TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the construction of a tent frame, and more particularly to the construction of a tent with its covering material fixed to the frame to facilitate quick and easy erection of the tent.

BACKGROUND

There are known tents which are both easily erected and of simple construction. One such tent as disclosed in US Patent No. 4,748,995 (Viglione) is a foldable tent consisting of a frame and a cover and ground sheet permanently fixed thereto, the frame is formed by a plurality of generally U-shaped frame members which have their extremities fixed to pivot assemblies. The frame is foldable by having the ^' legs of the frame member pivotable to a nested position. The frame members are held in place by braces that slidably engage with a channel in the central U-shaped frame member as show in Figs. 2 and 4.

WO 1997/043509 (Viglione) discloses a foldable tent that is operably erected in a similar fashion to US Patent No. 4,748,995, however its ground engaging member has been modified to include pivotal base end members of differing lengths that allows a tent of the same folded size as an equivalent tent of US Patent No. 4,748,995, but which folds out to a different size.

In both US Patent No. 4,748,995 and WO 1997/043509 the so called U-shaped frame members each comprise a base interconnecting two substantially parallel elongate arms. Each of these arms is substantially at right angles to the base from which they project. This makes each frame member look "rectangular" in appearance, and when erected the tent has a cover sheet having opposed side walls which are substantially vertical. The roof surface of the cover sheet that extends between the bases of the respective U-shaped frame members slopes backwardly. However, in the embodiment shown in these patents the roof slope is not sufficient, and during rainfall, water undesirably "pools" on the roof. As a result, in the commercial embodiment, to avoid this pooling of rainwater, the central frame member was shortened by about 150mm, thereby providing a steeper slope. This steeper slope allows a substantial portion of rainwater to run off to the back. Having the substantial rainwater run-off going in a single direction to the back of the tent can also be undesirable and disadvantageous.

Furthermore the pivot assembly of such tents, as shown in Fig. 2 of US Patent No. 4,748,995, has different pivot points for each U-shaped frame. The "intermediate frame" pivots about respective pins on spaced apart pivot assemblies 29, 30 to form a "folding axis" which is disposed at a lower location to the different "folding axis" of the end frame member. This type of pivot assembly, along with the braces that slide in the channel of the U-shaped intermediate frame member, means that tents of this construction are restricted to designs in which each U- shaped frame member has a base which is at substantially right angles to its respective arms. This means that this construction does not allow for a foldable tent having sloping side walls.

The present invention seeks to provide a foldable tent that will be able to be erected from a collapsed configuration to an erected configuration and ameliorate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention consists of a foldable tent comprising a frame, and a cover and ground sheet fixed to said frame so as to provide an enclosed living area when said tent is erected, said frame comprising a plurality of frame members', each of generally U-shaped configuration, and each with an elongated base assembly having two arm assemblies extending therefrom, with said arm assemblies cooperating to form two frame sides, a pivot assembly for each frame side to which the free ends of the arm assemblies of each frame side are pivotally attached to pivot about a common axis, whereby said frame members are pivotal from a collapsed configuration in which said frame members are in an abutted relationship, to an erected configuration in which said frame members are angularly spaced about said common axis, and a brace means extends between said frame members to support said frame members in said erected configuration.

Preferably, said plurality of frame members are three substantially identical frame members consisting of a floor frame member adapted to rest on a ground surface, a second intermediate frame member and an end frame member. Preferably, said floor frame member is fixed relative to each of said pivot assemblies, whilst said second intermediate frame member and said end frame member are pivotal with respect to said pivot assemblies.

Preferably, each pivot assembly comprises a hub in the form of a first hinge mechanism having a hinge base connected to the free end of the respective arm assembly of said floor frame member, said hinge base having a first set of spaced apart ends disposed axially apart along said common axis, a first pivot member connected to the free end of the respective arm assembly of said end frame member, and a second pivot member connected to the free end of the respective arm assembly of said second intermediate frame member, and wherein said second pivot member has a second set of spaced apart ends disposed internally of said first set of spaced apart ends of said hinge base for rotation about said common axis, and said first pivot member is disposed internally of said second spaced apart ends of said second pivot member for rotation about said common axis. Preferably, each said elongated base assembly of said frame members comprises at least two elongate roof struts disposed at angle to each other.

Preferably, said roof struts are pivotally interconnected to each other by a second hinge mechanism. Preferably, said second hinge mechanism has a second pivot axis and at least one locked configuration in which the orientation of said roof struts relative to each other is locked. Preferably, said second hinge mechanism is in said locked configuration when said tent is in an in-use fully-erect configuration. Preferably, said second hinge mechanism may be released from said locked configuration, thereby allowing pivotal movement of said roof struts relative to each other, by depressing a push button disposed on said second hinge mechanism in a direction substantially parallel to said second pivot axis.

