TENT FRAME

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tent frame according to claim 1 for a sun protection or play tent frame module system for children, wherein the respective modules have longitudinal and transverse struts.

[0002] Especially in summer, children enjoy spending time outdoors in green spaces or gardens. Adequate sun protection is essential to protect children from the sun's rays while playing. Children are typically covered with sunscreen or provided with a sun hat. Various sun protection tents are also available. However, these are usually not designed for children to set up and take down independently. Sun protection can also be desirable indoors, for example, with large, possibly wide-open windows or doors.

[0003] Alternatively, a playpen such as the collapsible playpen described in DE 20 2012 008 251 U1 can be used to keep children in a sun-free area and thus protect them from solar radiation.

[0004] The task therefore arises to provide a tent that is easy to set up and take down, which is suitable for sun protection and play, a "(sun protection or play) tent" or a tent frame for such a (sun protection or play) tent.

[0005] This is made possible by the (sun protection and / or play) tent frame of the independent patent claim and the corresponding (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. The invention thus relates to a modular tent frame system for a children's tent, which is suitable for sun protection and / or play. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent patent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0006] What is described is a (sun protection and / or play) tent frame module with two or more longitudinal struts and three or more cross struts running perpendicular to the longitudinal struts. The longitudinal and / or cross struts are preferably straight and / or rigid and / or branch-free. The cross struts are each attached at one end to one of the two longitudinal struts and at their other end to the other of the two longitudinal struts. This means that there can be exactly two longitudinal struts and / or exactly three cross struts. The longitudinal struts and / or cross struts can each be made in one piece. When such a module is set up as intended, the cross struts run horizontally and the longitudinal struts vertically.

[0007] With such (sun protection or play) tent frame modules, a (sun protection and / or play) tent can be erected using simple household materials, in particular (bed) sheets, towels, or other cloths of suitable size and thickness in combination with clamps, especially standard clothespins. The corresponding cloths are pulled or placed over the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules and attached to the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules with appropriate clamps, preferably the aforementioned clothespins. Longitudinal struts and / or cross struts can accordingly preferably be designed without additional fastening elements suitable for attaching cloths or other wall elements, such as hooks, eyelets, snap fasteners, pins, or the like, and therefore, in particular, have a consistently smooth surface. This simplifies assembly and disassembly and reduces the risk of injury.The third (middle) cross brace makes it easier to set up and also offers children something to hold on to once it is set up. Furthermore, the third cross brace effectively defines the interior of the sun protection tent, as a side-hanging sheet can be attached to it. This also prevents, or at least makes it more difficult for a child to leave the (sun protection or play) tent unnoticed by a caregiver. This means that the entrance and exit of the (sun protection or play) tent is not created through the interaction of the longitudinal struts of adjacent (sun protection or play) tent frame modules, but rather through the respective tent frame modules themselves. As an alternative to a third middle cross brace, one or, better yet, two diagonal cross braces can be provided, arranged crosswise (in an X-shape) between the two outer cross braces and longitudinal struts.This makes the tent frame modules particularly stable. Children are familiar with handling canvases and clamps, especially clothespins and bed sheets, and it's safe for them, so they can set up, reconfigure, and dismantle the (sun protection or play) tent independently. When used as intended, the longitudinal struts primarily ensure the stable arrangement of the cross struts, while the cross struts primarily serve as a means of attaching the canvases.

[0008] Accordingly, in an advantageous embodiment, the tent and / or tent frame and / or tent frame modules are child-friendly as defined by the relevant regulations. "Child-friendly" can therefore be defined as compliance with the European standard EN 71 in the version applicable at the time of manufacture or placing on the market, for example, EN 71 as it corresponds to Directive 2009 / 48 / EC of the European Union of June 30, 2009.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal struts run at least substantially parallel to one another, i.e. run parallel to one another or parallel to one another except for a predetermined deviation. The predetermined deviation can be, for example, 1°, 2°, 5° or 10°. Alternatively or additionally, the cross struts can run at least substantially parallel to one another. Longitudinal or cross struts running parallel to one another have the advantage of particularly easy-to-understand static properties of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules and thus of the (sun protection or play) tent. The cross struts can run at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal struts.

