Portable shelter

Abstract

A portable shelter comprising first 1, second 2 and third 3 frame members, wherein each frame member has two arms extending therefrom which all the arms cooperating to provide two sides of the shelter. At each of the two sides is a pivot point 12 from which one arm of each of the first and second frame members is pivoted. At each side, one arm of the third frame member has a movable end 7 configured to be located, when erected, at a distance from the pivot point. Preferably the third frame member is retained by a strut 18 and the third frame member slides within an elongate foot 8 to locate from the pivot point.

Description

Background to the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a portable shelter.

[0002] EP 0173438 A1 describes a tent comprising first, second and third generally ll-shaped frame members. Each of the frame members has an elongated base and two arms extending therefrom, all the arms cooperating to provide two sides of the tent. At each of the two sides is a pivot assembly, from which the three arms forming that side are pivoted. In a folded position, the three frame members abut each other. In an erected position, the first frame member delimits an end face of the tent, whilst the second frame member is at an angle of maybe 45 degrees to the first member and the third frame member is on the ground. The tent fabric that extends over the frame members includes a roof panel, extending between the first and second frame members, and a rear panel, extending between the second and third frame members.

[0003] An advantage of the U-shaped members is that the arms of each U-shaped member can each be articulated to the base of the member. On striking the tent, after the U-shaped members are folded to abut each other, the arms of each U-shaped member can then fold against its base to fold the tent into a particularly compact space.

[0004] In view of its shape, a tent as described above provides restricted headspace and / or limited volume. To increase these, it is necessary to add one or more annexes, as contemplated in further embodiments of EP 0173438 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a portable shelter (such as a tent) comprising, in an erected condition, first, second and third substantially U-shaped or C-shaped frame members, each of the frame members having an elongated base and two arms extending therefrom, and all the arms cooperating to provide two sides of the shelter, wherein at each of the two sides is a pivot point, from which one arm of each of the first and second frame members is pivoted, and at each side one arm of the third frame member has a moveable end located at a distance from the pivot point.

[0006] Locating these ends of the third frame member behind the pivot point can provide a portable shelter with greater usable floorspace than the known tent.

[0007] In the erected condition, the third frame member may be at an angle to the horizontal, for example an angle between 30 and 60 degrees.

[0008] In one embodiment, a strut for retaining the third frame member has a first end pivoted at or near the pivot point and a second end held on the third frame member so as to slide therealong.

[0009] The free ends of the third frame member may be movable to the pivot point on collapsing the shelter. In one example, in the erected condition, these free ends are held by respective elongate feet that incorporate the pivot points and define said distance. These free ends may be slidable along the feet on erecting and collapsing the shelter.

[0010] In the erected condition, the first frame member may be at an angle to the vertical, for example an angle between 20 and 40 degrees. The second frame member may be substantially vertical. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompany drawing, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a side view of major components of a frame of a portable shelter according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0013] Figure 2 is a side view of the erected frame, showing additional components;

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame of Figure 2.

[0015] Figure 4 shows a portable shelter including the frame;

[0016] Figures 5 to 9 show consecutive steps in collapsing the frame components of the first embodiment of Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 10 is a plan view from underneath of an erected frame of a portable shelter according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0018] Figure 11 is a side view of major components of a frame of a portable shelter according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 12 is a side view of the erected frame of the second embodiment, showing additional components;

[0020] Figures 13 to 21 show consecutive steps in collapsing the frame of the second embodiment;

[0021] Figure 22 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment where the end of the third frame member comprises a carrier; and

[0022] Figure 23 shows a perspective view of the example embodiment of Figures 10 to 22 where the bracing strut is replaced with a tension strap. Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments

[0023] Figure 1 shows a frame comprising first, second and third substantially U-shaped frame members 1,2,3, radiating from a left elongate foot 8. The frame supports a fabric cover (not shown). The left arms 4, 5, 6 of the respective frame members are visible.

[0024] Figure 2 shows how the frame can be enhanced with optional additional brace bars 9, roof tubing 11 and rear support poles 13 that will either be completely separate or slide / fold out from one end and locate into place, for example by clipping. The right-hand side of the frame is a mirror image, as will be apparent from Figure 3. As can be seen in Figure 3, the frame members 1, 2, 3 are substantially U-shaped and comprises left arms 4, 5, 6, on one side and right arms 84, 85, 86 on the other side, wherein each pair of arms are connected via a corresponding central base section 31,32, 33.

[0025] Figure 4 shows a portable shelter in which a fabric cover is suspended inside the frame of Figure 3. In an alternative construction, the fabric is outside the frame.

