BIVVY

Abstract

 A collapsible bivouac shelter (bivvy) is disclosed which, when erected, has closed rear and sides and a front entrance. The bivvy comprises a central hub, ribs radiating from the hub and pivotable relative to the hub about axes that are generally parallel to one another, and a canopy maintained taut by the ribs when the bivvy is erected to define a sheltered space beneath the canopy. The ribs include a first plurality of ribs at the rear and sides of the bivvy that extend from the hub to the ground when the bivvy is erected and floating ribs that project towards the front of the bivvy to overlie the front entrance. At least two floating ribs are provided with extensions that are pivotable relative to, or separable from, the floating ribs and lockable in alignment with the floating ribs to support an extension of the canopy that forms a porch projecting forward of the entrance to the bivvy. The frame further comprising a bridge member extending between a first floating frame member and a second floating frame member, the bridge member being arranged to extend upwardly at an angle from the two floating frame members and supporting a part of the canopy over the porch section to provide a multi-pitched roof section.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a bivouac shelter (or bivvy) and, in particular, to a bivouac shelter for use by anglers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A bivouac shelter or bivvy is a small tent or shelter as used, in particular, by anglers.

[0003] A bivvy for use by anglers is required to collapse compactly, for ease of transportation, and to be easy to erect, as they are often need to be deployed by a single unassisted angler. Various designs in current use set out to achieve these objectives and do so with a varying degree of success.

[0004] One known form of bivvy operates on the principle of an umbrella which in use is anchored at an angle to the ground and is fitted with side panels extending from the periphery of the umbrella canopy to the ground to form the sides of the bivvy. The side panels are either formed integrally with the umbrella canopy or are secured to it while the bivvy is being erected.

[0005] A disadvantage of such a bivvy is that the centre pole of the umbrella obstructs the interior of the bivvy. The bivvy, which often has an oval canopy, is intended to afford enough sheltered space to accommodate a folding camp bed, and if the centre pole remains attached to the hub of the frame of the umbrella, then it inevitably restricts the space in which a large item such as a camp bed can fit.

[0006] It has therefore been suggested that the centre pole of the umbrella frame be removable or foldable after the umbrella has been opened but if one uses an umbrella with a conventional folding mechanism, one must leave a short length of the centre pole in position as the ribs of the frame could not otherwise be retained in tension.

[0007] A second type of bivvy operates on the principle of a pram cover. Here ribs that tension the canopy are pivotably connected to, and extend between, two hubs that are arranged one on each side of the bivvy, which is erected by fanning out the ribs relative to the hubs.

[0008] A third type of bivvy, which the present invention seeks to improve upon, is described in GB 2 259 527. In this design of bivvy, each of a plurality of ribs is pivotably secured to a central hub to extend generally radially from a central axis, when the bivvy is erected, and a one-piece canopy is secured to the ribs and maintained taut by the ribs when the bivvy is in use. The ribs are pivotable relative to the hub about axes that are generally parallel to the central axis. In such a bivvy, the ribs when collapsed do not lie in a circle centred on the axis of the hub bunch instead they all bunch up to one side of the central axis. The bivvy is erected by spreading the ribs apart in an operation similar to opening a fan.

[0009] To allow the bivvy to be collapsed, the hem of the canopy may be releasably secured to at least one of the ribs, as disclosed in GB 2 259 527 but an alternative is to form the central hub from mutually pivoted parts that can be locked relative to one another.

[0010] A disadvantage of bivvys that are based on the design disclosed in GB 2 259 527 is that they have no groundsheet and the canopy needs to be pegged to the ground, not only to anchor the bivvy to the ground but also to reduce the gap between the periphery of the canopy and the ground, through which unwanted animals and insects may enter the sheltered space.

[0011] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bivouac shelter which when assembled comprises a closed rear and side portions and a front entrance, the bivouac shelter comprising a frame and a canopy, the frame comprising a central hub, a canopy and frame members secured to the central hub, wherein, in an assembled configuration:

the frame members radiate outwardly from the central hub, and

the frame members maintain the canopy taut and define a sheltered space beneath the canopy,

wherein the frame members comprise:

a plurality of ground engaging frame members which are arranged to extend from the central hub to a ground surface, and

a plurality of floating frame members extending from the central hub to provide a front entrance portion of the shelter,

wherein the floating frame members are provided with extensions that are configurable in alignment with the floating frame members to support an extension of the canopy that forms a porch projecting forward of the front entrance to the shelter, the frame further comprising a bridge member extending between a first floating frame member and a second floating frame member, the bridge member being arranged to extend upwardly at an angle from the two floating frame members and supporting a part of the canopy over the porch section to provide a multi-pitched roof section.

