Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TENT WITH HINGED DOOR OR WINDOW
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
(0001) This application claims priority to U.S.
provisional patent application serial Number 60/733,303,
filed November 3, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
(0002) The present invention relates generally to
tents, and more particularly to tent construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(0003) Tents are portable structures made of
lightweight, often waterproof, fabrics. Typically, a tent
is a collapsible shelter of polyester or other material
stretched over and supported by a frame, such as one or more
poles. Tents are used for camping outdoors, or as temporary
structures. Tents come in a variety of shapes, including
dome and cabin style tents.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
(0004) 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.
(0005) In accordance with an embodiment, a hinged
door is provided for a tent. The hinged tent door in one
embodiment includes a frame for supporting the outer edges
of the door. The door is thus supported as a structure, and
is hinged to the tent, much like the doorway of a house.
(0006) In an embodiment, the hinged tent door
includes a removable frame so that the door may be folded,
along with the tent, into a compact configuration for
storage or transport. As an example, the frame may include
one or more poles that are removably attached to the door.
(0007) In an alternate embodiment, the frame may be
an air frame, in which case the frame is deflated, instead
of removed, for storage. In still another embodiment, the
frame may be sufficiently flexible to be folded with the
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tent, but yet provides sufficient structural integrity to
support the door when in use.
(0008) Mechanical hinge structures may be provided
that are attached to the tent and the door and that permit
the door to be hinged outward from the tent. As an
alternative, the fabric of the tent may serve as a hinge, or
a plastic hinge may be used that serves as a living hinge.
As another embodiment, a hinge may not be used, and the door
may be attached so that it may rotate relative to the tent,
for example by capturing a pole on the door in a sleeve on
the tent. The door may also be attached for rotation
relative to a pole that is attached to the tent.
(0009) In an embodiment, the opening that the door
covers, i.e., the doorway, may be supported by a frame.
This doorway frame may support both the attachment of the
hinged door and the tent doorway. A pole, hinge, or other
structure may also be provided that supports the door where
it is attached to the doorway.
(0010) In an embodiment, the door may be a screen
door having a frame. A flap may attach on the outside of
the screen for covering the screen. The flap may attach,
for example, by a zipper.
(0011) 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 DRAWINGS
(0012) FIGURE 1 is a partial side perspective view
of a tent in accordance with an embodiment;
(0013) FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view
of a door for the tent of FIG. 1;
(0014) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a hinge
for the door of FIG. 2;
(0015) FIG. 4 is another tent in accordance with an
embodiment;
(0016) FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a hinge for a
door of the tent shown in FIG. 4;
(0017) FIG. 6 is yet another tent in accordance with
an embodiment;
(0018) FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a hinge for a
door of the tent in FIG. 6;
(0019) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a tent
in accordance with another embodiment;
(0020) FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of yet
another tent in accordance with an embodiment;
(0021) FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of still
another tent in accordance with an embodiment;
(0022) FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the
tent of FIG. 10, with a door for the tent lifted into an
awning position;
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(0023) FIG. 12 shows hinges that may be used for a
tent door or window in accordance with an embodiment;
(0024) FIG. 13 shows another hinge that may be used
for a tent door or window in accordance with an embodiment;
(0025) FIG. 14 shows hinges that may be used for a
tent door or window in accordance with yet another
embodiment
(0026) FIG. 15 shows hinges that may be used for a
tent door or window in accordance with still another
embodiment;
(0027) FIG. 16 shows hinges that may be used for a
tent door or window in accordance with yet still another
embodiment;
(0028) FIG. 17 is a partial side perspective view of
a tent in accordance with yet another embodiment.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(0029) 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.
(0030) Referring now to the drawings, in which like
reference numerals represent like parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1 shows a tent 20 in accordance with an
embodiment. The tent 20 shown in the drawings is a"dome"
style tent, although features of the invention may be used
in different models of tent, whether dome, another type of
free-standing tent, cabin, or other models. Thus, although
described with reference to the tent 20 and other tents
herein, the invention may be utilized with many different
tent structures and may also be used in fabric structures
other than tents, such as shelters. However, the invention
has particular relevance to free-standing tents. By "free-
standing," we mean tents that may be assembled and that are
self supporting without guy lines or stakes. An example is
a dome tent. Again, although particularly relevant to free-
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standing tents, aspects of the invention may be used in
other style tents.
