The invention relates to a mobile temporary shelter, comprising a collapsible frame defining a sitting and/or reclining part, and a canopy which is connected to the frame and which is movable between a fully folded-down rest position and a fully folded-out position in which the sitting and/or reclining part are substantially fully protected from the environment.

Anglers, and particularly carp anglers, often make use of a temporary shelter which is set up by the waterside to protect them from weather conditions, particularly rain and wind, but also the sun during the summer. Such temporary shelters can vary from simple windbreaks or sunshades to complete tents or even caravans. A problem here is that fishing locations are often not readily accessible by land, so that large or heavy shelters cannot be used. In addition, there is not sufficient space at many good fishing locations to set up a complete tent, or the ground surface is not suitable for the purpose. It is often too wet and unstable to support a tent or, conversely, too hard to arrange tent pegs. Finally, it is not allowed at many locations to place a tent or other shelter, or at least to leave it in place at night. This is a particular problem for carp anglers because carp fishing requires a great deal of time, and conditions for carp fishing are often optimal at night.

There is therefore a great need among anglers, and particularly carp anglers, for a temporary shelter which is small and light, so that it is easy to transport, can be erected close to the water's edge and takes up little space there. In addition, such a shelter should be stable and robust and should provide good protection from diverse weather conditions. It should further be possible to use such a shelter both during the day and at night.

A shelter with the measures as described in the preamble of claim 1 is known from FR-A-621 026. This earlier document describes a combined tent/reclining bed construction, wherein the reclining bed is formed by a tubular frame which consists of two pivoting parts and in which a sailcloth is suspended. This tubular frame stands on collapsible and expandable legs. In this earlier construction the tent is formed by a number of portals which are each pivotable around an axis and between which tent-cloth is tensioned. The pivot axes of the portals lie on a semicircle above the hinge of the tubular frame. This earlier tent appears to be intended particularly for sleeping, and strictly speaking there is no sitting and/or reclining part since the sailcloth is only suitable for lying on. Although it is relatively light and compact, and appears to be quick and easy to set up, the known tent cannot be readily used as temporary shelter during fishing.

The invention therefore has for its object to improve a temporary shelter of the type described in the preamble such that it is suitable for use by anglers. According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved in such a shelter by means for fixing the canopy in at least one position lying between the fully folded-down and the fully folded-out position and partially protecting the sitting and/or reclining part. In this way the shelter can be used, in partially opened position of the canopy, as a sheltered location for fishing.

When the canopy comprises a number of movable portals and a tent-cloth tensioned therebetween, it can be folded down and folded out quickly and easily.

When the shelter is provided with a number of stiffener ribs arranged between the portals and connected to the tent-cloth, the canopy can be folded down along fold lines defined by the stiffener ribs so that a very compact whole can be obtained.

At least some of the stiffener ribs are preferably connected to each other by outward pivotable spacers. These spacers maximize the space available under the canopy.

In order to enable erection or striking of the shelter in a few simple manual operations, the frame preferably comprises two frame parts connected to each other for pivoting about a first axis, while the movable portals are pivotable about a second axis substantially coinciding with the first axis.

When the portals are pivotally connected to a hinge assembly which defines the second axis and which is pivotally connected to one of the frame parts, this guarantees in structurally simple manner that the canopy connects to the sitting and/or reclining part and wholly shields it.

The fixation means can engage between two adjacent portals, between a portal and a frame part or at the second axis. The position of the canopy can thus be adjusted in simple manner.

According to another aspect of the invention, a shelter of the above described type is provided wherein the sitting and/or reclining part comprises a base which is supported by the frame and of which at least a part is movable between a substantially horizontal reclining position and at least one sitting position in which this base part encloses an angle to the horizontal. The user can in this way lie or sit in the tent as desired.

In order in this case to be able to achieve a natural sitting posture which can be sustained for a long period, in a preferred embodiment of the shelter, at least when the movable base part occupies a sitting position, another part of the base is foldable or slidable inward. This other base part can thus form a seat of a normal depth.

The shelter is preferably provided with a number of collapsible legs connected to the frame, whereby the sitting and/or reclining part can be held clear of the ground surface.

When at least some of the legs are length-adjustable, the shelter can be placed stably in all conditions, irrespective of the contour of the ground surface.