[0026] Returning to Figure 1, the foot 8 is elongate in a direction going into the shelter. In this example, the foot includes two plates 10, each shaped as an irregular quadrilateral, which tapers rearwardly. Two identical plates 10 on either side of the foot 8 help stabilise the frame members 1, 2, 3. However, it will be understood that in some examples only one plate 10 may be necessary.

[0027] A pivot point 12 is provided at the front of the foot 8, where ends of the first and second frame members 1, 2 are journalled. It will be understood that the pivot point 12 could be a fixed pivot point or a virtual one. The ends of the first and second frame members 1,2 may have the same, or substantially the same, pivot point 12.

[0028] A slot 14 extends along each plate 10, sloping slightly upwards towards the rear, where the slot terminates in a downwardly directed notch 16. Each slot 14 is configured to receive a lug on each end of the third frame member 3. The two notches 16 retain the respective lugs on an end 7 of the third frame member 3.

[0029] A bracing strut 18 extends from the plate 10, pivoted thereto adjacent the pivot point 12. The other end of the strut 18 is pivoted to a sliding member 20, carried slidably on the arm 62 of the third frame member 3. A stop is provided on the arm 6, preventing the sliding member from sliding further down the arm 6 than the position shown. The stop is configured to keep the arm 6 at this selected angle to the foot 8 in the erected condition.

[0030] The first and second frame members 1, 2 are held in the positions shown in Figure 1 by further stops on the left foot 8, on a corresponding right foot 88, on the left arms 4, 5, and / or on the corresponding right arms 84, 85, in combination with the fabric cover of the shelter.

[0031] Figure 5 to 7 show initial steps in collapsing the frame. Firstly, the third frame member 3 is lifted slightly so that the lugs on its end 7 exit the notches 16 (and the corresponding lugs at the other end of the third frame member 6 exit the notches in the right-hand foot 88). The four lugs are then slid along the four slots 14, 94, past the position shown in Figure 5, to that of Figure 6. Meanwhile, the sliding members 20, 100 slide up the arms 6, 86 respectively, until the bracing struts 18, 98 substantially coincide therewith, as shown in Figure 6.

[0032] At this point, the left-hand ends of the frame members 1,2, 3 are all located at or very near the pivot point 12, whilst the right-hand ends are all located at or very near the right-hand pivot point 92. The frame members 1, 2, 3 are then brought together, preferably by lowering them rearwardly until the third frame member 3 lies on the ground and against the feet 8, 88, forming the low-profile stack shown in Figure 7. Figure 8 is a plan view of this stack, with only the first frame member 1 visible.

[0033] Figure 9 shows how the arms of the frame members, carrying the feet 8, 88, can then be folded inwardly about hinges 50, to lie substantially parallel to the central base sections of the frame members, in the manner described in EP 0173438 A1. Conveniently, the shelter can be erected and collapsed with the fabric cover in place on the frame.

[0034] The shelter can be erected by reversing the steps described above. Importantly, as it is unnecessary to lay a frame member on the ground, it is easier to erect the shelter of the invention on uneven ground as compared to that of EP 0173438 A1.

[0035] As well as the frame members 1,2,3 comprising hinges 50 to enable the portable shelter to be collapsed and folded in the manner described above, the frame members 1, 2, 3, and in this example the central base portions 31,32, 33 also comprise a pair of bent portions 75 adjacent to each hinge 50. Preferably the bent portion 75 is towards the centre of the shelter relative to the position of each hinge 50. The pair of bent portions 75 provides a slight increase in height of the shelter when erected, and also enables the arms 4, 5, 6, 84, 85, 86 to be folded in on themselves about the hinges 50 in the manner shown in Figure 8, without clashing with each other.

[0036] Each hinge 50 may be configured to allow a selected range of motion, for example the hinge may allow up to 90 degrees, for example up to 180 degrees of movement. Preferably the hinges 50 each comprise a stop configured to prevent the portions of the frame members from moving further beyond a selected point when they are aligned in the erected condition - for example preventing the arms 4, 5, 6, 84, 85, 86 of the frame members 1, 2, 3 from moving any further outwards beyond the position shown in Figure 3.

[0037] Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, instead of lugs sliding along the slots 14, the moveable ends of the third frame member may each terminate in a carriage that can slide along the foot, or be borne on rollers. As another alternative, each of these moveable ends could simply be detached (e.g. unclipped) from the respective foot at one location and reattached (e.g. clipped) at another location along the foot. In a further alternative version, after being detached and moved rearwardly, the third frame member is not reattached to the feet, but its moveable ends are instead simply attached to the ground, e.g. by means of pegs. In this example the moveable ends may be described as free end. It is even possible for the third frame member to be separate from the feet at all times. Thus, in either case the feet do not have to be elongate. In some examples the bracing struts 18, 98 may be replaced with a tension strap. In such examples it may not be necessary for these to slide along the arms 6, 86 of the third frame member 3. Instead, the tension strap may be fixed in place to provide the desired angle of inclination of the third frame member 3 relative to the feet 8, 88.

