Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FOLDABLE TENT-COT
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Patent
Application Serial No.
12/518,079, filed on June 5, 2009; a continuation-in-part of pending U.S.
Patent Application
Serial No. 12/817,393, filed on June 17, 2010; a continuation-in-part of
pending PCT
Application No. CN2012/77604, filed on June 27, 2012; and also claims priority
to and benefit
of pending China Patent Application No. 201220010694.3, filed on January 11,
2012, all
applications of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the temporary shelter,
outdoor recreation and
camping arts, and more specifically to an integrated foldable tent-cot for use
in such
environments.
[0003] Foldable cots with shelter attachments are known in the art.
Conventional cot-shelters
include at least two separate components and require multiple steps for
assembly. For example,
the foldable cot is expanded; an additional shelter frame is assembled on the
expanded cot; and
the shelter is separately attached to the shelter frame. Thus, assembly is
time consuming and
assembly could be complicated without detailed assembly instructions.
[0004] The use of separate components in conventional cot-shelters in the
prior art are also
problematic for storage and transport. Specifically, it is difficult to
collectively store the
components in one location, i.e., a carrying bag, because the multiple
components must be
separately collapsed and individually inserted into the carrying bag in a
compact fashion. This
often times requires much effort and time. Moreover, the presence of separate
components
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increases the possibility of loss of parts, especially smaller connection
parts such as nuts, bolts
and the like.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for a foldable cot with an integrated shelter
that requires minimal
assembly and disassembly, and that is easy to store.
BRIEF SUMMARY 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] Briefly stated, the present invention provides a foldable tent-cot
comprising: a cot frame
comprising two elongated rods each having a pair of connecting rods, each
elongated rod having
a pair of outer ends and a central portion intermediate thereto, each pair of
connecting rods being
pivotally connected together at the central portion by a connecting member; a
pair of outer X-
shaped support racks, each outer X-shaped support rack pivotally connected to
opposing
elongated rod outer ends; a central X-shaped support rack pivotally connected
with opposing
connecting members at central portions of the opposing elongated rods, each X-
shaped support
rack defined by a pair of support legs that intersect adjacently at an
intersection point; a tent
frame having a pair of vertical supports, each vertical support having a top
end and a bottom end,
each vertical support connected to each outer X-shaped support rack, top ends
of each vertical
support having a first coupling member; and a tent having a floor and a
plurality of walls
extending upwardly therefrom to form an enclosure, the floor fixedly attached
to the elongated
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rods, a pair of second coupling members extending from the walls for coupling
to the first
coupling members of the vertical supports to form a coupling assembly.
[0008] In another aspect, the present invention provides a foldable tent-cot
comprising: a pair of
elongated rods each having a pair of connecting rods, each elongated rod
having a pair of outer
ends and a central portion intermediate thereto, each pair of connecting rods
being pivotally
connected together at the central portion by a connecting member; a pair of
outer X-shaped
support racks, each outer X-shaped support rack pivotally connected to
opposing elongated rod
outer ends; a central X-shaped support rack pivotally connected with opposing
connecting
members at central portions of the opposing elongated rods, each X-shaped
support rack defined
by a pair of support legs that intersect adjacently at an intersection point;
and a pair of vertical
supports, each vertical support having a top end and a bottom end, each
vertical support
connected to each outer X-shaped support rack, top ends of each vertical
support having a
coupling member.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a coupling device
for attaching a
shelter to a foldable cot, the coupling device comprising: a housing having
opposing front and
back walls extending between opposing first and second side walls, said walls
extending between
opposing top and bottom walls; a slot formed on the housing, the slot having
opposing inner and
outer ends extending between the first and second side walls, wherein the slot
inner end partially
extends toward the first side wall while fully extending through the top and
bottom walls to form
an opening, and the slot outer end fully extends through the top wall and an
upper portion of the
second side wall while partially extending toward the bottom wall, an engaging
surface formed
below the slot outer end; an aperture extending through a center portion of
the back wall, the
aperture substantially aligned with the opening; a coupling member housed
within the slot, the
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coupling member having an inner end and an outer end, a channel extending
between the inner
and outer ends, the outer end having a clip portion for engaging and
disengaging the shelter; and
a fastener extending through the aperture, opening and channel such that the
coupling member is
pivotally coupled to the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] To better understand the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention
will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings.