The shelter is preferably further provided with at least one wheel connected releasably to the frame. By connecting one or more wheels to the frame the shelter can be easily moved, while by detaching the wheel or the wheels it can then be placed firmly at a determined location without the risk of it moving about.

The shelter can be provided here with at least one pull or push bar which is connected releasably or movably to the frame and with which it can be coupled to a vehicle, for instance a cycle, or can be moved by hand.

The shelter according to the invention can further be provided with at least one transport bin connected to the frame so that it can be used simultaneously to transport objects such as fishing tackle.

Finally, it is recommended that the shelter be constructed from a number of mutually connected modules. A user can thus assemble the shelter in accordance with his/her own wishes by combining a number of modules.

The invention is now elucidated on the basis of a number of examples, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mobile temporary shelter according to a first embodiment of the invention in the fully collapsed and folded-down position in which it can be stowed away,
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the shelter in a transporting position, in which the legs are folded out, the wheels are mounted on two legs and the pull bar is extended,
• Fig. 3 to 9 are perspective views of the shelter in which different positions of the base and the canopy are shown,
• Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the shelter, wherein the base and the tent cloth are omitted,
• Fig. 11 shows a detail view along arrow XI in fig. 10,
• Fig. 12 is a view corresponding to fig. 2 from a different angle,
• Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to fig. 12 of the shelter once the wheels have been removed,
• Fig. 14 shows a detail view along arrow XIV in fig. 15,
• Fig. 15 shows a view corresponding to fig. 10 from a different angle,
• Fig. 16 shows a detail view along arrow XVI in fig. 15,
• Fig. 17 shows a view corresponding to fig. 16 of an alternative embodiment of the pull bar,
• Fig. 18 shows a view corresponding to fig. 8 from a different angle, in which the fixation means can be seen,
• Fig. 19 shows a view corresponding to fig. 11 of a preferred embodiment of the pivotable connection between the portals and the frame,
• Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the hinge shown in fig. 19,
• Fig. 21 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the hinge, with an alternative embodiment of the fixation means,
• Fig. 22 show schematically the modular construction of the shelter,
• Fig. 23A and 23B show respectively a side view and a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the canopy with predefined fold lines, and
• Fig. 24 shows schematically the stiffener ribs and spacers applied in the canopy of fig. 23.

A mobile temporary shelter 1 according to the present invention comprises a collapsible frame 2 which defines a sitting and/or reclining part 3 and a canopy 4 connected to frame 2. This canopy 4 is movable between a fully folded-down rest position (fig. 1-4) and a fully folded-out position (fig. 8), in which the sitting and/or reclining part 3 is fully protected from the environment. Canopy 4 consists of four movable portals 5 and a tent-cloth tensioned therebetween. Two adjacent portals 5 and a part of tent-cloth 6 tensioned therebetween here define in each case a hood segment 7.

According to a first aspect of the invention, shelter 1 is characterized by the presence of means 8 with which canopy 4 can be fixed in one or more intermediate positions (fig. 5-8). An intermediate position is here a position lying between the fully folded-down position of fig. 1-4 and the fully folded-out position of fig. 8, and in which the sitting and/or reclining part 3 is only partially protected. Fixation means 8 are here formed by a number of tensioning members 9 which can be placed in each case between two adjacent portals 5 (fig. 18). The position of canopy 4 can hereby be adjusted per hood segment 7, so in this case in three intermediate positions as shown in fig. 5-7.

Instead of engaging between portals 5, in another embodiment the fixation means 108 can also engage between frame 102 and one of the portals 105 (fig. 21). Fixation means 108 can here comprise a folding arm 134 provided with a hinge 135 having a number of blocked positions, operated here by a push-button 136.

In the shown example frame 2 is formed by two frame parts 10, 11 connected to each other for pivoting about a first axis 12. This first axis 12 is here defined by two mutually adjacent hinges 13 (fig. 11). The movable portals 5 are pivotable about a second axis which coincides with the first pivot axis 12. In the shown example portals 5 are for this purpose each mounted pivotally at both outer ends 14 in an elongate bearing part 15. This bearing part 15 is in turn pivotally connected to frame part 10 and, when canopy 4 is folded out, comes to rest on a stop 16 lying between the two hinges 13.