[0010] In another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that two of the cross struts are fastened to the longitudinal struts in respective end regions of the corresponding longitudinal struts. The end region extends from an associated end of the respective longitudinal strut over a maximum of 12% of the length of the respective longitudinal strut, in particular a maximum of 6%, particularly preferably a maximum of 4% of the length. This results in particularly good stability and easy handling of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that one of the cross struts is fastened to the longitudinal struts in a respective middle region of the longitudinal struts that is different from the end regions. In this case, the respective middle region, starting from a center of the associated longitudinal strut, comprises a symmetrical region of + / - 20% of the length of the longitudinal strut, in particular + / - 12%, particularly preferably + / - 4% of the length.This also optimizes stability and handling.

[0011] In the central area, the cross brace can be positioned centrally, thus dividing the longitudinal braces into two equal sections, or at least equal sections apart from a specified deviation. This has the advantage that the (sun protection or play) tent frame module is symmetrical (or at least appears to be so), and thus setting up the sun protection tent frame module with the longitudinal braces against or along a vertical direction has no effect on the shape of the assembled sun protection tent frame, making assembly even easier.

[0012] In the central area, the cross brace can be arranged asymmetrically, dividing the longitudinal braces into two unequal sections. In particular, the cross brace can divide the longitudinal braces according to the golden ratio, i.e., approximately in a ratio of 38:62. This has the advantage that setting up the (sun protection or play) tent frame module with the longitudinal braces against or along a vertical direction affects the shape of the erected (sun protection and / or play) tent frame, namely, the cross brace is positioned higher or lower depending on the other setup. This allows the shape of the erected (sun protection or play) tent frame to be adapted, for example, to children of different sizes.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal struts have a rectangular cross-section, in particular a square cross-section, in particular with rounded corners. Alternatively or additionally, the cross struts have a round cross-section. This has the advantage that the struts are also easy to distinguish by touch, thus providing additional orientation, especially for children, during assembly. The round cross-section is particularly suitable for clamping towels to the struts, for example, sheets using clothespins. The combination of round cross struts with rectangular longitudinal struts is therefore particularly advantageous.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the thickness of the longitudinal struts is greater than the thickness of the cross struts. For round cross struts, the thickness of the cross struts is the diameter of the cross struts. This also improves tactile differentiation and promotes the stability of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules.