(0031) The tent 20 includes walls 22 and poles 24
for supporting the walls and the tent in a manner known in
the art. By "walls," for embodiments, we include portions
of the tent that might typically cover the top of the tent.
In accordance with an embodiment, a novel door 26 is
provided that is hinged to the tent 20, for example to one
of the tent walls 22. The hinged door 26 may be opened and
used in much the same manner as a door for a house.
Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a hinged
door 26, aspects of the invention may be used for a hinged
window as well.
(0032) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a
structure is provided around a doorway for the door 26. The
structure supports the doorway, so that there is relatively
little flexibility to the doorway and the doorway does not
collapse. In this manner, the door may fit against the
doorway in a more precise manner. However, a reinforcing
structure for the doorway is not required. Although
"doorway" is used herein to describe the opening that a door
closes or covers, "doorway" as used herein includes the
opening of a window, as many embodiments herein may also be
used for window covers as well as doors.
(0033) In an embodiment, the structure for the
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doorway includes a C-shaped pole 34 that fits into a frame
upper sleeve 28, a frame lower sleeve 30, and a frame
releasable sleeve 32 that runs along a side edge of the
doorway. The releasable sleeve 32 may be, for example,
attachable around the C-shaped pole 34 by hook and loop
fasteners, a zipper, or another releasable connector. The
C-shaped pole 34 may be, for example, formed from pole
segments, may be a shock-corded pole, or may be a single
pole bent to the C shape.
(0034) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a
similar structure is provided for support of the door 26.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a door upper sleeve
40, a door lower sleeve 42, and a door releasable sleeve 44
are positioned around outer edges of the door 26. These
sleeves 40, 42, 44 receive another C-shaped pole 46. As
shown in FIG. 2, this C-shaped pole 46 may, for example,
include a pair of right angle bends 48 and shock-corded
poles 50 extending between the bends.
(0035) In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the
door 26 includes a screen window 52 at an upper half of the
door. This screen window includes a flap 54 that may be
rolled over the screen window 50 to protect the inside of
the tent 20 from the weather. If a user desires to open the
window 50, this flap 54 may be rolled downward and tied or
otherwise secured in a manner known in the art. In an
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alternate embodiment, the screen 52 and the flap 54 may
cover the entire doorway so that the door 26 may serve as a
screen door along its entire length. -
(0036) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
door 26 includes a doorknob 56. This doorknob 56 may
include an appropriate latch which may, for example, engage
some structure on the outer portion of the door opening upon
rotation of the doorknob. The door 26 also includes a
zipper 58 around its perimeter that attaches just inside of
the sleeves 28, 30, 32. If desired, other structures may be
provided for attaching the door to the doorway, such as hook
and loop fasteners, loop and toggle fasteners, ties,
magnets, clips, clasps, or other suitable releasable
connectors.
(0037) In some tents, the walls 22 of the tent 20
are sloped to lean inward from bottom to top. In an
embodiment, such sloped walls are provided on the tent 20.
As such, the door 26 is biased towards a closed position.
Thus, fasteners are not required to keep the door 26 in
place, but may be helpful in keeping the door closed in
windy conditions.
(0038) A hinge 60 for the door 26 is shown in FIG.
3. Two such hinges may be used, one each on the top and
bottom of the door 26. The hinge 60 shown in the drawing
includes two posts 62, 64 that are rotatable relative to one
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another. For example, one of the posts 62, 64 may be
attached to a cylinder 66, and the other post 64 may be
rotatably mounted on the cylinder 66. Ends of the poles 46
and 34 attach to the posts 62, 64, for example by sliding
over the posts.
(0039) The hinges 60 provide a connection of the
door 26 to the frame pole 34, and thus provide support for
the door 26. Additional support may be provided, such as by
attaching the hinge directly to the tent 20.
