In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an outdoor structure having a framework operatively supporting a flexible covering over at least a portion of the framework, wherein the framework includes at least one member incorporating a lighting component having at least one light emitting element in a central portion thereof which receives electrical power to generate illumination which is directed toward the interior of the covered structure.

Preferably the lighting component is elongate having couplings at each end thereof which interconnect with said framework structure.

Preferably the member comprises a flexible tent pole which is operatively flexed into an arcuate shape supporting said flexible covering, with said lighting component in an elevated position.

Preferably the lighting component includes batteries therein which provide the electrical power for the light emitting elements. In a preferred form of the invention, the light emitting elements comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes.

The present invention also provides a tent pole for use in a dome style tent, comprising a length of flexible rod or tubing which can be flexed into an arcuate shape for supporting a covering, the length of flexible rod to tubing comprising a plurality of sections which are operatively connected to one another and wherein at least one of the sections incorporates a lighting component having at least one light emitting element for illuminating the interior of the tent and at least one electrical battery which provides electrical power for the at least one light emitting element.

Preferably the section of the tent pole which incorporates the lighting component is an intermediate section of the pole so that the light emitting elements are in an elevated position when the tent pole is erected to support the tent covering.

According to another form of the invention, there is provided an outdoor structure having a framework operatively supporting a flexible covering over at least a portion of the framework, wherein the framework includes at least one member comprising a transparent or translucent tube within which are arranged a plurality of lamps spaced along the length of the tube, and an electrical coupling for providing electrical power to the lamps to enable illumination of the interior of the structure.

The at least one tubular member is preferably arranged so as to be inside of the structure with respect to the flexible covering. The at least one tubular member may interfit with other portions of the structural framework, or may cooperate with the structural framework to facilitate support of the flexible cover. For example, in a marquee structure or the like, in which a plurality of rigid poles interfit to form a solid framework over which a canvass covering or similar is arranged, one or more of the poles may comprise transparent or translucent tubes with lamps arranged therein. On the other hand, for example, the translucent or transparent tube may be constructed to be flexible to enable insertion within a dome style tent or the like.

The present invention further provides a lighting component for a tent, comprising a casing body having attachment means adapted to securely attach the lighting component to a frame member of the tent, the casing body containing a battery, a lighting element and a manually operable switch for selectively providing electricity from the battery to the lighting element, wherein the casing body has first and second casing parts which are detachable from one another but interconnected by way of a flexible coupling, and wherein the attachment means is provided in the first casing part and the lighting element and switch are in the second casing part.

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a section of a tent pole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention illustrating internal features thereof ; Figure 2 shows a section of a tent pole in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 3 shows a section of a tent pole in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 4 shows a section of a tent pole in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 5 shows a section of a tent pole in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through the embodiment of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a simplified perspective view of a rigid structure tent illustrating the possible placement illuminating structural means according to another embodiment of the present I Figure 8 is a simplified view of a dome structure tent illustrating a possible placement of an illuminating structural member according to embodiments of the present invention; Figure 9 is an isometric view of a portion of an illumination structural member for use in embodiments of the present invention; Figure 10 is a lower perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in a closed configuration; Figure 11 is a lower perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 10, in an open configuration; and Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views of another form of the invention, similar in construction to the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11.

In order to enable illumination of outdoor structures in which a framework is used to support a flexible covering, the present invention contemplates providing a lighting component which is incorporated into the framework of the structure, such as one a tent pole. In one embodiment, suited for use with dome style tents, at least one section of one of the flexible tent poles has a lighting component which has a constructed therein a plurality of light emitting elements such as white LEDs, batteries for powering the light emitting elements, and a switch to selectively provide power from the batteries to the light emitting elements. In another embodiment, a series of small interconnected electric lamp globes are arranged within a transparent or translucent tubular housing which is then utilised to form part of the supporting framework for the structure.

In order to achieve this, a suitable length tube is constructed from a suitable plastics material, such as polycarbonate. The length of the tube will depend, of course, on the particular application, such as the type and size of the tent or the like, and the particular location of the lighting tube within the structure. The actual material used for the tube, and the wall thickness thereof, will also be application dependant and will vary depending upon, for example, whether the tube is required to be flexible or rigid.