[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a foldable cot frame
of the present
invention shown in an expanded configuration;
[0012] Fig. 2 is a side view of the foldable cot frame of Fig. 1 shown in a
partially folded
configuration;
[0013] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the foldable cot frame in the partially
folded configuration
shown in Fig. 2;
[0014] Fig. 4 is a side view of the foldable cot frame of Fig. 1 shown in
another partially folded
configuration;
[0015] Fig. 5 is a side view of the foldable cot frame of Fig. 1 shown in a
fully folded
configuration;
[0016] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a foldable cot
frame of the present
invention shown in an expanded configuration;
[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the foldable cot frame of Fig. 6 shown
in a partially folded
configuration;
[0018] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the foldable cot frame of Fig. 6 shown
in a fully folded
configuration;
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[0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a foldable tent-cot of
the present
invention shown in an expanded configuration with a first embodiment of a
coupling assembly of
the present invention;
[0020] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the foldable tent-cot of Fig. 9 with a
second embodiment
of a coupling assembly of the present invention;
[0021] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the foldable tent-cot of Fig. 9 with
third and fourth
embodiments of a coupling assembly of the present invention;
[0022] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a frame portion of the foldable tent-
cot of Fig. 9 shown in
a partially folded configuration;
[0023] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the coupling
assembly shown in
Fig. 9;
[0024] Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the coupling
assembly shown in
Fig. 11;
[0025] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a coupling member of the fourth
embodiment of the
coupling assembly shown in Fig. 11 in an engaged state;
[0026] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the coupling member of Fig. 15 in a
disengaged state;
[0027] Fig. 17A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a coupling
member of the present
invention shown in an engaged state;
[0028] Fig. 17B is a partial sectional view of the coupling member shown in
Fig. 17A;
[0029] Fig. 18A is a perspective view of the coupling member of 17A shown in a
disengaged
state; and
[0030] Fig. 18B is a partial sectional view of the coupling member shown in
Fig. 18A.
[0031] To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference
numerals have been
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used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are
common to the
figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures
are not drawn to
scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not
limiting. To assist in the description of the present invention, words such as
"top," "bottom,"
"front," "rear," "back," "upper," "lower," "right" and "left" are used to
describe the
accompanying figures. Also, the article "a" is intended to include one or more
items. Where
only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar language is used. The
terminology includes
the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of
similar import.
[0033] Referring to the drawings in detail, the foldable tent-cot of the
present invention in
general includes a cot frame, a tent frame and a tent integral to each other.
Descriptions of two
separate embodiments of the cot frame are followed by a description of the
foldable tent-cot as a
whole.
First Embodiment of a Foldable Cot Frame
[0034] As shown in Figs. 1-5, a first embodiment of a foldable bed or cot
frame 1 of the present
invention is a light-weight structure that is easily foldable from an open
position (Fig. 1) to a
compact folded position (i.e., closed) (Fig. 5) in three simple steps.
Similarly, the bed frame 1
can be fully opened from its closed compact configuration by reversing the
steps, as fully
described below in further detail.
[0035] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the bed frame 1 is constructed to
accommodate a typical
rectangular shaped sleeping surface (e.g., canvas linings, among other
linings) supported by two
sets of opposing longitudinal supports 3, 5. Each longitudinal support 3, 5
includes two
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longitudinal support extensions 7 having a proximal end 9 and a distal end 11.
