BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The conventional designs of tent structures used to span relatively large areas often suffer from limitations induced by weight, cost, mechanical complexity and ease of erection. Further, modular designs where a plurality of single tents of a uniform design are joined to span a large area, often suffer from the additional limitations of poor mobility within the interior of the tent and poor water drainage from the roofs of the adjoined tents.

Many of the conventional designs used to span large areas, include tent structures that utilize a supporting framework of trusses or arches upon which the roof fabric is attached. Often, complex mechanical means and adjustments are necessary to introduce the pre-tensile forces required by the structure. Further, these structures are relatively complex in construction and costly to manufacture. Erecting structures of this design is labour intensive and often requires the use of specialized equipment.

Other common tent structure designs require that the interior pole, or poles, supporting the roof extend to the ground. This design results in the inhibition of free movement under the tent structure. Also, these tent

structures often employ costly and complex means of introducing pre-tension into the roof canopy necessary to allow the tent structure to remain stable in high winds.

Again, erecting a tent structure of this design is a labour intensive exercise.

A small tent manufactured and marketed by International Tentnology Corp. of Surrey, British <BR> <BR> <BR> Columbia, Canada, and sold under the trade-mark"Marquee" has overcome many of the limitations from which the designs mentioned earlier suffer. The roof of the peaked tent is supported by a pole resting on a series of cables.

The cables are connected to the top of the vertical corner support poles at diagonally opposite corners of the tent.

This design allows free movement under the tent without the interference of ground extending interior poles.

Further, this tent design is easy to manufacture, stable in high winds and easily erected. However, this design does not permit a single tent to span relatively large areas. If a tent of this design were constructed to span a large area, the required roof height would attract high wind loads thus making it unstable. To counter the instability, the cable tension would have to be unreasonably high or the roof supporting cables would have to be lowered into the interior of the tent so far so as to cause an obstruction of the interior space.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a tent structure that is mechanically simple, easy to manufacture and easy to erect.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tent structure that allows free movement under the canopy, without the interference of ground extending poles.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tent structure that can be modularly expanded.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tent structure with a low wind profile and excellent water shedding.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tent structure with a drainage system integrated into the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects of the invention are provided in an improved tent structure which includes a perimeter frame assembled from a plurality of frame members and corner assemblies, a flexible roof canopy attached around its periphery to the perimeter frame, corner columns attached to the corner assemblies of the perimeter frame, a cable network comprising radial cables attached at one end to a corner assembly and at the other end to the central tensioning cable, and a plurality of flying masts resting on the cable network and supporting the roof canopy thereby forming the peaks.

The central tensioning cable can be detachably secured to itself. Utilizing the cable network, it is relatively easy to erect the tent structure and tension the canopy; the ends of the central tensioning cable are simply brought together and secured. Also, the cable network reduces the tension necessary to support the flying masts as compared to diagonally connected cables.

Multiple flying masts allow the load of the roof canopy to be distributed over several masts resulting in the flying masts being smaller in size and shorter in length than a single mast, thereby contributing to the tent structure's ease of erection. Further, the cable network allows the flying masts to be located away from the centre and

towards the corners of the tent structure permitting the tent structure to span a larger area than would be possible with only a single large mast.

Located in the tops of the corner columns of the tent structure are scuppers. Rain water flows from the roof canopy, along the perimeter frame to the corners of the tent structure. The rainwater is channeled into the scuppers of the corner assemblies, then down through the hollow centre of the corner columns to the ground. This provides the tent with a gutter system which prevents the pooling of water on the roof canopy of the tent structure and channels the rain water away from the edges of the tent structure.

The tent structure of the above described design can be modularly expanded in order to span relatively large areas.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is presented by way of illustration only and without limiting the scope of the invention to the details thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled tent;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a frame element being threaded by a beaded edge of a portion of a canopy; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a frame member used for the perimeter frame and the corner columns; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a tent structure with a wall membrane; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the corner assembly; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the corner assembly showing a portion of the frame members fitted over octagonal tube sections extending out from the corner joints; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a plurality of tent structures modularly connected; Fig 8 is a perspective view of a portion of four tent structures of this invention modularly connected indicating the flow of rain water to the scuppers of the corner assembly; Fig. 9 is a partial elevation view showing the frame, poles and cable structure for a roof canopy that is tensioned; Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the perimeter frame and cable structure for a roof canopy that is tensioned; Fig. 11 is a partial elevation view showing the frame, poles and cable structure for a roof canopy that is not tensioned;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the perimeter frame and cable structure for a roof canopy that is not tensioned; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the tent structure with the connectors of the central tensioning cable detached and the canopy is not tensioned; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the tent structure with the connectors of the central tensioning cable attached and the canopy tensioned; Fig. 15a-d are plan views of the canopy and frame structure showing the steps in assembling the frame onto and around a roof canopy; and Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a corner column fitted over abase plate connector of a base plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Throughout the figures, like elements are indicated by like reference numbers.

