US3042052A - Portable tepee - Google Patents

Description

J. S. DES ROSIER PORTABLE TEPEE July 3, 1962 Filed Dec. 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet James S. Des Ros'er INVENTOR.

July 3, 1962 J. s. DES ROSIER & 3

PORTABLE TEPEE Filed Dec. 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 James 5. Des Has/'er INVENTOR.

BY WW 25 tates atet &hh

Patented July 3, 1862 hee &MZ GSZ PORTAELE TEEE James S. Des Rosie', 2500 Saint Anne, llutte, Mont. Filed Dec. 8, 1959, Ser. No. %58,179 Claims. (Ci. 135-1) 'Ihe present invention generally relates to a tent structure and more particularly to a portable tepee which is quickly and easily assembled and disassembled and provides a portable shelter in which a fire may be easily kindled.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a tepee Construction incorporating a plurality of poles having a ring member interconnecting the poles adjacent their upper ends with the lower ends of the poles being pointed for insertion into the ground thereby providing a framework which is readily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tepee in which the cover of the tepee is provided with an opening at the upper end thereof for exit of smoke together with a closure flap for the opening.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tepee in which there is an internally disposed ventilator fiap extending from substantially the ground surface to an elevated position for providing for draft for a fire within the tepee thus eliminating smoke and also insulating the tepee Construction.

Yet another important feature of the present invention is to provide a tepee Construction in which the poles forming the framework are telescopic for permittng collapsing thereof for storage in a small space.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a tepee structure in which the poles are provided with pointed lower ends with the poles being of tubular Construction with at least one of the pointed lower ends being removable for providing access to a transistorized battery powered radio disposed and incorporated within the tubular pole whereby the radio will be carried with the tepee at all times and readily available for use.

Other'` important features of the present invention will reside in its Simplicity of construction, ease of assembly and disassembly, and in the provision of a structure which is safe and dependable and relatively inexpensive to manufaeture.

These together With other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of Construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the tepee of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of the cover for the tepee;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of the tepee with the cover removed illustrating the ventilator flap attached to the frame of the tepee;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of one of the telescopic poles illustrating the transistor radio mounted in the lower end thereof;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4 illustrating the snap-fasteners on the poles and also illustrating the structure which enables longitudinal telescopic movement of the sections of the poles;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the ring for holding the upper ends of the poles in assembled condition, a portion of one of said poles also being shown;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 7-7 of FIGURE 6 illustrating the details of the connection between the poles and ring; and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a liner employing diflerent means for attachment to the frame.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the tepee construction of the present invention which includes a cover generally designated by the numeral 12, a framework generally designated by the numeral 14 and a liner generally designated by the numeral 16.

The frame 14 includes a plurality of tubular poles each generally being designated by the nurneral 18 and each including a plurality of longitudinally telescopically arranged sections 20, 22, 24 and 26. The sections are supported in extended position by a spring urged pin or detent 28 in the corresponding inner member for engagement with a depression 30 in the outer member for frictionally holding the inner and outer members in extended telescopic relation. The lower end of each lower section 20 is provided with a pointed insert 31. As illustrated in PIGURE 4, the insert 31 may be removed and this particular pole is provided with a transistor radio 32 disposed in the lower end thereof along with a batteiy case 34 with the radio 32 being controlled by control knobs 36 thereby enabling the persons using the tepee to have a radio available for use.

Supported on each adjustable post or pole 18 is a plurality of snap-fastener elements 38 which may conveniently be male snap-fastener elements for a purpose described hereinafter.

The portion of the poles designated as the upper sections 26 are disposed in crossed relation and each of the poles 18 is provided with a threaded stud 4& thereon adjacent the upper section 26 and projecting inwardly therefrom and extending through a slot-like opening 41 of a n'ng 42 having a convex outer surface 43 and the studs 40 held in position by a wing nut 44. Ring 42 forms a ring for supporting all of the poles 18 thereby retaining the poles in proper position during assembly of the tent and also maintaining the poles in position after the tent has been assembled.

Disposed on the outer surface of the frame 14 conposed of the poles 18 is frusto-conical cover 46 which has take receiving loops 48 on the lower edge ther-cof adapted to receive tent stakes 50 for holding the cover 46 to the ground surface. The cover 46 is generally in conical shape When closed and the side edges and bottom of the cover 46 are provided with a reinforcing tape 52 having snap-fastener elements 54 thereon whereby the snap fastener elements 54 on opposite sides of the cover will perrnit the cover to be disposed in enclosed relation. Also, the lower tape is provided with snap fastener elements 56 while the main body panel of the cover is also provided with snap fastener elements 58 and the upper end of the cover is provided with snap fastcrer elements 6%. Extending upwardly from the top of the cover 46 is an upwardly and outwardly fiared member or fan-shaped flap 62 having generally pointed terminal ends 64 each having a pocket 66 theren. The fiap 62 will serve to cover an opening 68 and will be held in open or extended position by props or poles 70 whereby smoke may be exhausted from the tepee through the opening 68. The terminal pointed ends or edges 64 of the flap 62 are retained in overlapped closed position by a tie string 72. or snap fastener elements and the tie string is engaged with a loop '74 formed on the cover 46. The tepee cover 46 is also provided with an openable door fiap 76 Secured in position by snap fasteners 78 for providing access into the interior of the tepee.