[0015] In another advantageous embodiment, the thickness of the cross struts is less than or equal to 22 mm, preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, and particularly preferably less than or equal to 18 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the thickness of the cross struts is greater than or equal to 12 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 14 mm. The thicknesses of the cross struts can thus be in the ranges of 12 mm - 22 mm, 12 mm - 20 mm, 12 mm - 18 mm, 14 mm - 22 mm, 14 mm - 20 mm or 14 mm - 18 mm. The cross struts preferably have the same thickness and / or the same cross-section. A particularly advantageous value for the thickness of the cross struts is 16 mm. The thickness of the longitudinal struts is preferably less than or equal to 24 mm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 22 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the thickness of the longitudinal struts is greater than or equal to 16 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm. The thicknesses of the longitudinal struts can therefore be in the ranges of 16mm-24mm, 16mm-22mm, 18mm-24mm or 18mm-22mm.Preferably, the longitudinal struts have the same thickness and / or the same cross-section. A particularly advantageous value for the thickness of the longitudinal struts is 20 mm. The stated value ranges or particularly advantageous values ​​have the advantage that, on the one hand, they allow the simple and reliable use of commercially available clothespins for attaching towels to the cross struts, and, on the other hand, they achieve sufficient stability, particularly torsional rigidity. This applies in particular to longitudinal and cross struts made of wood, as provided in a particularly advantageous embodiment. Identical thicknesses and / or cross-sections for cross and longitudinal struts make it easier for children to orient themselves and thus handle the tent frame modules.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal struts each have a projection region in the end regions, which extends from the respective end of the corresponding longitudinal strut assigned to the end region over at least 1% of the length of the respective longitudinal strut, in particular at least 1.5%, preferably at least 2%. No transverse strut is arranged on the longitudinal strut in the projection region. Alternatively or additionally, the projection region can extend over at least 0.5 cm, preferably over at least 1 cm, particularly preferably over at least 1.5 cm and / or at most 3 cm, preferably at most 2.5 cm, particularly preferably at most 2 cm. The extension of the overhang area is therefore particularly in the ranges 0.5cm-3cm, 0.5cm-2.5cm, 0.5cm-2cm, 1cm-3cm, 1cm-2.5cm, 1cm-2cm, 1.5cm-3cm, 1.5cm-2.5cm or 1.5cm-2cm.This has the advantage that, on the one hand, a stable position of the longitudinal strut is achieved when it is placed vertically on a floor, and on the other hand, in this case the lowest cross strut does not run directly along the floor, so that clamps can be used without interference to attach a corresponding cloth to the lowest cross strut.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one of the longitudinal struts, preferably both longitudinal struts, each has a hole, in particular exactly one hole, in its end regions for a coupling device for coupling the (sun protection or play) tent frame module to another (sun protection or play) tent frame module by means of a coupling device. The hole is preferably a through hole and not a blind hole. In this case, the another (sun protection or play) tent frame module is in particular structurally identical (or at least has the same features with regard to the claimed features) to the one (sun protection or play) tent frame module. The hole runs in particular transversely to or in a main extension plane of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module. The hole is preferably designed to accommodate a loop-shaped and / or flexible coupling device for coupling the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules.Such a coupling device can, for example, be or comprise a leather loop or ring, or a cord or line tied into a loop or ring. This enables the coupling of several (sun protection or play) tent frame modules easily and with a low risk of injury. In this respect, a hinge is disadvantageous due to its rigidity and risk of injury. This allows rigid tent frame modules to be folded against each other and, for example, converted from an L- or U-shaped protection and play arrangement into a storage arrangement in which the tent frame modules are arranged parallel to each other and can thus be stowed away with minimal space requirements. The end areas that determine the position of the hole can be specified independently of the end areas in which the cross struts are attached to the longitudinal struts, with the same features as those mentioned above.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the length of the longitudinal struts, and thus, when used as intended, the height of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module, is at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm, and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm. The height can thus be in the ranges 80 cm - 125 cm, 80 cm - 115 cm, 80 cm - 105 cm, 90 cm - 125 cm, 90 cm - 115 cm, 90 cm - 105 cm, 95 cm - 125 cm, 95 cm - 115 cm, or 95 cm - 105 cm. Alternatively or additionally, the width of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module resulting from the length of the cross struts is at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm.The width can therefore be in the ranges 80cm-125cm, 80cm-115cm, 80cm-105cm, 90cm-125cm, 90cm-115cm, 90cm-105cm, 95cm-125cm, 95cm-115cm or 95cm-105cm. In particular, the height and width are not identical, which in turn makes orientation on the module and handling easier, especially for children. The values ​​mentioned have proven particularly advantageous for handling the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules by children. They can refer to the height or width of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module and to the length of the longitudinal or cross struts, which may lead to slight deviations depending on the technology used to attach the cross struts to the longitudinal struts.Particularly advantageous is a length of the longitudinal struts or a height of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module of no more than 94 cm, especially 94 cm, and / or a length of the cross struts or a width of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module of no more than 94 cm, especially 94 cm. This allows the (sun protection or play) tent frame module to fit into standard trunks, making it even easier to handle and more flexible in use. It is advantageous if the lengths of the longitudinal struts and the cross struts are the same.

