flexibility to said guy element and

- a stretch-limiting element for limiting the amount of possible stretching of said stretchable flexible rubber ring, wherein said stretch-limiting element is connected through a knot to said stretchable flexible rubber ring at a first stretch point and a second stretch point, respectively, and wherein a length of said stretch-limiting element between said first and second stretch points is longer than the stretchable flexible rubber ring in its un-stretched state, and short enough to limit the extent of possible stretching of said stretchable flexible rubber ring and wherein the distance between said first and second stretch point is significantly shorter than the distance between said first and second point of connection.

2. A tent system according to claim 1 , wherein the length of said stretch-limiting element between said first and second stretch points has a length being smaller than the maximum length of the stretched stretchable rubber ring.

3. A tent system according to claims 1 -2, wherein said stretch-limiting element is a piece of cord or rope connected to said stretchable flexible rubber ring at said first and said second stretch points.

4. A tent system according to claim 3, wherein said piece of rope is a single piece of cord being connected to said flexible element via a knot at said first and second stretch points.

5. A tent system according to claims 1 -4, wherein said guy element comprises engagement means at said first and second point of connection enabling the points of connection to be connected to engagement means positioned at the fly sheet and the inner tent, respectively.

6. A fly sheet for an inner tent adapted to be secured to an inner tent, wherein said fly sheet comprises at least one guy element according to claims 1 -5.

7. An inner tent adapted to be connected to a fly sheet, wherein said inner tent comprises at least one guy element according to claims 1 -5. 8. A tent system according to claims 1 -7, wherein the guy element is used in tent ropes.

9. A guy element be used as part of a tent system according to claims 1 -5, wherein said guy element comprises between said first and second point of connection; - a stretchable flexible rubber ring for providing flexibility to said guy element and - a stretch-limiting element for limiting the amount of possible stretching of said stretchable flexible rubber ring, wherein said stretch-limiting element is connected through a knot to said stretchable flexible rubber ring at a first stretch point and a second stretch point, respectively, and wherein a length of said stretch-limiting element between said first and second stretch point is longer than the stretchable flexible rubber ring in its un-stretched state, and short enough to limit the extent of possible stretching of said stretchable flexible rubber ring and wherein the distance between said first and second stretch point is significantly shorter than the distance between said first and second point of connection.

Description:
A GUY ELEMENT FOR A TENT AND A TENT COMPRISING SUCH A GUY ELEMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a guy element for securing a fly sheet to an inner tent. Further, the invention relates to a fly sheet, an inner tent and a tent system comprising such a guy element.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Outdoor activities have been attracting increased popularity over the past decade. These activities rely heavily on the equipment, among which the tent is one of the most essential.

Usually, a tent consists of either a single or a double layer of fabric, known as a single- walled or a double-walled tent. Both types have advantages and disadvantages, but especially the double-walled tent is popular among outdoor people. This is mainly due to the combination of the two fabrics, the outer being waterproof, the inner being breathable, which is not realised to the same extent in a single-walled tent. However, due to condensation on the inside of the outer tent (fly sheet) during use in especially humid and wet environments, it is necessary to keep the two fabrics separated. This separation is achieved in the construction of the tent through the use of e.g. the tent poles and cords.

The drawback of this necessity is the need for securing the fly sheet to the body of the tent and/or the inner tent. This is especially relevant in case of high wind speeds, where a poorly attached fly sheet may result in it being detached and lost. Ways to circumvent this usually include two types of solutions: un-stretchable elements being cords and/or plastic elements as well as elastic elements, such as rubber or silicone. Both solutions are attached between the two layers of fabric or between the fly sheet and the tent poles. However, the former solution decreases the flexibility of the fly sheet relative to the body of the tent thus creating an uncomfortable and noisy environment for example at lower wind speeds, while the latter is vulnerable to rupture when it is stretched past its breaking point and is therefore not suitable at more extreme conditions as well as being vulnerable to accidents. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve some of the afore-mentioned problems. This is obtained by a tent system comprising a fly sheet and an inner tent, wherein said system further comprises at least one guy element for securing said fly sheet to said inner tent, wherein said guy element is for interconnecting said fly sheet and said inner tent and is adapted to be connected to said inner tent at a first point of connection and said fly sheet at a second point of connection.