Although the bed
frame in the preferred embodiment is constructed for a typical rectangular
support surface, a
person of the ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the length of the
support extensions 7
and legs 27, 33 can be modified to accommodate other desired surface areas and
shapes.
[0036] Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, the proximal ends 9 of each pair of
the longitudinal
support extensions 7 are pivotally attached to an intermediate coupling member
13 to form each
longitudinal support 3, 5. Each intermediate coupling member 13 includes two
opposing flanges
15 which serve as plates which are sufficiently spaced apart and configured to
receive the
opposing sides of the proximal ends of the longitudinal support extensions 7.
In a preferred
embodiment, the flanges 15 of the intermediate coupling members 13 are
triangular in shape to
receive legs 27, 33 of the third (or intermediate) leg assembly 25 (described
in more detail
below). However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the shape of the
flanges 15 can be configured differently without affecting the function of the
intermediate
coupling members 13, that is, so long as the flanges 15 can accommodate the
longitudinal
support extensions 7 as well as the legs 27, 33. For example, the flanges 15
can be T-shaped.
Alternatively, the intermediate coupling members 13 can be rectangular in
shape if, for example,
the third (or intermediate) leg assembly 25 is excluded from the bed frame 1.
The support
extensions 7 are pivotally secured to the intermediate coupling members 13 via
fasteners 14.
[0037] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, at the distal ends 11 of the longitudinal
support extensions 7,
end coupling members 17 are pivotally attached for receiving first and second
legs 27, 33 of the
bed frame 1, which is described in more detail below. The end coupling members
17 are also
constructed of two opposing flanges 19 sufficiently spaced apart to receive
the legs 27, 33 of the
first and second leg assemblies 21, 23. In a preferred embodiment, the flanges
19 are L-shaped
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to receive the legs 27, 33 therebetween, although such L-shaped configuration
is not considered
limiting. The end coupling members 17 are attached to the longitudinal support
extensions via
fasteners 18.
[0038] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, vertical support for the frame is
accomplished by providing at
least two but preferably three sets of leg assemblies 21, 23, 25. Each leg
assembly includes a
first leg 27 and a second leg 33 which cross each other to form an X-shaped
support when the
bed frame 1 is in the open position. Each first leg 27 is a continuous
elongated member having a
proximal end 29 and a free end 31. Each second leg 33 consists of an upper
member 35 having a
proximal end 37 and a distal end 39, and a lower member 41 having a proximal
end 43 and a
distal end (or second leg free end) 45. In an embodiment, the lengths of the
upper member 35
and lower member 41 of the second leg 33 are approximately one-half of the
length of the first
leg 27. The upper and lower members 35, 41 of the first and second leg
assemblies 21, 23 are
attached to a leg coupling 47 via fasteners 48. The leg coupling 47 is
constructed of two
opposing flanges 49 spaced apart and configured to receive the upper and lower
members 35, 41.
In a preferred embodiment, the flanges 49 are S-shaped and the proximal ends
of the upper and
lower members 37, 43 are attached to each respective end of the S-shaped
flange such that the
upper and lower members 37, 43 are in parallel alignment. The S-shaped
configuration of the
flanges 49 is not limiting and can also vary so long as the flanges can
accommodate the first and
second legs 27, 33. The first leg 27 is pivotally coupled by a fastener 50
(i.e., bolt or rivet)
within the flanges 49 between the upper and lower members 37, 43 at a median
position along
the length of the first leg 27, or an intersection point. The upper and lower
members 37, 43 are
spaced apart such that the first leg 27 fits snugly between the upper and
lower members 37, 43
and in the same plane when the bed frame 1 is in its open position (Fig. 1).
This allows for the
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,
upper and lower members 37, 43 to maintain a parallel relationship. Thus, the
combination of
the first and second legs 27, 33 form an X-shaped vertical support for the
foldable bed frame 1.
Alternatively, the second leg 33 can be one continuous member (instead of
having an upper
member and lower member joined by a leg coupling) and pivotally coupled
adjacent to the first
leg 27 at an intersecting point to form an X-shaped vertical support.