(0040) FIG. 4 shows a tent 100 in accordance with
another embodiment. The tent 100 is also a free standing
tent and includes a hinged door 102. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 4, the door 102 includes supports for both the
door 102 and the doorway for a door. For the doorway, a
frame sleeve 104 extends around its perimeter, with the
exception of the side to which the door attaches. A frame
pole 106 (the end of which is shown in FIG. 5) is fitted
into the frame sleeve 104. This frame pole 106 may be, as
examples, a pole that is permanently positioned in the
sleeve 104, or a single, flexible pole that bends to fit
within the frame sleeve 104. For the flexible pole
embodiment, a user may insert the frame pole 106 at one end
of the sleeve and snake it through the sleeve until the end
of the pole extends through the opposite end of the sleeve.
As another alternative, the pole 106 may be segmented or
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shock-corded, and the sleeve may be designed to removably
receive such a shock-corded pole.
(0041) The door 102 includes a similar door sleeve
108 and door pole 110. The door pole 110 may be maintained
in the door sleeve 108 in the same manner as described with
the frame pole 106, or using a different technique or
structure.
(0042) A hinge 112 for the door 102 is shown in
FIG. 5. In an embodiment, such a hinge 112 is positioned at
each of the top and the bottom of the door 102. The hinge
112 attaches to the tent 100 at pockets 114, 116. Much like
the hinge 60 shown in FIG. 3, the hinge 112 includes a pair
of rotatable posts 118, 120 for receiving ends of the frame
pole 106 and the door pole 110, respectively. These
rotatable posts 118, 120 may be mounted on a cylinder 122
and may rotate thereon. Alternatively, one of the posts,
such as the post 120, may rotate about the cylinder 122, and
the other post 118 may be attached to the cylinder. In the
embodiment shown in the drawings, the opposite ends of the
cylinder 122 fit into the pockets 114, 116, and hold the
hinge 112 in place. In this manner, the hinges 112 support
the door 102.
(0043) FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a
tent 200 having a door 202 similar to the door 102 in FIG.
4. The door 202 includes a pole 210 for the door, and a
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sleeve 208 for receiving the pole. A similar pole and
sleeve are included around the opening for the door 202. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, however, a hinge 212
(FIG. 7) is connected to the fabric for the tent, and not
the support structure (i.e., the pole) for the doorway.
This hinge 212 is mounted in pockets 214, 216, similar to
the pockets 114, 116 described with respect to FIG. 5. A
single post 218 is attached to a cylinder 222. The post 218
attaches to the door pole 110, and the door pole and the
door 202 are free to rotate about the hinge 212 while being
supported by the hinge.
(0044) FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a tent 300
having a door 302. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the
door 302 is positioned against an edge of the tent so that
it may be supported by one of the poles 304 that runs along
the corner edge of the tent and supports the tent. The
doorway for the door 302 is supported by a frame pole 306
that fits into a pole sheath 308. This pole 306 may be a
flexible pole, such as a shock-corded pole, that may be
extended into the pole sheath 308 and bent to fit the sheath
as described above. Pockets 310 may be positioned at ends
of the pole sheath 308 for receiving the ends of the frame
pole 306. A similar pole sheath 312 and pole 314 may be
provided for the door 302. A zipper 316 may be used to
close the door 302. Hook and loop fasteners 318 or other
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suitable attachment structures may be used for temporary
attachment of the door to the opening. In the embodiment
shown, nylon or other suitable fabric may be used around the
inside of the opening for the door 302 as a stop 320 to
prevent the door from extending into the tent 300 when
closed. This door stop 320 also improves the rain-proof
characteristics of the door 302.
(0045) FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of a
tent 400 having a door 402 that is somewhat similar to the
door 302 in FIG. 8. The door 402 and the doorway for the
door may be similarly supported by a door pole 414 and a
frame pole 406. The door 402, however, is positioned toward
the center of the tent, and a door support pole 405 extends
downward from the tent poles 404 to support the weight of
the door. This door support pole 405 extends into a pole
sheath 407 at the juncture of the door 402 and an opening
for the door.
(0046) Unlike the tent 300 in FIG. 8, the ends of
the door pole 414 and the frame pole 406 extend into hinges
that are rotatably mounted to the door support pole 405 as
is shown in FIG. 9. This rotatable attachment may be
similar to any of the above-described hinges.
