BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention, generally, relate to tent structures, and more 5particularly, to collapsible pyramidal tent structures and triangular tent structures.

Description of the Related Art

Conventional canvas tents have been available in the art that are deployable over a separate rigid support structure. However, such tents typically require additional ropes to secure them into a ground base for their support. Further, deploying such lOtents is time consuming.

Currently, collapsible building structures for use by children are becoming very popular. U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,572 to Somers et al. (1984) for example, describes a collapsible children's dwelling with a plurality of pieces hinged together. More recent, U.S. Pat. No. design 326,689 to Farinelli, Jr. (1992) illustrates a playhouse made of 15panels attached with a plurality of locking mechanisms. However, both of these structures suffer from the disadvantage of having a plurality of components that need to be assembled for every deployment.

In military applications, troops may need tents that may be deployed in minutes. The tents may also need to be insulated from variable temperature conditions, both 20the heat and cold, while having bullet resistant surfaces. In disaster relief applications, flood and earthquake victims may need tents that deploy quickly and last for extended periods. Further, there is a need to eliminate overhanging tension wires and ropes that extend the footprint of tents.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for easy to deploy collapsible tents for military 5and disaster relief applications.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention, disclose a pyramid tent, comp sing, four triangular shaped panels that are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines. Preferably, the triangular shaped panels are isosceles triangles. l Oln an alternative embodiment, the invention is a frusto pyramidal tent having a detachable apex, comprising, four trapezium shaped panels that are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines. Preferably, the trapezium shaped panels are isosceles trapeziums.

In a further alternative embodiment, the invention is a triangular tent, comprising, a 15pair of opposing trapezium shaped panels that are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines to a pair of opposing triangular shaped panels.

Preferably, the panels are integrally connected along the longitudinal fold lines with an adhesive, staples, or rivets. Preferably, the panels are constructed from cardboard. In alternative embodiments, the panels are constructed from a material selected from the group comprising a rigid plastic, a corrugated plastic, aluminum, and a metal alloy.

Preferably, the tent is factory assembled for rapid deployment and stored in a flat 5configuration for ease of transport.

Preferably, the tent has a plurality of loops secured at distal ends of the longitudinal fold lines that are securable to a base with a plurality of anchors having a longitudinal body and a head section portion. Each loop is adapted to permit only the longitudinal body portion of each anchor to pass through the loop.

101η an embodiment of the present invention, anchors comprise a threaded longitudinal body being upwardly scooped, a head section being mounted on the threaded longitudinal body, the head section further being bent in an inward direction to form a curve at both ends of the anchor and a rounded tip at a distal end of the threaded longitudinal body for penetrating into a base.

15ln an embodiment of the present invention, at least one panel of a tent's panels has an opening adapted to facilitate a user to enter and exit the tent. Preferably, each opening in the panels has a flap adapted to cover the opening, the flap being continuous with its panel when in a closed position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of materials are laminated to 0the panels, the materials are selected from a group comprising water resistant polymers, adhesive tapes, reflective tapes, heat insulating nano-coatings, heat reflective coated structural articles, heat absorbing coated structural articles, camouflage coated structural articles, anti-ballistic polycarbonate sheets, and para- aramid fiber sheets.

5ln a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, a pyramid tent comprises a first pair of trapezium shaped panels and a second pair of trapezium shaped panels, the second pair of trapezium shaped panels having an aperture positioned centrally at a proximal end, further each panel of the first pair of trapezium shaped panels and the second pair of trapezium shaped panels having a lOpair of longitudinal protruding projections on an opposite periphery ends and a protruding projection at an distal end.

Preferably, a light source is mounted over the aperture of the second pair of trapezium shaped panels.

Preferably, the tent has a ventilating means positioned between the second pair of 15trapezium shaped panels. Preferably, a securing means is provided to secure a pyramidal shaped cover at an apex position to form a pyramid tent from trapezoidal panels.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of panels have a window flap cut out from its panel. Preferably, the window further comprises a mesh screen. 0Preferably, the mesh screen material is selected from the group comprising wire mesh screens and polymer screens. More preferably, the mesh screen comprises a nylon material.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a panel from the first pair of trapezium shaped panels has an opening for facilitating a user to enter and exit the tent. The 5panel from the first pair of trapezium shaped panels has a flap for covering the opening when not in use.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a light source comprises a solar panel and a LED light source.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a first base securing means and the l Osecond base securing means are L-shaped cardboard securing means.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a flat base is selected from a group comprising plastic materials, bamboo grids, and cork sheets.