[0039] Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, the proximal ends 29 of the first
legs 27 of the first and
second leg assemblies 21, 23 are fixedly coupled to the end coupling members
17 of the first
longitudinal support 3 via fasteners 20. Similarly, the second leg upper
member distal ends 39 of
the first and second leg assemblies 21, 23 (or second leg proximal end 39) are
fixedly coupled to
the end coupling members 17 of the second longitudinal support 5 via fasteners
20. The first and
second leg assemblies 21, 23 are positioned perpendicular to the first and
second longitudinal
supports 3, 5 when the bed frame 1 is in the open position (Fig. 1) and are
positioned parallel to
the first and second longitudinal supports 3, 5 when the bed frame 1 is folded
in the fully folded
or closed position (Fig. 5). Similarly, the first leg proximal end 29 and the
second leg upper
member distal end 39 of the third leg assembly 25 (or the third leg proximal
end 29 and the
fourth leg upper member distal end 39 of the intermediate leg assembly 25) are
fixedly coupled
to the intermediate coupling members 13 of the first longitudinal support 3
and the second
longitudinal support 5, respectively, via fasteners 20. The third (or
intermediate) leg assembly
25 is positioned perpendicular with respect to the first and second
longitudinal supports 3, 5 in
either the open or closed positions of the bed frame 1 (Figs. 1, 5). The third
(or intermediate) leg
assembly 25 can optionally be attached to the intermediate coupling members 13
to provide
additional vertical support proximate the central portion of the bed frame 1.
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[0040] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in accordance with the present invention, a
pair of brace
members 51 are provided for additional lateral support. Each brace member 51
includes a brace
53 having a proximal end 55 and a distal end 57. The proximal end 55 is
pivotally coupled via
fastener 61 to the longitudinal support extension distal ends 11 of the first
longitudinal support 3.
The distal end 57 is pivotally coupled via fastener 63 to a sleeve 59 which is
slidingly coupled to
the first leg 27. The brace members 51 provide additional lateral stability
for the bed frame 1
along the transverse direction "T," as well as the longitudinal direction "L"
of the bed frame 1.
The foldable bed frame 1 can be equipped with a permanent cover that is
stitched or otherwise
fastened around the support extensions 7 of opposing longitudinal supports 3,
5. The fabric
covering (not shown) provides lateral support in the transverse direction
along the bed frame,
however, the stitching or fasteners and the cover itself is susceptible to
lateral stresses and
undesired wear-and-tear, especially when a user lies down on the covering of
the bed structure.
To alleviate or otherwise minimize the excessive lateral forces, the brace
members 51 provide
additional lateral support to the bed frame 1 and prevent unnecessary stress
or wear and tear on
the cover stitching or fasteners by restricting the lateral movement of the
bed frame 1 by a user.
In other words, the braces 51 absorb most, if not all of the lateral forces
instead of the fabric
covering itself. In an embodiment where the foldable bed frame 1 is not
provided with
permanent covers, but is instead constructed for use with a separate
detachable mattress, the
brace members 51 provide the transverse lateral support necessary for
preventing the bed frame 1
from extending beyond the desired open position. That is, the transverse
movement of the
longitudinal supports 3, 5 are limited by the length and positioning of the
brace 53 with respect
to the first and second leg assemblies 21, 23 because the sleeve 59 cannot
move beyond the
desired open position due to geometrical constraints created by the length of
the brace 53. This
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geometrical constraint formed by the connection of the brace members 51
between the
longitudinal support 3 and first leg 27 also limits lateral movement along the
longitudinal
direction "L," thus providing additional stability to the bed frame 1 in the
longitudinal direction.
Furthermore, each sleeve 59 of the brace members 51 provides a guide for the
bed frame 1
during the folding process (described in more detail below).