Referring to Fig. 1, the multiple peak cable tent 1 is comprised of a roof canopy 3, a perimeter frame 5, a cable network 11, corner columns 30 and flying masts 8.

The roof canopy 3 is a flexible fabric membrane whose 4 outer edges form a rectangular shape. Extending along the entire length of each of the outer edges of the roof canopy 3 is a beaded edge 21 (see Fig. 2). The beaded edge 21 functions to secure the roof canopy 3 to perimeter frame members 4 of the perimeter frame 5. The interior surface of the roof canopy 3 has 4 receptacles (not shown). Each receptacle is located where a peak in

the roof canopy 3 is to be formed and each receptacle is designed to receive one end of one of the flying masts 8.

The perimeter frame members 4 of the perimeter frame 5 operably connect with a plurality of corner assemblies 15 to form a rectangular shape. Referring to Fig. 3, perimeter frame member 4 is comprised of a tube of square cross section, open at both ends, with elongated slots 14 and slot openings 50 which extend along the edges of the tube for its entire length. Referring to Fig. 2, slot 14 receives a beaded edge 21 of roof canopy 3 such that the roof canopy 3 extends from the beaded edge 21 through slot opening 50 with the engagement of the beaded edge 21 by the sides of the slots 14 allowing tensioning of roof canopy 3.

Referring to Fig. 4, a wall membrane 62 with beaded edges (not shown) may be installed to close a side of the multiple peak cable tent 1. The corner column members 30 have the same construction as perimeter frame members 4, thereby allowing installation of a wall membrane 62 through engagement of the beaded edges of the wall membrane 62 with the slots 14 of the corner column members 30 and the perimeter frame members 4.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, corner assembly 15 has a top, a bottom and 4 sides. Corner assembly 15 includes two frame member connectors 16 and 60, and a column member connector 24. The frame member connectors 16 and 60, and the column member connector 24 are tubes of octagonal cross-section open at both ends. One end of each of the two frame member connectors 16 and 60 is welded to a side of the corner assembly 15 such that the two frame member connectors 16 and 60 are arranged perpendicular to one another. One end of the column member connector 24 is welded around its periphery to the bottom of the corner assembly 15 in a way such that water

can pass from the corner assembly 15 through column member connector 24.

Referring to Fig. 6, the octagonal cross-section of the frame member connectors 16 and 60 in combination with the square cross-section of the perimeter frame members 4 when the frame member connectors 16 and 60 are securably inserted into an end of the perimeter frame members 4, prevents the rotation of the perimeter frame members 4 around the frame member connectors 16 and 60.

The two sides of corner assembly 15 that do not have frame member connectors 16 and 60 welded to them, may have a plurality of bolt holes 40 which are used to attach expansion frame member connector 19 to corner assembly 15 to complete the assembly of the perimeter frame 5 (see Fig. 15) of a single tent structure 1 or to modularly connect several tent structures (see Figs. 7 and 8).

Expansion frame member connector 19 is comprised of a tube of octagonal cross-section, to one end of which an octagonal plate 42 is welded. Octagonal plate 42 may have a plurality of threaded holes 44 to secure expansion frame member connector 19 to the corner assembly 15 by way of bolts 20. However, expansion frame member 19 may be secured to corner assembly 15 by any means that confers sufficient strength to the union.

At the corners 46, formed by the junction of any two sides of corner assembly 15, are the scuppers 23 and the cable attachment eye holes 48. The scuppers 23 are openings at the top of corner 46 that receive rainwater from the roof canopy 3 and perimeter frame members 4 (see Fig. 8), and channel it down through column member connector 24 and column member 30 (Fig. 6) to the ground. The cable attachment eye holes 48 (Fig. 5) serve as the sites to secure a cable attachment eye 18 (Fig.

6). A radial cable 9 may be connected to an interiorly

facing cable attachment eye 18 to be used in the formation of a cable network 11. A guy line 7 may be connected between an exteriorly facing cable attachment eye 18 and the ground to offset forces which would tend to deform the perimeter frame 5 (see Fig. 1).

Referring to Figs. 9-12, the cable network 11 is comprised of radial cables 9 and central tensioning cable 10 formed into a rectangle. Radial cables 9 include a connector at one end to secure that end of the radial cable 9 to the cable attachment eye 18 of one of the corner assemblies 15 and a connector at the other end to operably connect that end of the radial cable 9 to the central tensioning cable 10. Central tensioning cable 10 includes a connector 12 on one end, and the mating connector 13 to connector 12 on the other end such that the central tensioning cable 10 can be detachably secured unto itself to form a continuous loop when connectors 12 and 13 are engaged.

The tent structure of this invention may be assembled and erected in the following manner. Referring to Figs.

2,13,14 and 15a-d, assembly of the tent structure initially requires that the roof canopy 3 be secured to the perimeter frame members 4 of the perimeter frame 5.

