A collapsible car top tent

Abstract

This invention discloses a foldable rooftop tent, including a base frame and a tent skeleton mounted on the base frame. The tent skeleton includes folding poles, each folding pole including a plurality of folding connecting rods arranged along the width direction of the rooftop platform. The top end of each folding connecting rod is fixedly connected to a linkage crossbar, and the bottom end of each folding connecting rod is rotatably connected to the base frame. Each folding connecting rod includes a plurality of connecting rods, and adjacent connecting rods are rotatably connected by a rotating assembly to allow the folding connecting rod to have an unfolded state and a folded state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tent technology, and more specifically to a foldable rooftop tent. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing popularity of self-driving tours, rooftop tents are gaining popularity among consumers due to their advantages such as being off-the-ground for camping, moisture protection, comfort, and easy storage. Existing rooftop tents typically consist of a base frame fixed to the roof of the vehicle and a tent frame mounted on the base frame. The tent frame generally consists of multiple support poles that can be rotated and folded for storage.

[0003] However, most existing rooftop tents use a rigid, one-piece support frame. When unfolded, its length is fixed, requiring a fixed space extending outward from the roof platform. In some models or usage scenarios, this can easily cause interference with the vehicle's rear window, spoiler, trunk opening, or other body parts. When folded, the rigid support frame can only be flipped or disassembled as a whole, and even after folding, it still occupies a significant amount of roof height or length space, which is not conducive to reducing the vehicle's wind resistance or passing through height-restricted areas. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a foldable roof tent to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A foldable rooftop tent includes a base frame and a tent skeleton mounted on the base frame. The tent skeleton includes folding poles, each folding pole including a plurality of folding connecting rods arranged along the width of the rooftop platform. The top end of each folding connecting rod is fixedly connected to a linkage crossbar, and the bottom end of each folding connecting rod is rotatably connected to the base frame. Each folding connecting rod includes a plurality of connecting rods, and adjacent connecting rods are rotatably connected by a rotating assembly to allow the folding connecting rod to have an unfolded state and a folded state.

[0006] Preferably, the rotating assembly includes a male rotating head and a female rotating head rotatably connected, and each of the male and female rotating heads is connected to a connecting rod. The rotating contact surface of the male rotating head is provided with a locking hole, and the female rotating head is elastically connected to a locking rod through a first elastic element. When the male and female rotating heads rotate to an angle where the two connecting rods are in an extended state, the locking rod and the locking hole are located on the same central axis. The first elastic element applies an elastic force to the locking rod to make it slide towards the locking hole, so that the male and female rotating heads maintain the current rotation angle. The male rotating head is also provided with an unlocking element for driving the locking rod to disengage from the locking hole, so that the male and female rotating heads return to a free rotation state.

[0007] Preferably, the unlocking component includes an unlocking button and a second elastic element. The locking hole penetrates the male rotating head, and the locking hole forms a through-hole on the side of the male rotating head away from the rotating contact surface. The unlocking button is elastically connected to the male rotating head through the second elastic element. The unlocking button is provided with an unlocking push rod. The bottom end of the unlocking push rod is inserted vertically into the locking hole through the through-hole, and the length of the unlocking push rod is not less than the depth of the locking hole. When the unlocking button is pressed down by an external force, the unlocking push rod moves downward, and the bottom end of the unlocking push rod pushes against the locking rod to disengage it from the locking hole, so that the male and female rotating heads return to a free rotation state. After the external force is removed, the second elastic element drives the unlocking button and the unlocking push rod to reset upward, and the first elastic element drives the locking rod to re-engage into the locking hole.

[0008] Preferably, an annular limiting part is provided on the inner wall of the locking hole and above the locking rod, and the inner diameter of the annular limiting part is smaller than the outer diameter of the locking rod.

