FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to camping and outdoor products and in particular to a tent and associated equipment.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Tents and camping equipment come in all different shapes and sizes. With respect to tents, there is often a need for a tent that is more compact when folded, easier and faster to erect and more sturdy in high winds. One way of achieving this is with a self-locking slider, quick release foot, and/or modular fold out tent telescopic extrusions.

[0003] The disadvantages of current tents having non-locking sliders are that they require users to stretch across and push the slider into a fixed position whilst holding up the tent frame in some cases requiring two or more people to do this function. Further, even when the slider is in the fixed position it is not locked in place and can easily be bumped causing the tent to collapse. This is of particular concern when erecting a tent in the rain, wind or at night. Further, current foot mechanisms cannot be easily repaired as they are either riveted and/or bolted together. This makes them generally inconvenient to a user who might have to replace the entire tent at cost if they are damaged. There are also limitations in the size of current fold out tents in that they can be too small for many customers or if additional people suddenly want to stay over and visit. The current tent extrusions also limit the overall height of the tent in that they do not provide a full height tent for most customers. There are also issues with the packing size of current fold out tents in that the length of the main extrusion determines the length of the bag thus having a fixed and lengthy extrusion can result in the need to use a long bag that simply won't fit in the back of most vehicles requiring the bag to be mounted on roof racks on the roof of the vehicle.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] There is disclosed herein a tent having a frame, the frame having:

a plurality of sub-frames;

each said sub-frame having a pair of elongate side members connected by an elongate cross member, a first free end, and a second free end;

a first foot coupled to each of said first free ends of said sub-frames;

a second foot coupled to each of said second free ends of said sub-frames;

each foot adapted to permit movement of said sub-frames with respect to each other, and each foot adapted to be placed on a surface to support said frame in use;

one sub-frame adapted to be located in use on a ground surface, a locking mechanism locatable on a second sub-frame and adapted in use to slide along said side members of said second sub-frame to lock in place a support member extendable in use from said one sub-frame.

[0006] Preferably, said sub-frames are n-shaped.

[0007] Preferably, said side members are telescopically extendable members.

[0008] Preferably, the frame includes telescopically extendable cross members to provide stability between said sub-frames.

[0010] Preferably, the frame in an opened configuration is adapted to hold a tent cover fixed to said frame by fasteners.

[001 1 ] Preferably, said side and cross members are adapted to fold so that said side and cross members are substantially parallel to each other when the frame is in the closed configuration.

[0012] Preferably, said side members and cross member are connected by a hinge adapted to permit said side members and cross members in the opened configuration to be placed at right angles to each other and in the closed configuration to be locatable substantially parallel to each other.

[0013] Preferably, the frame in use is modular and adapted to connect to other frames on each side to extend a useable surface area. [0014] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a slider, the slider having a pin adapted in use to lock into said side member of said second sub-frame.

[0015] Preferably, the slider includes a quick release button.

[0016] Preferably, in use one or more of said sub-frames can be rotated away from the sub- frame located in use on the ground surface to increase a volume of said tent.

[0017] Preferably, the frame includes extension members to support an enclosure as said sub- frames are rotated away from said sub-frame located in use on the ground surface.

[0018] Preferably, each foot of the frame is removably coupled to said frame.

[0019] Preferably, each foot comprises a pair of sides and a base extending between said pair of sides, each side member of said sub-frame adapted to be located in use on the ground surface is coupled to said base of a respective one of said feet, and each side member of the other sub- frames is coupled to said pair of sides of a respective one of said feet.

