WO2008029003A1

WO2008029003A1 - Folding item of the tent or shelter type

Info

Publication number: WO2008029003A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/002190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Abderrahman Elaammari; Benjamin Mettavant
Original assignee: Decathlon
Priority date: 2006-09-08
Filing date: 2006-09-27
Publication date: 2008-03-13
Also published as: WO2008029071A3; WO2008029071A2; FR2905714A1; FR2905714B1

Abstract

The folding item (1) comprises a structure of hoops that fold into a circular configuration and a roof fabric (3) attached to said structure. At least one of the hoops (2) of the structure takes the form, in the unfolded position, of an elongated curve, optionally closed upon itself, and in the folded position takes the form of four superposed circular coils (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d).

Description

ARTICLE, TYPE TENT OR SHELTER, REPLIABLE

The present invention relates to the field of articles, tent or shelter type, which comprise a hoop structure and which are foldable between a deployed use position and a folded storage position in which folded position they have a circular configuration. It is called arch structure when the roof fabric is integral with flexible structural elements which take, in the deployed position of the article, an arcuate configuration. These structural elements may consist of flexible rods with elastic return, in particular formed of rods of composite material or metal or plastic, said rods being optionally connected to each other.

In some articles, the flexible rods are in the rectilinear state in the folded position of storage of the article and do not take the configuration in an arc in the assembly of the article. This is particularly the case of some tents commonly referred to as dome tents.

In other articles, the structural elements form a closed loop, said loop allowing in particular to give the article its three-dimensional dimension. Such an article is described for example in US.3.960.161. In this document, the structure element, in the form of closed loop, is in the folded position of the article, in the form of three superimposed circular turns. It is the same for the tent described in US.3.675.667.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an article of the tent or shelter type, whose size, in the folded storage position, is as small as possible so as to facilitate its transport, especially in the trunk of a car .

It is an article of the tent or shelter type, which in known manner is foldable between an extended use position and a folded storage position and which comprises a hoop structure, foldable in a circular configuration, and a roof fabric secured to said structure. Typically, at least one first arch of the structure is in the extended position in the form of an oblong curve, possibly closed on itself and, in the folded position in the form of four superimposed circular turns. In the present text, the term "oblong curve" means a curve which is elongated, having a given dimension-called length-which is larger than the other-called width.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first arch forms an oblong curve closed on itself which, in the deployed position, has a length which is of the order of four times its width.

In an alternative embodiment, in the deployed position of the article, the oblong curve of the first arch comprises, in its length, two convex curved portions for tensioning the top of the article and, in its width, two curved portions. concave for the tensioning of the bottom of the article.

In an alternative embodiment, in the deployed position and at half height of the article, the convex curved portions have a width that is substantially equal to the width of the oblong curve of the first arch.

According to an alternative embodiment, the article comprises an inner chamber and removable securing means of said inner chamber to the arch structure.

In this embodiment, preferably the roof fabric comprises a median panel disposed on the inside of the first arch and two side panels, front and rear, arranged on the outside of the first arch. It should be noted that each panel is not necessarily a single piece, but may result from the assembly of several pieces of canvas. In addition, in the deployed position, a side panel has an inclination greater than that of the corresponding panel of the inner chamber, so as to define an inner apse. It should be noted that a door can be formed in one or the other of the median and lateral panels, front and rear. In the case of an article whose structure comprises only a first arch, forming an oblong curve closed on itself, the folding method of said article consists of: a) seizing the oblong loop of said first arch along its length; holding the median zones of the two convex portions, b) crossing a concave portion relative to the other so that the loop makes an eight, c) folding the two opposite parts of the eight over each other; to obtain two oblong superimposed turns, d) to repeat the two steps a) and b) above, e) to fold the two opposite parts of the new eight over one another to obtain four circular superimposed turns, f) placing the article thus folded in a cover at least substantially circular. The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which will be made of examples of embodiment of an article, tent or shelter type comprising at least a first hoop presented, in the extended position of the article, under the shape of an oblong curve and, in the folded position, in the form of four superposed circular turns, illustrated by the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in perspective of a first example of a tent in the deployed position,

