A self-deployable tunnel tent and a method of packing it

Abstract

 A self-deployable tunnel tent (1) comprising a base (15), an outer tent (11), a sewn-in inner tent (14) and a frame, wherein the frame comprises one horizontally disposed flexible base loop (2) and supporting elements (3) comprising flexible poles (4) which are coupled to the base loop (2) by hinges (5) so that the poles form arches (6), and the arches (6) are disposed transversely to the base loop (2) in a vertical or an inclined position. The hinges for each arch (6) are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the base loop (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-deployable tunnel tent comprising a base, an outer tent, a sewn-in inner tent and a frame, wherein the frame comprises one horizontally disposed, flexible base loop and at least two supporting elements comprising flexible poles which are coupled to the base loop by hinges so that the poles form arches, wherein the arches are disposed transversely to the base loop in a vertical or inclined position, and wherein the hinges for each arch are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the base loop.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method of packing the self-deployable tunnel tent.

Prior art

[0003] The document WO 2006/045906 A1 discloses a self-deployable tent with an interior chamber. The tent comprises a flexible base loop and at least one flexible top loop which is secured to the base loop by a bracket. The tent cloth is secured to the base loop as well as the top loop. The interior chamber is suspended in the tent by means of flexible spacers in the form of hook-like means.

[0004] One of the drawbacks of this structure is that the base and top loops are of the same size, and that the size of the tent is limited by this, as the loops, when the tent is folded, must be able to overlap each other so that they may be twisted and/or folded several times. In practice, the number of folding operations is limited to 2 - 3 times, because the flexibility and the supporting capacity of the loops decrease with an increasing size and flexibility.

[0005] Further, there are also limits to how large the loops may be if they are to be folded by one person. Moreover, a large tent has a heavier tent cloth, which requires a stronger and stiffer loop material, if the tent is to be stable and able to withstand wind loads.

[0006] Another one of the drawbacks of this structure is that the hook means for the suspension of the interior chamber frequently disengage in connection with the packing/erection of the tent, so that the tent as a whole is not always self-deployable, and that suspension of the interior chamber with hook means does not contribute to the overall stability of the tent to any significant degree.

[0007] The document EP 1559854 A2 discloses a self-deployable tent of igloo or dome shape, which, however, does not comprise an interior chamber or an inner tent. The tent is composed of a frame which comprises a base loop and a plurality of supporting elements for the tent cloth. The supporting elements are connected with the base loop at a common point. Additional supporting elements may be mounted in connection with an entrance.

[0008] A drawback of this structure is that the tent does not lend itself to outdoor use because of formation of condensate on the inner side of the tent cloth, and because it does not contain an inner tent which insulates and allows porch and ventilation to be established.

[0009] Another drawback of this structure is that the packing of the tent with inserted supporting elements can only be carried out by folding the base loop and the supporting elements together like the pages of a book. This does not result in any good packing, and the size of the folded tent is too large for it to be stowed away in e.g. the trunk of a car. As the tent cannot be folded flat and therefore has a certain bulkiness, there is the additional risk that the poles may break during transport.

[0010] If the supporting elements are withdrawn, however, the base loop may be folded and twisted several times, thereby reducing the pack size considerably. The supporting elements may frequently be separated into smaller pieces. However, if the supporting elements are removed, the self-deployable function is lost.

The object of the invention

[0011] It is the object of the invention to provide a self-deployable tunnel tent of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph, which is suitable for outdoor camping use, and which has an enhanced stability and larger volume than known pop-up tents, and which may be extended with a porch and/or an antechamber, while offering comfort to the user, ventilation, insulation and drainage of condensate, without compromising the stability and the erection and packing friendliness, and without the pack size posing problems of transport and storage.

Summary of the invention

[0012] The object stated above is achieved by a self-deployable tunnel tent as described in the introductory portion of claim 1, which is characterized in that the distance between the hinges on the same side of the base loop corresponds to at least one quarter of the distance between associated opposite hinges, and that the length of the arches corresponds to the length of the closest arch member on the base loop positioned between the pairs of hinges associated with each arch.

[0013] When the base loop is coupled to the arches in hinges, it is ensured that the fixed tension in the base loop and the arches is capable of deploying the tent as soon as the tent is released from its bag or its bands.