The liner 16 is also trusto-conical and includes a sheet 80 Secured todgether by snap fastener elements 82 and &042952 which is secured to snap fastener elements such as elements 38 on the poles 18 by corresponding snap fastener elements on said sheet 80. The sheet 8@ is of generally conical construction and spaced inwardly from the cover 46 thereby defining an air passageway for insulation and other purposes.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a modified form of liner designated by the numeral 84 which is provided with loops 36 at the top and bottom thereof for engagement around the poles 18 and for acconplishing the same purpose as the sheet flap 80 with either of the liners disposed against the inner surface of the poles 18. The ring 42 is disposed interiorly of the poles 18 which permits the poles to be brought into parallel relation when collapsed and also facilitates the connection of the cover at the juncture of the poles when the tent is set up.

The props or poles 70 holding the smoke ventilating fiap 62 in open position may extend all of the way to the ground surface or engage a portion of the cover 46 for properly positioning the flap 62. The various snaps securing the cover in closed position and securing the cover to the poles enable the poles to be retained in desired position during erection of the tent and also maintain the tent substantially waterproof thereby protecting occupants and the fire from inclement weather conditions. The fiaps are preferably constructed of light Weight fabric that is waterproof and which may be of a synthetic nature while the poles are preferably constructed of tubular material such as aluminum tubing or the like which is light weight and corrosion resistant.

The oregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes Will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact Construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 'be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as tollows:

1. A tepee comprising a collapsible, conical frame structure including a plurality of upwardly converging poles terminating in crossed upper end portions, -a ring within the confines of the frame structure pivotally connecting the upper portions of all of the poles whereby said poles may be swung substantially into parallelism for collapsing the frame structure, said ring having spaced slots therein, said poles being rockable transversely on the periphery of the ring, studs on the poles loosely engaged in the slots, retaining nuts threaded on said studs, and a flexible cover mounted on the poles.

2. A tepee comprising a collapsible, conical frame structure including a plurality of upwardly converging poles, a flexible trusto-conical cover mounted on the outer sides of the poles, a fleXible trusto-conical liner mounted on the inner sides of said poles in spaced relation to the I cover and defining, in conjunction therewith, an air space open at its upper and lower ends, and means connecting the upper end portions of the poles, said means including a ring having spaced slots therein mounted within the oonfines of the poles in periphery-abutting engagement therewith, said poles being rockable on the periphery of the ring and including studs extending loosely through the slots and retaining nuts on said studs Whereby said poles may be swung substantially into parallelism with each other for collapsing the frame structure.

3. A tepee comprising a substantially conical rame structure including a plurality of upwardly converging poles, a fiexible cover mounted on the poles in spaced relation below the upper ends thereof, said cover being substantially frusto-conical and defining a generally circular, horizontal smoke-discharge opening at its upper end, a substantially fan-shaped fiap integral with said upper end of said cover adapted to be wrapped around the poles with its end portions lapped `for closing the opening, means for securing the fiap in open position, and means for connecting the upper end portions of the poles, the first-named means including spaced pockets on the end portions of the flap, and independent props mounted on the upper portion of the cover and having one end engaged in said pockets.

4. A tepee comprising a substantially conical frame structure including a plurality of upwardly converging poles, a fiexible cover mounted on the poles in spaced relation below the upper ends thereof, said cover being substantially trusto-conical and defining a generally circular, horizontal smoke-dscharge opening at its upper end, a substantially fan-shaped flap integral with said upper end of said cover adapted to be wrapped around the poles with its end portions lapped for closing the opening, means for securing the flap in closed position, means =for securing the flap in open position, and means for connecting the upper end portions of the poles, the first-named means including a loop on the upper portion of the cover, and a flexible tie on one end portion of the flap `adapted to be Secured to said loop, the second-named means including spaced pockets on the end portions of the flap and independent props mounted on the upper portion of the cover and engaged in said pockets, the lastnamed means including a ring having spaced slots therein mounted within the confines of the poles in peripheryabutting engagement therewith and including studs loosely engaged in the slots and retaining nuts threaded on said studs Whereby said poles may be swung substantially into parallelism with each other for collapsing the frame structure.

5. A tepee comprising a substantially conical collapsible frame including a pluralty of upwardly converging poles, a flexible cover mounted on the poles, and means connecting the upper end portions of the poles, said means including a ring within the confines of the poles and including a transversely rounded periphery engaged transversely therewith, said ring having circurn ferentially spaced slots therein, studs fixed on the poles and loosely engaged in the slots, and retaining nuts threaded on the studs and engaged with the ring for rockably securing the poles on said ring whereby said poles may be swung into parallelism for collapsing the `frame.

References Cite in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,045,132 Dorsey Nov. 26, 1912 1,12 3,657 Bache Jan. 5, 1915 1,449,689 Muehleisen et al Mar. 27, 1923 1,683,270 Taylor et al Sept. 4, 1928 2,230 ,454 Friesner et al Feb. 4, 1941 2,527,729 Hoti Oct. 31, 1950 2,5`30,76S Greenup Nov. 21, 1950 2,596,442 Scholting May 13, 1952 2,649,101 Suits Aug. 18, 1953 2,6 82,235 Fuller June 29, 1954 2,879,780 Arbore Mar. 31, 1959 2,926,676 Kleinau Mar. 1, 1960 2,9Z8,404 Klages Mar. 15, 1960

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