[0009] Preferably, a receiving groove is provided on the side of the male rotating head away from the rotating contact surface. The unlocking button is movably received in the receiving groove. A storage groove is provided on the bottom surface of the unlocking button. The two ends of the second elastic member abut against the bottom of the receiving groove and the bottom of the storage groove, respectively. The bottom of the receiving groove is provided with a mounting slot. The bottom of the unlocking button is provided with a mounting buckle that moves up and down and is inserted into the mounting slot. The bottom end of the mounting buckle is provided with an anti-disengagement tooth. The groove of the mounting slot is provided with an anti-disengagement step that cooperates with the anti-disengagement tooth. When the unlocking button is reset upward under the action of the second elastic member, the anti-disengagement tooth abuts against the anti-disengagement step to prevent the unlocking button from falling out of the receiving groove.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating contact surface of the female rotating head is provided with a telescopic groove, the two ends of the first elastic element are respectively connected to the bottom of the telescopic groove and the bottom end of the locking rod, and the depth of the telescopic groove is greater than the length of the locking rod. The top end of the locking rod is provided with a guide slope, which faces the opening direction of the locking hole, and is used to guide the top end of the locking rod to slide out of the locking hole when the male rotating head and the female rotating head rotate relative to each other.

[0011] Preferably, the male rotating head and the female rotating head are respectively provided with a first connecting tube and a second connecting tube for connecting the corresponding connecting rod. The male rotating head and the female rotating head are rotatably connected by any one of screws, rivets or pins, and the rotation axis of the screws, rivets or pins is offset from the center position of the rotation contact surface of the male rotating head and the female rotating head. When the folding connecting rod is in the unfolded state, the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube are arranged in a straight line. When the folding connecting rod is in the folded state, the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube are arranged vertically in parallel.

[0012] Preferably, the folding frame includes two sets of folding links arranged along the width direction of the roof platform, and each set of folding links includes two connecting rods rotatably connected by a rotating assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the base frame includes a fixed frame and a flip frame. The ends of the fixed frame and the flip frame on adjacent sides are respectively provided with a male connecting piece and a female connecting piece, and the ends of the male connecting piece and the female connecting piece are rotatably connected. The bottom of the fixed frame and the flip frame on the adjacent side is provided with a support piece, and the end of the support piece extends to the bottom of the flip frame.

[0014] Preferably, the tent frame further includes a front support pole, a middle support pole, and a telescopic sleeve. The end of the front support pole is rotatably connected to the male connecting piece. The end of the middle support pole is coaxially rotatably connected to the rotatable connection points of the male and female connecting pieces. The end of the folding pole is rotatably connected to the end of the flip frame away from the female connecting piece. The two ends of the telescopic sleeve are detachably connected to the middle support pole and the folding pole, respectively.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: 1. This invention provides a foldable rooftop tent. The folding frame includes several folding links, each of which is rotatably connected by several connecting rods via a rotating assembly, and has an unfolded state and a folded state. When stored, each folding link can be rotated and folded from the middle via the rotating assembly, significantly shortening the overall length. This allows it to fit more compactly against the base frame, greatly reducing the overall thickness and length of the folded rooftop tent, reducing wind resistance, and facilitating passage through height-restricted areas.

[0016] 2. This invention provides a foldable rooftop tent, in which the top end of each folding link is fixedly connected to a linkage crossbar, and the bottom end is rotatably connected to the base frame. When any folding link is driven to rotate and fold or unfold, the linkage crossbar can drive all folding links to move synchronously, ensuring the overall consistency and structural stability of the folding frame. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the unfolded state of the rotating component of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the folded state of the rotating component of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the rotating component structure of the present invention; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the structure of another angle rotation component of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0019] It should be noted that in this invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are all based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element of this invention must have a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. Example