(0047) FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of a
tent 500. The tent 500 includes a door 502 that opens
outward from a bottom end and that may be fixed as an awning
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as shown in FIG. 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10,
the door 502 connects to a top part of the doorway for the
door by a fabric hinge 504. A door pole 506 extends through
sleeves 508, 510, and 512, for example, in much the manner
of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The bottom sleeve 512
may, for example, be releasable.
(0048) The door 502 includes a grommet 514 at a
lower part of the door that attaches to a strap 516 when the
door 502 is in an open position. In this manner, the door
is supported outward in an awning-type manner.
(0049) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,
the frame for the doorway of the door 502 is also supported
by a pole 518 in a manner as described above. The pole 518
may be attached to the opening, for example by three sleeves
520, 522, 524.
(0050) FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of hinges 600
that may be used for a door or window of a tent in
accordance with an embodiment. The hinges 600 are attached
by a pole 602. The pole may extend, for example, along an
edge of a doorway or a window. Each of the hinges 600
includes a post section 603 and a rotatable section 604.
The rotatable section 604 may be arranged, for example, to
rotate on the pole 602. Poles 605 extend outward from the
rotatable section 604.
(0051) The post sections 603 each include an L-
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shaped bracket. Thus, the two post sections 603 and the
pole 602, when connected, define a structure in which
posts 606 extend outward from each of the post sections.
These posts 606 may be inserted, for example, into pockets
on a side of a tent. Preferably, the pockets are arranged
so that the post sections 603 place the area of the tent in
tension, providing structure for one side of the frame for
the doorway.
(0052) The door supported by the hinges 600 includes
a frame. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the frame
consists of the poles 605 which support the outer perimeter
of the door. The poles may be a single U-shaped pole or may
be connected to one or more other poles so that support for
the periphery of the door is provided.
(0053) The hinges 600 provide a structure that is
quickly attachable to a tent and that provides a hinged door
or window for the tent. The posts 606 may be removed from
the pockets of the tent to remove the door and allow compact
folding of the tent.
(0054) FIG. 13 shows another hinge 700 that may be
utilized with a hinged door or window in accordance with an
embodiment. The hinge 700 includes a base section 702 and a
rotating section 704. The base section 702 and the rotating
section 704 each include a socket 706, 708, respectively,
for receiving the ends of poles 710, 714. The base
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section 702 and rotating section 704 are connected by a
living hinge section 716. The entire hinge may be formed of
a flexible plastic, such as urethane. The hinge section 716
is formed thinner than the base and rotating sections 702,
704 so as to provide the living hinge function. If desired,
the base section 702 may be sewn to the outside of a doorway
or window opening for a tent. Likewise, the rotating
section 704 may be sewn to a door or window for the tent.
Pole pockets may be provided for removably receiving poles
for the doorway and the door frame.
(0055) A similar hinge 700 may be provided at a
lower end of the door. Thus, the two hinges 700 provide
support for the doorway and a hingeable door for the
doorframe. In an alternate embodiment, the hinge 700 may be
used with only a single socket in the rotating section 704,
and the base section 702 may be sewn or otherwise connected
directly to the tent.
(0056) FIG. 14 shows yet another embodiment of
hinges 800 that may be utilized with a hinged door. The
hinges 800 include sockets 802, 804 aligned perpendicularly
to one another and for receiving poles 806, 808.
(0057) The hinge 800 does not flex or provide a
hinging function, but instead maintains the poles 806, 808
in perpendicular alignment with one another. Thus, the
pole 808 may be rotatingly received in a sleeve, and locked
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for position in that sleeve by attachment of the hinges 800
to opposite ends. The poles 806 may provide structure for
the door. Thus, a door supported by the hinges 800 may
rotate about the pole 808 and may be supported by the
poles 806.
(0058) FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of a
hinge structure 850 that may be used with a tent door in
accordance with an embodiment. The hinge structure 850
includes a semi-rigid or rigid ring 852 that is sewn into,
or otherwise attached to, the walls of a tent. In the
embodiment shown in the drawing, the rings 852 are sewn into
the tent wall fabric via stitches, shown by the dotted
lines 854.
