A roof tent

Abstract

A flat pack compact roof tent 100 for mounting on the roof of a vehicle e.g. car having a top portion 200 and a base portion 300, the base portion having at least two panels 310,320 and at least one r

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a roof tent for mounting on the roof of the vehicle. In particular, the roof tent comprises a base portion that includes a panel and a rigid support member. The invention also relates to a kit of parts for providing the roof tent. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Roof tents are camping tents that, in use, are attached to the roofs of vehicles such as cars and vans. As such, a roof tent is a vehicle accessory. To go camping, the user merely needs to drive to an appropriate location and set-up the tent on the roof of their vehicle. Typically, the roof tent is attached to cross bars on the vehicle’s roof and is transported while attached to the roof of the vehicle. The roof tent is generally detachably, reversibly or removably attached to the cross bars such that the user can detach the roof tent when not in use. Generally, the roof tent is transported in a packed, collapsed, stowed or flattened configuration inside a box or case and is set-up, erected or put-up by the user at their desired camping location. Roof tents provide a quick, safe and convenient way for a user to go camping. However, whilst roof tents can be stored in a relatively compact fashion on the roof of a car or other vehicle, they remain bulky items. The size of a roof tent when it is in its packed configuration can be problematic when storing the roof tent before sale and in transporting the roof tent from its place of manufacture to the customer. As such, there is a desire to reduce the size of a roof tent to decrease storage costs and to increase the ease with which it can be transported to the user before it is affixed to the roof of a vehicle. Objects and aspects of the present invention seek to alleviate at least these problems of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roof tent for mounting on the roof of a vehicle, the roof tent comprising a top portion and a base portion, the base portion comprising at least two panels and at least one rigid support member wherein the at least one rigid support member supports and connects the at least two panels. In this way, there is provided a ‘flat pack’ roof tent that can be assembled by the end user. As such, before assembly, the roof tent can be stored in a compact format that allows for reduced transport and storage costs. Additionally, after purchase, a user can transport the roof tent more easily, as the reduced size means that the new purchase can be transported home in a standard car before later assembly and affixation to the car’s roof. It is also the case that such a ‘flat pack roof tent can be more easily stored in a physical retail premises. Preferably, at least one panel is inflatable. Where the panel is inflatable, this may be preferable as it allows the panels to be provided in a compact form, reducing the size of the ‘flat pack’ roof tent. In use the panels may be inflated to provide the necessary support and rigidity in the base portion of the roof tent. Preferably, the base portion comprises at least two rigid support members. The use of at least two support bars may be preferable as it ensures the base portion of the roof tent is well supported across is width and length. More preferably, the base portion comprises at least three rigid support members. Still more preferably, the base portion compromises at least four rigid support members. Increasing the number of support bars may increase the support provided to the panels in the base portion. Preferably, the at least two rigid support members are parallel to one another. In this way, the rigid support members may provide more uniform support across the base portion. In other embodiments, the at least two rigid support members are perpendicular to one another. Such embodiments may once again assist in providing uniform support across the base portion of the roof tent. Preferably, the at least one rigid support member comprises a first support member portion and a second support member portion, and wherein the first support member portion and the second support member portion are connected to one another to form the at least one rigid support member. In this way, the length of the rigid support members in the ‘flat pack’ roof tent is decreased, allowing the roof tent to be sold to the user in a more compact package. More preferably, the length of the first support member portion is substantially the same as the length of the second support member portion. Preferably, the first support member portion is connected to the second support member portion via an interference fit. Preferably, the first support member portion is reversibly connected to the second support member portion. Preferably, the at least two panels abut one another. In this manner, the at least two panels, with the rigid support member, may provide a continuous rigid structure within the base portion of the roof tent. Preferably, the at least one rigid support member extends in a direction perpendicular to the joint between the at least two panels. In this way, a more rigid structure may be provided within the base portion of the roof tent. Preferably, the at least two panels are hingedly connected. In this way, the construction of the roof tent by the user may be eased without increasing the size of the ‘flat pack’ package. Preferably, the at least two panels extend across substantially the entire base of the roof tent. In this way, the base portion of the roof tent is rigid and supported across substantially its entire area. Preferably, the at least one rigid support member extends across at least 50% of one dimension of the base portion. More preferably, the at least one rigid support member extends across at least 75% of one dimension of the base portion. Still more preferably, the at least one rigid support member extends across at least 90% of one dimension of the base portion. Such features may help ensure the base portion of the roof tent is rigid in use. Preferably, the top portion comprises a fabric portion. Where the top portion comprises a fabric portion, this may assist in reducing the size of the ‘flat pack’ package purchased by a user. More preferably, the top portion consists of fabric. Preferably, the base portion comprises a fabric portion. Where the base portion comprises a fabric portion, this may assist in reducing the size of the ‘flat pack’ package purchased by a user. Preferably, the base portion further comprises at least one pocket, and at least one panel is positioned within the at least one pocket. Such a feature may assist the end user in the assembly of the ‘flat pack’ roof tent. Preferably, the fabric portion substantially encloses the least one panel. Preferably, the at least one rigid support member is located outside the fabric portion. Preferably, in use, the at least one rigid support member is located underneath the at least two panels. In this way, the rigid support member may provide more support to the at least two panels. Preferably, the at least one rigid support member comprises a metal support bar. Preferably, at least one panel comprises a plastic material. Such features may ensure the roof tent is lightweight such that it can be easily positioned on the roof of a car or other vehicle by a user. Preferably, the at least one rigid support member is reversibly connected to the at least two panels. Preferably, the base portion comprises at least three panels. The use of at least three panels may further reduce the size of the ‘flat pack’ provided to users for assembly. Preferably, at least one panel comprises at least one rigid panel. Where at least one panel is rigid, this may increase the rigidity of the base portion of the roof tent. Where the panel is inflatable, it may be inflated to such an extent such that it provides a rigid structure. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for providing the roof tent of any one preceding claim. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roof tent in a first stage of assembly; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a roof tent in a second stage of assembly. Figure 1 depicts a roof tent 100 in accordance with the present invention. Here, the roof tent 100 comprises a top portion 200 and a base portion 300, the top portion 200 connected to the base portion 300m around the perimeter of the base portion 300. The base portion 300 and the top portion 200 define a volume within which a user may inhabit the roof tent 100. Here, the volume has a triangular cross-section in a first dimension, and a rectangular cross-section in a second dimension, although other embodiments are envisaged. The top portion 200 is made mainly of a fabric material, and the base portion 300 also includes a fabric material into which further components of the roof tent are inserted. The base portion 300 further includes a first panel 310 and a second panel 320. Here the first panel 310 has already been inserted into a pocket within the base portion 300. The second panel 320 is also being inserted into the base portion in the direction demonstrated by the arrow 330. Here, the user is sliding the second panel 320 into a pocket within the base portion 300 to assemble the roof tent 100. Both the first panel 310 and the second panel 320 are formed of a rigid plastic material to provide the base portion 300 with a high level of rigidity whilst maintaining a lightweight roof tent 100. Turning to Figure 2, the roof tent 100 is depicted in a second stage of assembly. Here, the first panel 310 and the second panel 320 have been positioned such that they abut one another to form a continuous platform or base within the base portion 300 of the roof tent 100. Additionally, a first rigid support member 340 is illustrated, the first rigid support member 340 positioned underneath the first panel 310 and the second panel 320. As such, the first rigid support member 340 provides support to the first panel 310 and the second panel 320, additionally holding the panels 310, 320 in position within the base portion 300. The first rigid support member 340 lies parallel to the length of the base portion 300, and perpendicular to the abutment of the first panel 310 and the second panel 320. The first rigid support member 340 extends across around 90% of the length of the base portion, such that it provides stability and rigidity across the base portion 300. The first rigid support member 340 is connected to the first panel 310 and the second panel 320 via screws 341. A second rigid support member 350 can also be seen in Figure 2. The second rigid support member 350 is formed of a first support member portion 360 and a second support member portion 370. The first support member portion 360 and the second support member portion 370 are of equal length. During the formation of the roof tent 100, the user connects the first support member portion 360 and the second support member portion 370 to one another to form the second support bar 350. The first support member portion 360 and the second support member portion 270 connect to one another via an interference fit. When connected, the first rigid support member 340 lies parallel to the second rigid support member 350 such that the base portion 300 comprises a rigid platform capable of supporting the user’s weight inside the roof tent 100.

