Field of Invention

The present invention relates to portable shelters, in particular tents, which have a fly provided with an integral groundsheet and one or more inflatable frame members.

Background to the Invention

There has been a recent trend for tents or other portable shelter (referred to herein as "tents" for simplicity) to be provided with one or more inflatable frame members to simplify the process of erecting tent. In many cases, inflatable frame members form all or a majority of the main supporting frame of the tent, such that the tent can be erected simply by inflating the frame members.

A common method of construction of such tents is for each inflatable frame member to be encapsulated by a sleeve which is connected to the fly by stitched and waterproofed seams. To allow access for the required seams to be sewn and subsequently waterproofed, the sleeve is typically provided with a zip which extends along the full length of each sleeve.

This construction is relatively expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, any failure or rupture of the inner bladder of the frame member can lead to damage to the fly which can mean the tent cannot be economically repaired. The system may also create tension on the seams of the fly which can lead to watertightness issues.

Alternatives to this construction have been proposed whereby the fly is connected to the inflatable frame members by a plurality of straps which encircle the frame members. The straps may be formed in two parts which can be joined together by a suitable fasting means, for example a hook and loop faster systems such as Velcro™. However, these systems often do not allow for the tent to be reliably packed away and then re-erected multiple times, since the inflatable frame members can become twisted during the pack-down process and/or the inflatable frame member may slide through the straps such that the fly is in the wrong position when the inflatable frame members are re-inflated.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a construction for a tent or other portable shelter which provides a more efficient and economical way of connecting the fly to the inflatable frame members which ensures that the shelter reliably takes its proper shape when the frame members are inflated.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a portable shelter comprising a fly with a permanently connected or integral groundsheet, and one or more inflatable frame members, which overcomes or ameliorates at least one of the problems of the prior art.

Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable shelter comprising a frame, a fly, and a groundsheet which is permanently connected to or integral with the fly, the frame comprising a plurality of inflatable frame members, wherein the fly is connected to the frame by at least one releasable connecting means, wherein a portion of the releasable connecting means is fixedly attached to the frame.

Preferably the releasable connecting means comprises a button and a receiving member, wherein the button is engageable with the receiving member.

Preferably the button is a configured as a toggle. Preferably receiving member comprises a loop formation.

Alternatively, the releasable connecting means comprises one or more of a zip, a buckle, a ladder lock or a hook and loop fastener.

Preferably the connecting means comprises a resilient member.

Preferably a resilient member is attached to the fly. Alternatively the resilient member is attached to the frame.

Preferably the fly is connected to the frame by a pair of releasable connecting means, wherein one connecting means of the pair is provided on a first side of a first inflatable frame member and the other connecting means of the pair is provided on the opposite side of the first inflatable frame member.

Preferably, neither of the connecting means of the at least one pair of connecting means encircles the first inflatable frame member.

Preferably each inflatable frame member of the frame is attached to the fly by a pair of the releasable connecting means.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a sleeve construction of the prior art;

Figure 2 is a tent according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic partial side perspective view of an inflatable frame member and attachment portions of the tent of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic partial side view of the inflatable frame member and

attachment portions of the tent of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of an attachment portion and part of a connecting means of the tent of Figure 2.

Brief Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Referring first to Figure 1, a prior art construction sleeve construction P for connecting the fly 1 of a tent or other portable shelter (referred to hereinafter as a "tent" for simplicity) to an inflatable frame member 2 comprises a sleeve 3 provided with a longitudinal zip 4 to allow the sleeve 3 to the opened during construction of the tent, for example to sew seams 5 to connect the fly 1 to the sleeve 3, and to a allow application of waterproofing tape 6.

The inflatable frame member 2 comprises an inner bladder member 7 and an outer cover 8.

The cover 8 is also provided with a zip 9 to allow insertion of the bladder member 7 into the cover 8.

Referring next to Figure 2, a tent of the present invention is generally referenced by arrow 100. The tent 100 comprises a fly 1 and an internal frame comprising at least one, and more preferably a plurality of inflatable frame members 2 (not visible in Figure 1). A groundsheet (not shown) is provided and is integral with or permanently connected to the fly 1. Referring next to Figures 3 and 4, the or each inflatable frame member 2 comprises an inner bladder 7 and an outer cover 8, as with the inflatable frame members of the prior art.

Referring next to Figures 3 to 5, the fly 1 is connected to an attachment portion 10. In the embodiment shown, the attachment portion 10 comprises an elongate strip 12 which is connected to the fly 1 by a seam 11. In preferred embodiments the elongate strip 12 extends substantially parallel to the frame member 2.

A first connecting means portion 14 of a releasable connecting means 15 is connected to the attachment portion 10. In preferred embodiments the first connecting means portion 14 comprises a resilient member 16, for example a length of elastic material 16. The elastic material 16 may be connected to the attachment portion 10 by one or more rows of stitching 17. In preferred embodiments the rows of stitching 17 may extend beyond the elastic material 16, and preferably extend along substantially the entire length of the attachment portion 10.

In the embodiment shown the first connecting means portion 14 is a button which is configured as a toggle 18. In the embodiment shown the second connecting means portion comprises a loop formation 19 adapted to engage the toggle 18. In one embodiment the loop formation 19 is formed from a suitable plastics material, but alternative constructions and materials may be used, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The second portion of the connecting means is fixedly attached to the outer cover 8 of the frame member 2. In the embodiment shown the loop formation 19 is connected directly to the outer cover 8 of the inflatable frame member 2, for example by suitable stitching such as a bar tack 20 (best seen in Figure 3). In one embodiment the second portion of the connecting means is connected to a reinforced portion of the outer cover 8, for example a zip seam. However, in alternative embodiments the second connecting means portion comprise a further member, for example a resilient member (not shown) such as that used to connect the toggle 18 to the attachment portion 10, wherein the further member is fixedly attached to the outer cover 8 of the frame member 2.

As is shown in Figure 4, in preferred embodiments the connecting means are provided in pairs, with one connection means of each pair provided on each side of the frame member 2. Each connecting means in the pair is preferably at substantially the same longitudinal position on the frame member 2, and therefore at substantially the same height when the tent is erected.

Although the example of the connecting means 15 described herein comprises a button 14 and loop 19, the connecting means 15 may comprise other fastening means, for example zippers, buckles and straps, ladder locks and straps, or hook and loop fasteners.

In preferred embodiments each frame member of the tent has a pair of connecting means as described above.

Because the connecting means 15 is fixedly attached to the outer cover 8 of the frame member 2, rather than being connected by a connection which allows sliding, the connecting means 5 substantially prevents movement of the frame relative to the fly 1, at least at the point(s) of connection. This means that when the frame members 2 are inflated, in use, the fly 1 is correctly positioned relative to the frame members. While there may be some localised twisting of the inflatable frame members 2 when the tent is packed down, the fixed points of connection to the fly 1 mean the frame members 2 will adopt an untwisted configuration when properly inflated, thereby ensuring that the tent takes its correct shape.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an

acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.