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal support extensions and legs
of the bed frame
are constructed of light-weight steel and have a rectangular cross-section.
The longitudinal
support extensions and legs are preferably tubular which reduces the overall
weight of the
structure while maintaining the strength of the structure. Alternatively, the
longitudinal support
extensions and legs can be constructed of other materials such as high-
strength plastic, composite
material, aluminum, other light-weight alloys or combinations thereof, and can
have other cross-
sectional configurations (e.g., circular shape) without affecting the overall
integrity of the
structure. Additionally, the fasteners are preferably rivets, however, other
fastener types such as
nuts and bolts, screws, or other fasteners can be used to achieve the same
objective.
[0042] Referring to Figs. 1-5, in operation, a three-step process is
implemented to fold the bed
frame from the open position (Fig. 1) to a fully folded (closed) position
(Fig. 5). Referring to
Figs. 2 and 3, the first and second longitudinal supports 3, 5 are pushed
together in the transverse
direction "T" until the longitudinal supports 3, 5 are side-by-side. During
this closing process,
the first and second legs 27, 33 also become positioned side-by-side while
remaining in the same
plane, such that each half of the bed frame structure pivots about the
fasteners 50 of the leg
couplings 47. Referring to Fig. 4, the first and second leg assemblies 21, 23
are folded inward
towards the longitudinal direction "L" until they are positioned side-by-side
(i.e., parallel) with
the first and second longitudinal supports 3, 5. During this folding step,
each of the leg
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assemblies 21, 23 pivots inwardly about the fastener 18. As the leg assemblies
21, 23 pivot
inward, each sleeve 59 also slides from the first leg proximal end 29 in a
direction towards the
first leg free end 31 as the brace 53 pivots inward about the fastener 61.
Referring to Fig. 5, each
side of the leg assembly 21, 23 and longitudinal support extension 7 is
further folded inwardly in
the longitudinal direction "L" by pivotably rotating the distal ends 9 about
the fasteners 14
extending through the intermediate coupling members 13 until the bed frame 1
is in a fully
folded position. In this fully folded or closed position, the folded first and
second leg assemblies
21, 23 are positioned parallel each other on opposing sides of the third (or
intermediate) leg
assembly 25.
[0043] Therefore, the foldable cot frame 1 of the present invention provides a
low-cost,
lightweight foldable bed frame with improved lateral stability of the bed
frame ¨ in the
transverse direction as well as the longitudinal direction of the bed frame ¨
using minimal
components for construction which is can be easily opened and folded.
Second Embodiment of a Foldable Cot Frame
[0044] As shown in Figs. 6-8, a second embodiment of a collapsible or foldable
cot frame 100 of
the present invention comprises two elongated rods 101 and plurality of X-
shaped support racks
102, 106 under the two elongated rods 101. Each of the two elongated rods 101
is composed of
two connecting rods 111 connected together. Each of the two connecting rods
111 has an inner
end pivotally connected to a connecting member 103 so that the two connecting
rods 111 are
connected together. Each of the two elongated rods 101 has two ends and a
central portion
pivotally connected with an outer X-shaped support rack 106 and a central X-
shaped support
rack 102, respectively. The central X-shaped support rack 102 is pivotally
connected to the
connecting members 103. The difference between the present collapsible cot
frame 100 and the
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prior art is that support rods 104 are provided between the two ends of the
elongated rods 101
and the outer X-shaped support racks 106, respectively. When the foldable cot
frame 100 is
expanded, the support rods 104 will support the outer X-shaped racks 106
securely. In addition,
the support rods 104 assist the outer X-shaped support racks 106 in expanding
or collapsing.
[0045] As shown in Fig. 7, when the cot frame 100 is collapsed, the central
portion of the
elongated rods 101 are lifted upward and inward, and the two connecting rods
111 are folded
downward. The support rods 104 are brought to move inward. During the
collapse, the bottoms
of the outer X-shaped support racks 106 are pulled inward. Referring to Fig.
