TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tent having a tent cloth and a tent frame configured to carry the tent cloth, the tent frame comprising a substantially cone-shaped structure formed by at least five rods each configured to have one end resting on a ground, to extend from that end convergingly towards a top of the tent and to carry said tent cloth outside thereon, the tent cloth being separable in at least a lower part for forming an opening to pass in and out through, the tent frame further comprising on one hand a first rigid elongated element having a first end configured to be attached to said structure of the tent frame at a height suitable for a said opening and to extend substantially horizontally out from a tent inner and to carry tent cloth portions surrounding said opening resting thereon, and on the other hand a second rigid elongated element configured to support the first element by having one end resting on a ground and the other end connected to the first element, said tent cloth portions carried by the first element being configured to define a triangular opening into the tent, and the tent further comprising a tent cloth member configured to form a tight closure of said triangular opening with respect to said tent cloth portions defining said triangular opening, this tent cloth member being separable for exposing said opening.

The present invention is accordingly directed to such tents having a tapered shape or at least the lower part thereof with the shape of a lower part of a tapered body such as a cone. A typical tent of this type is a Nordic tipi. Thus, “extend from that end convergingly” does not mean that said rods has to meet at the top of the tent frame, but the upper ends of the rods may have a considerable mutual distance to each other, and the top of the tent may for instance be flat or make another considerable angle with respect to the extension of said rods. The invention relates to such tents of a variety of different seizes, from smaller tents which may have a top height and base diameter in the region of 2 and 3.5 meters, respectively, to larger so-called “giant tipis”, which may have a top height and base diameter rather often in the region of 8 and 11 meters, respectively. Such tents may be used for temporary use by private campers, scouts, school classes or sport clubs, or for permanent use as warming huts at ski resorts or in place of rentable cabins on campsites, as a few examples.

BACKGROUND ART

Tents of the type defined in the introduction are already known and on the market. The typical example is a conventional Nordic tipi with an “entrance part” at the opening thereof, formed by a rod attached to the cone-shaped frame structure by one end and extending substantially horizontally out from the cone-shaped structure while being supported at the opposite end by one or more rods standing on the ground. Tent cloth portions are provided over and carried by these rods so as to form a vestibule-like entrance to the tent. At these tents already known the closable opening in the tent cloth is provided at/between the standing rod/rods, i.e. directly below the outermost end of the horizontal rod forming the upper ridge of the roof of the entrance part.

Although this type of entrance part provides a tent with a higher level of convenience compared to an original teepe, with an entrence in the form of an openable section in the cone-shaped wall, there are some issues and limitations related to the use of this type of entrance part, which the inventor of the present invention has aimed to solve.

First of all, the entrance is exposed for the prevailing weather conditions and lets rain and wind into the tent when the opening in the cloth is opened. Secondly, it is limited to its original form and cannot be built on or rebuilt to suit a specific desired use of the tent, at least not in an uncomplicated way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a tent of the type defined in the introduction being improved in at least some aspect with respect to such tents already known.

This object is according to the invention obtained by providing such a tent which is characterized in that said tent cloth member is provided with an upper aperture allowing the first element to pass therethrough while tightly bearing therearound, and that the first rigid elongated element is configured to have a second end thereof outside said tent cloth member at a distance therefrom and to carry tent cloth portions resting thereon outside said opening.

This aperture in the tent cloth member enabling the first rigid elongated element to project out from the inner of the tent to the outside thereof through the tent cloth implies greatly improved possibilities of designing the tent to suit a specific use thereof. Most obvious is the advantage that the upper part of the tent cloth portions surrounding the opening is carried by the second end of the first rigid elongated member at a distance from the separable tent cloth member so as to provide a canopy-like roof projecting over the tent cloth member and thereby the opening into the tent, which roof serves as a weather protection against wind and precipitation.

However, the fact that a part of the tent frame, namely the second end of the first rigid elongated element, projects out to the outside of the tent also opens up opportunities to connect the tent with different modules or components. These features are achieved without compromising the moisture resistance of the tent, as the aperture through the tent cloth is hidden under and protected by the tent cloth portions surrounding the opening. According to an embodiment of the invention the part of the first element extending out of the aperture in the cloth member is configured to form a connection of the tent to at least one tent module with an opening enabling passing between the inner thereof and the inner of the tent.

According to another embodiment of the invention the first element is configured to form a similar first element of a tent module in the form of a similar tent connected to the tent and have said second element end extend thereinto and attached to said tent frame structure of that tent.

According to another embodiment of the invention the tent frame further comprises a third elongated element configured to interconnect two adjacent rods of said at least five rods forming the cone-shaped structure, and the first end of the first rigid elongated element is configured to be attached to said structure by being secured to the third elongated element between said two adjacent rods.