In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, a triangular tent deployable from a substantially flat configuration into an upstanding fully expanded ^] Sconfiguration and then back into a collapsible configuration comprises: a pair of rectangular shaped panels integrally connected at a proximal end with an adhesive, the pair of rectangular shaped panels forming a triangular shape front opening and an outward longitudinal protruding projection, further each panel comprises a first longitudinal protruding projection at a distal end in an outward direction, a triangular shaped front panel comprises an opening at a front side to facilitate a user to enter and exit,

5a pair of longitudinal protruding projections of front panel mounted at each opposite edge of a back side of the triangular shaped front panel, a second longitudinal protruding projection mounted in an outward direction at a distal end of the front panel and a third longitudinal protruding projection mounted in an outward direction at the distal end of the front panel and the opening being l Opositioned between the second longitudinal protruding projection and the third longitudinal protruding projection, a triangular shaped rear panel comprises a pair of longitudinal protruding projections of rear panel mounted at each opposite edge of a proximal side of the triangular shaped rear panel, and a fourth longitudinal protruding projection mounted in an backward direction at a distal end of the

15triangular shaped rear panel and a substantially flat base having L-shaped indentations at four corners of the base, the base being positioned between a first base securing means and a second base securing means to form a floor of the pyramid tent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each longitudinal protruding projections 20of first panel of the pair of longitudinal protruding projections of first panel mounted at each opposite edge of the back side of the front panel is secured to the triangular shaped front opening of the pair of rectangular shaped panels with an adhesive and each longitudinal protruding projections of rear panel of the pair of longitudinal protruding projections of rear panel mounted at each opposite edge of the proximal 5side of the triangular shaped rear panel is secured to a triangular shaped back opening of the pair of rectangular shaped panels with an adhesive to form structure of the tent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first longitudinal protruding projection of the pair of rectangular shaped panels, the second longitudinal protruding l Oprojection of the front panel, the third longitudinal protruding projection of the front panel, and the fourth longitudinal protruding projection of the rear panel are securely positioned between the first base securing means and the second base securing means to form an expanded configuration of the tent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pyramid tent is securable to a ground 15base by each loop of a plurality of loops secured at a proximal end of the second longitudinal protruding projection of the front panel, a distal end of the third longitudinal protruding projection of the front panel, and opposite ends of the fourth longitudinal protruding projection of the rear panel with a plurality of anchors.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first base securing means and the 20second base securing means are L-shaped cardboard securing means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the recited features of the present invention may be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended 5drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a pyramid tent 100 deployable from a flat, stored configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10FIG. A depicts a front view and FIG. 1 B depicts a top view of the pyramid tent 100 deployable from a flat, stored configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 C depicts a left side view and FIG. 1 D depicts a right side view of the pyramid tent 100 deployable from a flat, stored configuration, according to an embodiment of I 5the present invention.

FIG. 1 E depicts a front view of the pyramid tent 100 deployed. FIG. 1 F depicts a rear or side view of the pyramid tent 100 deployed.

FIG. 1 G depicts a folded form of the pyramid tent 100 deployable from a flat, stored configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a pyramid tent 200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A depicts an exploded view of the pyramid tent 200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

5FIG. 2B depicts a front view and FIG. 2C depicts a rear view of the pyramid tent 200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2D depicts a left side view and FIG. 2E depicts a right side view of the pyramid tent 200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2F depicts a top view and FIG. 2G depicts a bottom view of the pyramid tent 10200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B depicts a cross sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 3A of the pyramid tent 200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B depicts a cross sectional view along the line B-B of FIG. 4A of the pyramid tent 200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

15FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a triangular tent 300 deployed into a standing fully expanded configuration, according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A depicts an exploded view of the triangular tent 300 deployed. FIG. 5B depicts a front view of the triangular tent 300 deployed. FIG. 5C depicts a side view of the triangular tent 300.

