An ultralight backpacking combination cloak and tent

Abstract

The invention is a single piece of ultralight backpacking gear that can be configured to a cloak, a one person bivy tent and can be joined to a cloak of the same design to form a two person tent.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to rain gear and tents used for backpacking, and more particularly to ultralight backpacking rain gear and tents. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Backpacking is the practice of hiking and carrying one's gear. Many people backpack into the wilderness to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, and for personal and spiritual renewal. Ultralight backpacking is the practice of refining the gear a person carries so as to carry the absolute minimum amount of weight. Ultralight backpacking is a valuable approach to backpacking, because it results in a much lighter backpack which allows a person to be more comfortable while hiking, and to be able to hike further. [0003] Among the gear commonly taken backpacking, and ultralight backpacking, is a shelter for rain, and gear to wear while walking in the rain. [0004] There are various approaches to backpacking shelters for rain, including tents, bivy tents, rain flies and tarps. Tents come ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a lightweight backpacking gear that can be used as a rain cloak and shelter. The rain cloak can be closed or opened for ventilation, and the rain shelter can be pitched in four different configurations. The first two configurations are a lean-to and a small bivy tent, while the third and fourth configurations are a covered porch and a large two-person tent, respectively. The technical effects of this invention include improved protection from rain and wind, increased comfort, and versatility in shelter options."

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantage of using a tarp for a rain shelter is that it is difficult to pitch with enclosed sides all around.

In a windy rainstorm where the wind is shifting its direction, it is difficult to stay dry under a tarp because rain gets blown in under the open sides.

All of these separate pieces add to the time and difficulty for packing and unpacking the tent.

The more pieces that the tent comes in, the greater the risk that some part of the tent will get misplaced or lost in the course of a backpacking trip.

Backpacks are inherently not completely waterproof; so many backpackers also carry waterproof covers to fit over their backpacks when it is raining.

This exercise results in the body of the backpacker generating heat and moisture that needs to be dissipated.

This generated heat can make a rain jacket uncomfortably hot.

Generated body moisture can quickly soak a hiker inside poorly vented rain gear, which of course defeats the primary purpose of the rain gear.

All of this compression against the body makes a rain jacket even hotter and harder to ventilate.

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