[0020] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this invention discloses a foldable rooftop tent, including a base frame 1 and a tent frame 2 mounted on the base frame 1. The base frame 1 is used to fix to the roof rack pole, providing a supporting foundation for the entire tent. The base frame 1 includes a fixed platform 11 and a flip platform 12. Male connecting pieces 111 and female connecting pieces 121 are respectively provided at the ends of adjacent sides of the fixed platform 11 and the flip platform 12, and the ends of the male connecting pieces 111 and the female connecting pieces 121 are rotatably connected by pins, allowing the flip platform 12 to flip relative to the fixed platform 11. A support piece (not shown in the figure) is provided at the bottom of the side adjacent to the fixed platform 11 and the flip platform 12, with the end of the support piece extending below the flip platform 12. When the flip platform 12 is flipped and unfolded to the same horizontal plane as the fixed platform 11, the support piece provides auxiliary support to the flip platform 12, preventing the flip platform 12 from collapsing downwards.

[0021] The tent frame 2 includes a folding pole frame 21, a front support pole frame 22, a middle support pole frame 23, and a telescopic sleeve 24.

[0022] The folding frame 21 includes several folding connecting rods 211 (two in this embodiment) arranged along the width of the roof platform. The top end of each folding connecting rod 211 is fixedly connected to a linkage crossbar 212, and the bottom end of each folding connecting rod 211 is rotatably connected to the end of the flipping platform 12 away from the fixed platform 11 via mounting plates 122. When any one folding connecting rod 211 is driven to fold or unfold, the linkage crossbar 212 can drive all folding connecting rods 211 to move synchronously, ensuring the overall consistency and structural stability of the folding frame 21.

[0023] Each folding link 211 includes several connecting rods 213 (two in this embodiment), and adjacent connecting rods 213 are rotatably connected by a rotating assembly 3 so that the folding link 211 has an unfolded state and a folded state.

[0024] The rotating assembly 3 includes a male rotating head 31 and a female rotating head 32 that are rotatably connected. The male rotating head 31 and the female rotating head 32 are respectively provided with a first connecting pipe 311 and a second connecting pipe 321 for connecting the corresponding connecting rod 213. The first connecting pipe 311 and the second connecting pipe 321 are respectively inserted and fixed to the corresponding connecting rod 213, and further locked by pins or threads.

[0025] The male rotating head 31 and the female rotating head 32 are rotatably connected by a rotating shaft 33, which can be any of a screw, rivet, or pin. It should be noted that the axis of the rotating shaft 33 is offset from the center of the rotating contact surface of the male rotating head 31 and the female rotating head 32 (i.e., it is eccentrically positioned). Thanks to this eccentric arrangement, when the folding link 211 is in the unfolded state, the first connecting tube 311 and the second connecting tube 321 are arranged in a straight line, meaning the axes of the two connecting rods 213 are approximately on the same straight line, forming a continuous support rod along its length, providing the required support height for the tent. When the folding link 211 is in the folded state, the first connecting tube 311 and the second connecting tube 321 are arranged vertically parallel, meaning the two connecting rods 213 are stacked vertically, and the overall length is shortened to approximately equal to the length of a single connecting rod 213, significantly reducing the storage volume.

[0026] The male rotating head 31 has a locking hole 312 on its rotating contact surface, and the female rotating head 32 has a telescopic groove 322 on its rotating contact surface. A locking rod 324 is elastically connected to the telescopic groove 322 via a first elastic element 323. The two ends of the first elastic element 323 are respectively connected to the bottom of the telescopic groove 322 and the bottom of the locking rod 324. The depth of the telescopic groove 322 is greater than the length of the locking rod 324, so that the locking rod 324 can be completely retracted into the telescopic groove 322. The first elastic element 323 is preferably a helical compression spring.

[0027] When the male rotating head 31 and the female rotating head 32 rotate to the angle where the two connecting rods 213 are in the unfolded state, the locking rod 324 and the locking hole 312 are located on the same central axis. The first elastic element 323 applies an elastic force to the locking rod 324 to make it slide towards the locking hole 312, so that the top of the locking rod 324 automatically engages in the locking hole 312, thereby locking the relative rotation angle of the male rotating head 31 and the female rotating head 32, maintaining the stability of the unfolded state, and preventing accidental retraction due to gravity or external force.