[0013] Preferably the bridge member supports a part of the canopy over the porch section to provide a gable roof section.

[0014] Preferably the roof section over the porch comprises a substantially triangular prism roof section.

[0015] Preferably the canopy within the roof section of the porch section is convex.

[0016] The frame and canopy may be arranged to prevent and/or inhibit the formation of concave areas in the canopy within the roof section of the porch section.

[0017] Preferably the roof section of the porch section provides a guide surface to guide and direct precipitation rearwardly and/or laterally away from a front of the shelter.

[0018] Preferably the roof section of the porch section provides two lateral guide surfaces to guide and direct precipitation rearwardly and/or laterally away (in both lateral directions) from a front of the shelter.

[0019] The bridge member may comprise a first lateral section and a second lateral section with an intersection located therebetween. The intersection may form an apex and this apex may align with and/or form an apex/ridge which extends along the roof section of the porch section. Preferably the intersection supports the canopy to form a ridge of the roof section within the gable roof section.

[0020] The bridge member may be attached to the canopy by straps and preferably flexible (material) straps. The straps may create tension within the canopy.

[0021] The bridge member may comprise an elbow section within the first lateral section and an elbow section within the second lateral section. The elbow sections may locate adjacent to outer ends of the lateral sections.

[0022] The lateral section of the bridge member may comprise a first section which is arranged to extend perpendicularly from a floating frame member, an elbow section and a second section which is angled rearwardly. The lateral sections of the bridge member are arranged, in use, to pull the canopy forwards relative to the central hub and to create tension within the canopy.

[0023] The outer ends of the bridge member may comprise connectors to connect the bridge member to the floating frame members. The bridge member may therefore span between two floating frame members and is preferably solely supported from the floating frame members.

[0024] The bridge member may be connected to (and extend between) the extension sections of the floating frame members.

[0025] The shelter may comprise two support frame members. In the assembled configuration, the support frame members may engage the ground surface and extend upwardly therefrom and an upper end of the support frame members may connect to a respective floating frame member. The support frame member may support a mid portion of a respective floating frame member. The upper end of the support frame member may engage along the frame member adjacent to a connecting position for the extension of the floating frame member.

[0026] The frame members may locate external of the shelter. The frame members may pull the canopy externally/outwardly to tension the canopy within the frame.

[0027] The bivouac shelter may comprise a collapsible bivvy which when erected has closed rear and sides and a front entrance. The bivouac shelter may comprise a central hub, frame members (ribs) radiating from the hub and pivotable relative to the hub about axes that are generally parallel to one another, and a canopy maintained taut by the ribs when the bivvy is erected to define a sheltered space beneath the canopy, wherein the ribs include a first plurality of ribs at the rear and sides of the bivvy that extend from the hub to the ground when the bivvy is erected and floating (frame members) ribs that project towards the front of the bivvy to overlie the front entrance, characterised in that at least two floating ribs are provided with extensions that are pivotable relative to, or separable from, the floating ribs and lockable in alignment with the floating ribs to support an extension of the canopy that forms a porch projecting forward of the entrance to the bivvy.

[0028] Hitherto, bivvys of the type described in GB 2 259 527 did not have a porch. The entrance at the front of the bivvy could be fitted with a front closure panel, also made of canvas, to provide a door and sometimes side windows but such panels would at best only be vertical and more commonly their upper ends would slope inwards rather than outwards. Thus, in the event of rain, the doors and windows needed to be kept closed, to avoid ingress of rain, especially in windy conditions.

[0029] By providing a porch that offers rain cover to the area forward of any canvas panel closing off the entrance to the bivvy, the invention allows doors or windows in the canvas panel to the kept open. The angled (convex) roof section over the front porch section diverts and directs precipitation (rain) rearwards and down the sides of the shelter and prevents water pooling on the top of the shelter. Previous canopies have not included such sections and collected water is simply brushed off or moved on by the user.

[0030] In some embodiments of the invention, the floating ribs may be constructed in the same manner as a folding stick. Such a stick is made of tubular sections where the end of each section has a reduced diameter portion to fit within the opposite end of the adjacent section. All the sections are held together by an elastic bungee cord passing through all the sections and secured only to the two end sections in the stick. Thus, an end of the extension may be shaped and dimensioned to fit within the end of the floating rib and a bungee cord may connect the two to permit the extension to be pivoted relative to, but separated from, the floating rib.

