US3454021A - Outside frame for side-opening cabin-type tents - Google Patents

Description

J. E. MORRIS 3,454,021 OUTSIDE FRAME FOR SIDE-OPENING CABIN-TYPE TENTS July 8, 1969 Filed Aug. 28, 1967 INVENTOR. James (3, LOT/i5 United States Patent US. Cl. 135-1 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tent-supporting frame disposed entirely outside the tent and made up of a number of initially separate parts which, when assembled in connection with certain elements on the tent, maintain the tent in a fully erected and taut condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many types of tent frames, comprised of initially separate parts, difficulty has been encountered in that the frame (whether inside or outside type) was difiicult to manually assemble and when assembled did not always maintain the tent sufficiently taut. The present invention is directed to a tent frame not subject to such problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, as a major object, an outside frame-for a rectangular tent-in which the different frame parts are arranged for quick and easy connection without the use of tools and, when assembled in proper order, are engaged in cooperating relation with certain elements on the outside of the tent so that-without more-the tent is effectively held erected and quite taut.

The frame includes, with ground pegs, a pair of pegengaging brace poles extending downwardly in converging relation adjacent each sidewall of the tent; the present invention providing, as another object, a novel assembly of such brace poles with eave poles, ridge jacks, and a ridge pole wherebywhen said brace poles are engaged at their lower ends with certain ground pegsthe tent is braced in all directions.

The present invention provides, as an additional object, an outside tent frame comprised in its substantial entirety of a plurality of initially separate, straight parts-of lightweight tubular metalwhich can be readily and conveniently stacked together as a compact bundle for transport or storage with the tent when folded.

The present invenion provides, as a further object, an outside frame-for side-opening cabin-type tents-which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture, and con venience of use.

The present invention provides, as a still further object, a. practical, reliable, and a durable outside frame for sideopening cabin-type tents, and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved outside tent frame as erected with and supporting a tent; the latter being mainly broken away.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged end elevation of the ridge portion of the tent, showing the corresponding ridge pole-engaging tab mounted thereon.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal elevation of the ridge portion of the tent at one end thereof, showing the connection means between said ridge portion, the ridge pole, and the adjacent upstanding ridge jack.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the connection between the lower end of one ridge jack and the adjacent transverse eave pole.

3,454,021 Patented July 8, 1969 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the tent to which the present and improved outside frame is applied-is of rectangular cabin-type, and includes sidewalls 1 sloping somewhat toward each other to their upper ends, and substantially parallel endwalls 2. A base flange 3 projects outwardly all about the tent from the sidewalls 1 and endwalls 2, and which flange is provided at predetermined points in its extent with grommets 4 to receive hold-down or anchoring, ground pegs 5 which are formed with upwardly rounded heads 6.

The tent additionally includes opposed longitudinal roof portions 7, extending upwardly from the sidewalls 1 to a junction with each other and forming a ridge 8; the end spaces between the roof portions 7 and the endwalls 2 being enclosed by substantially vertical eave panels 9.

The tent is detachably supported by a knockdown, outside frame indicated generally at 10; such frame together with certain elements on the tent, embodying the invention, and being constructed as follows:

A longitudinally adjustable ridge pole 11 is adapted to extend the full length of and directly above the ridge 8. Ridge jacks 13 depend from the ends of the ridge pole 11 and are detachably connected thereto and to the tent, as indicated generally at 12 (see FIG. 3) and as later described in detail. These ridge jacks 13 are formed at their lower ends with saddles 14 (see FIG. 4) which are shaped to engage over horizontal, longitudinally adjustable eave poles 15; the latter being arranged to extend transversely of the tent for the full width thereof at the base of the eave portions 9 on the outside of and immediately adjacent the same.

Longitudinally adjustable brace poles: 16 depend from the ends of the eave poles 15, and are detachably connected thereto and to the adjacent corners of the tent, as indicated generally at 17 (see FIG. 5) and as later described in detail.

The brace poles 16 are disposed substantially parallel to and immediately adjacent the corresponding sidewalls 1 of the tent, but on each side of the tent the related poles extend at a downward angle toward each other or converge downwardly as clearly shown in FIG. 1. At their lower ends, the brace poles 1 6 are provided with round socketed, plastic feed 18 adapted to swivelly engage with the heads 6 of adjacent pegs 5 in holding relation.

The connection 12 between each end of the ridge pole 11 and the adjacent ridge jack 13, as shown in FIG. 3, comprises a plastic cap 19 on the end of the pole 11; said cap having a somewhat flexible pin 20 provided with a slightly bulbous head as shown. The tent ridge, at the corresponding end, is provided With an upstanding tab 21 having a grommeted hole 22 of a size to receive the pin 20, while the upper end of the related ridge jack 13 is provided with a plastic cap 23 having an upstanding flexible and resilient tongue 24 orificed for snug passage of the bulbous head of pin 20.

Similarly, each connection 17, between the eave poles 15 and the depending brace poles 16, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a bulbous-head pin 25 projecting from the related end of the pole 15 and adapted to extend through a grommeted tab 26 upstanding from the adjacent sidewall corner of the tent. A flexible and resilient tongue 27 upstands from the upper end of the adjacent brace pole 16, and such tongue is orificed to receive the pin 25 therethrough, outwardly of the tab 26.