Preferably, each of said two roof struts has an end roof strut pivotally connected thereto. Preferably, each said end roof strut is pivotally connected to a respective said arm assembly. Preferably, when said tent is in an erected configuration, said arm assemblies of said end frame member are disposed oblique to the vertical. Preferably, each of said arm assemblies is pivotally connected to its respective said base assembly by a third hinge mechanism. Preferably, each of said arm assemblies comprises at least two struts pivotally connected to each other by a fourth hinge mechanism. Preferably, said arm assemblies and said base assemblies comprise at least one strut of elliptical cross-section.

Preferably, said brace means comprises a pair of brace members on each side of said frame, with a first of each said pair extending between said floor frame member and said intermediate frame member, and the other of said pair extending between said intermediate frame member and said end frame member. Preferably, each said pair of brace members of each side of said frame are pivotally attached to said frame members, and are further slidably attached to said intermediate frame member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a frame for a foldable tent according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a fully-erect configuration. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the frame shown in Fig.1 , with its brace assembly moved to a lower position to allow for folding.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the frame shown in Fig.1, as it is being collapsed. Figs. 4 (a)-(d) are perspective views of the frame shown in Fig.l, as it is folded from a collapsed configuration to a fully folded configuration.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded front perspective view of a pivot assembly used in the frames shown in Fig.l.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged exploded rear perspective view of the pivot assembly shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the brace slide mechanism used in the frame shown in Fig.1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the brace "fixed hinge" used in the frame shown in Fig.l .

Fig. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a hinge mechanism used in the frame shown in Fig.l. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a frame for a foldable tent according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a fully-erect configuration.

Figs. 11 (a)-(e) are perspective views of the frame shown in Fig.10, as it is folded from a collapsed configuration to a fully folded configuration.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a frame for a foldable tent according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a fully-erect configuration.

Figs. 13 (a)-(d) are perspective views of the frame shown in Fig.12, as it is folded from a collapsed configuration to a fully folded configuration.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a "push-button" pivotal mechanism used in the frame shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a frame for a foldable tent according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a fully-erect configuration.

Figs. 16 (a)-(d) are perspective views of the frame shown in Fig. 15, as it is folded from a collapsed configuration ^' to a fully folded configuration. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 to 9 depict a frame 11 of a foldable tent structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows frame 11 in a "fully-erect configuration". Frame 11 supports a cover sheet (not shown) and ground sheet (not shown) of the tent structure. Whilst the cover sheet and ground sheet have been omitted from the figures, they can be considered to be of conventional type similar to that shown in the figures of prior art US 4,748,995 and preferably the cover and ground sheets are sealingly fixed together. When the tent structure is in its fully-erect configuration it provides an enclosed living area.

Frame 11 comprises three substantially identical frame members, namely a floor frame member 14a adapted to rest on a ground surface, a second intermediate frame member 14b and an end frame member 14c. When frame 11 is in its fully-erect configuration as shown in Fig. 1, end frame member 14c is upright such that it is substantially vertical, floor frame member 14a is substantially horizontal, and intermediate frame member 14b is angularly spaced between frame members 14a and 14c such that it is at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal.

Each frame member 14a, 14b and 14c is of a generally U-shaped configuration with an elongated base assembly 25, and two arm assemblies 26 and 27 extending therefrom. Each arm assembly 26 and 27 is pivotally attached to its respective base assembly 25 by means of a pivot hinge mechanism 6a at corners 28. Each base assembly 25 is made up of two elongated roof struts 25a interconnected by an "angled" joint 25b such that roof struts 25a are disposed at an angle to each other. On frame members 14b and 14c the angled joints 25b form a "roof peak". This is advantageous to allow water to run-off the roof of the tent in different directions. In the fully-erect configuration, arm assemblies 26 cooperate to form one side of frame 11 and arm assemblies 27 cooperate to form the opposite side of frame 11, and base assemblies 25 cooperate to form the roof and back of frame 11. Each arm assembly 26 comprises strut components 26a and 26b, interconnected by a pivot hinge mechanism 6b. Likewise each arm assembly 27 comprises strut components 27a and 27b also interconnected by a pivot hinge mechanism 6b. All of the strut components 25ai, 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b which make up arm assemblies 26, 27 and base assembly 25, are preferably of an elliptical cross section. One of the advantages of tent frame 11 over the prior art is that the struts 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b of arm assemblies 26, 27 can be made of similar cross section to that of the struts 25a of base assemblies 25, thereby making the manufacture of tent frame 11 less costly and easier than prior art arrangements.

