FOLDING CARAVAN OR TENT STRUCTURE WITH NATURAL VENTILATION

Abstract

The invention provides a structure (10) for protecting a habitable interior space comprising an outer fabric (T) which is mounted above an installation surface (S) and which comprises a roof wall (30), two opposite side walls (36) and two transverse walls so as to delimit a habitable interior space protected by the outer fabric (T), characterized in that the fabric (T) comprises two opposite lower lateral panels (46), each of which extends from a lower longitudinal edge (38) of a side wall (36) to the installation surface (S) comprising a lower opening (50) allowing the entry of a flow of fresh air (AF) towards the interior of the fabric (T), and in that, in its upper part, the outer fabric (T) comprises a high opening (54, 56) allowing the exit of a flow of hot air (AC) towards the exterior of the fabric (T), so as to create natural ventilation inside the space habitable interior.Application to a folding caravan, vehicle roof tent, tent or awning. Figure for abstract: 2.

Description

Title of the invention: FOLDING CARAVAN OR TENT STRUCTURE COMPRISING NATURAL VENTILATION Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to protective structures for a habitable interior space constituting shelters made of a flexible material stretched over supports. These include an awning, a camping tent, a folding caravan with stretched canvas or even a vehicle roof tent. Technical background

[0002] Generally speaking, this type of structure comprises a flexible outer protective canvas which, by means of a frame, is mounted taut above a horizontal surface for installing the protective structure.

[0003] In order to delimit a closed habitable interior space protected by the exterior canvas, the exterior canvas comprises: - a roof wall, with one or two inclined sides, comprising a longitudinal ridge line; - two opposite side and longitudinal walls, each of which extends the roof wall towards the installation surface; - and two opposite end transverse walls each of which extends from the roof wall to the upper face of the installation surface.

[0004] The longitudinal axis of the tent may, for example, correspond to the longitudinal axis of the sleeping surfaces or beds adjacent to the installation surface.

[0005] In order to "close" the habitable interior space, like the end transverse walls, the opposite side and longitudinal walls also extend to the upper face of the installation surface, and for example to the ground in the case of a tent.

[0006] To ensure a good "watertightness", the lower edges of the different walls are fixed at the level of the installation surface, for example by means of pegs in the case of a tent mounted on the ground.

[0007] Access to the interior of the tent is generally via an access door formed in one of the two opposite end transverse walls.

[0008] The counterpart of the closure or sealing thus achieved is the absence of ventilation allowing renewal and / or refreshing of the air in the habitable interior space.

[0009] The invention aims to propose a new design of such a protective structure allowing the creation of natural ventilation inside the space. habitable when the latter is closed. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention proposes a structure for protecting a habitable interior space comprising a flexible outer protective canvas which, by means of a frame, is mounted taut above a horizontal surface for installing the protective structure, in which the outer canvas comprises: - a roof wall with a longitudinal ridge line; - two opposite side and longitudinal walls, each of which extends the roof wall towards the installation surface; - and two opposite transverse end walls each of which extends from the roof wall to the installation surface, so as to delimit a closed habitable interior space protected by the exterior canvas, characterized: - in that the outer canvas comprises two opposite lateral and longitudinal lower panels, each of which extends, transversely inwards, from a lower longitudinal edge of an associated side wall to the installation surface, at least one of said lower panels comprising a low opening allowing the entry of a flow of fresh air from the outside to the inside of the outer canvas; - and in that, in its upper part, the outer canvas has a high opening allowing the exit of a flow of hot air from the inside to the outside of the outer canvas, in order to create natural ventilation inside the living space.