[0031] Hitherto, folding ribs have been used for the ground engaging ribs, to permit the bivvy to be compact when collapsed but only one piece ribs have been used for the floating ribs.

[0032] Each extension may be formed as a tube of which one end is shaped to fit within or to receive the end of the associated floating rib. A bungee cord may connect the extension to the associated floating rib. Each extension may be pivotably connected to the end of the associated floating rib and a locking device is provided to lock the extension relative to the floating rib when the bivvy is deployed.

[0033] In some embodiments, a capsule enclosing the sheltered space on all sides and incorporating a groundsheet may be secured to and suspended from canopy to remain attached to the canopy both when the bivvy is collapsed and when it is erected.

[0034] Such a capsule may have side walls of a mesh fabric that permits free air flow but catches condensation that may on occasion drip from the canopy. The groundsheet may be of a waterproof fabric and, if desired, may extend a short distance up the sides of the bivvy to maintain the sheltered space dry.

[0035] Conventionally, the canopy is secured to the ground by pegs but still leaves gaps through which reptiles, such as snakes, can crawl. The provision of an inner capsule ensures that no such reptiles can enter the sheltered space, when the entrance to the bivvy is left open.

[0036] The capsule is conveniently attached to the canopy both near the central hub and the ends of both the ground engaging ribs and the floating ribs (but not the extensions of the floating ribs) so that it is automatically deployed as the bivvy is unfolded and erected.

[0037] Preferably the bivouac shelter (collapsible bivvy) which when erected has closed rear and sides and a front entrance, the bivvy comprising a central hub, ribs radiating from the hub and pivotable relative to the hub about axes that are generally parallel to one another, and a canopy maintained taut by the ribs when the bivvy is erected to define a sheltered space beneath the canopy, characterised in that a separately formed capsule that incorporates a groundsheet is suspended from the canopy to enclose the sheltered space on all sides.

[0038] The capsule of a preferred embodiment of the invention is constructed as a closed sack formed of a waterproof lower half, to serve as a groundsheet, and a mesh upper half to define/form the side walls of the capsule.

[0039] The groundsheet may conveniently extends a short distance up the sides of the bivvy to maintain the ground of the sheltered space dry.

[0040] The sides walls of the capsule may be attached to the canopy of the bivvy when the bivvy is collapsed, whereby the capsule is automatically deployed with the bivvy is erected and the canopy is maintained taut by the ribs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear view of a bivvy described in 2 259 527,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hub of the bivvy shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a photograph of a bivvy of the type described in GB 2 259 527 as seen from the front, with a front closure panel in place,

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 of a bivouac shelter in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a capsule,

Figure 6 is a front schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a bivouac shelter in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 7 is a side view of part of a preferred embodiment of a bivouac shelter in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, a known and commercially available bivvy 10 is shown therein that has an external frame 12 consisting a central hub 14, ground engaging frame members/ribs 16 radiating from the hub 14 and disposed at the back and sides of the bivvy and two floating frame members/ribs 18 radiating forwards from the hub 10 and overlying the entrance to the bivvy.

[0043] The hub 14 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. In Figure 2, connectors for some of the ground engaging ribs and one of the floating ribs have been omitted in the interest of clarity. The hub 14 comprises two parallel part-annular plates 141 a and 141b that are rigidly secured to a connector 142 designed to receive the central ground engaging rib 16 at the back of the bivvy. The plates 141a and 141b have aligned holes 145 for receiving pivot pins (not shown) for connectors for all the remaining ribs of the frame. In particular, the hub has four connectors 143 (only two are shown) for the remaining ground engaging ribs 16 and two connectors 144 (only one is shown) for the floating ribs 18. Apart from the central rib at the back of the bivvy, all ribs pivot about an axis that is parallel to the central axis of the hub 14. In this way, the ribs can be pivoted to lie against one another or fanned out as shown in Figure 1 to define a frame over which a canopy 20 can be stretched.

[0044] The ground engaging ribs 16 need to be long to afford sufficient head room in the erected bivvy. For this reason, these ribs 16 are conventionally formed of mutually pivotable sections that are lockable relative to one another in the erected position of the bivvy. One can adopt a foldable stick design with inter-engaging sections, as described above, or provide fixed hinges between the sections and a slidable locking sleeve for locking the section in the deployed position.

[0045] The floating ribs 18 are however conventionally formed in one piece. As they do not need to reach the ground, they are not particularly long and therefore do not render the bivvy bulky when folded away for transportation.