[0019] Also described is a (sun protection and / or play) tent frame with at least two, preferably two or three or four, (sun protection or play) tent frame modules according to one of the described embodiments, each of which is attached to at least one other (sun protection or play) tent frame module in a foldable manner by a coupling device, which is particularly flexible and / or loop-shaped. Flexible here can be understood as "non-rigid," whereby, for example, a conventional metal hinge would be a rigid coupling device. The (sun protection or play) tent frame can thus consist of exactly two or exactly three or exactly four (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. The (sun protection or play) tent frame modules can thus form a two-, three-, or multi-link (sun protection or play) tent frame module chain, which then constitutes the (sun protection or play) tent frame.The other (sun protection or play) tent frame modules, as described above, are in particular structurally identical (or at least identical with regard to the claimed features). The (sun protection or play) tent frame modules can also have only partially identical features, for example, they can have at least substantially the same height and / or at least substantially the same width. The heights and / or widths of the different modules of a tent frame can therefore be identical or at least identical up to a specified deviation of, for example, 2%, 5%, or 10%.This allows for quick and easy assembly with the appropriate cloths and clamps, allowing for the quick erection of effective (sun protection or play) tents with L-shaped (consisting of exactly two or exactly three tent frame modules, two adjacent tent frame modules positioned perpendicular to each other, thus forming the two legs of the "L") and U-shaped (consisting of exactly three tent frame modules, adjacent tent frame modules positioned perpendicular to each other, thus forming both legs and the base of the "U") floor plans. Multiple (sun protection or play) tent frames can also be freely combined with one another, allowing for a wide variety of different shapes for the (sun protection and / or play) tents. One (sun protection or play) tent frame can therefore be used flexibly for many different occasions.

[0020] Also described is a (sun protection or play) tent with such a (sun protection or play) tent frame and one or more cloths or other wall elements, for example sheets, and a plurality of clamps or clamping elements, for example clothespins.

[0021] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, including in the introductory part, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate feature combinations from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and feature combinations are also to be considered disclosed that therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features are to be regarded as disclosed, in particular by the embodiments set out above, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features set out in the reliances of the claims.

[0022] The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, without wishing to restrict it to the specific embodiments shown here.

[0023] Showing: Fig.1 an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection or play) tent frame module; Fig. 2 an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection or play) tent frame.

[0024] Identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection and / or play) tent frame module. The (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 has two longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, which extend in the y-direction, and three transverse struts 3a, 3b, 3c, which extend in the x-direction. Accordingly, the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b run parallel or substantially parallel to one another, and the transverse struts 3a, 3b, 3c, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, also run parallel or substantially parallel to one another. The longitudinal struts 2a, 2b have a rectangular cross-section, while the transverse struts 3a, 3b, 3c have a round cross-section.

[0026] The two cross struts 3a, 3c are each fastened by their ends in corresponding end regions 2' to one of the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, for example, by being inserted into a bore. The middle cross strut 3b is fastened by its ends in corresponding middle regions 2" of the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, for example, also by being inserted into a bore. The longitudinal struts 2a, 2b each have a projection region 2" in the end regions 2', in which no cross strut 3a, 3b, 3c is arranged on the longitudinal strut 2a, 2b.

[0027] In the present case, the longitudinal strut 2a has a hole 4 in each of its end regions 2' in order to accommodate a coupling device 5 ( Fig. 2 ) for coupling the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 by means of the coupling device 5 with another (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1. In the example shown, the hole 4 runs transversely to a main extension plane of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 spanned by the x and y directions.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the height H of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1, i.e. the extension of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 in the y-direction, is specified by the length of the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b. The width B of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1, i.e. the extension of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 in the x-direction, is specified in this example by the length of the cross struts 3a, 3b, 3c and the type of attachment of the cross struts 3a, 3b, 3c to the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, since, for example, the depth of the hole into which the cross struts 3a, 3b, 3c are embedded, influences the width B of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1.