(0059) A vertical pole 856 extends between the two
rings 852. The vertical pole 856 includes ferrules 858 on
both ends, and a hook 860 attached to the ferrules. The
hook 860 hooks around the ring 852, and the connection of
the vertical pole 856 to the two rings 852 provides vertical
separation of, and support for, the hinge structure 850.
(0060) A C-shaped pole 870 is provided for support
of an outer perimeter of a door. This C-shaped door pole
870 includes ferrules 872 at its ends, and hooks 874
attached to the ferrules. The hooks 874 loop into the
rings 852. The round cross section of the portion of the
ring 852 that connects to the hooks 874 permits the hooks,
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and therefore the C-shaped frame 870, to rotate relative to
a doorway for a tent to which the hinge structure 850 is
attached.
(0061) FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a hinge
structure 900 that may be used to support a tent door or
window. The hinge structure 900 includes webbing 902 at
upper and lower portions of the doorway. Each webbing
includes a grommet 904. A vertical pole 906 includes
pins 908 that extend into the grommets. The pins 908 lock
the vertical pole 906 in place, and the vertical pole 906
thereby provides structure for the doorway.
(0062) In the embodiment shown in the drawing, a C-
shaped door pole 910 is provided to support the outer
perimeter of a door. Ferrules 912 are connected to both
ends of the C-shaped door pole 910. C-shaped flexible
clips 914 are connected to the ferrules 912. These C-shaped
clips clip onto the vertical 906, and are free to rotate
around the pole. In this manner, a door connected to the
hinge system 900 is hingeable. In an alternate embodiment,
the C-shaped clips 914 lock on to the vertical pole 906, and
the pole rotates with the C-shaped door pole 910.
(0063) FIG. 17 shows yet another embodiment of a
tent 950. The tent 950 includes a door 952 having a
doorway 954. In accordance with the embodiment, the
door 952 includes an air frame 956 around its outer
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perimeter. The air frame 956 includes a valve 958 for
inflating the air frame. The air frame 956 may be, for
example, an air bladder configured to receive pressurized
air. When turgid, the air frame serves as a structure for a
device (in this embodiment, the frame of the door 952). For
the embodiment shown in the drawings, the air frame 956
replaces the poles in the previous embodiments.
(0064) Similarly, a pair of air frames 960, 962
having valves 970, 972, respectively, may be provided for
supporting the doorway 954. In the embodiment shown in the
drawings, when the door 952 is closed over the doorway 954,
the air frame 956 for the door fits between the two air
frames 960, 962 for the doorway 954. Although the
embodiment in FIG. 17 includes two air frames 956 for
supporting the doorway 954, one air frame or more than two
air frames may be used. Similarly, the door 952 may be
supported by more than one air frame.
(0065) If desired, air frames may be utilized to
structurally support other parts of a door, window, or
opening. In addition to the perimeter support shown in the
drawings, a door may be supported, for example, at
intermediate locations along the door.
(0066) In another embodiment, the frame for a door
or window may be foldable. In such an embodiment, the frame
may be permanently sewn to the tent and is flexible enough
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to be folded along with the tent. This type of frame is
often used in collapsible fabric laundry baskets, foldable
fabric hats, and foldable fabric sun shades.
(0067) Other variations are possible. For example,
the poles and other structures described herein may be used
on a window, allowing the window to be hinged open, or to be
used as an awning. In addition, a very large door may be
provided on the back or side of the tent, similar to the
door 502 in FIG. 10. This large door may provide a patio or
cover for a vehicle. As such, the vehicle may be protected
from the weather and/or the vehicle may be easily unloaded
into a tent.
(0068) The door 502 may be supported in a way other
than the strap 516. For example, a pole or other structure
may be used for support.
(0069) Embodiments.of the doors described herein are
fully supported about their perimeters during use, for
example by poles, but the support structure for most of the
doors may be removed so that the door may be folded with the
tent into a compact storage configuration. In addition, the
poles or other supporting structure for the doors may be
broken down for efficient storage and transport. However,
the perimeter support on the doors permits the doors to have
a form and to hinge outward from the tent.
(0070) The doors of the invention may be used for
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closable openings other than windows and doors, including
pet doors, pet flaps, tent or shelter vents, and skylights.
(0071) 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.
(0072) 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
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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 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.
(0073) 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
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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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