[0011] According to other characteristics of the invention: - each lower panel has a low opening allowing the entry of a flow of fresh air from the outside to the inside of the outer canvas; - in the vicinity of the roof wall, at least one of the two opposite transverse end walls has a high opening allowing the exit of a flow of hot air from the inside to the outside of the outer canvas; - each transverse end wall has, in the vicinity of the roof wall, a high opening allowing the exit of a flow of hot air from the inside to the outside of the outer canvas; - the roof wall has at least one high opening allowing a flow of hot air to escape from the inside to the outside of the outer canvas; - the habitable interior space houses at least one internal enclosure, in particular capable of forming a chamber with a lower sleeping surface adjacent to the installation surface, which is arranged in the vicinity of one of the side and longitudinal walls of the outer canvas and the roof wall with which it delimits an internal passage for circulation of air entering through a low opening of an associated lower panel towards a high opening of the outer canvas; - said enclosure is delimited laterally by two opposite lateral and longitudinal walls, one of which has a low lateral opening allowing the entry of a part of said flow of fresh air into the enclosure and the other of which has a high lateral opening allowing the exit of a flow of hot air from the enclosure towards a high opening in the outer fabric; - the protective structure has a general symmetry of design in relation to a median vertical plane passing through the ridge line of the roof wall; - each lower opening and / or each upper opening is equipped with associated means of total or partial concealment such as a grille and / or a movable shutter; - the installation surface is the ground to constitute a protective awning or a tent.; - the installation surface is carried by a rolling platform to constitute a folding caravan or a roof tent mounted on the roof of a vehicle. Brief descriptions of the figures

[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0013] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a schematic view in section through a transverse plane and vertical of a folding caravan according to the invention which illustrates a mode of natural ventilation;

[0014] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l] which illustrates a complementary mode of natural ventilation of the rooms;

[0015] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the folding caravan according to the invention shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2 in which the lower openings are closed by closing flaps;

[0016] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.3] in which the blackout shutters are open and in which the circulation of air inside is shown schematically;

[0017] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a perspective exterior of the caravan shown in Figures 3 and 4 which is illustrated with its lower openings and rear transverse face closed, and fitted with a top cap;

[0018] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a detail view of the left side wall of the caravan illustrated in [Fig.5];

[0019] [Fig.7] - [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l] which illustrates the implementation implementing the teachings of the invention to provide natural ventilation in a camping tent installed on the ground; and

[0020] [Fig.8] - [Fig.8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l] which illustrates the implementation implementation of the teachings of the invention to provide natural ventilation in a canopy installed on the ground. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the V, L, T reference system indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted without limitation and with reference to Earth's gravity.

[0022] By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from rear to front, and the transverse axis T is oriented from left to right.

[0023] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0024] First example of realization - Folding caravan - Figures 1 to 6

[0025] In a known manner, and as can be seen in particular in Figures 3 to 5, a folding caravan 10 comprises a support frame 14, mounted on a running gear, and forming a support for various other foldable elements and components of the folding caravan 10, that is to say components of the frame 12, the canvas T constituting the outer wall of the caravan in its deployed and assembled state, and various other removable elements such as for example mattresses 15.

[0026] The folding caravan 10 comprises a chassis 14 which carries the internal equipment and on which the various uprights 16 of the folding frame 12 are hingedly mounted.

[0027] In the deployed position, this frame 12 receives the flexible and waterproof canvas T constituting the waterproof roof wall and the various lateral and transverse faces of the folding caravan in its deployed state.

[0028] Without limitation, the folding caravan illustrated or shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 to 6 has a transverse opening which unfolds and folds in the transverse direction, that is to say on either side of the two left and right lateral faces of the chassis 14.

[0029] The teachings of the invention are applicable in the same way to a folding caravan with longitudinal opening.

[0030] The general design principles of these two types of caravan are for example illustrated in documents FR2099002A1 and FR2059791A1.

[0031] The folding caravan 10 here has a general symmetry of design with respect to a median vertical and longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal ridge line 17 of the roof.

[0032] The chassis 14 comprises a floor 18 reinforced by two longitudinal side members 20, each of which comprises a wheel arch 22 intended to partially receive a wheel 24 belonging to a transverse axle on which the chassis 14 rests.