[0029] Fig. 2shows an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection or play) tent frame in an exemplary arrangement in a top view. The (sun protection or play) tent frame 10 has three (sun protection or play) tent frame modules 1, which are flexibly attached to one another via respective coupling devices 5. The coupling devices 5 are loop-shaped and flexible in this case. The coupling devices 5 are passed through holes 4 at respective end regions 2' of the longitudinal struts 2a and 2b, respectively, and thus allow the three (sun protection or play) tent frame modules 1 to be folded against one another around respective folding axes perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Accordingly, two nearest (sun protection or play) tent frame modules 1 are each coupled to one another by two coupling devices 5, of which only one (the one closer to the viewer) is shown here.The loop- or ring-shaped coupling devices 5 thus enable space-saving storage and a wide variety of layouts. An L-shaped layout is shown here, which can be converted into a U-shaped layout by repositioning the lower (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1. The (sun protection or play) tent frame 10 is thus formed in this case by a (sun protection or play) tent frame module chain with three chain links.

Claims

1. Tent frame (10), in particular for a sunshade or play tent, having at least two tent frame modules (1) each having two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) which run vertically in the intended state of assembly; the tent frame modules (1) being fastened to one another by a coupling device (5) such that they can be folded against one another, wherein three transversely extending transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) are present in the tent frame modules (1) in addition to the longitudinal struts (2a, 2b); wherein the transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) are each attached at their one end to any one of the two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) and at their other end to the other of the two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) and extend horizontally in the intended assembled state.

2. Tent frame (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) run at least essentially parallel to one another and / or the respective transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) run at least essentially parallel to one another.

3. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), two of the respective transverse struts (3a, 3c) are fastened to the longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) in respective end regions (2') of the corresponding respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b), where the respective end region (2') of the respective longitudinal strut (2a, 2b) extends from an associated end of the respective longitudinal strut (2a, 2b) at most over 12% of a length of the respective longitudinal strut (2a, 2b), in particular at most over 6%, particularly preferably at most over 4% of the length; and / or one of the respective transverse struts (3b) is attached to the longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) in a respective central region (2") of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b), the respective central region (2") starting from a center of the associated longitudinal strut (2a, 2b) comprises a symmetrical region of + / -20% of the length of the longitudinal strut (2a, 2b), in particular + / -12%, particularly preferably + / - 4% of the length.

4. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) have a rectangular cross section, in particular a square cross section, in particular with rounded corners, and / or the respective transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) have a round cross section.

5. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent-frame modules (1), in particular in all tent-frame modules (1), a thickness of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) is greater than a thickness of the respective transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c).

6. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the thickness of the respective cross struts (3a, 3b, 3c) is less than or equal to 22 mm, preferably less than or equal to 20 mm and more preferably less than or equal to 18 mm, and / or greater than or equal to 12 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 14 mm.

7. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) have in the end regions (2') in each case a projecting region (2‴) in which no transverse strut is arranged on the longitudinal strut (2a, 2b), the projecting region (2‴) extending from the respective end of the corresponding longitudinal strut (2a, 2b) associated with the end region (2') at least over 1% of the length of the respective longitudinal strut (2a, 2b), in particular at least over 1.5%, preferably at least over 2%.

8. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), at least one of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) has in each of its end regions (2') a hole (4) for the coupling device (5) for coupling the respective tent frame module (1) to a further tent frame module (1) by means of the coupling device (5), in particular by means of a loop-shaped coupling device (5), the hole (4) running in particular transversely to or in a main plane of extension of the tent frame module (1).

9. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1) - the length of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) is at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm, and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm; and / or - the length of the respective transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) is at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm, and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm.

10. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device is flexible and / or loop-shaped11. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, having exactly two or exactly three or exactly four tent-frame modules (1) which are each fastened to one another by the coupling device (5) such that they can be folded against one another.

12. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is a sunshade tent frame (10) with sunshade tent frame modules (1) and / or a play tent frame (10) with play tent frame modules (1).

13. Tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is suitable for children and thus in particular fulfills the European Union Directive 2009 / 48 / EC of June 30, 2009.

14. Tent comprising one or more tent frames (10) of claims 1 to 13, one or more fabrics, for example sheets, and a plurality of clamps for fastening the fabrics to the tent frame modules (10), for example clothing pegs.