There are two pivot assemblies (hubs) 29 and 30, disposed on opposite sides of frame 11. The free ends (extremities) of arm assemblies 26 are pivotally attached to pivot assembly (hub) 29, and the free ends (extremities) of arm assemblies 27 are pivotally attached to pivot assembly (hub) 30. The arrangement is such that floor frame member 14a is fixed relative to pivot assemblies 29 and 30, whilst second intermediate frame member 14b and end frame member 14c pivot with respect to pivot assemblies 29 and 30.

Importantly, the arm assemblies 26 of second intermediate frame member 14b and of end frame member 14c both pivot about the same common (single) axis A on pivot assembly 29, and the arm assemblies 27 of second intermediate frame member 14b and of end frame member 14c both pivot about the same common- (single) axis B on pivot assembly 30. This is different to the prior art tent disclosed in US Patent No. 4,748,995 in which the arm assemblies associated with the intermediate frame member and the end frame member pivot about different pivot points as can be seen in Fig. 2 of US Patent No. 4,748,995. When frame 11 is in its fully-erect configuration shown in Fig. 1, frame members 14a, 14b and 14c are angularly spaced about common axes A and B.

As pivot assemblies 29 and 30, are similar their construction and operation will be described with reference to pivot assembly 29 only, as shown in Figs. 5 arid 6. Pivot assembly (or hub) 29 is hinge mechanism having a hinge base 29a connected to the free end of arm assembly 26 of floor frame member 14a. Hinge base 29a has a first set of spaced apart ends 50 and 51 disposed axially apart along axis A. A first pivot member 29c is connected to the free end of the arm assembly 26 of end frame member 14c, and a second pivot member 29b is connected to the free end of the arm assembly 26 of the second intermediate frame member 14b. The ^* second pivot member 29b has a second set of spaced apart ends 52 and 53 disposed internally of the first set of spaced apart ends 50, 51 of hinge base 29a for rotation about common axis A, First pivot member 29c is disposed internally of second spaced apart ends 52, 53 of second pivot member 29b, also for rotation about common axis A. Pivot assembly 29 is held together by a bolt 56, aligned with axis A, and nut 57.

The use of a common axis A creates a more compact pivot assembly 29 compared to the prior art arrangements. Furthermore, the socket end portions 55a, 55c and 55b of hinge base 29a, first pivot member 29c and second pivot member 29b respectively are angled relative to common axis A such that arm assemblies 26 are each at an angle of less than 90 degrees to axis A. This results in the arm assemblies 26 of end frame members 14b and intermediate frame member 14c being sloped (oblique) to the vertical when frame 11 is in its fully-erect configuration, thereby sloping the side walls of the tent.

Frame members 14a, 14b and 14c are supported in an erected configuration by a brace means, , extending between frame members 14a, 14b, 14c, comprising two pairs of brace members 21 and 22, on either side of frame 11. Braces 21 and 22 preferably have an elliptical cross-section similar to struts 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b, 25a.

Each pair of brace members 21, 22 is pivotally attached to a slide 23 slidably engaged to an arm assembly 26, 27 of intermediate frame member 14b. Fig. 7 depicts an exploded view of slide 23 and braces 21 and 22 of arm assembly 26 of intermediate frame member 14b. Slide 23 is pivotally interconnected to end connector 61 of brace 21 by pivotal connector 71 , and pivotally interconnected to end connector 62 of brace 22 by pivotal connector 72. Slide 23 has a bore 23a complementary in shape to the elliptical cross-section of strut 26a of arm assembly 26 thereby allowing slide 23 to slide relative to strut 26a which passes through bore 23a. As shown in Fig. 1, the other end of each of the lower two braces 22 is pivotally attached to a fixed hinge 24a on frame member 14a, resting on the ground surface, and the other end of each of the upper braces 21 is pivotally attached to a fixed hinge 24c on vertically extending end frame member 14c. The arrangement is such that the lower two brace members 22 extend ^' between frame members 14a and 14b, and the upper two brace members 21 extend between frame members 14b and 14c. Exploded views of fixed hinges 24a and 24c are shown in Fig. 8. Fixed hinge 24a is pivotally interconnected to end connector 63 of brace 22 by pivotal connector 73. Likewise, fixed hinge 24c is pivotally interconnected to end connector 62 of brace 21 by pivotal connector 72. When tent frame 11 is in its fully-erect configuration as shown in Fig. 1, slide 23 and brace members 21, 22 are in an "over centre" or "upper than centre" position. In order to lower tent frame 11 for folding, a user (not shown) must move slide 23 and brace members 21, 22 to a "lower than centre" position as shown in Fig. 2. This allows tent frame 11 to then be collapsed as shown in Fig. 3. Once tent frame 11 is in its fully collapsed configuration shown in Fig.4(a), in which frame members 14a, 14b and 14c abut against each other, frame 1 1 can be folded progressively about hinges 6a and 6b as shown in Figs.4(b) to 4(d). Fig. 4(d) shows tent frame

I I in its fully folded configuration.