[0038] On the other hand, if all the main frame parts of the invention are attached to one another and never need be pulled apart, they simply pivot or slide when needed. This allows for speed of assembly, the shelter becoming self-supporting very quickly.

[0039] As discussed above with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the frame can be folded inwardly (about a hinge 50 or pivot point located along each arm 4, 5, 6, 84, 85, 86) to enable the portable shelter to be carried easily. In other examples, such as in a second embodiment of the invention described below with reference to Figures 10 to 20, each frame member may have more hinges and / or the arms and / or frame members may be curved to facilitate easier transport, for example to easily fit within a user’s vehicle such as a car.

[0040] Figure 10 is a plan view from the underside of an erected frame of a portable shelter according to a second embodiment of the invention. The portable shelter of the second embodiment is very similar to the portable shelter of the first embodiment, with like reference numerals indicating features with the same or a similar functionality, however in this second embodiment the frame members are curved and comprise more hinges to allow the portable shelter to be packed up into a smaller configuration. In this respect, the frame members of the portable shelter of the second embodiment are substantially C-shaped, rather than U-shaped as for the first embodiment.

[0041] In the plan view of Figure 10, it can be seen how the first and third frame members 101, 103 are curved (the second frame member 102 is also curved but is not visible in this plan view). In addition, it can be seen how each frame member 101, 102, 103 comprises four hinges 150, and how the portions of each frame member between each hinge, including each of the arms 104, 105, 106, 184, 185, 186, are curved. It will be understood that each frame member 101, 102, 103 may be tubular. As such, each frame member 101, 102, 103 may comprise five-piece tubing (in other words five portions, with the arms being two portions, a central base portion being a central portion, and two further supporting portions), coupled to each other with a corresponding hinge 150 therebetween.

[0042] Figure 11 shows a frame comprising first, second and third substantially C-shaped frame members 101, 102, 103, radiating from a left elongate foot 108. The frame supports a fabric cover (not shown).

[0043] Figure 11 also shows how the frame can be enhanced with optional additional brace bars (not shown), roof tubing 111 and rear support poles 113 that will either be completely separate or slide / fold out from one end (for example, the brace bars, roof tubing 111 and rear support poles 113 may be telescopic) and locate into place, for example by clipping. For example, the roof tubing 111, support poles 113 and / or brace bars may comprise fastening means such as clips to clip onto the frame members 101, 102, 103. Additionally, or alternatively, the frame members 101, 102, 103 may comprise fastening means such as clips to clip onto roof tubing 111, support poles 113 and / or brace bars. Fastening means such as clips may also be provided to clip to the fabric cover of the shelter. The right-hand side of the frame is a mirror image.

[0044] Figure 12 shows a portable shelter in which a fabric cover is suspended inside the frame of Figure 11. In an alternative construction, the fabric is outside the frame.

[0045] Returning to Figure 11, and as shown in more detail in Figure 16, the foot 108 is elongate in a direction going into the shelter. In this example, the foot includes two identical plates 110, each shaped as an irregular quadrilateral, which tapers rearwardly. Two identical plates 110 on either side of the foot 108 help stabilise the frame members 101, 102, 103. However, it will be understood that in some examples only one plate 110 may be necessary. Although the foot is described as having plates 110, it will be understood that the structure of the feet need not be limited to that particular geometry, but the feet may be tubular in nature, for example. In the example shown the foot 108 also comprises two toes 160, wherein each toe is configured to be located on the outer side of the foot 108 in use at each end of the foot 108. Each toe 160 comprises a hole for receiving a peg or other means for securing the foot to the ground.

[0046] A pivot point 112 is provided at the front of the foot 108, where ends of the first and second frame members 101, 102 are journalled. In other words, the ends of the first and second frame members 101, 102 may both pivot about the same, or substantially the same, pivot point.

[0047] A slot 114 extends along each plate 110, sloping slightly upwards towards the rear, where each slot 114 terminates in a downwardly directed notch 116. The two notches 116 retain respective lugs 117 on an end 107 of the third frame member 103.