It is envisaged that tubular lighting systems according to embodiments of the present invention can be incorporated into the structure of various forms of outdoor framed structures, including but not limited to family, hiking, dome style and other forms of tents such as a marquee tent, shade houses, shade umbrellas, toilet and shower tents, caravan or fixed structure annexes, and shade type gazebos. The frame of the structure may vary from one form of structure to another, and in some cases will be a rigid interconnecting framework, and in other cases comprise one or more flexible frame members which may be held together by the covering itself. For example, in a marquee tent structure, the framework is likely to be made up of a plurality of interconnecting metal poles and braces which stand freely without the covering thereon. On the other hand, a small dome style tent might have two crossing flexible members which extend between respective diagonal corners of the tent, and rely on the fabric of the cover to provide constraints for the frame members.

The flexible covering of the structure may also vary depending upon the application, but generally some form of fabric covering is envisaged, such as nylon, canvas or the like, as is known amongst those skilled in the art of outdoor framed structures of this type. In some forms of tent, two layers of fabric are provided for increased insulative properties and superior water resistance. For example, many dome style tents include two fabric layers with the tent pole structure arranged between the two layers. The outside fabric layer, sometimes referred to as a"fly", is not always necessary and may be optionally erected over the tent pole structure if adverse weather conditions are expected.

Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention which are particularly suited for use with dome style tent pole structures. In dome style tents, generally at least two resiliently flexible tent poles are used to support the tent fabric covering.

The flexible tent poles are secured at their lower ends by constraints constructed into the tent fabric, such that the middle portions of the tent poles bow upwardly by virtue of their resilient and flexible nature. Each tent pole may be constructed in a plurality of sections which interfit end-to-end to form the elongate pole. This sectional construction allows the tent poles to be taken apart into the constituent sections for ease of storage and transport. The ends of the sections which are arranged to interfit may be loosely connected in relation to one another using elastic cord, which prevents the sections of a tent pole from being completely disassociated with one another but allows the tent pole to"fold"into the sections for storage in a bag or the like together with the fabric covering. Each of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 is designed to be attached to or incorporated in a section of such a tent pole. Because a tent may have more than one pole, it is possible for only one of the tent poles to include a lighting component of the invention whilst the other pole is standard. Alternatively, each tent pole might be provided with a lighting component, or one or more of the poles may be provided with a plurality of lighting components.

The center portion 100 of a tent pole section is illustrated in Figure 1 incorporating a lighting component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The lighting component in this embodiment is a generally elongate tubular member 102 which is connected at its ends to the tent pole section 104. In this embodiment the tubular member 102 replaces a center portion of the tent pole section of equal length thereto. The remaining end portions of the tent pole section are connected to the ends of the elongate tubular member 102 and in alignment therewith. The pole section portions are connected to the tubular member 102 by ferrules 106 which also act to seal the interior of the tubular member against the ingress of moisture. The pole section end portions can be secured to the respective ferrules by interfitting therewith together with the use of glue, screws or the like, as appropriate. One of the ferrules is detachable from the rest of the lighting component using a screw threaded fitting, for example, to allow access to the interior of the tubular member.

The interior of the tubular member is constructed to receive three AA size dry cell batteries therein, in an end-to-end configuration. The length of the tube is constructed so that, with the batteries therein and the removable ferrule in place, electrical connection is made between the battery ends and the respective ferrules, much like a known form of battery powered flashlight, and electrical power derived from the batteries is conveyed to an electrical circuit located at one end 110 of the tubular member 102. The electrical circuit which is powered by the batteries 106 includes a push-button switch 112 and a plurality of white light emitting diodes 114. The push- button switch and light emitting diodes are connected in the electrical circuit so that power can be selectively supplied from the batteries to the LEDs by operation of the switch. It has been found the LEDs of the type NSPW 310BS superbright white are particularly suitable for this application, although others may of course alternatively be applicable.

