Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEM FOR A TENT OR SHELTER
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
(0001) The present invention generally relates to
tents and shelters, and more particularly to tent and shelter
construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(0002) Camping is a popular recreational activity
enjoyed by many. Some people camp so that they may enjoy the
outdoors, and others use camping as an inexpensive alternative
to staying in a hotel.
(0003) Typically, campers sleep in a tent while
camping. Tents are portable shelters made of lightweight,
often waterproof, fabrics. Typically, the fabric is stretched
over and sustained by a frame. Tents are used for camping
outdoors or as temporary structures, and come in a variety of
shapes and sizes. The most popular shape is the dome, or free
standing, model. This model is easy to set up and does not
require support from tree limbs or other objects.
(0004) Another structure that is often used while
camping is a shelter. In general, a shelter is a structure,
typically a frame with poles, that includes a covering or
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canopy that provides protection from the rain, insects, and/or
the sun. For camping, a shelter is typically made of fabric
and foldable poles so that the shelter may be folded into a
compact configuration for transport and storage. The shelter
may or may not have walls, such as screen walls. The shelter
may be, for example, set up over a picnic area, used adjacent
to a tent as a storage area, configured to serve as protection
from the rain, or used as a screened area to avoid insects.
(0005) The advent of new waterproof materials
typically prevents a shelter canopy as well as a rain fly for
a tent from leaking. Thus, rain flies and shelter canopies
typically work well to shelter a tent or other items
underneath the covering. However, one problem with the use of
such coverings is that water draining off of a rain fl.y or a
shelter canopy may drip in undesirable areas, such as at a
tent door or at tent windows. In addition, a hard rain may
cause a large amount of water to flow off of a covering and
may cause considerable splashing or splatter, especially for
shelters, which typically have canopies that are spaced higher
from the ground than a tent rain fly.
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SUN~!'ARY OF THE INVENTION
(0006) The following presents a simplified summary of
some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic
understanding of the invention. This summary is not an
extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to
identify key/critical elements of the invention or to
delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to
present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form
as a prelude to the more detailed description that is
presented later.
(0007) In accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, a gutter and downspout system is provided that may
be used with a tent, shelter, or other fabric structure. As
one example, the gutter may be aligned along a rain fly edge
to direct water away from the tent door or tent windows.
After the rainwater is directed the proper distance to clear
the tent door and/or windows, the water can fall from the rain
fly to the ground. Alternatively, in accordance with an
aspect of the invention, the rainwater may be directed via a
downspout to the ground. Thus, a camper can enter or exit the
tent through the door without the water dripping on the
camper. In addition, windows may be left partially open
during a rain shower without the rainwater runoff entering the
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tent through the open window(s). Also, rainwater flow off a
shelter may be controlled and/or directed.
(0008) In accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, the gutter is formed of a flexible material that is
sewn to the rain fly or to the canopy. In accordance with
another embodiment of the invention, the flexible material is
positioned inside the trim fabric for the rain fly or canopy.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention,
the flexible material is sufficiently flexible to allow
compact packing of the rain fly or canopy when not in use.
The flexible material may, for example, be formed of closed
cell polyethylene or another flexible tube extrusion. The
gutter may be aligned along edges of the rain fly or shelter
canopy. Alternatively, if a shortened version of a gutter is
used, then the shortened version of the gutter may be
sufficient to allow rainwater runoff to miss a tent door
and/or windows. Tn accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, the gutter material may also be positioned at
locations other than at the edge of the rain fly or shelter
canopy.
(0009) In accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, a downspout may be provided that enhances water
Control of rainwater runoff. The downspout may include, for
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example, a flexible ring at an upper portion connected to an
elongate waterproof fabric tube. The end of the tube may be
arranged and directed as wanted. The attachment of the
downspout to a rain fly or shelter canopy may be permanent or
removable. The downspout directs rainwater runoff completely
away from the tent or shelter area so that pooling or
accumulation of water under or around the tent or shelter is
eliminated.
(0010) Other features of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA4~TINGS
(0011) FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a tent
incorporating an embodiment of the invention;
(0012) FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a second
tent incorporating an embodiment of the invention;
(0013) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken. along
the section lines 3--3 of FIG. 1, showing a gutter for use
with the tent of FIG. 1;
(0014) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the
gutter of FIG. 3, similar to FIG. 3, showing the gutter's
response to water flowing on a rain fly for the tent of
FIG. 1;
(0015) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, similar to
FIG. 3, showing an alternate embodiment of a gutter; and
(0016) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, similar to
FIG. 3, showing another alternate embodiment of a gutter.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(0017) In the following description, various
embodiments of the present invention will be described. For
purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one
skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced
without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known
features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure
the embodiment being described.
(0018) Referring now to the drawings, in which like
reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several
views, FIG. 1 shows a tent 20 incorporating an embodiment of
the invention. The tent 20 shown in the drawings is a
simplified model, and poles and specific details for the tent
20 are not shown. However, the general configuration and
manufacture of tents is known, and thus a specific
configuration is omitted or simplified in order to not obscure
the embodiments of the invention being described.