[0048] A bracing strut 118 extends from the plate 110, pivoted thereto adjacent the pivot point 112. The other end of the strut 118 is pivoted to a sliding member 120, carried slidably on the arm 162 of the third frame member 103. A stop is provided on the arm 106, preventing the sliding member from sliding further down the arm 106 than the position shown. The stop is configured to keep the arm 106 at this selected angle to the foot 108 in the erected condition.

[0049] The first and second frame members 101, 102 are held in the positions shown in Figure 13 by further stops on the left foot 108, on a corresponding right foot 188, on the left arms 104, 105, and / or on the corresponding right arms 184, 185, in combination with the fabric cover of the shelter.

[0050] Figure 13 to 15 show initial steps in collapsing the frame. Firstly, the third frame member 103 is lifted slightly so that the lugs 117 on its end 107 exit the notches 116 (and the corresponding lugs 117 at the other end of the third frame member 106 exit the notches in the right-hand foot 188). In the second embodiment a handle 170, which may be a loop of fabric, is provided coupled proximate to the base of the third frame member 103 to facilitate lifting of the third frame member 103 out of the notches 116.

[0051] Figure 16 shows a close-up side view of the left foot 108, and Figures 17 and 18 show perspective view of the right and left feet 188, 108 respectively.

[0052] The four lugs 117 are then slid along the four slots 114, 194, past the position shown in Figure 13, to that of Figure 14. Meanwhile, the sliding members 120, 200 slide up the arms 106, 186 respectively, until the bracing struts 118, 198 substantially coincide therewith, as shown in Figure 15.

[0053] At this point, the left-hand ends of the frame members 101, 102, 103 are all located at or very near the pivot point 112, whilst the right-hand ends are all located at or very near the right-hand pivot point 192. The frame members 101, 102, 103 are then brought together, preferably by lowering them rearwardly until the third frame member 103 lies on the ground and against the feet 108, 188, forming the low-profile stack shown in Figure 19. Figure 20 is a plan view of this stack, with only the first frame member 101 visible.

[0054] Figure 21 shows how the arms of the frame members, carrying the feet 108, 188, can then be folded inwardly, about hinges 150, to lie substantially parallel to the central base sections of the frame members, in the manner described above and in EP 0173438 A1. Conveniently, the shelter can be erected and collapsed with the fabric cover in place on the frame. In particular, having the fabric cover in place can aid in single-handed erection of the shelter because the weight of the fabric may help to hold the first frame member 1 out towards the front of the shelter, and thereby hold the second frame member 2 in the substantially vertical orientation.

[0055] It will be understood that the portable shelter described above may be erected and collapsed single-handedly. The arrangement of the slots 14, 114 and notches 16, 116 on each foot 8, 88, 108, 188 enable a user to move the corresponding frame members into place on one side first, held in place via the notch 16, 116, and then move the other frame member into place on the other side, while the frame member on the first side remains in place as it is held in notch 16, 116.

[0056] However, when the portable shelter is erected and collapsed single-handedly, the third frame member 3 may suffer from twisting forces as the user locates or releases the lugs 117 into notches 16, 116 (because this has to be done one at a time).

[0057] Accordingly, in some embodiments as illustrated in Figure 22, a carrier 115 may be joined and pivoted to the base 7 of the third member 3 to absorb this flex. The slot 14, 114 may accordingly be elongated proximate to the pivot point 12 to ensure all pivot points are in the correct place for folding down. The carrier 115 may comprise an additional pair of lugs 119 that are also configured to be slidingly received in the slots 114a. The carrier 115 itself may be arranged to be about as wide as the gap between the two plates 10, 110 of the feet 8, 88, 108, 188 (which means it is also about the same width as each of the arms 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109 of each of the frame members 1, 2, 3, 101, 102, 103) so that the carrier 115 slidingly engages with an inside face of each plate 10, 110. The carrier 115 and additional pair of lugs 119 may advantageously accommodate twisting forces placed on the third frame member 3, 103 and reduce the likelihood of parts breaking when being erected or collapsed singlehandedly. As can be seen in Figure 22, each lug 117 and additional lug 119 may be identical. The lugs 117, 119 may all comprise a narrower central portion configured to be received inside the pair of slots 4, 114 of the feet 8, 88, 108, 188, and an outer flange that is wider than the slot 4, 114 to retain the lugs 117, 119 in the slots 4, 114.