The guy element comprises between said first and second point of connection:

- a stretchable flexible rubber ring for providing flexibility to said guy element and

- a stretch-limiting element for limiting the amount of possible stretching of said stretchable flexible rubber ring, wherein said stretch-limiting element is connected through a knot to said stretchable flexible rubber ring at a first stretch point and a second stretch point, respectively, and wherein a length of said stretch-limiting element between said first and second stretch points is longer than the stretchable flexible rubber ring in its un-stretched state and short enough to limit the extent of possible stretching of said stretchable flexible rubber ring, and wherein the distance between said first and second stretch point is significantly shorter than the distance between said first and second point of connection. Thereby, a flexible connection can be obtained between a fly sheet and an inner tent which, due to the stretch-limiting element, can withstand even extreme weather conditions without breaking. Further, these properties are obtained in a lightweight manner.

Either the first point of connection or the second point of connection may affix to another element of a tent instead of directly onto the inner tent or fly sheet, such as tent poles. Thereby, a connection should be established between the fly sheet and the inner tent, whereby pulling them apart applies a tensile force on the guy element. If for example a fly sheet is attached to a tent pole, the guy element may connect the inner tent and the said tent pole thereby establishing a connection between the fly sheet and the inner tent. In an embodiment, the length of said stretch-limiting element between said first and second stretch point has a length being smaller than the maximum length of the stretched stretchable flexible element. Thereby, the guy element is capable of being stretched a distance whereupon it becomes substantially inelastic to further expansion due to it being retained by the stretch-limiting element thereby avoiding rupturing the stretchable element during use.

In an embodiment, said stretch-limiting element is a piece of cord or rope connected to said stretchable flexible element at said first and said second stretch points.

Thereby, the piece of cord or rope is substantially inelastic and non-expandable thus adding strength to the embodiment while being a lightweight solution. In an embodiment, said piece of rope is a single piece of cord being connected to said flexible element via a knot at said first and second stretch points.

Thereby, the embodiment is lightweight and small in volume, and no modification of the cord is needed to achieve a connection thus also reducing the risk of weak points along the embodiment.

In an embodiment, said stretch-limiting element extends between said first and second connection points, and the distance between said first and second connection points is longer than the distance between said first and second stretch points.

The distance between the first and second stretch point is significantly shorter than the distance between the first and second connection points. The distance between the first and second stretch point may constitute less than 30 % of the distance between the first and second connection points when the stretchable flexible element is stretched to its maximum, i.e. where its elongation is being limited by the stretch-limiting element. Thereby, stretchable flexible elements of the same dimensions may be used for tents of various dimensions as well as for different guy elements of the same tent, whereby production is simplified. Variations of elasticity may then be adapted based on material instead of dimensions. In an embodiment said flexible element is a flexible rubber ring, such as a silicone ring. Thereby, knots are easily and securely fastened through the centre of the ring.

Instead of a ring, the stretchable element may be shaped as other structures comprising a hole in its centre, such as an ellipse, oval, disk or coin.

The diameter of the ring is preferably below 3 cm, or below 2 cm, whereby the guy element is adapted to provide flexibility with the benefits from the stretch-limiting element in close spaces, such as the space between a fly sheet and an inner tent. Thereby, the guy element may provide flexibility to the fly sheet even when said fly sheet is in close proximity to the inner tent.

In an embodiment, said stretchable element is a flexible rubber bar, such as a silicone bar, wherein said stretch-limiting element is connected to opposite ends of said flexible rubber bar. Thereby, a strong stretchable element is provided, which resistant to fatigue, and/or it allows a lightweight and cheap solution. Moreover, it may be shaped as a bar or cylinder with holes for attachment in its ends.

By rubber is meant any type of elastomer or natural rubber which is substantially elastically expandable under tensile stress, such as natural rubber or other polymers exhibiting stretchable properties, such as elastomers, such as nitrile rubber or fluorosilicone or silicone.