[0020] Preferably, each side member is located between said pair of sides of a respective one of said feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021 ] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tent frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is an enlarged partial view of the tent from of Figure 1 ; [0024] Figure 3 is an exploded parts view of Figure 2; [0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a foot of the tent frame of Figure 1; [0026] Figure 5 is a side view a locking fixing pin of the foot of Figure 4; [0027] Figure 6 shows the telescopic extension of the tent frame of Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 7 is an enlarged partial view of the telescopic extension of the tent frame of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 8 is an exploded parts view of the telescopic extension of Figure 7; [0030] Figure 9 is another exploded parts view of the telescopic extension of Figure 7; and [0031 ] Figure 10 shows a further tent of an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Figure 1 shows a tent frame 1 of an embodiment of the present invention. The frame 1 includes locking mechanisms in the form of self-locking sliders 2 and a series of n-shaped sub- frames 3a - c. Each sub frame 3a - c has respective elongate side member 5a - c, a respective elongate cross member 35a - c to provide stability to the respective sub-frames 3a - c, a respective first free end 4a - c, and a respective second free end 6a - c. Each sub frame 3a - c is adapted to rotate between an open configuration (see Figure 1) and a closed configuration (see Figure 10). It is envisaged that each of the side members 5a - c and each of the cross members 35a - c are telescopically extendable/retractable members. It is also envisaged that each telescopically extendable/retractable member may comprise spring loaded push pins that are capable of locking a respective member at multiple lengths, thereby allowing each member to be set to different lengths depending on the needs of a user at any one time. Push button, wing-nut screws, or the like may also be used to lock each of the telescopically extendable/retractable members at a desired length.

[0033] Each of the side members 5a - c and each of the cross members 35a - c are adapted to fold such that each of the side members 5a - c and each of the cross members 35a - c are substantially parallel to each other when the frame is in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the frame 1 is adapted to support a tent cover roof, walls, and sides (i.e. an enclosure). The cover being fixed to the frame 1 by fasteners (not shown). It will be appreciated that the sub-frames 3a and 3b are rotatable away from the sub frame 3c (i.e. the base sub frame) to increase the volume of the tent. [0034] Each slider 2 is adapted to slide along one of the side members 5b of the tent frame 1. Referring to Figure 2, each slider 2 has a pin 4 that can lock into a respective one of the side members 5b at one, two or more locations. Referring to Figure 1, the pin 4 of each slider 2 locks into position one (Stop Position 8) along a respective one of the side members 5b when the frame 1 is in the open configuration and each slider 2 can then be slid into position two (Lock Position 9) securing the frame 1 in the open configuration and the structure of the tent.

[0035] Referring to Figure 2, each slider 2 includes a release mechanism 7 to allow the folding or unfolding of the frame 1. Although, the release mechanism 7 is illustrated as a pull -ring, it is also envisaged that the release mechanism 7 may be a quick release button or the like.

[0036] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each slider 2 includes a hinge 1 1 that is pivotally coupled to a pivot pin 15 of a respective slider 2. The hinge 1 1 can be of circular shape as illustrated and include an M8 nut and washer 13 or the like. The washer 13 is adapted to be received by the pivot pin 15 of a respective slider 2 and the M8 nut is adapted to removably engage the pivot pin 15 to retain the hinge 1 1 on the respective slider 2.

[0037] The self-locking slider 2 locks into position one (Stop Position 8) thus not requiring the user to stretch across and push the slider 2 into the fixed position thus making set-up a true one person operation for all consumers. Further, the slider 2 can then be slid into the Lock Position

9 securing the frame 1 and structure of the tent.

[0038] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the frame 1 also includes two quick release feet 10 that are adapted to be placed on a surface to support the frame 1 in use. Referring to Figure 1 , one foot

10 is coupled to each of the first free ends 4a - c of the sub-frames 3a - c and the other foot 10 is coupled to each of the second free ends 6a - c of the sub-frames 3a - c.

[0039] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, each foot 10 use easily removable self-locking fixing pins 12 instead of rivets and/or bolts that lock into holes 14 of a respective foot 10, thereby allowing the feet 10 to be removed from the frame 1. Referring to Figure 5, each fixing pin 12 includes a spring 16, ball bearings 17, and a cap 18. As can be seen from Figure 5, the spring 16 biases the ball bearings outwardly such that each ball bearing 17 protrudes from the fixing pin 12. It will be appreciated that when the ball bearings 16 protrude from the fixing pin 12, the pin 12 will be retained in a respective one of the holes 14 of the foot 10. It will also be appreciated that forcing the ball bearings 16 inwardly into the fixing pin 12 allows the fixing pin 12 to be withdrawn from a respective one of the holes 14 of the foot 10.