FIG. 6A depicts a perspective view of an anchor 600 adapted to pass through each loop of the tent for securing the tent to a ground base, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6B depicts a front view of the anchor 600 adapted to pass through each loop of the tent for securing the tent to the ground base, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6C depicts a top view of an anchor 600 adapted to pass through each loop of the tent for securing the tent to the ground base, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6D depicts a side view of an anchor 600 adapted to pass through each loop of the tent for securing the tent to the ground base, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7A depicts a perspective view of the triangular tent 300 deployed, as in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7B shows the tent 300 collapsing, from a bottom view, according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

5Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a pyramid tent 100 deployed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to figures 1A through 1 G, a pyramid tent 100, comprises four triangular shaped panels 105 that are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines 110. Preferably, the triangular shaped panels are isosceles triangles. lOPreferably, the panels 105, 205, 210, 305, 320, and 335 are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines 1 10, 220, 310, and 325 with an adhesive, staples, rivets, longitudinal hinges, or a combination thereof. In an improved embodiment, a reinforcing material is placed inside the longitudinal fold lines 110 between mating panels 05 such as a shim or an aircraft wire. The longitudinal fold lines 1 10 will

15also be referred to as longitudinal protruding projections 110.

Preferably, the panels 105, 205, 210, 305, 320, and 335 are constructed from a cardboard material. In alternative embodiments, the panels 105, 205, 210, 305, 320, and 335 are constructed from a material selected from the group comprising a rigid plastic, a corrugated plastic, aluminum, and a metal alloy. Preferably, the tent 100 is factory assembled and stored in a flat configuration for rapid deployment.

Preferably, the tent 100 has a plurality of loops 120 secured at distal ends of the longitudinal fold lines 110 that are securable to a base with a plurality of anchors 600 Shaving a longitudinal body 605 and a head section portion 620. Each loop 120 is adapted to permit only the longitudinal body 605 portion of each anchor 600 to pass through the loop 120.

Preferably, at least one panel 105 of a tent's panels has an opening 130 adapted to facilitate a user to enter and exit the tent 100. Preferably, each opening in the panels l Ohas a flap adapted to cover the opening, the flap being continuous with its panel when in a closed position.

Preferably, a plurality of panels 105 have peep flaps 115 for covering openings 130, ventilation apertures, and windows not shown. Preferably, the peep flaps 115 are continuous with panels 105 when in a closed position as depicted in FIG. 1 E. l SPreferably, one or more materials are laminated to the panels 105, 205, 210, 305, 320, and 335. Preferably, the materials are selected from a group comprising water resistant polymers, water resistant waxes, adhesive tapes, reflective tapes, heat insulating nano-coatings, heat reflective coated structural articles, heat absorbing coated structural articles, camouflage coated structural articles, anti-ballistic 0polycarbonate sheets, para-aramid fiber sheets. Preferably, an adhesive tape is applied on the open edges along the perimeter of opening 130 to aid in waterproofing. Preferably, the tape is reflective, except in camouflage coated tents 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the tape is neon colored. Preferably, a tent 100, 200, 300 is coated in a color or pattern to suit Sits intended environment or application, such as white for hot climates and camouflage patterns for military use.

FIG. 1A depicts a front view, FIG. 1 B depicts a top view, FIG. 1C depicts a left side view and FIG. 1 D depicts a right side view of a pyramid tent 100 deployable from a flat, stored configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As l Oillustrated therein, the pyramid tent 100 is compact and user friendly, and hence may be deployed quickly in constrained spaces.

FIG. 1E depicts a front view of the pyramid tent 100 deployed. FIG. 1 F depicts a rear or side view of the pyramid tent 100 deployed.

FIG. 1 G depicts the pyramid tent 100 in a flat stored configuration, according to an 15embodiment of the present invention. As depicted therein, the pyramid tent 100 is highly portable and stackable with other tents in its flattened configuration, for storage in trucks, vans, and aircraft, from a flat stored configuration, as shown in figure 1G

Referring to figures 2, 2A through 2G, an alternative embodiment the invention is 20depicted as a frusto pyramidal tent 200, comprising, a ring of four trapezium shaped panels 205 that are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines 220, wherein a detachable apex 250 is mounted at the peak of the frusto pyramidal tent 200.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view, FIG. 2A depicts an exploded view, FIG. 2B depicts a front view, FIG. 2C depicts a rear view, FIG. 2D depicts a left side view,FIG. 2E depicts a right side view, FIG. 2F depicts a top view, and FIG. 2G depicts a bottom view of the frusto pyramidal tent 200.

Preferably, the trapezium shaped panels 205 are isosceles trapeziums.