[0028] The top of the locking rod 324 is provided with a guide slope 325, which faces the opening direction of the locking hole 312. When the user needs to rotate the folding linkage 211 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the guide slope 325 slides into the hole wall of the locking hole 312, automatically generating an axial force that forces the locking rod 324 to retract into the telescopic groove 322, so that the locking rod 324 smoothly slides out of the locking hole 312, realizing automatic unlocking without additional operation.

[0029] The male rotating head 31 is also provided with an unlocking component 4, which is used to manually drive the locking rod 324 to disengage from the locking hole 312, so that the male rotating head 31 and the female rotating head 32 can return to a free rotation state.

[0030] The unlocking component 4 includes an unlocking button 41 and a second elastic element 42. A locking hole 312 penetrates the male rotating head 31, and a through opening 313 is formed on the side of the male rotating head 31 away from the rotating contact surface. The unlocking button 41 is elastically connected to the male rotating head 31 via the second elastic element 42. Specifically, a receiving groove 314 is provided on the side of the male rotating head 31 away from the rotating contact surface, and the unlocking button 41 is movably received within the receiving groove 314. A storage groove 411 is provided on the bottom surface of the unlocking button 41, and the two ends of the second elastic element 42 abut against the bottom of the receiving groove 314 and the bottom of the storage groove 411, respectively. The second elastic element 42 is preferably a helical compression spring.

[0031] The unlock button 41 is equipped with an unlock push rod 412. The bottom end of the unlock push rod 412 is inserted into the locking hole 312 through the through-hole 313, and the length of the unlock push rod 412 is not less than the depth of the locking hole 312. When the unlock button 41 is pressed down by external force, the unlock push rod 412 is moved down, and the bottom end of the unlock push rod 412 pushes against the top end of the locking rod 324, causing it to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic element 323 and disengage from the locking hole 312, thereby restoring the male rotating head 31 and the female rotating head 32 to a free rotation state. After the external force is removed, the second elastic element 42 drives the unlock button 41 and the unlock push rod 412 to return to their original position, and the first elastic element 323 drives the locking rod 324 to re-engage in the locking hole 312, preparing for the next unlocking.

[0032] To prevent the unlock button 41 from dislodging from the receiving groove 314 under the action of the second elastic member 42, this embodiment also includes an anti-dislodgement structure. The bottom of the receiving groove 314 is provided with a mounting slot 315, and the bottom of the unlock button 41 is provided with a mounting buckle 413 that moves vertically within the mounting slot 315. The bottom end of the mounting buckle 413 is provided with an anti-dislodgement tooth 414, and the groove of the mounting slot 315 is provided with an anti-dislodgement step 316 that engages with the anti-dislodgement tooth 414. When the unlock button 41 returns to its original position upwards under the action of the second elastic member 42, the anti-dislodgement tooth 414 abuts against the anti-dislodgement step 316, thus preventing the unlock button 41 from dislodging from the receiving groove 314.

[0033] An annular limiting part 317 is provided on the inner wall of the locking hole 312 and above the locking rod 324. The inner diameter of the annular limiting part 317 is smaller than the outer diameter of the locking rod 324. When the locking rod 324 slides into the locking hole 312 under the action of the first elastic member 323, the annular limiting part 317 can limit the insertion depth of the locking rod 324, preventing the locking rod 324 from excessively extending into the locking hole 312, which would cause it to jam or prevent the unlocking push rod 412 from being effectively pushed.

[0034] The end of the front support pole 22 is rotatably connected to the male connecting piece 111. The end of the middle support pole 23 is coaxially rotatably connected to the rotatable connection points of the male connecting piece 111 and the female connecting piece 121. The two ends of the telescopic sleeve 24 are detachably connected to the middle support pole 23 and the folding pole 21, respectively, to provide auxiliary support in the unfolded state and enhance the stability of the entire tent frame 2.