[0040] Referring to Figure 4, each foot 10 in one embodiment is of a generally U-shape having a pair of sides 20 and a base 21 extending between the pair of sides 20. Each of the side members 5c of sub-frame 3c (i.e. the sub-frame that in use is located on the ground surface) are received between the pair of sides 20 and coupled to the base 21 of one of the feet 10. Each of the side members 5a, b of sub-frames 3a, b are received between, and coupled to, the pair of sides 20 of one of the feet 10 by at least one fixing pin 12 extending through respective holes 14 of the foot 10. When each side member 5a, b is coupled to one of the feet 10 by one fixing pin 12, the sub-frames 3a, b are able to rotate with respect to the feet 10, thereby allowing the frame 1 to move between the open and closed configurations. When each side member 5a, b is coupled to one of the feet 10 by at least two fixing pins 12, the frame 1 is able be locked in the open configuration or the closed configuration.

[0041] The feet 10 are adapted to be easily replaceable if damaged or can be changed depending upon the surface the tent is to rest on. For example, it can include a rubber base, spikes or the like depending upon the surface.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1, the frame 1 also has corner pieces 23 where required. The corner pieces 23 allow each cross member 35a - c to be coupled to respective side members 5a - c. The corner pieces 23 may also be a hinge to allow the respective cross member 35a-c and the respective side member 5a-c that are connected to the corner piece 23 to be placed at right angles to each other when the frame 1 is in the open configuration and to be located

substantially parallel to each other when the frame 1 is in the closed configuration.

[0043] Referring to Figure 1 , the frame 1 also includes support members 30a, 30b, which are adapted to support the frame 1 in the open configuration. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each support is composed of two members 32a, 32b, which are coupled to a respective hinge 11. In the open configuration, each hinge 11 is in a locked position and the respective support members 30a, 30b extend between respective side members 5a, c, are substantially straight, and adapted to support the frame 1. Each hinge 1 1 allows the respective support member 30a, 30b to fold about the hinge 11 when moving the frame 1 between the open and closed configurations. Each support member 30a, 30b is coupled to one of the respective side members 5b via respective hinges 1 1 and sliders 2.

[0044] Referring to Figures 6 to 9, side members 5b include a telescopic extension 36 that allow the cross member 35b to move from the position illustrated in Figure 6 in a direction along the arrows 37, thereby increasing the length of the sub frame 3b. It will therefore be appreciated that the length of the sub frame 3b may be increased and decreased, which will therefore increase and decrease the height the tent when the cover is coupled to the frame 1. Each telescopic extension 36 contains a slider 38 that is adapted to slide along one of the telescopic extensions 36. The sliders 38 are similar to the sliders 2 discussed above, but do not have a pivot pin 15 or a hinge 1 1 . Each slider 38 has a pin 39 that can lock into holes 40 of a respective telescopic extension 36 to lock the slider 38 with respect to the telescopic extension 36 at one, two or more locations along the telescopic extension 36. Each slider 38 includes a release mechanism 41 to increase and decrease the length of the side members 5b. Although, the release mechanism 41 is illustrated as a pull-ring, it is also envisaged that the release mechanism 41 may be a quick release button.

[0045] The frame 1 is modular and adapted to connect to other frames 1 on each side so as to extend the useable surface area.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the tent 100 starts in a flat pack arrangement and uses a concertina style folding mechanism that enables the size of fold out sections 101 , 102, 103, 104 to be increased beyond their normal fixed arrangement. This involves from a flat pack 105, fold out 106, slide out 107, fold down 108 sections.

[0047] In other embodiments, the quick release foot 10 can be serviced in the field making repair and maintenance simple and effective. The size of fold out tent sections 101 , 102, 103, 104 can be dramatically increased without over complicating set-up and pull-down by way of the telescopic extrusions. The overall height of the fold out tent can be increased to full height for most customers significantly eliminating the need for poles, spreaders or ridge bars.

[0048] Significantly the invention herein makes it much easier and faster to erect the tent and in most cases reduces if not eliminates the need for poles, spreader poles and associated guy ropes. [0049] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.