Further, FIG. 3B depicts a cross sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 3A of the pyramid tent 200 and FIG. 4B depicts a cross sectional view along the line B-B ofFIG. 4A of the pyramid tent 200, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The pyramid tent 200 comprises a first pair of trapezium shaped panels 205 and a second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210. Preferably, each panel of the first pair of trapezium shaped panels 205 and the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210 has a pair of longitudinal protruding projections 220on an opposite periphery ends and a protruding projection 225 at an distal end to aid in integrally connecting the panels. Preferably, the first pair of trapezium shaped panels 205 and the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210 are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines with an adhesive, staples, rivets, or other connecting means available in the art. In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of panels 105, 2 0 have a window flap 275 cut out from its panel. Preferably, the window panel 275 further comprises a mesh screen. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mesh screen is nylon mesh screen and the like.

5ln an embodiment of the present invention, a panel from the first pair of trapezium shaped panels 205 comprises an opening 290 for facilitating a user to enter and exit the tent 200. Preferably, the panel from the first pair of trapezium shaped panels 205 comprises a flap 295 for covering the opening 290 when not in use.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second pair of trapezium shaped l Opanels 210 comprises an aperture 215 positioned centrally at a proximal end. Preferably, a light source 230 is mounted over the aperture 215 of the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210 as depicted in FIG. 2.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the light source 230 is a renewable energy source. Preferably, the light source comprises a solar panel 230 and a LED 1 Slight source 232. Preferably, the solar panel 230 is connected to an elongated pole 234 at rear end.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pyramid tent 200 further comprises a ventilating means and a securing means 245 to secure a pyramid shape cover 250 at apex position to form the pyramid tent 200. The ventilating means comprises a 20cuboidal body 235. The ventilating means is positioned between the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210. The securing means 245 is positioned between the ventilating means and the pyramid shape cover 250. Further, the cuboidal body 235 comprises a pair of orifice 240 for providing space for the light source 230 to be securely positioned between the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210. SPreferably, the elongated pole 234 is passed through the aperture 215 and then through the pair of orifice 240 of the cuboidal body 235 and secured to the panel 210 of the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the securing means 245 comprises a horizontal base. The horizontal base comprises a folded longitudinal flap in a lOdownward direction at an outer periphery of the horizontal base.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pyramid tent 200 comprises a substantially flat base 255 having L-shaped indentations 260 at four corners of the base 255. The base 255 is positioned between a first base securing means 265 and a second base securing means 270 to form a floor of the pyramid tent 200.

15ln an embodiment of the present invention, the protruding projection 225 at the distal end of each panel of the first pair of trapezium shaped panels 205 and the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210 are securely positioned between the first base securing means 265 and the second base securing means 270 to form an expanded configuration of the tent 200. Further, the pyramid tent 200 is securable to a ground

20base by each loop 280 of the multiple loops secured at a distal end of each of the longitudinal protruding projections 220 of the first pair of trapezium shaped panels 205 and the second pair of trapezium shaped panels 210 with multiple anchors 285. Preferably, each anchor 285 is adapted to pass through each loop 280 for securing the tent 200 to the ground base.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first base securing means 265 and 5the second base securing means 270 are L-shaped cardboard securing means.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the flat base 255 is selected from a group of plastic material.

In a further alternative embodiment, referring to Figures 5, 5A, 5B, and 5C, the invention is a triangular tent, comprising, a pair of opposing trapezium shaped l Opanels 305 that are integrally connected along longitudinal fold lines to a pair of opposing triangular shaped panels 320 and 335.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view, FIG. 5A depicts an exploded view, FIG. 5B depicts a front view, and FIG. 5C depicts a side view, of a triangular tent 300 deployable from a configuration into an upstanding fully expanded configuration and I 5then back into a collapsible configuration, according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

The triangular tent 300 comprises a pair of rectangular shaped panels 305 integrally connected at a proximal end, along longitudinal protruding projection 310, a triangular shaped front panel 320, a triangular shaped rear panel 335 and a 20substantially flat base 350. Preferably, the pair of rectangular shaped panels 305 forms a triangular shape front opening and an outward longitudinal protruding projection 310. Further, each panel of the pair of rectangular shaped panels 305 comprises a first longitudinal protruding projection 315 at a distal end in an outward direction.

5ln an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plurality of the triangular shaped panels 320, 335 have an opening 322 adapted for facilitating a user to enter and exit the collapsible triangular tent, wherein each panel opening 322 has a peep flap 380 for covering the opening when not in use, and wherein each triangular shaped panel and the panel's peep flaps are pre-folded and hinged longitudinally lOalong its center line.