(0019) The tent 20 includes a rain fly 22 covering a
top portion of the tent 20. The tent 20 also includes a door
24 and windows 26 and 28 on sides of the tent 20. In the
embodiment shown, the rain fly 22 extends out beyond the door
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24 and the windows 26, 28. However, embodiments of the
present invention can be used with tents having a different
structure.
(0020) The rain fly 22 shown in the drawings includes
a top 30, and side edges 32, 34, and 36. In the drawings, the
side edge 32 is to the right, the side edge 34 is to the
front, and the side edge 36 is to the left.
(0021) In accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, a gutter or gutters may be provided on the rain fly
22 or on a rain fly for another tent. In fact, although the
embodiments described are discussed with reference to the rain
fly 22 for the tent 20, embodiments of the invention may be
used for any covering in which it is desired to direct
rainwater runoff, including, but not limited to, canopies,
shelters, and tarpaulins.
(0022) In the embodiment shown, a gutter is not
included on the right side edge 32 of the rain fly 22.
However, a full gutter 40 extends along the entire length of
the front side edge 34. A partial gutter 42 extends a portion
of the length of the left side edge 36. The full gutter 40
redirects water heading toward the front side edge 34 to
corners 46, 48 of the rain fly 22. The partial gutter 42
directs water away from the window 26, but because it does not
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extend to the corner 48 or an opposite corner 50, the partial
gutter 42 only provides partial redirecting of water from the
side edge 36.
(0023) FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the full gutter
40. The example shown in FIG. 3 is but one embodiment of a
gutter style that may be used in accordance with the present
invention. In general, the gutter of the present invention
includes a structure attached to a top of the rain fly 22 or
other covering that is configured to form a dam to the flow of
water beyond the structure. The structure may be, as
examples, a bead, a protrusion, or a sewn formation at the top
52 of the rain fly 22. A structure for the gutter may also
bend the fabric of the rain fly 22 so as to form such a
structure. To this end, the structure for the gutter (e. g.,
the full gutter 40) may be attached to a bottom 54 of the rain
fly 22 and protrudes up through the rain fly. However, with
respect to the full gutter 40 described with reference to FIG.
3, the structure is attached to the top 52 of the rain fly 22.
(0024) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the full
gutter 40 is formed as a part of an attachment to trim
material 56. As is known, trim material (e. g., the trim
material 56) is often added to rain flies, canopies, or other
structures, so as to reinforce the outer edges of the fabric
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covering. Typically, the trim material is wrapped around the
edge and sewn to itself, providing a protecting barrier for
the outer edge of the covering. However, as used herein,
"trim material" represents any fabric strip that may be
attached to the rain fly 22 or other covering.
(0025) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the trim
material 56 includes a bead 58 wrapped therein. The bead 58
and the trim material 56 provide the gutter function, as is
further described below.
(0026) The trim material 56 is aligned beginning at a
top end 60 along the top 52 of the rain fly 22. The trim
material 56 then extends in a loop 62 around the bead 58 and
then is overlapped over the top end 60 in an overlap section
64. The trim material 56 then wraps around under the bottom
54 of the rain fly 22 and terminates at a bottom end 66.
(0027) In the embodiment shown, the trim material 56
may be glued, sewn, or otherwise attached to the top 52 and/or
bottom 54 of the rain fly 22. In accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, the trim material 56 is attached
so that the overlap section 64 is fixed to the top end 60 so
that a break 68 occurs in the trim material 56 between an
attached portion of the overlap section 64 and the loop 62.
This break 68 is the point at which the overlap section 64 is
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no longer attached to the top end 60. The top end 60 of the
trim material 56 is attached to the top 52 of the rain fly 22
up to this same break 68.
(0028) Thus, in accordance with this embodiment of the
invention, the loop 62 is not attached to the rain fly 22,
permitting the loop 62 to move to the position shown in FIG.
4. This feature permits water W flowing down the top 52 of
the rain fly 22 to press between the loop 62 and the top 52 of
the rain fly 22 and to drive the loop 62 and the bead 58
upward and outward, rotating about the break 68. The
attachment of the top end 60 to the top 52 of the rain fly 22
prevents continued rotation of the loop 62 and the bead 58
about the break 68, and preferably is stopped so that a wall
is formed by the back side of the loop 62 that is somewhat
perpendicular to the top 52 of the rain fly 22. This allows
water ~nT (FIG. 4) to be trapped at the back side of the full
gutter 40, preventing some spillage over the full gutter 40.
The water W may then travel down the full gutter 40 by gravity
to the respective corner 46 or 48.
(0029) If desired, the trim material 56 may be
attached at a location other than at an edge of the rain fly
22. For example, in the embodiment of a tent 70 shown in FIG.
2, gutters 72 and 74 are positioned at locations on a rain fly
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76 that are removed from edges 78, 79 of the rain fly 76.
These gutters 72, 74 may be used to control some or most of
rainwater runoff, or may be used to preferably control
direction of some water in accordance with a configuration of
the particular rain fly or other covering.
(0030) The gutters 72, 74 may be attached in a manner
similar to the gutter 40 described with reference to FIGS. 3
and 4. However, in such an embodiment, if trim material
similar to the trim material 56 is used, that trim material,
for obvious reasons, will not overlap to the bottom portion of
the rain fly 76, but instead would terminate, for example at
the bend 89 of the trim material 56 in FIG. 3.