[0014] When the hinges are arranged so as to leave a distance between the hinges on the same side which constitutes at least one quarter of the distance between opposed associated hinges, it is ensured that, when the tent is packed, the frame may be folded and/or twisted 2 - 3 times, without the supporting elements having to be removed first from the drawstring hems of the tent. This reduces the pack size to a size which is practical in terms of transport or storage.

[0015] When the arches are constructed of flexible poles which are placed transversely to the base loop in either a vertical or an inclined position, it is ensured that the strength and the stability of the tunnel tent may be utilized, and when, at the same time, the tent is designed so as to comprise a sewn-in inner tent, said inner tent being sewn to the base as well as the outer tent via a ventilating mesh fabric, an enhanced stability and safe attachment to the outer tent are achieved, thereby maintaining the self-deployable function. Further, the inner tent contributes to making the tent suitable for outdoor camping use, as it enhances the comfort through insulation, ventilation and drainage of condensate.

[0016] When, as stated in claim 2, one or more arches are introduced into the tent, it is ensured that the volume may be increased additionally, and it is possible to establish a porch and/or an antechamber in the tent.

[0017] When, as stated in claim 3, the hinges are constructed as permanent pockets of tent cloth, as a pocket of tent cloth with a lockable flap, as metal eyes in straps or as plastics feet in straps, great freedom in selecting precisely the hinge type most suitable for the tent is achieved.

[0018] When, as stated in claim 4, the base loop is arranged in a drawstring hem disposed in the transition between the base and the outer tent, stretching of the base of the tent and definition of the ground plan of the tent are achieved.

[0019] When, as stated in claim 5, the arches are arranged in transverse drawstring hems on the outer tent, stretching of the outer tent and definition of the contours of the tent are achieved.

[0020] When, as stated in claim 6, the inner tent is sewn with mesh fabric permanently attached to the outer tent and to the base, it is ensured that the inner tent is deployed together with the outer tent, and that ventilation between the inner and outer tents is provided, and that condensate formed between the inner and outer tents is conveyed to the ground outside the inner tent.

[0021] When, as stated in claim 7, the outer tent contains a porch or an antechamber in extension of the inner tent, a living room or a space for equipment and luggage is achieved, thereby avoiding a cluttered inner tent.

[0022] When, as stated in claim 8, the tent may be folded and/or twisted several times, it is ensured that the diameter of the packed tent may be kept below 85 - 95 cm, and that the thickness of the packed tent only constitutes 2 - 3 cm. When, moreover, the suspension arches are removed from the drawstring hems, the diameter may be reduced additionally.

[0023] The method of packing the tunnel tent, as described in claim 9, allows the pack size to be reduced precisely to a diameter which is functional in terms of transport and storage.

The drawing

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which

fig. 1

shows a perspective view of a self-deployable tunnel tent according to the invention,

fig. 2

shows a laterally facing sectional view of a self-deployable tunnel tent with a porch/an antechamber,

fig. 3

shows a laterally facing sectional view of a self-deployable tunnel tent without a porch/an antechamber,

fig. 4

shows the ground plan of a self-deployable tunnel tent, indi- cating frame elements, and

figs. 5 - 8

show various hinge types,

figs. 9.1 - 9.10

show stages of a packing course in sequence.

Detailed description of the invention

[0025] Fig. 1 and fig. 2 show a self-deployable tunnel tent 1 according to the invention. The tent comprises a base 15, an outer tent 12, a sewn-in inner tent 14 and a frame. The outer tent is equipped with vents 19, windows 20, a door 21 and a plurality of supporting guy ropes 22. The frame comprises a base loop 2 of a flexible material which is flat with the ground, as well as several supporting elements 3.

[0026] The base loop 2, together with the base 15, defines the ground plan of the tent, see fig. 4. The contour and the size of the ground plan are determined by whether the tent is intended for two or more persons, and by whether there should be a porch and/or an antechamber 17.

[0027] The supporting elements 3 comprise two or more poles 4 of a flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, the poles are made of a coherent pole material, but may also be combined from a plurality of pole elements which are coupled together by bushings.

[0028] Both embodiments have their advantages. The combined pole may be separated at the bushings and be packed and therefore does not take up much space. The other non-combined pole is considerably more flexible and may be folded/twisted much more than the combined pole.