[0033] Around longitudinal axes, two opposite lateral plates 23 - constituting sleeping surfaces each intended to receive a mattress 15 - are pivotally mounted between a stored position and the deployed position illustrated in the figures in which they extend transversely on either side of a central zone 24.

[0034] Within the meaning of the invention, the side plates 23 constitute the horizontal surface S for installing the protective structure comprising in particular the canvas T which protects the interior habitable space of the folding caravan 10.

[0035] In the deployed position, vertical feet 26 support the side plates 23.

[0036] The outer canvas T comprises a roof wall 30 comprising two inclined and opposite roof sections 32, each of which extends from the ridge line 17 to a lower longitudinal edge 34.

[0037] The outer fabric T comprises two opposite lateral and longitudinal walls 36, each of which extends generally vertically from a lower longitudinal edge 34 to extend the roof wall 30 towards the installation surface S.

[0038] Each longitudinal side wall 36 extends to a lower longitudinal edge 38.

[0039] The outer canvas T comprises two opposite end transverse walls, including a front transverse wall 40 and a rear transverse wall 42 (See [Fig.5]).

[0040] Each transverse wall 40, 42 here extends vertically from the roof wall 30 to the installation surface S.

[0041] Thus, with its different roof, lateral and transverse walls, the exterior canvas delimits a habitable interior space which can be closed and protected by the exterior canvas.

[0042] To enter it, an access door 44 illustrated in [Fig.5] can be provided in the rear transverse wall 42.

[0043] To laterally close the living space, on each side, the outer canvas T comprises a lower lateral and longitudinal panel 46 which extends downwards from the lower longitudinal edge 38 and which is delimited by a lower longitudinal edge 48 which is here fixed to the external longitudinal edge of the adjacent tray 23.

[0044] Each lower panel 46 extends transversely inwardly.

[0045] Each lower panel 46 thus extends to the installation surface S.

[0046] Each lower panel 46 has a low opening 50 allowing entry of a flow of fresh air AF from the outside to the inside of the outer canvas T.

[0047] Each lower opening 50 here extends substantially over the entire length of the panel. lower 46.

[0048] The lower opening 50 can for example be equipped with a mosquito net 51 (See figures 1 and 2) allowing air to pass through.

[0049] As a complement, a removable shutter 52 can be associated with each lower panel 46 to totally or partially conceal the opening 50, for example in the event of bad weather and in particular rain.

[0050] In the open position of the removable shutters 52, fresh outside air AF can pass through each lower opening 50 - from the outside to the inside - to enter the lower part of the habitable interior space.

[0051] To allow the exit of a flow of hot air AC from the inside to the outside of the outer fabric T, in the upper part, the outer fabric T comprises at least one upper opening.

[0052] By "in the upper part" is meant an opening formed in the vicinity of the roof wall in one of the walls which extend the roof wall downwards, or an opening formed in the roof wall 30 itself, for example by means of a roof window.

[0053] Without limitation, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the outer canvas T has two high openings, including a front high opening 54 formed in the front transverse wall 40 (which is illustrated in dotted lines in figures 3 and 4), and a rear high opening 56 visible in [Fig.5].

[0054] As for the lower openings 50, each upper opening 54, 56 can for example be equipped with a mosquito net allowing air to pass through.

[0055] As a supplement, a removable shutter can be associated with each upper opening to completely or partially conceal the upper opening, for example in the event of bad weather and in particular rain.

[0056] In the industrial embodiment example illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, at its rear end, the outer canvas T is completed by an external protective cap 58 which extends in particular above the upper part of the rear transverse wall 42 and which participates in particular in the protection of the upper opening 56 against bad weather and in particular rain.

[0057] As a variant not shown, the outer canvas T can be extended longitudinally towards the rear by an awning which extends to the ground and which can also be closed at its rear end by a vertical transverse wall.