In another embodiment, which at this moment is recommended, the outer ends 114 of portals 105 are connected to a hinge assembly 115 (fig. 19). This hinge 115 consists here of four segments 130, each having a protruding part 131 and a number of recesses 132 (fig. 20). Recesses 132 receive the protruding parts of adjacent segments 130. Each protruding part has an opening 133 through which a shared pivot shaft can be inserted which defines the second axis coinciding with the first pivot axis 112. In this embodiment the fixation means could also act on hinge assembly 115.

In the shown example the sitting and/or reclining part 3 comprises a base 17 which is supported by frame 2 and which here takes the form of a cloth with thickened edge 18. According to a second aspect of the invention, a part 19 of base 17 is movable between a horizontal reclining position (fig. 3), a first sitting position (fig. 4) and a second sitting position (fig. 9). In both these sitting positions this base part 19 encloses an angle 1, 2 respectively to the horizontal. When the movable base part 17 occupies its second sitting position, another part 20 of base 17 can be folded or pushed inward, whereby part 20 forms a seat with a normal depth (fig. 9). This is important because anglers will often sit for a long time by the waterside. The movable base part 19 and the inward foldable or slidable base part 20 each have a separate sub-frame 21, 22 respectively (fig. 10). When the movable base part 19 is moved to one of its sitting positions, two transport bins 23 suspended in frame 2 are also left clear (fig. 4, 9).

In the shown example shelter 1 is provided with eight legs 24 which are pivotally connected per pair to frame 2. All these legs 24 are length-adjustable. For this purpose they are each given a telescopic form, with an inner tube 25 which can be fixed in any random position by means of a clamping mechanism 26 (fig. 11, 14). Legs 24 are here provided on their outer ends with pivotally mounted flat feet 27, whereby they stand firmly on any ground surface.

Shelter 1 is further provided with two wheels 28 connected releasably to frame 2. These wheels 28 can be mounted on legs 24 of frame part 10 (fig. 12). In the shown example wheels 28 are provided with their own hubs which are snapped into openings in legs 24, although it is also possible to envisage the hubs being mounted on legs 24 and wheels 28 being snapped thereon. A pull or push bar 29 is also connected to frame 2. This bar 29 can be movable between a retracted position (fig. 15) and an extended position (fig. 16, 17) for instance by being pivotally (fig. 16) or slidably (fig. 17) connected to frame 2. It is however also possible to envisage the pull or push bar 29 being wholly removed from frame 2 when it is not in use.

According to another embodiment, shelter 201 has a modular construction (fig. 22). A first module could here be formed by a basic frame 237 and a second module by a transport bin 223. The undercarriage, thus the combination of legs 224 and wheels 228 and pull and/or push bar 229, could be a third module, while frame 202 of the sitting and/or reclining part 203 could form a fourth module. Finally, canopy 204 including portals 205 and tent-cloth 206 could be supplied as fifth module.

By coupling different modules to each other a user can assemble a product of his/her own choice. By for instance combining basic frame 237 with the "undercarriage" module and the "transport bin" module a trailer can be formed which can be attached behind a cycle. And the "canopy" module can be used per se as separate tent, but also as convertible hood for a boat or vehicle, or even as mosquito net, at least if a part of tent-cloth 206 is embodied as netting.

Finally, the canopy 304 in an alternative embodiment of shelter 301 is provided with a number of shorter stiffener ribs 238 and longer stiffener ribs 239 (fig. 24). These stiffener ribs 238, 239 are connected between portals 305 to tent-cloth 306 and define fold lines 240 in the tent-cloth (fig. 23), whereby canopy 304 can be folded up very compactly. Arranged between stiffener ribs 238, 239 are spacers 241 which consists of two outward pivotable segments 242. Due to these spacers 241 the interior of canopy 304 is kept clear of inward protruding tent-cloth when canopy 304 is partially folded down. Instead of stiffener ribs, local reinforcements, which could be pre-folded, could also be incorporated in the tent-cloth.

The invention thus provides a shelter which is light and compact and therefore easy to transport, and which moreover can be erected quickly and easily at any desired location and requires little space, while it still provides a very good shelter for sitting as well as reclining users.

Although the invention is elucidated above on the basis of an example, it will be apparent that it is not limited thereto. The frame could thus be embodied other than as the shown tubular frame, and a different construction could also be chosen for the canopy. As stated, netting could also be used instead of tent-cloth, or ventilation openings with netting could in any case be formed. The dimensions could also be modified, for instance by widening the frame so that it would be suitable for two users next to each other. The scope of the invention is therefore defined solely by the following claims.