[0029] One of the drawbacks of the combined pole is that it is more fragile, and that the elements may separate when the pole is extracted from a drawstring hem 13 on the outer tent.

[0030] The poles are coupled with the base loop 2 at the hinges 5. Hereby, the poles, as shown in figs. 1 - 4, form the arches 6 which are intended to carry the outer tent 12 as well as the inner tent 14.

[0031] The arches 6 are disposed transversely to the base loop 2 in either a vertical or an inclined position. Both positions may occur at the same time, so that the tent is equipped with both vertical and inclined arches 6, but the tent may also be equipped exclusively with inclined arches or vertical arches.

[0032] Each arch 6 has associated therewith hinges 5 which are disposed in pairs on opposite sides of the base loop 2. Their position is determined by the fact that the length of each arch 6 must correspond to the length of the closest arch section on the base loop between the hinges 5 associated with each arch 6. The distance a between the hinges 5 on the same side of the base loop 2 is determined by how large the tent is to be, but the distance a, however, must correspond to at least one quarter of the distance b between opposite associated hinges.

[0033] This relationship is significant, as arches and arch sections must overlap each other, and the base loop must be free of hinges over the extent a, in order for the tent to be folded and/or twisted several times when being packed, and in order to ensure that the tent may deploy itself when it is removed from its bag or its bands. If the distance a is smaller than stated, the pressure on the arches is increased unduly much when packing, so that the arches break.

[0034] There may be an arbitrary number of arches in a single tent. Hereby, the tent utilizes the good properties of the known tunnel tents, such as e.g. the strength of the tent, the good wind stability and its contour.

[0035] The hinges 5 are available in several variants. Figures 5 - 8 show four different types. Fig. 5 shows a hinge comprising a plastics foot 10 which is connected with the base loop via a strap. Fig. 6 shows a metal eye 9 on a loop which is connected with the base loop 2. Fig. 7 shows a pocket 8 with a lockable flap. The flap and the pocket are provided with velcro-type strips. The pocket is part of the drawstring hem 13 on the outer tent and is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the base loop 2. An arch 6 may be introduced and retained by bending the flap. Fig. 8 shows a fixed pocket 7 in extension of a drawstring hem 13. This pocket, too, is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the base loop 2. The pockets 7 and 8 will frequently be used together and form a pair of hinges.

[0036] The base loop 2 is arranged in a drawstring hem 11 which is disposed in the transition between the outer tent 12 and the base 15. The base loop is flat with the ground, and owing to the inner tensions in the base loop it will stretch the base 15 and thereby define the ground plan of the tent, as shown in fig. 4. The base loop 2 is anchored to the ground by pegs.

[0037] The ground plan of the tent depends on the size of the tent. The size of the tent is determined by whether it is intended for one or more persons, and by whether it is to contain a porch and/or an antechamber 17.

[0038] The arches 6 are disposed in drawstring hems 13 on the outer tent. The drawstring hems are arranged transversely to the base loop and the ground plan and extend vertically or obliquely across the outer tent from one side of the tent to the other. The drawstring hems 13 are equipped with reinforced anchor triangles 23 for attaching the guy ropes 22 to the outer tent.

[0039] The tent 1 is equipped with a permanently mounted inner tent 14. The inner ten is sewn to the outer tent 12 and to the base 15. The distance between the outer tent and the inner tent is established by a mesh fabric 16 in that the mesh fabric is sewn between the outer tent and the inner tent along the drawstring hems 13 of the suspension arches and along the drawstring hem 11 of the base loop and the base. A mounted inner tent enhances the stability of the tent and makes the tent comfortable and suitable for outdoor camping use because of the enhanced insulation and ventilation capacity.

[0040] The mesh fabric ensures that the tent may be ventilated effectively, as fresh air may pass unimpededly through the tent between the inner and outer tents. Simultaneously, condensate formed between the inner and outer tents may be conveyed away to the ground.

[0041] Figures 9.1 to 9.10 are sequential views of a packing course which may be performed by a single person.

[0042] Fig. 9.1 shows a tunnel tent immediately before being packed. All guy ropes are loose and all door openings are open, so that the air may escape during the packing course.