By incorporating a lighting component as above described into a section of a tent pole, lighting can be conveniently supplied to the tent occupants from the tent structure itself. Even where the tent pole section containing the lighting component is situated outside the inner layer of the tent fabric the push button switch can still be actuated through the fabric. To aid in locating the push button through the tent fabric it may be particularly advantageous to position the switch amongst or adjacent to the LEDs as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, it may also be advantageous to construct the push button switch covering or the like from a luminescent material so that it can be more easily located by the user when the lighting elements are switched off.

Additionally, for tent constructions in which the tent poles are outside of a layer of fabric, it may be advantageous for the inner layer of tent fabric to be provided with a small window or the like, such as a section of clear plastic incorporated into the tent fabric inner layer at a position corresponding to the position of the lighting elements on the tent pole. A window in the tent fabric is not strictly necessary, however, because the fabric of most tents for which this embodiment of the present invention is envisaged to be particularly applicable is generally light transmissive to a sufficient degree for the lighting component of the invention to be useful.

In order to provide the best lighting effect it is preferred that the lighting component be positioned in the tent pole in a section which is relatively high on the tent structure when erected. Consider, for example, a tent pole having five sections which are nominally numbered from one to five from one end to the other. For optimal lighting it would be preferred that the lighting component be incorporated into pole section number three, which is in the center of the pole and thus positioned at the top of the tent when erected. However, the top section of the pole may also bear the most weight and stress in the pole and/or have greater curvature than the other section. Accordingly, in order to avoid such forces being applied to the lighting component it may be desirable to provide the lighting component in one or both of pole sections two and five. The selection of positioning may vary from one particular tent structure to another, and in selecting the position it may be borne in mind that the nature of the lighting component may make the corresponding pole section less flexible than the other sections.

The tubular member 102 can be conveniently constructed from a fibreglass material or from aluminium or some combination, for example. The nature of the application requires the construction to be relatively light in weight, which should be borne in mind when selecting appropriate materials. On the other hand, the tubular member should also be relatively stiff, as compared to the tent pole itself, so that electrical contact can be maintained between the dry cell batteries contained therein. The design and arrangement of the electrical circuit itself including the switch and LEDs and the connection to the battery terminals is within the skill of those having ordinarily expertise in the art.

Figures 2 to 6 illustrate various other embodiments of the present invention which have similar application to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and described hereinabove. These embodiments are described briefly below, concentrating on the differences from the first embodiment already described.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment 200 in which the lighting component 202 is separate from the power source 204. In particular, the lighting component in this case includes a length of solid or tubular clear plastic 206, constructed from a polycarbonate material for example. The plastic section is incorporated into the center portion of a tent pole section 208 using ferrules 210. The plastic section includes lighting elements such as LEDs 212, and may be shaped with a lens surface 214 in order to better direct light from the LEDs. The LEDs are connected in an electrical circuit to the ferrules 210 which are constructed from an electrically conductive material. The power source comprises a tubular casing arranged to hold a plurality of dry cell batteries, and has terminals 216 through which electrical power from the batteries can be supplied. Delivery of power to the terminals 216 is controlled by a switch 218 on the power source casing. The terminals are constructed and spaced to enable them to clamp onto the respective ferrules of the lighting component to make structural and electrical connection thereto. This structure allows the power source 204, which is necessarily the bulkiest portion of the total lighting structure in view of the batteries, to be removably attached to the lighting component incorporated into the tent pole.

The embodiment 300 illustrated in Figure 3 is quite similar to that of Figure 2, except in this case the power source 304 is connected to the lighting component 302 by way of wires or cables 306 so that it does not necessarily have to be physically supported by the tent pole 308. Plug and socket connectors 310 of known type can be used for the electrical connections between the lighting component ferrules 312 and power source. An advantage of this structure is that the power source can be provided with relatively heavy batteries if desired, since it does not have to be supported by the tent pole. Also, the switch 314 which is on the power source can be placed in a location which is convenient to the user.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment 400 in which the lighting elements (LEDs 402), switch 404 and power source (e. g. batteries) are contained in a single casing structure 406 and not incorporated into the structure of the tent pole 410. Instead, the casing 406 is coupled to the tent pole section using spring clamp members 408, which allow the lighting component to be detachably coupled to the tent pole.