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the four superposed circular turns of the first arch of the tent of FIG. 1 in the storage position,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation in longitudinal section of a tent, according to the first example of FIG. 1, equipped with an inner chamber and having an apse,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic representations, from the side for FIG. 4 and in perspective for FIG. 5, of a second example in the form of a shelter, FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a third example of a shelter comprising a first oblong loop hoop closed on itself and a second oblong loop hoop, not closed on itself and acting as an arch of base. The tent 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention has a hoop structure which is composed of a single first hoop 2, namely a hoop which is in the extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is in the form an oblong curve which is here closed on itself and, in the folded position, in the form of four superimposed turns, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d (Figure 2). For the sake of clarity, the term "first hoop" is used in the present text to refer to a hoop as defined above, as opposed to other types of hoops which would not be in the form of an oblong curve. which could nevertheless be implemented in an article according to the present invention. The arch structure of the tent 1 is secured to the roof fabric 3. For example, the first arch 2 is mounted in a sheath sewn externally on the roof fabric 3 or integrated in the making thereof. The roof fabric is formed by the assembly of different pieces of canvas. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, for the sake of simplification, only a median panel 3a has been shown which occupies the entire inner surface delimited by the first arch 2 and two lateral panels, a front panel 3b and a rear panel 3c, each of said panels can be made of a single piece of canvas or several pieces of canvas assembled. Of course, it is understood that an opening must allow the user to enter and exit the tent 1. For example, a door 10 is formed in the front side panel 3b.

The tent fabric and possibly the floor mat is fixed on the ground by conventional means, for example stakes or sardines 11. Tensioners 12, also conventional, are provided to maintain the vertical tent 1. Indeed, in this first example, the function of the first hoop 2 is simply the setting volume of the median panel 3a of the tent fabric 3 relative to the ground 13 and possibly the floor mat. The first arch 2 has, in this first example, the shape of an oblong curve generally presenting as a saddle horse, with two planes of symmetry, namely a longitudinal plane P and a transverse plane Q, visible on the; FIG. 1. If we consider the internal surface generated by a generator moving along the first arch 2, the longitudinal plane P intersects this surface along a theoretical line 14 which corresponds to the length LO of the first arch while the transverse plane Q cuts this surface along a theoretical line 15 which corresponds to the width La of the first arch 2. The length LO is preferably substantially equal to four times the width La. This particular arrangement makes it possible to obtain the folding in good conditions of the first hoop 2 according to the superposition of the four circular turns 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

When the tent 1 is mounted, in the deployed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the oblong curve of the first arch 2 comprises in its length, that is to say in the general direction of the longitudinal plane P, two convex curved portions. 4.5. It is these two portions 4,5 which ensure the tensioning of the upper part of the tent 1.

In addition, the oblong curve of the first hoop 2 has in its width, that is to say in the general direction of the transverse plane Q concave portions bent 6,7. It is these curved portions 6,7 which ensure the tensioning of the lower part of the tent.

In practice, the two curved convex portions 4,5 are almost in two vertical planes parallel to the longitudinal plane P, spaced from each other by the width La, whereas the two concave curved portions 6,7 are in planes. which are either substantially parallel or inclined convergently towards the top of the tent, according to the transverse plane Q. Of course, this is only a particular embodiment, the choice of the configuration of the oblong curve of the first hoop depending on the desired configuration for the interior volume of the article. In this same first example, if we consider the mid-height of the tent, taken along the transverse plane Q, the width L2 of each of the two convex curved portions 4,5 is substantially equal to the width La of the oblong curve of the first hoop 2.

The passage from the unfolded position of FIG. 1 to the storage position of FIG. 2 is obtained by the user, after having separated the tent from any attachment to the ground, according to the following steps:

He begins to grasp the first hoop 2 along its length, at the level of the median zones of the two convex portions 4,5. It crosses a concave portion 6 relative to the other 7 so that the first hoop 2 makes a loop in the form of eight. - It folds on one another the two opposite parts of eight to obtain two oblong superimposed turns, whose length is substantially half of LO while the width is substantially equal to La.