This is accomplished by threading the beaded edge 21 of one of the outside edges of roof canopy 3 into the slot 14 of a first perimeter frame member 4 by sliding it along the entire length of perimeter frame member 4 (as seen in Figs. 2 and 15a). Perimeter frame member connector 60 of the first corner assembly 15 is securably inserted into one end of the first perimeter frame member 4 so that perimeter frame member connector 16 of the first corner assembly 15, is oriented parallel to an adjacent edge of the roof canopy 3 and the column member connector 24 is oriented downwardly towards the ground.

A second perimeter frame member 4 is then threaded onto the beaded edge 21 of an adjacent side of the roof canopy 3 and slid along its length until perimeter frame member connector 16 of the first corner assembly 15 is securably inserted into the end of the second perimeter frame member 4.

Similarly, perimeter frame member connector 60 of a second corner assembly 15 is securably inserted into the open end of the second perimeter frame member 4 (see Fig.

15b) and a third perimeter frame member 4 is then threaded onto the beaded edge 21 of an adjacent side of the roof canopy 3 and slid along its length until perimeter frame member connector 16 of the second corner assembly 15 is securably inserted into the end of the third perimeter frame member 4.

Again, perimeter frame member connector 60 of a third corner assembly 15 is securably inserted into the open end of the third perimeter frame member 4 (see Fig.

15c) and a fourth perimeter frame member 4 is then threaded onto the beaded edge 21 of an adjacent side of the roof canopy 3 and slid along its length until perimeter frame member connector 16 of the third corner assembly 15 is securably inserted into the end of the fourth perimeter frame member 4.

After the fourth perimeter frame member has been threaded along the beaded edge 21 of the roof canopy 3, an expansion frame member connector 19 is securably inserted into the empty end of the first perimeter frame member 4. Perimeter frame member connector 16 of a fourth corner assembly 15 is securably inserted into the empty end of the fourth perimeter frame member 4 so that perimeter frame member connector 60 of the fourth corner assembly 15 is oriented towards the exterior of the tent

structure and parallel to the first perimeter frame member 4 (see Fig. 15d). The expansion frame member connector 19 is then secured to the fourth corner assembly 15 to complete the perimeter frame 5.

Referring to Fig. 13, to aid in assembling the cable network 11, one end of the perimeter frame 5 may be raised and a corner column member 30 may be secured over the column member connector 24 of each of the two corner assemblies 15, which are raised.

Referring to Figs. 9-14, the next step in the assembly and erection of the tent structure, is the assembly of the cable network 11. Each radial cable 9 has one end secured to the cable attachment eye 18 of a corner assembly 15 and the other end is secured to the central tensioning cable 10. Each of the flying masts 8 are positioned such that one end is coupled to a junction of the radial cable 9 and the central tensioning cable 10, and the other end is received into a receptacle (not shown) in the roof canopy 3. Once the flying masts 8 are in place, the ends of the central tensioning cable 10, are brought together such that connector 12 is engaged with its mating connector 13 to detachably secure the ends of central tensioning cable 10 thereby tensioning the entire multiple peak cable tent 1.

Referring to Fig. 1 again, once the multiple peak cable tent 1 has been tensioned, the remaining corner column members 30 are secured to the corner assemblies 15, to raise the perimeter frame 5 from the ground. Guy lines 7 are coupled between the exterior facing cable attachment eye 18 and the ground to relieve the compressive beam stress introduced into the perimeter frame 5 by the cable network 11 and the roof canopy 3.

Guy lines 7 also serve to add lateral strength and anchor the multiple peak cable tent 1.

Prior to securing a corner column member 30 to a corner column member connector 24 of a corner assembly 15, a base plate connector 17 of a base plate 2 (see Fig.

13) may be securably inserted into the end of the corner column member 30 that is to come in contact with the ground. The pin holes 54 in the base plate 2 receive drift pins 26 which anchor the base plate 2 to the ground and prevent corner column members 30 from drifting.

As seen in Figs. 7 and 8, tent structure 1 may be expanded modularly through the use of the expansion frame member connectors 19. Securing expansion frame member connectors 19 to the corner assemblies 15 allows the tent structure 1 to be expanded modularly from any or all of its four sides.

While a square or rectangle structure for the perimeter frame 5 has been described, the same design applies to other geometries such as a 3 sided structure or any other geometry in which the sides can be joined to create an array of such structures joined along their side edges.

Similarly, while the frame member connectors 16 and 60, the expansion frame member connector 19 and the corner column member connector 24 have been described as having an octagonal cross-section, and the frame members 4 and corner column members 30 have been described as having a square cross-section, any shape of non-circular cross- section may be used such that the frame members 4 and the corner column members 30 do not rotate about their axes when coupled with the appropriate connector in response to torque resulting from the tensioning of the roof canopy.

Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this

description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.