8, when the
connecting rods 111 are collapsed, the outer X-shaped support racks 106, the
support rods 104,
the connecting rods 111 and the central X-shaped support rack 102 are adjacent
and substantially
parallel to each other. Referring to Fig. 6, when the collapsible cot frame
100 is expanded, the
connecting rods 111 will be pulled upward and the support rods 104 will push
the outer X-
shaped racks 106 to prop up automatically. According to the aforesaid, the
support rods 104 are
adapted to assist in pulling or pushing the outer X-shaped racks 106 for
expanding or collapsing
the collapsible cot frame 100 with ease.
Foldable Tent-Cot
[0046] Referring to Figs. 9-11, a tent-cot 200 of the present invention is
illustratively shown with
several embodiments of a coupling assembly of the present invention. The tent-
cot 200 is
illustratively shown with the foldable cot frame 100 of the second embodiment,
which is shown
in Figs. 6-8 and described in detail above. However, the foldable cot frame 1
of the first
embodiment, shown in Figs. 1-5 and described in detail above, could also be
used for the tent-cot
200.
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[0047] Referring again to Figs. 9-11, in general, the foldable cot frame 100
includes two
elongated rods 101. Each elongated rod 101 includes a pair of outer ends and a
central portion
intermediate thereto. Each elongated rod 101 includes a pair of connecting
rods 111 with each
pair of connecting rods 111 being pivotally connected together at the central
portion by a
connecting member 103. The foldable cot frame 100 also includes a pair of
outer X-shaped
support racks 106 with each outer X-shaped support rack 106 pivotally
connected to opposing
elongated rod 101 outer ends. A central X-shaped support rack 102 is pivotally
connected with
opposing connecting members 103 at central portions of the opposing elongated
rods 111. Each
X-shaped support rack 102, 106 is defined by a pair of support legs 108 that
intersect adjacently
at an intersection point 110. In the preferred embodiment, the pair of support
legs 108 of each
X-shaped support rack 102, 106 are pivotally coupled at each respective
intersection point 110.
However, the support legs 108 of the outer X-shaped support racks 106 could be
disconnected
from each other. The foldable cot frame 100 also includes support rods 104
having a proximal
end and a distal end. The proximal end of each support rod 104 is pivotally
connected to the
elongated rods 111 and the distal ends of the each support rod 104 is
pivotally connected to a
corresponding outer X-shaped support rack 106. In the preferred embodiment,
each support rod
104 distal end is connected to a lower end of a corresponding outer X-shaped
support rack 106.
[0048] Referring again to Figs. 9-11, the tent-cot 200 also includes a tent
frame having a pair of
vertical supports 121. Each vertical support 121 includes a top end 123 and a
bottom end 125.
The vertical supports 121 could be substantially vertically upright (as shown
in Figs. 10 and 11)
of at an angle (as shown in Fig. 9) as desired. In the preferred embodiment,
each vertical support
121 includes two telescopically retractable sections 127, 129 which are
coupled by conventional
methods. For example, the first section 127 includes a spring loaded detent
pin (not shown) for
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indexing in a hole 122 (as shown in Figs. 9 and 12) provided in the second
section 129 for
locking the sections 127, 129 in an extended position, and depressing the
detent pin to disengage
the aperture 129 to unlock and retract the first section 127 (as shown in Fig.