[0058] Beyond the plane of the installation surface S, the rear transverse wall 42 is extended downwards by a lower skirt 60 which extends to the ground on which the wheels and feet 26 rest.

[0059] In the same way, according to a characteristic not shown, the lower part extending below the canvas implantation surface S can be closed by an attached vertical lower skirt which extends to the ground from along the longitudinal edges lower tudinals 48 and along the lower edge of the front transverse bulkhead 40.

[0060] Figures 1 and 2 schematically show two interior side chambers Ch, each of which is housed inside the interior habitable space, here each above a sleeping platform 23.

[0061] In a known manner, each room Ch is made up of an interior canvas 70, also called a canopy, which delimits a closed internal enclosure intended to protect the privacy of each occupant of a mattress 15, and also to protect them from insects during their rest.

[0062] Each chamber Ch comprises in particular an inclined roof wall 72 - generally parallel to the associated inclined roof section 32 - and two opposite longitudinal side walls 74 and 76 which here extend vertically.

[0063] Thus, each chamber Ch delimits with the outer canvas T an internal passage for circulation of the air entering through a low opening 50 of an associated lower panel 46 towards a high opening 54, 56 of the outer canvas T.

[0064] This internal passage comprises a first section 78 delimited by the side walls 36 and 76, and a second section 80 delimited by the roof sections 32 and 72.

[0065] This circulation ensuring natural ventilation inside the habitable interior space is illustrated schematically in [Fig.l], by arrows to the left of the left-hand room Ch and to the right of the right-hand room Ch.

[0066] Between the two side chambers, a complementary analogous phenomenon resulting from the fact that, also in this zone, heat tends to rise, has also been illustrated by arrows.

[0067] These internal circulations according to the invention are also illustrated schematically by arrows in [Fig.4].

[0068] In summary, air movement is caused by the fact that warm air tends to rise and cold air tends to sink. Warm air rises because it has a lower density than cold air.

[0069] The principle consists of arranging the low fresh air inlet openings AF as low as possible, sheltered from the sun and rain to capture the coolness of the shade and arranging the high hot air evacuation openings as high as possible at roof level.

[0070] As hot air escapes through the upper openings, this allows cold air to enter through the lower openings.

[0071] By ensuring that an airflow passage is maintained between each chamber and the outer fabric, a new design is achieved which makes it possible to create an airflow around the chambers Ch and provide freshness.

[0072] As illustrated schematically in [Fig.2], the concept according to the invention also makes it possible to create a circulation of fresh air AF entering through the lower openings 50 to the interior of each room.

[0073] To this end, for each chamber Ch, a low lateral opening 176 is created in the side wall 76, allowing the entry of a part of said fresh air flow AF into the chamber Ch.

[0074] For each chamber Ch, a high lateral opening 174 is also created in the side wall 74, allowing a flow of hot air to exit the chamber Ch, towards the high openings 54, 56 of the outer fabric T.

[0075] The circulation thus achieved through each chamber is illustrated by arrows in [Fig.2],

[0076] The lateral openings 174 and 176 of the lateral chambers Ch are for example constituted by mosquito nets allowing air to pass through.

[0077] Second example of realization - Tent - [Fig.7] The schematic representation of [Fig.7] makes it possible to illustrate the application of the principle of the invention to a tent 10, for example but not limited to a camping tent, which in a known manner is installed on the ground which constitutes the installation surface S within the meaning of the invention.

[0078] Without limitation, this is a tent with two interior rooms Ch. The general design of the tent with its means according to the invention for establishing natural ventilation inside the habitable interior space is identical to that illustrated schematically in [Fig.l] for a folding caravan, and all the elements, components and arrangements are identical or similar and are designated by the same references.

[0079] Each chamber Ch can also be designed like those illustrated in [Fig.2], with fresh air circulation through the chamber.