As pivot hinge mechanisms 6a and 6b are very similar in construction and operation, they will be described with reference to pivot hinge 6a only, as shown in Fig. 9. Pivot hinge 6a comprises a first pivot member 80 having an elongate hollow portion 81 adapted to receive a strut component with an elliptical section such as a roof strut 25a (not shown in Fig.9) therein, and an opposed second pivot member 82 having an elongate hollow portion 83 adapted to receive another strut component with an elliptical section such as a strut 26b. Pivot members 80 and 82 are held together by a threaded fastener 85 and pivot about an axis C. A projection 86 is disposed internally on pivot member 82. A like projection 86 (not shown) is formed on the internal side of pivot member 80. In use, pivot members 80, 82 are able to pivot relative to each other, and like projections 86 abut against each other to prevent rotation beyond a

"predetermined configuration". In use, this predetermined configuration may be the fully-erect configuration of tent frame 1 1.

Figs. 10 and 1 l(a)-l 1(e) depict a frame 111 of a tent structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Tent frame 111 is very similar to the first embodiment tent frame 11 shown in Fig. 1, and its like components are like numbered. The main difference is that each arm assembly 26 and 27 of tent frame 111 is a single strut component and the pivot hinge 6b of the first embodiment is not needed. Instead each elongated base assembly 25 of tent frame 111 has two additional end roof struts 25c, each disposed between a respective strut 25a and a pivot hinge 6a via a further pivot hinge mechanism 6c, such that end roof struts 25c are each pivotally connected to a respective arm assembly 26, 27 and to a roof strut 25a. Like tent frame 11 of the first embodiment, tent frame 111 can be collapsed. Once tent frame

I I I is in its fully collapsed configuration, as shown in Fig.11 (a), frame 111 can be folded progressively about hinges 6a and 6c, as shown in Figs.1 1 (b) to 1 1 (e). In Fig.11 (e) frame 111 is shown in its fully folded configuration.

Figs. 12 and 13(a)-13(d) depict a frame 211 of a tent structure according to a third

embodiment of the present invention. Tent frame 211 is very similar to the first embodiment tent frame 11 shown in Fig. 1, and its like components are like numbered. The main difference is that each arm assembly 26 and 27 of tent frame 211 is a single strut component and the pivot hinge 6b of the first embodiment is not needed. Instead the angled joint 25b of each elongated base assembly 25 has been replaced by a lockable pivotal hinge mechanism (or elbow hinge) 25d disposed between respective roof struts 25a, which pivotally interconnects each pair of roof struts 25a. Lockable pivotal hinge mechanism 25d, shown in exploded detail in Fig. 14, has a pivot axis D and a locked configuration, in which the orientation of its two associated roof struts 25a relative to each other is locked. This "locked configuration" of pivotal hinge mechanism 25d is engaged when tent frame 211 is in its ^" "fully-erect

configuration" as shown in Fig. 12. The components of hinge mechanism 25d as shown in Fig. 14 are similar to the pivotal hinge mechanism 5a shown and fully described in co-pending International Application No. PCT/AU2010/001088 filed 24 August 2010 entitled "Tent with external frame and components therefor". As such they will not be described in detail here, other than to say hinge mechanism 25d is released from its locked configuration, thereby allowing pivotal movement of roof struts 25a relative to each other, by depressing a push button 36 disposed thereon in a direction substantially parallel to pivot axis D.

Like tent frame 11 of the first embodiment, tent frame 211 can be collapsed. Once tent frame 211 is in its fully collapsed configuration, as shown in Fig.13 (a), frame 211 can be folded progressively about hinges 6a and hinge mechanisms 25d, as shown in Figs.13(b) to 13(d). In Fig.13(d) frame 211 is shown in its fully folded configuration.

Figs. 15 and 16(a)- 16(d) depict a frame 311 of a tent structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Tent frame 311 is very similar to the first embodiment tent frame 11 shown in Fig. 1, and its like components are like numbered. The only difference is that the elongated base assemblies 25 of tent frame 311 each have two additional end roof struts 25e, each disposed between a respective roof strut 25a and an angled joint 25b via a further pivot 6d. Like tent frame 11 of the first embodiment, tent frame 311 can be collapsed. Once tent frame 311 is in its fully collapsed configuration, as shown in Fig.16(a), tent frame 311 can be folded progressively about hinges 6a, 6c and 6d, as shown in Figs.16(b) to 16(d). In Fig.16(d) frame 311 is shown in its fully folded configuration. The terms "comprising" and "including" (and their grammatical variations) as used herein are used in an inclusive sense and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.

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