[0046] The ground engaging ribs 16 in Figures 1 and 3 are permanently connected to the canvas 20 but the floating ribs are not. In this way, when erecting the bivvy, the ground engaging ribs 16 can all the fanned out thereby stretching the canvas at the same time around the back and sides of the bivvy. The front section of the canvas 20 will not however be taut. To retain the deployed shape of the bivvy, a front section of the canopy 20 is stretched manually and clipped over the ends of the floating ribs 18. To secure the front end of the canopy 20 to the floating ribs 18, caps having an axial blind bore are sewn to the canvas of the canopy and the ends of the floating ribs 18 are inserted into the bores of the end caps after the canvas 20 has been suitably stretched.

[0047] After the canopy has been stretched and secured to the frame, a separate front closure panel 22, as shown in Figure 3, may be secured to the periphery of the canopy surrounding the entrance to the bivvy. The front closure panel 20 may also be made of a canvas to keep out wind and rain and it has door that may be of a clear plastics material and that may be opened and closed by a zip fastener. The front closure panel 22 may itself be secured to the canopy either by a zip fastener or hook and loop tape (Velcro®).

[0048] It will be seen from Figure 3 that the closure panel slopes inwards. As a result, if the door or a window is opened, rain can get readily into the bivvy.

[0049] To improve comfort within the bivvy, the present invention proposes providing extensions 18a to the floating ribs in the manner shown in Figure 4 to support an extension 24 of the canopy 20 to form a porch to overhang the entrance to the bivvy. The length to which the floating ribs 18 need to be extended to provide support for a porch, precludes the floating ribs being formed in one piece and in the present invention the extensions 18a are pivotable or separable to permit a compact configuration of the bivvy when collapsed. Thus the floating ribs may be constructed in the same manner as folding sticks or the extensions may be permanently pivoted to the ends of the floating ribs and a locking device or sleeve may be employed to retain them in the deployed position.

[0050] The bivvy shown in Figure 3, does not have an integral groundsheet. Instead, the lower edges of the canopy 20 and the closure panel 22 are secured to the ground using pegs. This however is not sufficient to stop reptiles from crawling into the bivvy. A further disadvantage of the bivvy in Figure 3 is that, as with any canvas tent, moisture in the air tends to condense on the canopy and eventually drip onto the occupant of the bivvy.

[0051] To mitigate both these problems, one may provide within the bivvy a capsule as shown in Figure 5 that comprises a groundsheet 50 and walls 52, preferably made of a water absorbing mesh, that surrounds the sheltered space within the bivvy on all sides. The walls 52 of the capsule may be secured to canopy by means of ties 54 to ensure that the capsule is automatically deployed when the bivvy is erected. The capsule has its own door 56 to permit access to the interior sheltered space, which can be opened and closed by means of a zip fastener 58. Because of the lightweight nature of the fabric mesh of which the walls of the capsule may be formed, the capsule squashes down very compactly and does not significantly increase the volume of the collapsed bivvy.

[0052] The provision of a capsule to line the bivvy ensures that any drips of condensation from the canopy 20 will land on, and be absorbed by, the mesh fabric of the capsule instead of dripping onto the occupant. Furthermore, the groundsheet 50, which may be made of waterproof material and forms an integral part of the capsule, will avoid the discomfort of wet ground. The fact that the groundsheet 50 is sewn to the side walls 52 of the capsule also ensures that no reptiles or insects can enter the sheltered space of the bivvy. Because the side walls 52 of the capsule are of mesh, the occupant may open the door or windows in the closure panel 22 for ventilation while still preventing insects from flying into the sheltered space.

[0053] A preferred embodiment of a bivouac shelter/bivvy 110 is shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7. The shelter 110 comprises an external frame having a number of different frame members including ground engaging frame members 116 and floating frame members 118. The floating frame members have extension sections 118a. The floating frame members are arranged to extend forwardly and support a part of the canopy 120 to provide a roof section for the porch section of the shelter 110.

[0054] In particular, the frame includes a bridge member 130 which is arranged to be supported between the two floating members 118. The bridge member 130 is attached or connected adjacent to a front end of the floating members 118. Accordingly, the bridge member 130 is connected to the extension sections 118a of the floating members 118.

[0055] The bridge member 130 is arranged to span across a front edge of the porch section and defines a multi-pitch roof for the porch section. The roof thereby provides guide surfaces which are arranged to direct and guide rain to flow from the roof section and not to pool or collect on the upper roof surface. For this reason, the roof section is generally convex and does not include any flat or concave portions where water may collect. The canopy forming this roof section is maintained in tension and is kept taut by the frame arrangement.