12). One of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that more than two retractable
sections or a plurality
pivotally attached foldable sections could be used without departing from the
spirit and scope of
the present invention. Each vertical support 121 is connected to each outer X-
shaped support
rack 106 at the intersection point 110, and in the preferred embodiment, a
coupling sleeve 131 is
fixed to the intersection point 110 such that the vertical support 121 is
slidable within the
coupling sleeve 131. Alternatively, if the support legs 108 of each outer X-
shaped support rack
106 are disconnected, the coupling sleeve 131 is connected only to the
outermost support leg
108. When the tent-cot is constructed with the first cot frame 1, shown for
example in Fig. 1, the
coupling sleeves 131 are pivotally fixed to the fasteners 50 of the first and
second leg assemblies
21, 23. Bottom ends of each vertical support 121 include a pair of braces 133
having a first end
and a second end. The first ends of each brace 133 is pivotally connected to
the bottom end of
the vertical support 121 and the second ends of each brace 133 is pivotally
connected to
opposing support legs 108 of a corresponding outer X-shaped support rack 106
to provide
additional support to the vertical support 121. However, the tent frame 120
could be constructed
without the braces 133 such that the bottom end of the vertical support 121 is
extended to and
supported by a ground surface. Top ends of each vertical support 121 include a
first coupling
member 140 for coupling the vertical support 121 to a tent portion, which is
described in more
detail below. The overall frame assembly formed by the foldable cot frame 100
and the tent
frame 120 provides a one-piece integral structure for the tent-cot 200 which
is not available in
the prior art.
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,
[0049] Referring again to Figs. 9-11, the tent-cot 200 also includes a tent
150 having a floor (not
shown) and a plurality of walls extending upwardly therefrom to form an
enclosure. In the
preferred embodiment, the tent 150 includes a ceiling to provide additional
space within the
interior of the tent 150 but the tent 150 could be constructed without the
ceiling and could be
constructed of different shapes and sizes. The floor is fixedly attached to
the elongated rods 101,
preferably by overlapping a periphery of the floor around each elongated rod
101 and sewing the
overlapped portion together, which is described above in more detail with
respect to the first
embodiment of the foldable cot frame. An additional support surface, such as
an air mattress,
could be separately used or integrally formed on the floor portion. A pair of
second coupling
members 142 extends from the walls for coupling to the first coupling members
140 of the
vertical supports 121 to form a coupling assembly. The second coupling members
142 are
preferably attached to seams of the tent and further reinforced with heat
welding, woven
polyester webbing or both so that any tension on the second coupling members
142 is
sufficiently absorbed without damaging the tent 150. The overall assembly of
the foldable cot
frame 100, tent frame 120 and tent 150 provides a one-piece integral structure
for the tent-cot
200 which is not available in the prior art.
[0050] Referring to Figs. 9-11 and 13-18B, several embodiments of a coupling
assembly of the
present invention are shown. Referring to Figs. 9 and 13, in a first
embodiment, the coupling
assembly is a conventional buckle assembly 160 in which the first coupling
member 140
includes a male component 161 and the second coupling member 142 includes a
female
component 163. Referring to Fig. 13, the male component 161 is coupled to a
first cap 165 on
the vertical support top end 123 by a first loop 167. The female component 163
is coupled to the
tent 150 also by first loop 167 as described above with respect to the second
coupling member
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142. The first loop 167 is constructed of the same material as the tent 150,
i.e., a fabric
constructed from materials such as cotton, polyester or nylon, or any
combination thereof, but
could also be constructed of other materials such as woven polyester webbing.
[0051] Referring to Fig. 10, in a second embodiment 170, the first coupling
member 140 is a
second cap 171 having a hook portion fixedly attached to the vertical support
top end 123. The
second coupling member 142 is a second loop 173 extending from the tent 150
which is attached
to the tent 150 as described above with respect to the second coupling member
142.
[0052] Referring to Figs. 11 and 14, in a third embodiment 180, the first
coupling member 140 is
a laterally extending bar 181 extending from the vertical support top end 123.
In this
embodiment, the laterally extending bar 181 extends on opposing sides of the
vertical support
121 but the construction could be modified to extend only on one side. The
second coupling
member 142 is a pair of third loops 183 extending from the tent 150 which are
attached to the
tent 150 as described above with respect to the second coupling member 142.