According to another embodiment of the invention the third elongated element is a rigid elongated element configured to interconnect said two adjacent rods so as to hold them in a determined mutual position.

According to another embodiment of the invention the first rigid elongated element is configured to have the second end thereof outside said tent cloth member at a distance therefrom of at least 20 centimeters, preferably at least 30 centimeters, more preferred at least 50 centimeters.

According to another embodiment of the invention the second end of the first rigid elongated element is configured to support an outermost end of the tent cloth portions resting thereon at a distance from the tent cloth member of at least 20 centimeters, preferably at least 30 centimeters, more preferred at least 50 centimeters. According to another embodiment of the invention the tent frame comprises two said second rigid elongated elements configured to support the first rigid elongated element by having first ends resting on a ground at a distance from each other, to extend from those ends convergingly towards the first elongated element so as to provide support for the first element by the opposing, second ends while facilitating the triangular opening into the tent.

According to another embodiment of the invention the tent cloth member comprises two flaps each secured to a respective tent cloth portion defining said triangular opening by a first lateral end thereof and attachable to and releaseble from a second lateral end of the other flap by a second opposite lateral end thereof, to enable closing and opening of the opening into the tent, respectively.

According to another embodiment of the invention the first rigid elongated element has a minimum cross-sectional diameter of at least 3 centimeters, at least 4 centimeters, preferably at least 5 centimeters.

According to another embodiment of the invention said at least five rods of the tent frame are made of wood.

According to another embodiment of the invention said first and second rigid elongated elements are made of wood.

According to another embodiment of the invention said third rigid elongated element is made of wood.

According to another embodiment of the invention the tent frame comprises at least six, at least seven, at least eight and preferably at least nine said rods.

According to another embodiment of the invention the frame is configured to define a diameter of 4-50 meters, 7-20 meters or 8- 15 meters on the ground by said one ends of said rods. A tent frame according to the invention is particularly well suited for such larger tents.

The invention also relates to a tent system according to the appended independent claim thereof.

Further advantages as well as advantageous features of the invention will appear from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a specific description of an embodiment of the invention cited as an example.

In the drawings:

Fig 1 is a simplified side-elevation view obliquely from a front side of a tent according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig 2 is a simplified view obliquely from above showing the naked tent frame and cloth member of the tent of Fig 1 ,

Fig 3 is an enlarged partly exploded detail view of the first rigid elongated element as seen from the direction “A” in Fig 2,

Fig 4 is a simplified view obliquely from above of the tent of Fig 1 , with the first rigid elongated element replaced with one of greater length,

Fig 5 is a simplified side-elevation view of two tents according to an embodiment of the invention interconnected to form a tent system,

Fig 6 is a simplified view obliquely from above of the tent system of Fig 5, and Fig 7 is a simplified view obliquely from above showing the naked tent frames and cloth members of the tent system of Fig 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A tent 1 a according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown in Figs 1 -4. Figs 5-7 show this tent 1 a interconnected with a similar tent 1 b so as to form a tent system according to an embodiment of the invention. The tent 1 a and tent system according to the invention will now be described while at the same time making references to all these drawings.

The tent 1 a has a tent frame comprising nine rods 2 each configured to have one end 3 resting on a ground, to extend from that end convergingly towards a top 4 of the tent and to carry a tent cloth 5 bearing outside thereon. The rods 2 extend to form a frame of a substantially cone-shaped tent, such as a Nordic tipi.

The tent cloth 5 is separable, i.e. openable, in at least a lower part for forming an opening 6 to pass in and out through. The tent frame further comprises a first rigid elongated element 7 having a first end 8 configured to be attached to said cone-shaped structure of the tent frame at a height suitable for a top end of said opening, such as for instance 2-2.5 meters above the ground, and to extend substantially horizontally, preferably horizontally, out from a tent inner and to carry tent cloth portions 9 surrounding said opening 6 resting thereon. Substantially horizontally should here be interpreted as horizontally with a deviation of about 15 degrees, or 15 degrees.

The tent frame further comprises two second rigid elongated elements 10 configured to support the first rigid elongated element 7 by having first ends 11 resting on the ground at a distance from each other, to extend from those ends convergingly towards the first elongated element so as to be connected with and provide support for the first element by the opposing, second ends 12. The second rigid elongated elements may provide support for the first rigid elongated element at any point thereof between the outermost portion of the second end 22 thereof and the portion located at the tent cloth member 16. The first 7 and second 10 rigid elongated elements form in this way together an entrance frame part making tent cloth portions 9 carried by said first and second elements define a triangular opening into the tent, as seen straight from the front thereof.