[0035] The folding pole frame 21, the front support pole frame 22, and the middle support pole frame 23 all have an "n"-shaped structure, that is, an integrated or assembled frame structure with uprights on the left and right sides and a horizontal bar on the top.

[0036] The tent fabric (not shown in the figure) is equipped with multiple pole sleeves and / or webbing straps. The pole sleeves are respectively fitted onto the front support pole 22, the middle support pole 23 and the folding pole 21, and the webbing straps are used to further bind the tent fabric to each support pole to prevent the tent fabric from slipping.

[0037] During installation, the flip-up platform 12 is flipped outwards around the rotatable connection between the male connecting piece 111 and the female connecting piece 121, and the support piece automatically supports itself below the flip-up platform 12. Next, the folding pole frame 21 is lifted upwards, causing the rotating components 3 of each folding link 211 to automatically lock in the unfolded state (locking rod 324 engages with locking hole 312). Simultaneously, the front support pole frame 22 and the middle support pole frame 23 are rotated upwards and unfolded, and the two ends of the telescopic sleeve 24 are respectively connected to the middle support pole frame 23 and the folding pole frame 21. Finally, the tent fabric is fixed to the base frame 1 and the tent frame 2, and the telescopic ladder is unfolded for use.

[0038] To store the tent, first remove the tent fabric. Then, press the unlock button 41 to disengage the locking rod 324 from the locking hole 312, and rotate the folding connecting rod 211 from the unfolded state to the folded state (the two connecting rods 213 are stacked parallel to each other). Next, disassemble the telescopic sleeve 24, and rotate and fold the front support rod frame 22 and the middle support rod frame 23 downwards. Finally, flip the flipping platform 12 upwards and fold it above the fixed platform 11. After the telescopic staircase is shortened, fold it away for storage, completing the overall storage.

[0039] The number of connecting rods 213 of the folding link 211 is not limited to two in this embodiment. Depending on the storage size and support height requirements, three, four or more connecting rods 213 can be connected in series through multiple rotating components 3. The folding principle is the same as the two-section type, and both can achieve the functions of unfolding support and folding storage.

[0040] The number of folding links 211 is not limited to two in this embodiment. Depending on the width of the roof platform and the support strength requirements, three or more folding links 211 can be arranged side by side. The top of each folding link 211 is fixedly connected to the linkage crossbar 212 to achieve synchronous folding.

[0041] The eccentricity of the rotating shaft 33 in the rotating assembly 3 can be optimized according to the pipe diameter of the connecting rod 213 and the gap requirements of the vertically parallel stacking after folding, so as to ensure that the first connecting pipe 311 and the second connecting pipe 321 are arranged in a straight line when unfolded and are stacked vertically parallel when folded.

[0042] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A foldable rooftop tent, comprising a base frame and a tent skeleton mounted on the base frame, characterized in that: The tent frame includes a folding pole frame, which includes several folding connecting rods arranged along the width direction of the roof platform. The top end of each folding connecting rod is fixedly connected to a linkage crossbar, and the bottom end of each folding connecting rod is rotatably connected to the base frame. Each folding connecting rod includes several connecting rods, and adjacent connecting rods are rotatably connected by a rotating assembly so that the folding connecting rod has an unfolded state and a folded state.

2. The foldable roof tent as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating assembly includes a male rotating head and a female rotating head that are rotatably connected, and each of the male and female rotating heads is connected to a connecting rod. The rotating contact surface of the male rotating head has a locking hole, and the female rotating head is elastically connected to a locking rod through a first elastic element. When the male and female rotating heads rotate to an angle where the two connecting rods are in an extended state, the locking rod and the locking hole are located on the same central axis. The first elastic element applies an elastic force to the locking rod to make it slide towards the locking hole, so that the male and female rotating heads maintain the current rotation angle. The male rotating head is also provided with an unlocking element for driving the locking rod to disengage from the locking hole, so that the male and female rotating heads return to a free rotation state.