The tent and its described supporting frame are erected as follows:

The tent is first located in the desired position, and the base flange 3 is then anchored to the ground, first at the corners, and then in between by means of the ground pegs 5. The ridge pole 11 is then installed, being passed through one or more flexible loops 28 on and extending upwardly from the ridge 8 intermediate its ends.

The end pins 20 on the ridge pole 11 are then passed through the tabs 21, and the ridge pole is adjusted-41? necessary-until the ridge is taut. The cave poles are then installed; the end pins 25 thereof being passed through the tabs 26 and the poles 15 adjustedif necessary-until the cave panels 9 are taut.

The tongues 24 of the ridge jacks 13 are then snapped onto the pins of the ridge pole 11, and the ridge pole and tent ridge or roof portions 7 are then raised so as to enable the saddles 14 on said jacks to matchingly seat on the related eave poles 15.

The tongues 27 on the upper ends of the brace poles 16 are then snapped over the projecting pins of the cave poles 15, and the feet 18 of said brace poles are engaged over the heads 6 of related ground pegs 5; the latter being set so that the brace poles on each side of the tent are in downwardly converging relation when in peg engagement. The brace poles 16 are tl1enif necessary adjusted upwardly until the tent is taut all around.

It should be noted that one of the sidewalls 1 of the tent, 'between the corresponding brace poles 16, is formed with a doorway opening 29, normally covered by a flap which forms a door. A window (not shown) is preferably formed in the other sidewall 1 opposite the door.

By reason of the frame mounting and positioning arrangement herein described, a very firm and stable tent supporting structure is provided which is entirely on the outside of the tent, and which can be quickly and easily manipulated, either to erect the tent or to enable the same to be taken down.

Also, due to the angularity of the brace poles 16 in both directions relative to a vertical plane, the tent is effectively held taut and adequately braced against wind action from any direction.

While herein described for use with a side-opening tent, the frame can be used with an end-opening tent, or a tent which is both side and end-opening.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such an outside frame for side-opening cabin-type tents as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the outside frame for sideopening cabin-type tents, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In the combination of an outside frame, a framesupported tent of rectangular form in plan and having a longitudinal ridge, angular roof portions depending from the ridge and sidewalls depending from the lower edges of the roof portions, and tent-anchoring ground pegs arranged in hold-down relation to said sidewalls; the frame comprising a longitudinal ridge pole directly above and adjacent the ridge, means detachably connecting the ridge pole at its ends to the tent, transvers eave poles spanning between corresponding lower corners of the roof portions, means detachably connecting the eave poles at their ends to the tent adjacent said corners, vertical ridge jacks detachably connected to the ends of the ridge pole and extending downward to detachable engagement with the eave poles intermediate the ends thereof, brace poles extending downward to adjacent the ground from the ends of the cave poles, means detachably connecting the brace poles at their upper ends to the related ends of the eave poles, and means including said tentanchoring ground pegs disengageably supporting the brace poles at their lower ends; the means detachably connecting the brace poles to the eave poles comprising ins projecting from the ends of the eave poles, and flexible and resilient tongues on and projecting upwardly from the upper ends of the brace poles, said tongues being orificed and receiving the pins therethrough,

2. A frame, as in claim 1, in which the outer end of each pin is of enlarged bulbous form and of a size to provide snug passage through the corresponding tongue orifice.

3. A frame, as in claim 1, with orificed tabs on the tent at the ends of the eave poles; said tabs receiving the corresponding pins of eave poles therethrough, with the tabs disposed between the adjacent ends of the eave poles and the related tongues of brace poles.

4. In the combination of an outside frame, a frame supported tent of rectangular form in plan and having a longitudinal ridge, angular roof portions depending from the ridge and sidewalls depending from the lower edges of the roof portions, and tent-anchoring ground pegs arranged in hold-down relation to said sidewalls; the frame comprising a longitudinal ridge pole directly above and adjacent the ridge, pins projecting from the ends of the ridge pole, orificed tabs on the tent at the ends of the ridge, said tabs receiving the ridge pole pins therethrough, transverse eave poles spanning horizontally between corresponding lower corners of the roof portions, pins projecting from the ends of the cave poles, other orificed tabs on the tent adjacent said corners, said other tabs receiving the cave pole pins therethrough, vertical ridge acks at the ends of the tent extending from the ridge pole downwardly to the horizontal eave poles, flexible and resilient orificed tongues upstanding from the upper ends of the ridge jacks, said tongues receiving the ridge pole pins therethrough outside said first named tabs, the lower ends of the ridge jacks being of saddle form and seating on the eave poles, brace poles extending downwardly to adjacent the ground from the ends of the cave poles, other flexible and resilient orificed tongues upstanding from the upper ends of the brace poles, said other tongues receiving the cave pole pins therethrough outside said other tabs, the brace poles on each side of the tent extending downwardly in converging relation, and socketed feet on the lower ends of the brace poles engaging on related and adjacent ground pegs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,538,064 5/1925 Skog -1 3,212,512 10/ 1965 Morris. 3,263,692 8/1966 Questi et a1. 1353 FOREIGN PATENTS 677,066 6/ 1939 Germany.

KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner.

US C X-R. 1 3s-3, s

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