In an embodiment, the piece of stretch-limiting element between said first and second stretch points is a cord being longer than the length of said flexible rubber bar, and wherein said cord is wrapped around said flexible rubber bar.

Thereby, when tensile forces are applied on the stretch-limiting element during use, the tension translates to the cord and bar thus pressing against each other angular to the axis of the guy element thereby increasing the tensile strength of the guy element.

In an embodiment, said guy element at said first and second points of connection comprises engagement means enabling the points of connection to be connected to engagement means positioned at the fly net and the inner tent, respectively. Thereby, the guy element can be mounted between a fly net and the inner tent.

The object is further solved by a fly net, an inner tent and a tent system comprising a guy element according to the above.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to figures, where Figs. 1 a and 1 b illustrate the principle of a guy element according to the present invention in a relaxed state and a stretched state, respectively,

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment, where the flexible element is shaped as a ring, Fig. 3 illustrates an example, where the guy element is shaped as a bar.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a tent system comprising a guy element according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention is described in further detail with offset in the drawings, where the drawings should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the guy element connected to a tent in its un-stretched state illustrated in Fig. 1 A and in its stretched state illustrated in Fig. 1 B.

At the first point of connection 101 A, the attachment device is connected to the fly sheet 109, while at the second point of connection 101 B, the attachment device is connected to the inner tent 1 1 1 . The stretchable element 103 and the stretch-limiting element 105 are connected to each other at the first stretch point 107A and the second stretch point 107B.

In the shown un-stretched state, the stretch-limiting element 105 between the two connection points 107A and 107B is longer than the stretchable element between the two knots so that any tension of the guy element is expressed in an extension of the stretchable element 103. In the un-stretched state, the stretch-limiting element 205 is therefore loose. In Fig. 1 B, the attachment device is shown in its stretched state, where the stretchable element 103' is stretched, but limited by the stretch-limiting element 105'. In the shown stretched state, the stretchable element 103' is substantially the same length as the limiting element 105' which has now been stretched tightly. By absorbing the tensile stress, the stretch-limiting element 105' thus relieves the stretchable element 103', whereby the stretchable element 103' does not stretch further and is thus protected from breaking. The tensile strength of the stretch-limiting element 105' is greater than the tensile strength of the stretchable element 103'.

Fig. 2 shows a particular embodiment of the guy element in an un-stretched state in Fig. 2A and in a stretched state in Fig. 2B. Considering Fig. 2A, a guy cord 201 is secured to a silicone ring 203. The ends of the guy cord, 201 A and 201 B, are connected to the fly sheet and the inner tent and/or the tent poles. In the embodiment shown, the guy cord is unbroken from end 201 A to end 201 B, thereby avoiding any weak points along the cord. The guy cord 201 is connected to the silicone ring 203 by two knots, 207A and 207B, positioned some distance apart on the ring. The total length of the guy cord 201 is at least 7 cm, but may be up to any length required to connect an inner tent and a fly sheet when the guy element is used in a tent system comprising an inner tent and a fly sheet. Said required length may be up to 20 cm or 30 cm. The silicone ring 203 is a circular element with a hole in its centre thus making it possible to attach the knots, 207A and 207B, without damaging the silicone ring. The maximum diameter of the silicone ring 203 may be 3 cm, or 2 cm, or 1 cm. In a specific embodiment, the diameter of the ring is 1 .8 cm. The maximum weight of the guy element may be 10 grams, such that it may be considered lightweight. Thus, compared to the length of the guy cord 201 , which may be up to for example 30 cm, but at least 7 cm, the size of the ring 203 is considerably smaller. In other words, the ring 203 may constitute less than 30% of the entire length of the guy element. Thereby, the same ring 203 may be used in multiple situations within the same tent system or between models of tent systems without the need for changing to a smaller or larger ring. Fig. 2B shows the attachment device in its stretched state, where the silicone ring 203' is fully stretched due to tensile stress applied to the guy cord, 201 A and 201 B'. The stretch- limiting element 205' is now tightly stretched thus limiting further elongation of the silicone ring 203'.