Although the second rigid elongated elements 10 are two in number in this embodiment shown, there could as well be more than two such elements, or only one second rigid elongated element having one end resting on the ground and extending vertically therefrom to support the first rigid elongated element 7 by the opposite other end. In such a case, the tent cloth portions 9 surrounding the opening 6 would need to be properly tightened between the first rigid elongated element and the cone-shaped frame structure and/or the ground, to be able to define a triangular opening without resting on some second rigid elongated elements. Furthermore, the inverted V-shape formed by the two second rigid elongated elements, which is inclined away from the tent inner along its upward extension in the example shown, could as well be standing vertically, or even be inclined in the other direction, i.e. towards the inner of the tent.

The tent frame further comprises, for each pair of adjacent rods 2, a third rigid elongated element 13 configured to interconnect a first rod with a second rod of the pair, so as to hold them in a determined mutual position. The first end 8 of the first rigid elongated element 7 is configured to be attached to said cone- shaped structure by being secured to such a third elongated element 13 between a pair of, i.e. two adjacent rods 2. The first end 8 of the first element 7 may be secured to the third element 13 by a plurality of different means, such as by a pin 14 and hole 15 mechanism, which is shown in Fig 3, or by straps or ropes, as a few examples. The tent frame may be provided with a plurality of said third rigid elongated elements 13, as is described above and shown in the drawings, or with only one such third elongated element arranged between two adjacent rods 2 for the purpose of supporting the first end 8 of the first rigid elongated element 7.

The tent 1 a further comprises a tent cloth member 16 configured to form a tight closure of said triangular opening with respect to said tent cloth portions 9 defining said triangular opening, and the ground, i.e. to tightly close said opening. The tent cloth member is a triangular piece of textile and/or plastic and/or wood, and may be releasably secured to the tent cloth portions 9 defining the opening by for instance hook-and-loop fasteners (velcro), or being fixedly secured, such as sewn, thereto. The tent cloth member 16 is separable for exposing said opening, which means that it could be separable from one ore more tent cloth portions 9 surrounding it, or comprise two or more parts separable from each other, so as to expose said opening to allow people to get into or out of the tent inner.

In the embodiment shown, the tent cloth member 16 comprises two flaps 17a-b each configured to be secured to a respective tent cloth portion 9 defining said triangular opening by a first lateral end thereof 18a-b and attachable to and releaseble from a second lateral end 19a-b of the other flap by a second opposite lateral end thereof 19-a-b, to enable closing and opening of the opening into the tent, respectively. Said second lateral ends of the flaps 17a-b are attachable to and releaseble from each other by a zipper 20, hook-and-loop fasteners or the like. Accordingly, the tent cloth member 16 serves as a door in the opening defined by the tent cloth portions 9 carried by the first 7 and second 10 rigid elongated elements, and defines the border between the inner and outer of the tent.

The tent cloth member 16 is provided with an upper aperture 21 allowing the first rigid elongated element 7 to pass therethrough while tightly bearing therearound. Preferably, the aperture has a dimension which requires squeezing of the first rigid elongated element into it for establishing a tight seal therebetween. However, separate sealing elements, such as patches, may also be used to tightly seal the aperture around the first element 7 extending therethrough. The aperture 21 enables the first rigid elongated element to have a second end 22 thereof outside said tent cloth member 16 at a distance therefrom and to carry tent cloth portions 9 resting thereon outside said opening 6. The aperture 21 may be a cut-out in the top portion of the tent cloth member, as is the case in the embodiment shown, or may be a full hole 23 in the tent cloth member 16 at a distance from the outer edges thereof as is indicated with dashed lines in Fig 3. Accordingly, the first rigid elongated element 7 passing through the aperture may tightly bear against portions of the tent cloth member 16 and tent cloth portions 9 resting on it, or against portions of the tent cloth member 16 only.

The first rigid elongated element 7 is configured to project through the aperture 21 and have the second end 22 outside said tent cloth member 16 at a distance therefrom of at least 20 centimeters, i.e. project past the aperture 21 by at least 20 centimeters, preferably at least 50 centimeters, and to support an outermost end 24 of the tent cloth portions 9 resting thereon at a distance from the tent cloth member of at least 20 centimeters, preferably at least 50 centimeters. A canopy-like roof projecting over the tent cloth member 16 and thereby the opening into the tent is thereby provided, serving as a weather protection against wind and precipitation.

The rods 2 as well as the first 7, second 10 and third 13 rigid elongated elements are preferably all made of wood, which is a cost-effective, strong and environmentally friendly material which is well suited for this purpose. However, one or all of these components could be made of a different material, such as metal. The first rigid elongated element 7 should have a minimum cross- sectional diameter between its first 8 and second 22 ends, of at least 3 centimeters, preferably at least 5 centimeters, if it is made of wood, and at least 2 centimeters, preferably at least 3 centimeters, if it is made of metal. It should be stated that the actual thickness of the first rigid elongated element is not important per se, but the carrying capacity thereof and if two rods of wood each having a cross-sectional diameter of for instance 4 centimeters would be interconnected by an intermediate connecting element of steel having a cross-sectional diameter of for instance 1 centimeter, this entire assembly, i.e. both rods together with the intermediate element, should still be interpreted as one rigid elongated element.