[0043] Fig. 9.2 shows that the base loop 2 is folded up toward the arches 6, and fig. 9.3 shows that the base loop and the arches are folded entirely against each other so as to form a vertex centrally on the arches and on the arch sections of the base loop.

[0044] Fig. 9.4 shows that two sections having a vertex each are formed, and that each vertex is held by a hand of its own.

[0045] Fig. 9.5 shows how the right hand twists or wrings the right section inwards toward the space between the two sections, and, immediately thereafter, how the left hand wrings or twists the left section inwardly over the right section, thereby producing a circular pack with a vertex, as shown in fig. 9.6.

[0046] Fig. 9.7 shows that the circular pack is raised on edge, and that the vertex is then pressed down against the ground, and fig. 9.8 shows that the circular pack is twisted to a figure resembling the numeral eight by the downward pressure.

[0047] Fig. 9.9 shows that the figure resembling the numeral eight is folded together so as to produce a circular pack.

[0048] Fig. 9.10 shows that the circular pack is locked with an elastic string, following which the pack is ready to be placed in a transport container, such as e.g. a bag of tent cloth.

Claims

1. A self-deployable tunnel tent (1) comprising a base (15), an outer tent (12), a sewn-in inner tent (14) and a frame, wherein the frame comprises one horizontally disposed flexible base loop (2) and at least two supporting elements (3) comprising flexible poles (4) which are coupled to the base loop (2) by hinges (5) so that the loops form arches (6), wherein the arches (6) are disposed transversely to the base loop (2) in a vertical or an inclined position, and wherein the hinges (5) for each arch (6) are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the base loop (2), characterized in that the distance (a) between the hinges (5) on the same side of the base loop (2) corresponds to at least one quarter of the distance (b) between associated opposite hinges, and that the length of the arches (6) corresponds to the length of the closest arch section on the base loop positioned between the pairs of hinges associated with each arch.

2. A self-deployable tunnel tent according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame additionally comprises a plurality of supporting elements (3) for an antechamber and/or a porch.

3. A self-deployable tunnel tent according to claims 1 - 2, characterized in that the hinges (5) comprise fixed pockets (7) of tent cloth, pockets of tent cloth with a lockable flap (8), metal eyes (9) in straps or plastics feet (10) in straps.

4. A self-deployable tunnel tent according to claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the base loop (2) is arranged in a drawstring hem (11) disposed in the transition between the base (15) and the outer tent (12).

5. A self-deployable tunnel tent according to claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the arches (6) are arranged in transverse drawstring hems (13) on the outer tent.

6. A self-deployable tunnel tent according to claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the inner tent (14) is sewn permanently to the outer tent (12) and the base (15) with a mesh fabric (16).

7. A self-deployable tunnel tent according to claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the outer tent (12) contains a porch or an antechamber (17) disposed in extension of the inner tent (14).

8. A self-deployable tunnel tent according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tent (1) may be folded/twisted several times, and that the pack diameter may be reduced additionally by removing the suspension arches (6) from the drawstring hems (13).

9. A method of packing a self-deployable tunnel tent (1) comprising a base (15), an outer tent (12), a sewn-in inner tent (14) and a frame, wherein the frame comprises one horizontally disposed flexible base loop (2) and at least two supporting elements (3) comprising flexible poles (4) which are coupled to the base loop (2) by hinges (5) so that the poles form arches (6), wherein the arches (6) are disposed transversely to the base loop (2) in a vertical or an inclined position, wherein the hinges (5) for each arch (6) are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the base loop (2), and wherein the distance (a) between the hinges (5) on the same side of the base loop (2) corresponds to at least one quarter of the distance (b) between associated opposite hinges, and the length of the arches (6) corresponds to the length of the closest arch section on the base loop positioned between the pairs of hinges associated with each arch, characterized by the following packing course:

- the base loop and the arches are folded from each end inwardly toward each other so as to produce a right section and a left section of the tent having a right vertex and a left vertex, each of said vertexes being held by a hand of its own, and then

- the right section is twisted inwards toward the area between the sections, and subsequently, the left section is twisted inwardly over the right section, thereby producing a circular pack having a vertex, and then

- the circular pack is raised on edge, and the vertex is pressed down against the ground until a figure of eight is formed, and then

- the circles of the figure of eight are folded inwardly over each other so as to produce a circular pack.

Drawing