The triangular shaped front panel 320 further comprises a second longitudinal protruding projection 324 that is mounted in an outward direction at a distal end of the front panel 320 and a third longitudinal protruding projection 330 is mounted in an outward direction at the distal end of the front panel 320. Moreover, the opening 1 322 is positioned between the second longitudinal protruding projection 324 and the third longitudinal protruding projection 330.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the triangular shaped front panel 320 comprises at least one of a peep flap 380, a cardboard door panel and the like for covering the opening 322 when not in use. In an embodiment of the present invention, the triangular shaped rear panel 335 comprises a pair of longitudinal protruding projections of rear panel 340 mounted at each opposite edge of a proximal side of the triangular shaped rear panel 335, and a fourth longitudinal protruding projection 345 is mounted in an backward direction at a 5distal end of the triangular shaped rear panel 335. Preferably, the substantially flat base 350 has L-shaped indentations 355 at four corners of the base 350. Further, the base 350 is positioned between a first base securing means 360 and a second base securing means 365 to form a floor of the pyramid tent 300.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the flat base 350 is selected from a l Ogroup of plastic materials.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first base securing means 360 and the second base securing means 365 are L-shaped cardboard securing means.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each longitudinal protruding projection of first panel 325 of the pair of longitudinal protruding projections of first panel 325 is

Amounted at each opposite edge of the back side of the front panel 320 is secured to the triangular shaped front opening of the pair of rectangular shaped panels 305 with an adhesive and each longitudinal protruding projections of rear panel 340 of the pair of longitudinal protruding projections of rear panel 340 mounted at each opposite edge of the proximal side of the triangular shaped rear panel 335 is

20secured to a triangular shaped back opening of the pair of rectangular shaped panels 305 with an adhesive to form structure of the tent 300. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first longitudinal protruding projections 315 of the pair of rectangular shaped panels 305, the second longitudinal protruding projection 324 of the front panel 320, the third longitudinal protruding projection 330 of the front panel 320 and the fourth longitudinal protruding projection

5345 of the rear panel 335 are securely positioned between the first base securing means 360 and the second base securing means 365 to form an expanded configuration of the tent 300. Further, the tent 300 is securable to a ground base by each loop of the multiple loops 370 secured at a proximal end of the second longitudinal protruding projection 324 of the front panel 320, a distal end of the third l Olongitudinal protruding projection 330 of the front panel 320, and opposite ends of the fourth longitudinal protruding projection 345 of the rear panel 335 with a plurality of anchors (as described in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6D)

In an embodiment of the present invention, an anchor 600 is adapted to pass through each loop of the plurality of loops 370 for securing the tent 300 to a ground 15base.

FIG. 7A depicts a perspective view of the triangular tent 300 deployed and FIG. 7B shows the tent 300 collapsing, from a bottom view, according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the multiple panels utilized in the present 20invention are laminated. The lamination of the multiple panels, are selected from a group comprising water resistant polymers, water resistant waxes, adhesive tapes, reflective tapes, heat insulating nano-coatings, heat reflective coated structural articles, heat absorbing coated structural articles, camouflage coated structural articles, anti-ballistic polycarbonate sheets, and para-aramid fiber sheets.

5FIG. 6A depicts a perspective view of an anchor 600, FIG. 6B depicts a front view of the anchor 600, FIG. 6C depicts a top view of the anchor 600 and FIG. 6D depicts a side view of the anchor 600 adapted to pass through each loop of the tent for securing the tent to the ground base, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The anchor deployed in three embodiments of the present invention is lOsimilar to the anchor 600 described in detail. The anchor 600 comprises a threaded longitudinal body 605, a head section 615 and a rounded tip 625. The threaded longitudinal body 605 is upwardly scooped 610. The head section 615 is mounted on the threaded longitudinal body. Further, the head section 615 is bent in an inward direction to form a curve 620 at both ends of the anchor. The rounded tip 625 at a

ISdistal end of the threaded longitudinal body 605 penetrates the base for securing the tent to the base.

Therefore, as may be seen, different embodiments of the present invention provides tent structures, which is easily deployable, especially during an emergency. The tent 20has various advantages over the prior art, such as no requirement of supplementary tools for erecting the tent. Additionally, the present invention is foldable and requires less storage area. The panels of the tent may be recyclable and light in weight. Accordingly, while some of the alternative embodiments of the tent have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intendedto embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations that have been discussed herein, and others that fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.