In addition to enabling the formation of a good weather protection the apperture 21 and first rigid elongated element 7 of the tent according to the present invention also provide the possibility to shift said first rigid elongated element, for instance between such elements of different lengths, so as to give the tent different properties or facilitating coupling of separate tent modules thereto.

Fig 4 shows the tent 1 a as shown in Fig 1 , however with the first rigid elongated element 7 replaced by one of greater length. The tent may now be connected to a separate tent module by the second end 22 of the first rigid elongated element 7 projecting out of the tent 1 a.

It is shown in Figs 5-7 how the tent 1 a as described above can be connected to such a tent module in the form of another similar tent 1 b, so as to together form a tent system according to the invention. The two tents 1 a-b are then placed at a proper distance from and with their openings aligned with each other. A first rigid elongated element 7 is used, which has a sufficient length to be attached to a third rigid elongated element 13 of the first tent by the first end 8 thereof, to extend therefrom out through the aperture 21 in the tent cloth member 16 of that tent, in through the aperture in the tent cloth member of the second tent 1 b and to a third rigid elongated element of the second tent to be attached thereto by the opposite second end 22 of the element 7. In other words, the two tents 1a-b of the tent system according to the invention share the same first rigid elongated element 7. This interconnection of two tents 1 a-b, enabled by the inventive structure of the tent according to the present invention, result in a strong and steady connection between them, which is also uncomplicated and easy to establish. Furthermore, no perforations of the tent cloths 5 which are exposed to the weather are required, due to the placement of the apertures 21 and design of the first rigid elongated element 7 in combination with the tent cloth portions 9 carried thereby outside of the tent cloth members 16 of each tent 1 a-b. As is understood from Figs 5 and 6, a further cloth portion may be arranged in the middle of the first rigid elongated element 7, between or overlapping said tent cloth portions 9 of both tents 1 a-b resting theron, and the passage between the two tents is completely sealed against the surrounding environment. Said tent cloth portions 9 could also be designed to be interconnected or to overlap each other so as to form a sealed passage between the tents without further components.

Although two exactly the same tents 1 a-b are shown in the example of a tent system according to the present invention, it is also possible to connect a tent module to the tent 1 a according to the invention which is not exactly the same to it, to form a tent system. Such a tent module could be a similar tepee of a different size or a tent with a different shape and structure. Furthermore, it is possible to connect more than one tent module to the tent 1 a according to the invention, such as for instance two or three similar tents so as to form a tent system consisting of three or four tents. In such a case, the first rigid elongated element 7 could be part of a triangular or cross-shaped assembly formed by such elements, with one end to be attached to each tent frame.

Hence, a tent 1 a is provided, which has an improved weather protection of the opening thereof with respect to similar tents already known, and which provides the possibility to connect another tent module, such as a similar tent, thereto to form a tent system in an uncomplicated manner while maintaining the weather proof characteristics of both tents. The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiment described above, but many possibilities to modifications thereof would be apparent to a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The opening of the tent could have a greater dimension than that shown in the drawings, for instance span over two spaces between rods of the cone-shaped structure of the frame instead of one as shown. In such a case, the first end 8 of the first rigid elongated element would preferably be attached to the standing rod in between these two spaces.

The word “rigid” as used in the phrase “rigid elongated element” is to be interpreted broadly and defines an element that is substantially stiff thereby suitable for being used as a spacer, but could of course be bent to some extent by impact of a considerable force thereon.

The phrase “a pair of adjacent rods” simply refers to two adjacent rods combined. For example, when three rods in a row is considered, the left rod and the middle rod are together one such pair and the middle rod and the right rod are together another such pair. Accordingly, every rod around the periphery of the tent frame will be included in two different such pairs of adjacent rods.

Each rod may be formed by a plurality of rod pieces connecting to each other for forming a long rod, for instance by being telescopically received in each other. These pieces are then preferably, but not necessarily, of aluminium.

The number of rods comprised in the tent frame may vary from 5 to 10 or more, but are preferably 8 or 9.

Where it is stated that a component is “connected to” another component, this is to be interpreted as that the components are interconnected directly, or indirectly by an intermediate component.

The terms upper, lower, front, rear, horizontal and vertical as may be used in this disclosure for defining various components, or parts thereof, are to be interpreted as valid for a tent placed on a horizontal ground, as shown for instance in Fig 1.

It should be understood that the word “ground” is to be interpreted as the underlying base layer on which the tent rests, and could of course comprise a mat, flooring or the like.