[0056] The bridge member 130 is angled to create and form the required surfaces for this roof section. In particular, the bridge section 130 has a mid or central apex 131 which provides the highest point and creates a ridge 133/apex or peak for the roof section. The roof thereby has two side sections which slope laterally outwardly and rearwardly which thereby diverts rain water off the surface of the canopy away from the front edge and prevents any water collecting on an upper surface.

[0057] The bridge member 130 has a left section 132 and a right section 134. The bridge member may comprise a first lateral section and a second lateral section with an intersection located therebetween. The two lateral sections may be connected to each other but dis-engageable in order to be compact for storage purposes. For example, the bridge member 130 may comprise a folding stick design with an central elastic cord attaching the two lateral sections but enabling the adjacent end to be disengaged in order for both sections to be stored side by side. Each lateral section 132, 134 also includes an elbow portion 135, 136 which causes the bridge member 130 to extend upwardly from the floating frame member. This helps to increase the support height for the canopy and to provide the required tension in the canopy within this roof section.

[0058] Each longitudinal end of the bridge member 130 may include a connector which engages around a respective floating frame member 118. The bridge member 130 is attached to the canopy adjacent to a front edge of the canopy. The attachments may comprise a strap or straps 137 which is arranged to pull the canopy towards the bridge member 130 to provide tension within the canopy. Similarly, the floating member 118 may be connected to the outer surface of the canopy by straps 137 or an elongate sleeve such that the canopy is maintained in tension. However, the extension sections 118a of the floating members 118 may be maintained spaced from the canopy in order to provide a gap 138 to allow water to escape. For example, a complete sleeved connection along this section would block and prevent the flow of water from the roof.

Claims

1. A bivouac shelter which, when assembled, comprises a closed rear and side portions and a front entrance, the bivouac shelter comprising a frame and a canopy, the frame comprising a central hub, a canopy and frame members secured to the central hub, wherein, in an assembled configuration:

the frame members radiate outwardly from the central hub, and

the frame members maintain the canopy taut and define a sheltered space beneath the canopy,

wherein the frame members comprise:

a plurality of ground engaging frame members which are arranged to extend from the central hub to a ground surface, and

a plurality of floating frame members extending from the central hub to provide a front entrance portion of the shelter,

wherein the floating frame members are provided with extensions that are configurable in alignment with the floating frame members to support an extension of the canopy that forms a porch projecting forward of the front entrance to the shelter, the frame further comprising a bridge member extending between a first floating frame member and a second floating frame member, the bridge member being arranged to extend upwardly at an angle from the two floating frame members and supporting a part of the canopy over the porch section to provide a multi-pitched roof section.

2. A bivouac shelter according to Claim 1 in which the bridge member supports a part of the canopy over the porch section to provide a gable roof section.

3. A bivouac shelter according to any preceding claim in which the roof section over the porch comprises a substantially triangular prism roof section.

4. A bivouac shelter according to any preceding claim in which the canopy within the roof section of the porch section is convex.

5. A bivouac shelter according to any preceding claim in which the frame and canopy are arranged to prevent and/or inhibit the formation of concave areas in the canopy within the roof section of the porch section.

6. A bivouac shelter according to any preceding claim in which the roof section of the porch section provides a guide surface to guide and direct precipitation rearwardly and/or laterally away from a front of the shelter.

7. A bivouac shelter according to Claim 6 in which the roof section of the porch section provides two lateral guide surfaces to guide and direct precipitation rearwardly and laterally away, in both lateral directions, from a front of the shelter.

8. A bivouac shelter according to any preceding claim in which the bridge member comprises a first lateral section and a second lateral section with an intersection located therebetween and, in which, the intersection forms an apex and this apex forms a ridge which extends along the roof section of the porch section.

9. A bivouac shelter according to any preceding claim in which the bridge member comprises an elbow section within a first lateral section and an elbow section within a second lateral section.

10. A bivouac shelter according to Claim 9 in which the lateral sections of the bridge member comprise a first section which is arranged to extend perpendicularly from a floating frame member, the elbow section and a second section which is angled rearwardly and, in which, the lateral sections of the bridge member are arranged, in use, to pull the canopy forwards relative to the central hub and to create tension within the canopy.

11. A bivouac shelter according to any preceding claim in which outer ends of the bridge member comprise connectors to connect the bridge member to the floating frame members and wherein the bridge member spans between two floating frame members and is solely supported from the floating frame members.

Drawing