(0031) Returning to a description of the bead 58, the
bead 58 is preferably a flexible material to allow compact
packing of the rain fly 22 when not in use. As an example,
the bead 58 may be a closed cell polyethylene foam extrusion,
having a round cross section, or alternatively a cross section
of another suitable shape. The bead 58 may also be a flexible
polyvinyl chloride extruded tube. In an example of a gutter
80 shown in FIG. 5, the bead 82 is hollow. In another example
of a gutter 86 shown in FIG. 6, the bead 88 has a square cross
section. Other suitable cross sections may be used.
(0032) As described above, the gutter system of the
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present invention provides a gutter geometry that resists the
flow of water down a rain fly (e.g., the rain fly 22) and
provides a damming effect for that water. This damming effect
provides a resistance to stop the flow of water over the
gutter, such as at a rain fly edge, and directs the water
parallel to the gutter toward the end of the gutter which may,
for example, be at a rain fly corner 46 or 48. Alternatively,
if a partial gutter 42 is used, the water may be directed to
the ends of the gutter which may correspond, for example, to
just beyond the outer edges of the window 26. Alternatively,
as also described above with reference to FIG. 2, a gutter
such as the gutter 72 or 74 may be provided at other areas of
a rain fly or other covering rather than at the edge~of the
covering. This use of the gutter system allows control of
selective rainwater runoff and may be advantageous for
particular geometries of coverings.
(0033) In accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, a downspout 100 (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) may be
provided at a corner or at another suitable location on the
rain fly 22 or other covering. In accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, the downspout 100 includes a
flexible bead 102, such as the flexible bead 58, sewn or
otherwise connected at a top of the downspout 100 and formed
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into a ring. The flexible bead 102 maintains a top end of the
downspout 100 in an open position so that the downspout 100
may receive water. The remainder of the downspout 100
extending downward from the flexible bead 102 is preferably
formed of a flexible, waterproof material and is configured
into a tube. The end 104 of the flexible tube may be directed
in any desired direction.
(0034) In use, water flows down the rain fly 22 and
into the downspout 100. The water may be directed in this
manner, for example, by the full gutter 40. Water directed
into the downspout 100 flows into the open mouth formed by the
flexible bead 102 and out of the end 104.
(0035) The flexible bead 102 provides an advantage in
that it permits easy flow of water into the downspout 100. If
desired, a downspout could be configured to not include such a
flexible bead, but construction with the flexible bead 102
permits easy capture of water directed toward the downspout
100. In addition, the use of flexible material for the
flexible bead 102 permits the downspout 100 to be folded into
a compact configuration for storage or transport.
(0036) The downspout 100 may be attached to the rain
fly 22 in a suitable manner, such as by sewing, adhesive, or
another permanent attachment mechanism. Alternatively, the
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downspout 100 may be attached to the rain fly 22 so that the
downspout 100 is removable. For example, the downspout 100
may be attached by hook and loop fasteners (not shown, but
known in the art).
(0037) Although shown attached to the corners 46, 48,
the downspout 100 may alternatively be used in other areas.
For example, for the rain fly 22, downspouts 100 may be
attached at the ends of the partial gutter 42. These
downspouts 100 may have their ends 104 suitably directed
either along the rain fly 22 or, if the downspout 100 is long
enough, to the ground.
(0038) The end 104 of the downspout 100 may be
directed so that the rainwater runoff may be directed away
from a base of the tent 20 or away from a shelter, if used
with a shelter. This feature aids in keeping the tent 20 dry,
and may be utilized to avoid puddles in a tent or shelter
area.
(0039) The present invention provides a method of
controlling and directing rainwater runoff from a rain fly
(e.g., the rain fly 22), a shelter, or other covering. The
gutter system of the present invention directs the rainwater
runoff along the gutter, for example along a rain fly edge,
downward to the ends of the gutter. The ends of the gutter
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may be at corners of the rain fly, or at other suitable
locations. The water directed to the corners or other
locations) may be allowed to fall to the ground or may be
directed to run into the downspout 100. If the downspout 100
is used, the runoff water may be directed to a suitable
location by directing the end toward the location.
(0040) Other variations are within the spirit of the
present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible
to various modifications and alternative constructions, a
certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the
drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be
understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the
invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended
claims.
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(0041) All references, including publications, patent
applications, and patents; cited herein are hereby
incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each
reference were individually and specifically indicated to be
incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety
herein.
(0042) The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and
similar referents in the context of describing the invention
(especially in the context of the following claims) are to be
construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless
otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by
context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and
"containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e.,
meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise
noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or
wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even
if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand
method of referring individually to each separate value
falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein,
and each separate value is incorporated into the specification
as if it were individually recited herein. All methods
described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless
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otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary
language (e. g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely
to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential
to the practice of the invention.
(0043) Preferred embodiments of this invention are
described herein, including the best mode known to the
inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those
preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description.. The
inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as
appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and
equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims
appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any
combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless
otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context.
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