[0058] It will be understood that in some examples, instead of lugs 117 sliding along the slots 14, 114, the ends 7, 107 of the third frame member 3, 103 may each terminate in a carriage that can slide along the foot 8, 88, 108, 188, or be borne on rollers. As another alternative, each of these ends 7, 107 could simply be detached (e.g. unclipped) from the respective foot 8, 88, 108, 188 at one location and reattached (e.g. clipped) at another location along the foot. In a further alternative version, after being detached and moved rearwardly, the third frame member 3, 103 is not reattached to the feet 8, 88, 108, 188, but its ends 7, 107 are instead simply attached to the ground, e.g. by means of pegs. It is even possible for the third frame member 3 to be separate from the feet 8, 88, 108, 188 at all times. Thus, in either case the feet 8, 88, 108, 188 do not have to be elongate.

[0059] In some examples the bracing struts 18, 98 (or indeed the optional additional brace bars 9, roof tubing 11, 111 and rear support poles 13,113) may be replaced with a tension strap 218, as shown in Figure 22. In such examples it may not be necessary for an end of the tension strap 218 to slide along the arms 6, 86 of the third frame member 3. Instead, the tension strap 218 may be fixed in place on both the feet 8, 88, 108, 188 and the third frame member 3 to provide the desired angle of inclination of the third frame member 3 relative to the feet 8, 88, 108, 188 when erected. This may advantageously reduce both the weight and complexity of the portable shelter. It also advantageously may work better in examples where the frame members are curved.

[0060] In other examples, the frame members 1, 2, 3, 101, 102, 103 may be telescopic. Providing telescopic frame members may further reduce pack-down size, making the portable shelter more portable.

[0061] In some examples it will also be understood that rather than having slots 114 in both plates 10, 110, there may only be a slot on one of the plates 10, 110, and therefore only a notch 16, 116 in one plate. However, providing a pair of slots 14, 114 may reduce twisting forces on the structure and provide greater structural rigidity.

[0062] In the current disclosure, reference is made to various embodiments. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the described features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice contemplated embodiments. Additionally, when elements of the embodiments are described in the form of "at least one of A and B," it will be understood that embodiments including element A exclusively, including element B exclusively, and including element A and B are each contemplated. Furthermore, although some embodiments disclosed herein may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the aspects, features, embodiments and advantages disclosed herein are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to "the invention" shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).

[0063] In the context of the present disclosure other examples and variations of the apparatus and methods described herein will be apparent to a person of skill in the art.

Claims

1. A portable shelter comprising first, second and third frame members, wherein each of the frame members has two arms extending therefrom, with all the arms cooperating to provide two sides of the shelter,wherein at each of the two sides is a pivot point, from which one arm of each of the first and second frame members is pivoted, andat each side, one arm of the third frame member has a moveable end configured to be located, in an erected condition, at a distance from the pivot point.

2. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein, in the erected condition, the third frame member is configured to be at an angle to the horizontal, for example an angle between 30 and 60 degrees.

3. The portable shelter of claim 1 or 2 further comprising at least one strut for retaining the third frame member, wherein the strut has a first end pivoted at or near the pivot point and a second end moveably coupled to the third frame member.

4. The portable shelter of claim 3 wherein the second end of the strut is configured to slide along the third frame member.

5. The portable shelter of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moveable ends of the third frame member are configured to be movable relative to the pivot point on collapsing the shelter.

6. The portable shelter of any of the previous claims, further comprising a pair of elongate feet, each elongate foot coupled to the first and second frame members.

7. The portable shelter of claim 6 wherein each elongate foot is slidingly coupled tothe third frame member.

8. The portable shelter of claim 6 or 7, wherein in the erected condition, the elongate feet incorporate the pivot points and define said distance between the moveable end of each arm of the third frame member and the pivot point.

9. The portable shelter of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the moveable end of each arm of the third frame member is slidable along each elongate foot on erecting and collapsing the shelter.

10. The portable shelter of any of claims 6 to 9, wherein one arm of each of the first and second frame members is fixedly attached to each elongate foot at the pivot point.

11. The portable shelter of any of the previous claims, wherein in the erected condition, the first frame member is at an angle to the vertical, for example an angle between 20 and 40 degrees.

12. The portable shelter of any of the previous claims, wherein in the erected condition, the second frame is substantially vertical.13 The portable shelter of any of the previous claims, wherein each frame member comprises a plurality of hinges configured to enable the arms of each frame member to be folded in on themselves.

14. The portable shelter of any of the previous claims, wherein each frame member comprises a central base portion coupled between each arm, and wherein the central base portion has a bent portion at either end.

15. The portable shelter of claim 14 wherein the central base portion has a hinge at each end adjacent to the bent portion at each end.

16. The portable shelter of any of the previous claims, wherein each frame member comprises a plurality of portions, each portion connected to another portion via a hinge, and wherein each portion is curved so that each frame member is substantially C-shaped.

17. The portable shelter of any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the first, second and third frame members are substantially U-shaped.14

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