[0080] Third example of realization - Awning - [Fig.8] The schematic representation of [Fig.8] makes it possible to illustrate the application of the principle of the invention to an awning 10, for example but not limited to an awning associated with a tent, which in a known manner is installed on the ground which constitutes the installation surface S within the meaning of the invention.

[0081] The awning 10 is essentially made up of the outer canvas T according to the invention installed directly on the ground and which is shown here without any interior fittings or equipment.

[0082] The invention is not limited to the preceding examples. In particular, the habitable interior space may comprise a single side chamber.

[0083] In the same way as the application to a folding caravan, the invention can also be applied to a roof tent mounted on the roof of a vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Structure (10) for protecting a habitable interior space comprising a flexible outer protective fabric (T) which, by means of a frame (12), is mounted taut above a horizontal installation surface (S) of the protective structure (10), in which the outer fabric (T) comprises: - a roof wall (30) comprising a longitudinal ridge line (17); - two opposite lateral and longitudinal walls (36), each of which extends the roof wall (30) in the direction of the installation surface (S);- and two opposite transverse end walls (40, 42) each of which extends from the roof wall (30) to the installation surface (S), so as to delimit a closed habitable interior space protected by the outer canvas (T), characterized: - in that the outer canvas (T) comprises two opposite lateral and longitudinal lower panels (46) each of which extends, transversely inwards, from a lower longitudinal edge (38) of an associated side wall (36) to the installation surface (S), at least one of said lower panels (46) comprising a low opening (50) allowing the entry of a flow of fresh air (AF) from the outside to the inside of the outer canvas (T);- and in that, in its upper part, the outer canvas (T) comprises a high opening (54, 56) allowing the exit of a flow of hot air (AC) from the inside to the outside of the outer canvas (T), so as to create natural ventilation inside the habitable interior space.;

2. Protective structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each lower panel (46) has a low opening (50) allowing the entry of a flow of fresh air from the outside to the inside of the outer fabric (T).

3. Protective structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the vicinity of the roof wall (30), at least one of the two opposite transverse end walls (40, 42) has a high opening (54, 56) allowing the exit of a flow of hot air (AC) from the inside to the outside of the outer fabric (T).

4. Protective structure (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each transverse end wall (40, 42) comprises, in the vicinity of the roof wall (30), a high opening (54, 56) allowing the exit of a flow of hot air (AC) from the inside to the outside of the outer fabric (T).

5. Protective structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof wall (30) comprises at least one high opening allowing the exit of a flow of hot air from the inside to the outside of the outer canvas (T).

6. Protective structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the habitable interior space houses at least one internal enclosure (Ch), in particular capable of forming a bedroom with a lower sleeping surface adjacent to the installation surface (S), which is arranged in the vicinity of one of the lateral and longitudinal walls (36) of the outer canvas (T) and of the roof wall (30) with which it delimits an internal passage (78, 80) for circulation of the air entering through a lower opening (50) of an associated lower panel (46) towards a high opening (54, 56) of the outer canvas (T).

7. Protective structure (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said enclosure (Ch) is delimited laterally by two opposite lateral and longitudinal walls (74, 76), one of which (76) has a low lateral opening (176) allowing the entry of a part of said flow of fresh air (AF) into the enclosure and the other of which (74) has a high lateral opening (174) allowing the exit of a flow of hot air (AC) from the enclosure (Ch) towards a high opening (54, 56) of the outer fabric (T).

8. Protective structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a general symmetry of design with respect to a median vertical plane passing through the ridge line (17) of the roof wall (30).

9. Protective structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each lower opening (50) and / or each upper opening (54, 56) is provided with associated means of total or partial concealment such as a grid and / or a movable shutter (52).

10. Protective structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the installation surface (S) is the ground to constitute a protective awning or a tent.

11. Protective structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the installation surface (S) is carried by a rolling platform to constitute a folding caravan or a roof tent mounted on the roof of a vehicle.

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