He repeats the two preceding operations, seizing the two oblong turns superimposed on their length by holding the median zones and crossing the end portions of smaller width with respect to one another so that the two oblong overlapping turns make an eight. It folds on one another the two opposite parts of the new eight thus produced to obtain the superposition of four circular turns of diameter substantially equal to La. He then places the tent thus folded in a circular cover. Of course, it would be possible to implement a cover that is not circular but slightly oval, so to apply some pressure to ovalize the four superimposed turns.

In Figure 3, there is shown a tent as described above but which is equipped with an inner chamber 16. This chamber 16 is fixed to the tent itself 1 by hooks, links flexible, or any other suitable means, in particular connected to the area of the roof fabric which corresponds to the passage of the first arch 2, for example according to the sewing line of the sleeve 17 in which is mounted the first hoop 2. The Chamber 16 is also fixed to the ground 13, in particular near the fastening means 11 provided for the roof fabric 3.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the tent 1 has an inner apse 18 which can be used for storing objects / outside the inner chamber 16 especially dedicated to the coating. This apse 18 is obtained by the difference in inclination between the front panel 3b of the roof fabric 3 and the corresponding panel 19 of the interior chamber 16. It should be noted that the inner chamber 16, being connected directly or indirectly to the first 2, is folded together with the roof fabric 3 during the folding operations as specified above in connection with the example of FIG. 1.

The second embodiment which is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 is no longer a tent but an article that is commonly referred to as shelter, being more primarily for the protection of one or more people sitting or lying , protection against the sun, wind or bad weather.

As the tent of Figure 1, the shelter 20 comprises a fabric 21 which is integral with a first arch 22, the latter can also be mounted in an inset sleeve or integrated into the fabric 21. This first arch 22 is present, in the extended position of the shelter, in the form of an oblong curve which, in the example of Figures 4 and 5, is closed on itself. Unlike the first arch 2 of the tent 1, the first arch 22 of the shelter 20 has its longitudinal plane P 'which is not perpendicular to the ground 23 but which is inclined relative to the ground by a given angle, for example of the order of 45 °, so that one of the two convex curved portions 24 is substantially in a plane perpendicular Pl to the ground 23 as shown in Figure 4. This plane Pl is with the longitudinal plane P 'of the first hoop 22 an angle β, less than 45 °, so that the second convex portion 25 is above the ground 23. Thus the fabric 21, in the example shown in Figure 4, comprises a median panel 21a, inside the first arch 22, and two front side panels 21b and rear 21c. The front side panel 21b forms a slight extension of the shelter forward, beyond the curved portion 24 of the first arch 22, defining the passage opening 25 visible in the representation of Figure 5. By against the rear side panel 21c s extends to the floor 23, being fixed by appropriate means 11. The front side panel 21b can, in turn, be tensioned by means of tensioners 12. It can be provided a floor mat 26 whose configuration as that it appears in Figure 5 is substantially rectangular.

The folding of the shelter 20 is strictly following the same operations as those described above for the tent 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the shelter 30 is shown which differs from the shelter 20 that by the presence of a complementary arch 31, intended to serve as a base shelter 30. This arch 31 is not a first hoop according to the definition that has been given above in the measure where in the folded position, it is not intended to be folded on itself in the form of four superimposed circular turns.

The hoop 31 is intended to ensure the tensioning and the application to the ground of the lower part of the shelter 30, in particular of the floor mat 32. It can be secured to the fabric 33, as for the first hoop 36 with a sheath, not shown in Figure 6. The arch 31 has the shape of an oblong curve which is not closed on itself, but which is open at the front opening 34 of the shelter 30. This arch 31 corresponding substantially to the flattening, in the plane of the ground 35, of a half of the first arch 36, having only one convex curved portion 37 and two rectilinear portions 38 connecting said curved convex portion 37 to the zone where the first arch 36 is applied against the ground 35.