3. A foldable rooftop tent as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The unlocking component includes an unlocking button and a second elastic element. The locking hole penetrates the male rotating head, and the locking hole forms a through-hole on the side of the male rotating head away from the rotating contact surface. The unlocking button is elastically connected to the male rotating head through the second elastic element. The unlocking button is provided with an unlocking push rod. The bottom end of the unlocking push rod is inserted into the locking hole through the through-hole, and the length of the unlocking push rod is not less than the depth of the locking hole. When the unlocking button is pressed down by an external force, the unlocking push rod moves down, and the bottom end of the unlocking push rod pushes against the locking rod to disengage it from the locking hole, so that the male and female rotating heads return to a free rotation state. After the external force is removed, the second elastic element drives the unlocking button and the unlocking push rod to reset upward, and the first elastic element drives the locking rod to re-engage into the locking hole.

4. A foldable rooftop tent as described in claim 3, characterized in that: An annular limiting part is provided on the inner wall of the locking hole and above the locking rod, and the inner diameter of the annular limiting part is smaller than the outer diameter of the locking rod.

5. A foldable roof tent as described in claim 3, characterized in that: A receiving groove is provided on the side of the male rotating head away from the rotating contact surface. The unlocking button is movably received in the receiving groove. A storage groove is provided on the bottom surface of the unlocking button. The two ends of the second elastic member abut against the bottom of the receiving groove and the bottom of the storage groove, respectively. A mounting slot is provided at the bottom of the receiving groove. A mounting buckle is provided at the bottom of the unlocking button and is movably inserted into the mounting slot. An anti-disengagement tooth is provided at the bottom end of the mounting buckle. An anti-disengagement step is provided at the opening of the mounting slot to cooperate with the anti-disengagement tooth. When the unlocking button is reset upward under the action of the second elastic member, the anti-disengagement tooth abuts against the anti-disengagement step to prevent the unlocking button from falling out of the receiving groove.

6. A foldable rooftop tent as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating contact surface of the female rotating head is provided with a telescopic groove. The two ends of the first elastic element are respectively connected to the bottom of the telescopic groove and the bottom of the locking rod. The depth of the telescopic groove is greater than the length of the locking rod. The top of the locking rod is provided with a guide slope facing the opening direction of the locking hole. The guide slope is used to guide the top of the locking rod to slide out of the locking hole when the male rotating head and the female rotating head rotate relative to each other.

7. A foldable rooftop tent as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The male and female rotating heads are respectively provided with a first connecting tube and a second connecting tube for connecting the corresponding connecting rod. The male rotating head and the female rotating head are rotatably connected by any one of screws, rivets or pins, and the rotation axis of the screws, rivets or pins is offset from the center position of the rotation contact surface of the male and female rotating heads. When the folding connecting rod is in the unfolded state, the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube are arranged in a straight line. When the folding connecting rod is in the folded state, the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube are arranged vertically in parallel.

8. A foldable rooftop tent as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The folding frame includes two sets of folding links arranged along the width direction of the roof platform, and each set of folding links includes two connecting rods rotatably connected by a rotating assembly.

9. A foldable rooftop tent as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The base frame includes a fixed frame and a flip frame. The ends of the fixed frame and the flip frame on adjacent sides are respectively provided with a male connecting piece and a female connecting piece, and the ends of the male connecting piece and the female connecting piece are rotatably connected. The bottom of the fixed frame and the flip frame on the adjacent side is provided with a support piece, and the end of the support piece extends to the bottom of the flip frame.

10. A foldable rooftop tent as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The tent frame also includes a front support pole, a middle support pole, and a telescopic sleeve. The end of the front support pole is rotatably connected to the male connecting piece. The end of the middle support pole is coaxially rotatably connected to the rotatable connection points of the male and female connecting pieces. The end of the folding pole is rotatably connected to the end of the flip frame away from the female connecting piece. The two ends of the telescopic sleeve are detachably connected to the middle support pole and the folding pole, respectively.

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