In the construction as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a lighting component 500 is shown having an elongate casing 506 with receptacles to the side thereof which receive the tent pole section, in a similar manner to the structure of Figure 4. In contrast to Figure 4, however, the lighting component 500 is designed to enable permanent bonding to the tent pole by an adhesive or the like applied between the tent pole 504 and inside of receptacles 502. As previously, the casing contains batteries 508, and has an externally accessible push button switch 510 and lighting elements 512. Both of the lighting components 400 and 500 can be used with otherwise standard tent poles, and do not require modification of the tent pole, which is advantageous for sale as an accessory.

Figure 7 shows a another example of an application of an embodiment of the present invention, in a marquee tent structure or the like. A marquee tent 2 is illustrated in simplified perspective view, showing a front wall 4 with a door opening 5 formed therein, one side wall 6, and a portion of the roof structure 8. The locations of structural members (e. g. poles or braces) which may be replaced by or include tubular lighting members are indicated by broken lines (10). The tubular lighting member or members which are used in the structure of the tent 2 can be provided with end fittings of known type to enable them to interfit with the ordinary structural members. Alternatively, if the frame structure of the tent is arranged outside of the fabric covering, it is still desirable that the lighting tube members be positioned to the inside of the covering, and in that case the lighting tube members can be suspended along the structural posts or braces in tandem therewith, although on the other side of the fabric covering. For that purpose the fabric covering can be constructed with appropriate lengths of hook-and-loop fastening material to enable the tubular lighting members to be suspended from the fabric covering.

Figure 8 shows another example of an application of an embodiment of the present invention in a dome style tent 12. In this form of tent, crossing flexible frame members extend between respective diagonal corners of the tent, and the spring bias of the flexible members to a straight configuration, constrained by the shape of the fabric covering, is what provides the structure of the framework. The flexible frame members can be arranged within the fabric covering, or can be arranged to the outside of the covering and supporting the covering by fabric loops so as to also provide a frame structure on which the tent fly can be supported. In this case a flexible tubular lighting member 14 is preferably employed, extending between opposed diagonal corners of the tent and bent so as to bow between the corners and extend across the interior surface of the tent walls/roof. The spring bias of the tubular member pressing against the inside of the tent fabric provides additional structural stability to the tent, and can in fact be used in place of the ordinary tent frame members if desired. Since the tubular lighting member (s) in this case have ends which bear against the inside of the tent floor fabric, it is desirable to have the tubular ends fitted with rubber feet or the like to prevent damage to the tent or lighting tube.

Figure 9 illustrates a simplified isometric view of one end of a tubular lighting member 20 which can be utilised in embodiments of the present invention. The lighting member 20 comprises a tube of transparent or translucent plastic 22, such as polycarbonate plastic or some functional equivalent thereof. The diameter of the tube is preferably of the order of several centimetres. The wall thickness of the tubular material may also vary depending upon whether the tubular member is required to be rigid (e. g. marquee type application) or flexible (e. g. dome style tent application). For a flexible tubular member, the tube diameter might be about 2 centimetres with a wall thickness of about 2 millimetres, whereas for a rigid structure tubular lighting member the diameter may be about 5-7 centimetres with a wall thickness of perhaps a centimetre or more. Within the plastic tube 22 there is arranged a string of small electric lamps 24, preferably evenly spaced along the tube length. Each lamp 24 has a base 25 to which electrical cabling 26 is connected to provide electrical power to the lamp 24. The string of lamps, comprising the lamps 24 with bases 25 interconnected by the electrical cabling 26, extends between the ends of the tube 22 and is secured at each end so that the lamps are substantially fixed in place along the tube axis.

Each end of the tube 22 is preferably fitted with an end piece 28, the form of which may vary from one application to another. As mentioned, in an interior floor mounted application of the tubular lighting member, the end pieces may be in the form of rubber feet. Alternatively, if the tubular member is required to interfit with other structural members, appropriate fittings for that may be provided by the end piece 28, such as in the form of an interfitting projection of sleeve.