[0053] Referring to Figs. 11 and 15-18B, in the fourth and fifth embodiments
190, 192, the first
coupling member 140 includes a housing 191 having a front wall 193a and an
opposing back
wall (not shown) extending between a first side wall 195a and an opposing
second side wall (not
shown). The front wall 193a, back wall, first side wall 195a and second side
wall extend
between a top wall 197a and an opposing bottom wall (not shown). First and
second slots 199a,
199b are formed within the housing 191 and each slot 199a, 199b includes
opposing inner and
outer ends extending between the first side wall 195a and the second side
wall. The inner end of
the first slot 199a partially extends toward the first side wall 195a while
fully extending through
the top wall 197a and the bottom wall to form an opening 194, and the outer
end of the first slot
199a fully extends through the top wall 197a and an upper portion of the
second side wall while
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i
partially extending toward the bottom wall. An engaging surface 196 is formed
below the outer
end of the first slot 199a. In the fourth embodiment 190, an aperture (not
shown) extends
through a center portion of the back wall. In the fifth embodiment 192,
apertures extend through
a center portion of the back wall and the front wall 193a. In both
embodiments, the aperture(s)
are substantially aligned with the opening 194. The second slot 199b is
positioned adjacent to
the first slot 199a in inverse orientation with respect to the first wall 195a
and the second side
wall.
[0054] Referring again to Figs. 11 and 15-18B, a pair of engaging members 141
having an inner
end and an outer end are partially housed within the slots 199a, 199b. In the
present
embodiments, the engaging member 141 is a solid coil constructed of a metal or
hard molded
plastic, and is formed such that opposing ends of the coil overlap at an outer
end to form a clip
portion 143 and a channel 145 extending between the inner and outer ends. One
of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that a single engaging member 141 could be used
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. A fastener 147 extends through the
back wall (and
front wall 193a in the fifth embodiment 192), aperture(s), openings 194 and
channels 145 such
that the engaging members 141 are pivotally coupled to the housing 191. In the
fourth
embodiment 190, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the back wall is extended such
that the vertical
support 121 top end is attached to a bottom portion of the housing 191 through
the extended
portion via the fastener 147. In the fifth embodiment 192, the vertical
support top end 123 could
be attached to the front wall 193a or the back wall via the fastener 147. The
engaging members
141 could also be used as an auxiliary device, for example, to hang clothing
items.
[0055] Referring to Fig. 11, the second coupling member 142 is a pair of
fourth loops 198
extending from the tent 150 which are attached to the tent 150 as described
above with respect to
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the second coupling member 142. One of ordinary skill will recognize that a
single loop could
be used on each end of the tent 150. Thus, the fourth loops 198 are inserted
through the clip
portions 143 to attach the tent or shelter 150 to the vertical support 121.
[0056] Referring to Figs. 15, 17A and 17B, in an engaged state the engaging
member 141 is
extended laterally such that the engaging member inner end is positioned
within each slot 199a,
199b and engaged with the engaging surface 196. Referring to Figs. 16, 18A and
18B, in a
disengaged state each engaging member 141 is pivoted 90 degrees and extended
longitudinally
through each corresponding slot inner end opening 194 such that the engaging
member inner end
extends below the bottom wall.
[0057] Referring to Fig. 9-11, in an expanded configuration the two connecting
rods 111 are
longitudinally aligned with each other, the X-shaped support racks 102, 106,
support rods 104
and the vertical supports 121 are fully extended, and corresponding first and
second coupling
members 140, 142 are engaged. Referring to Fig. 12, in a collapsed
configuration the first and
second coupling members 140, 142 are disengaged and the vertical supports 121
are retracted.
The X-shaped support racks 102, 106 are collapsed, and the outer X-shaped
support racks 106,
two connecting rods 111, and the vertical supports 121 are folded inward and
substantially
parallel and adjacent to each other as shown for example in Fig. 8.
[0058] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from
its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be
considered in all
respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention
is, therefore, indicated
by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes
which come within
the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within
their scope.
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