Preferably, the two free ends 38a of the two rectilinear portions 38 of this arch 31 are adjacent to the concave portions 39 of the first arch 36, in the zone where said concave portions 39 are applied on the ground 35. When folding the shelter 30, the user grasps the first arch 36 and also the second arch 37, at the level of the median areas of their respective convex portions 40,41 and 37. In doing so, the second arch 31 partially overlaps the first arch 36 so that the user can then proceed to all other operations without modification. When the tent is folded, the first arch 36 is always folded in the form of four superimposed turns, while the second arch 31 is formed only of two superimposed turns, the six turns having substantially the same diameter. Of course, the cover will have a determined volume to contain the whole and folded.

The shelter 30 can be considered as self-expanding. When the user leaves this shelter of his cover and throws it in the air, the first and the second hoop, freed from the constraints which were imposed to them during the folding, will resume their deployed form, in the configuration which is imposed on them by the fabric, the second arch 31 acting as a base on the ground and the first arch 36 defining the volume height of the shelter. The shelter would even be usable in the state without further manipulation; however, it may be best to fix it to the floor. As for tent 1 and shelter 20, they are not totally self-deploying, having no seat on the ground.

The embodiments described and illustrated above are given by way of examples and are not limiting of the invention. In particular the article may comprise two first arches, that is to say within the meaning of this text each being in the deployed position of the article, in the form of an oblong curve and, in the folded position, under the shape of four circular turns superimposed. With regard for example to two first arches each forming an oblong curve closed on itself, one can form a base loop intended to be supported on the ground and the other can form an upper loop intended to delimit the interior volume of the article. According to another variant, each of the two arches may partially rest on the ground and partly delimit the interior volume of the article, thus forming a base loop portion and an upper loop portion.

Claims

1. Collapsible article (1) comprising:

- An arch structure, foldable in a circular configuration and - a roof fabric (3), integral with said structure, characterized in that at least a first hoop (2) of the structure is in the deployed position, in the form of an oblong curve possibly closed on itself and in that in the folded position, said first arch is in the form of four circular turns (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) superimposed.

2.Article according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises one or possibly two first arches (2), each forming an oblong curve closed on itself. 3.Article according to claim 2 characterized in that, in the deployed position, the length Lo of the oblong curve of the first arch (2) is of the order of four times the width La of said curve. 4.Article according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that, in the deployed position, the oblong curve of the first arch comprises, in its length, two curved convex portions (4,5) for the tensioning of the top of article (1) and, in its width, two concave curved portions (6,7) for the tensioning of the bottom of the article. 5.Article according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that, in the deployed position and at half height of the article, the curved portions

Convex (4,5) have a width (L1) which is substantially equal to the width (L) of the oblong curve of the first hoop. β.Artide (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it comprises an inner chamber (16) and securing means, optionally removable, said inner chamber to the first hoop

(2). 7.Article according to one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the roof fabric (3) comprises a median panel (3a) disposed on the inside of the first hoop (2) and two side panels, front (3b) and rear (3c), arranged on the outside of the first hoop, one and / or the other of said panels being able to be equipped with a door (10) .

8.Article according to claims 6 and 7 characterized in that, in the deployed position, a side panel (3b) has an inclination greater than that of the corresponding panel (16a) of the inner chamber (16) so as to delimit an inner apse (18).

9. A method of folding the article (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8 characterized in that it consists of: a. to seize the oblong loop along its length by holding the median zones of the two convex portions (4,5), b. to cross a concave portion (6) with respect to the other (7) so that the loop makes an 8 c. to fold over the two opposite parts of the 8 to obtain two oblong superimposed turns d. to repeat the two steps a and b e. to fold over the two opposite parts of the new 8 to obtain four circular superimposed turns.

10. Article according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a first hoop (36) upper forming an oblong curve closed on itself and a second hoop (31) base, open, the free ends (38a). two rectilinear portions (38) are, in the deployed position of the article, adjacent to the zone in which the first arch (36) is intended to come into application against the ground (35).