The end pieces 28 are preferably attached to the tube 22 so as to seal the interior of the tube to prevent ingress of moisture thereinto where damage may be caused to the lamps. At least one of the end pieces on a particular tubular member 20 is preferably provided with a means to enable connection of an electrical power source to the cabling 26 to power the lamps 24. For example, the cabling 26 may pass through an aperture in the end piece 28 through a sealing grommet 30 or similar, and terminate in a plug or socket 32 for connection to an electrical power source. The electrical power source can be any convenient source, such as mains electricity (preferably through a step down transformer and/or AC/DC power converter) or a battery source such as a car battery. Advantageously, the plug or socket 32 may be in the form of a car cigarette lighter plug so that the lamps incorporated in the tent structure can be illuminated from a car battery during a camping trip. An electrical switch may be included along the cabling 26, preferably at the end piece 28, the plug 32 or along the cabling extending therebetween.

The tube 22 can alternatively include a receptacle therewithin which is adapted to receive one or more dry-cell disposable or re-chargeable battery, with electrical contacts in the receptacle to electrically couple the battery to power the lamps. Driver circuitry of known type may also be incorporated within the tube, coupled between the power source and the lamps, in order to adjust the voltage, for example, of the electricity supplied to the lamps. For example, driver circuitry of the type used in bicycle lights could be included, which converts a DC power supply to an oscillating signal for powering the lamps. In this instance, the duty cycle of the oscillating signal can be set so that reduced electrical power is consumed by the lamps without seriously degrading the light output or causing noticeable flicker.

The lamps 24 are preferably of a relatively low power consumption, so that relatively little power is required if running from a battery power source, and because the tent interior is ordinary of relatively small volume and does not need to be too brightly lit. Thus, it is envisaged that 1 watt lamp bulbs could be used, with the spacing between lamps 24 along the length of a tubular lighting member of the order of 5-20 centimetres.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention which is particularly suited for dome style tents. In some dome tents the flexible frame members which support the tent are positioned outside the tent fabric, and support the tent by loops or the like attached to the outside of the tent fabric through which the frame members pass. In wet or cold weather conditions a tent fly covering can be placed over the exterior frame. The lighting component 600 shown in Figures 10 and 11 has an upper casing part 602 which has apertures to receive end portions from two respective frame members 604. Different sizes of frame members from different tents can be accommodated by the apertures using adapter sleeves or the like. The upper casing part contains batteries (e. g. three AA batteries) to provide electrical power for the light.

The lighting component 600 also has a lower casing part 606 which removably interfits with the upper casing part 602. When the upper and lower casing parts are fitted together the lighting component is in its closed configuration as shown in Figure 10. The lower casing part 606 contains at least one lighting element, such as a bright LED or the like, which is positioned behind a diffuser lens 608. The lower casing part also has a manually operable switch 610, which can be actuated by the user to turn the lighting element on and off by controlling the supply of electricity from the batteries to the lighting element (s). The lower casing part is coupled to the upper casing part by a flexible coupling 612, for example constructed from flexible plastic tubing. Electrical wires connecting the batteries to the switch and lighting elements pass through the middle of the tubing. Respective ends of the flexible coupling 612 are attached to the upper and lower casing parts so that, when the upper and lower casing parts are detached from one another the lower casing part can be drawn away from the upper casing part to the extent of the flexible coupling length. Since the upper casing part is in use fixed in relation to the tent frame, the flexible coupling 612 allows the lower casing part containing the lighting element (s) and switch to extend down into the tent interior for easier use. For example, where the frame is exterior to the tent, a closable slit may be provided in the tent fabric corresponding to the positioning of the lighting component 600, and the lower casing part can then be drawn down through the slit in the tent fabric for use.

As can be seen in Figure 11 which shows the upper and lower casing parts separated, the upper casing part 602 has an open lower portion 614 which is provided to accommodate the flexible coupling 612 when the two casing parts are brought together.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate another form of the invention which is similar in construction to the embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11. To avoid repetitious description, like elements are designated by the same reference numerals as employed for Figures 10 and 11.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed description of the invention has been presented by way of example only, and many variations to the described structures are possible and within the scope of the invention even if not explicitly described.