By using a guy element according to the embodiment described and illustrated in the figures, a more flexible attachment is achieved as the fly sheet is now capable of moving a certain distance relative to the inner tent due to the stretchable element 103 without the risk of rupture due to said stretch-limiting element 105. Moreover, by making the device from a single piece of cord, weak points due to seams and/or splicing are avoided.

Fig. 3 shows an example where a silicone device 303 is attached to the rope 301 through holes in its ends, 303A and 303B. The rope is unbroken from end 301 A to end 301 B. The rope 301 is coiled around the silicone device 303 which is capable of elongation until it is limited by the length of rope 301 coiled around it when opposite directed forces are applied to its ends, 301 A and 301 B.

Fig. 4 illustrates an end view of a lightweight tent system 400. Fig. 4a illustrates the tent system 400 in a relaxed state, i.e. when no external forces, such as wind, are causing the tent system to move. The tent system 400 comprises an inner tent 410 and a fly sheet 41 1 . The tent system 400 may also comprise at least one tent pole for expanding the tent system 400, especially the inner tent 410. The fly sheet 41 1 may be secured to the ground using a first plurality of pegs 412 or earth rods integrated in the tent poles (not shown). Alternatively, the fly sheet 41 1 may be attached to the tent poles, e.g. through sewed loops in the fly sheet, such that said fly sheet 41 1 is not in contact with the ground, but rather attached to the tent poles. A plurality of tent ropes 413 may be attached to the fly sheet 41 1 and to a second plurality of pegs 422, said tent ropes 413 further keeping the fly sheet 41 1 in place. The tent ropes 413 may not be used in all embodiments due to weight considerations.

The inner tent 410 is attached to the fly sheet 41 1 using a plurality of guy elements 430. The guy elements 430 may comprise attachment means (not shown) for facilitating the attachment. The inner tent 410 may also or instead be attached to tent poles (not shown) using a plurality of guy elements 430, e.g. in case no fly sheet is used. If using tent ropes 413, the guy elements 430 may also be used to provide flexibility in these. Each guy elements 430 comprises a stretchable flexible rubber ring and a stretch-limiting element (e.g. a piece of guy cord) according to the invention and as described in relation to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. A distance L is indicated in the figure, said distance L denoting a distance between the inner tent 410 and the fly sheet 41 1 . The distance L is exaggerated in the drawing in comparison to the size of the tent system 400 for clarity and for highlighting the guy elements 430. The distance L may vary from 7 cm to 30 cm depending on where in the tent system 400 the measurement is done. It is important to note how the guy elements 430 are arranged within said distance L, and how the ring of said guy elements 430 is occupying considerably less space than the distance L, i.e. the same size of ring may be used regardless of the varying distance L. Preferably, the ring constitutes less than 30% of the length of the guy element.

Fig. 4b illustrates the tent system 400 in a state where wind W is applied from the right, said wind W causing the fly sheet 41 1 to be displaced, whereby the distance L' is reduced compared to the distance L given in Fig. 4a. The wind W causes the top part of the fly sheet 41 1 to be displaced a distance. Through the use of a particular guy element 430' according to the invention attached between the top part of the fly sheet 41 1 and the inner tent 410, the fly sheet 41 1 is held in place without displacing or affecting the inner tent 410. A displacement of the inner tent 410 would be discomforting for the user using the tent. The specific use of a guy element 430' according to the invention allows said guy element to be elastically stretched (due to the use of a stretchable flexible rubber ring) to a certain limit (due to the use of a stretch-limiting element such as a cord) without pulling or tearing the inner tent 410. Said process is illustrated through the ring of the guy element 430' being elongated, i.e. an ellipse, and by the cord (stretch-limiting element) of the guy element 430' being extended. The remaining, illustrated guy elements 430 may also be affected by the wind W in various ways not illustrated.

The use of guy elements 430 as disclosed is particular relevant in case no tent ropes are used (Fig. 4b does not disclose the use of tent ropes as opposed to Fig. 4a, where tent ropes 413 are included). By neglecting the use of tent ropes, the tent system 400 becomes lighter. However, said omission of tent ropes requires that the fly sheet 41 1 is attached to the inner tent 410 in an even more secure manner, said secure manner being through the use of guy elements 430 according to the invention.