Claims

1. A roof tent for mounting on the roof of a vehicle, the roof tent comprising:a top portion, anda base portion,the base portion comprising;at least two panels, andat least one rigid support member, wherein the at least one rigid support member supports and connects the at least two panels.

2. The roof tent of claim 1, wherein at least one panel is inflatable.

3. The roof tent of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base portion comprises at least two rigid support members.

4. The roof tent of claim 3, wherein the at least two rigid support members are parallel to one another.

5. The roof tent any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one rigid support member comprises a first support member portion and a second support member portion, and wherein the first support member portion and the second support member portion are connected to one another to form the at least one rigid support member.

6. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least two panels abut one another.

7. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least two panels are hingedly connected.

8. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least two panels extends across substantially the entire base of the roof tent.

9. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one rigid support member extends across at least 50% of one dimension of the base portion.

10. The roof tent of claim 11, wherein the at least one rigid support member extends across at least 75% of one dimension of the base portion.

11. The roof tent of claim 12, wherein the at least one rigid support member extends across at least 90% of one dimension of the base portion.

12. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the top portion comprises a fabric portion.

13. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the base portion comprises a fabric portion.

14. The roof tent of claim 13, wherein the base portion further comprises at least one pocket, and at least one panel is positioned within the at least one pocket.

15. The roof tent of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the fabric portion substantially encloses the at least one panel.

16. The roof tent of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the at least one rigid support member is located outside the fabric portion.

17. The roof tent of any one preceding claim wherein, in use, the at least one rigid support member is located underneath the at least two panels.

18. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one rigid support member comprises a metal support bar.

19. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein at least one panel comprises a plastic material.

20. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one rigid support member is reversibly connected to the at least two panels.

21. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the base portion comprises at least three panels.

22. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least two panels comprises at least one rigid panel.

23. A kit of parts for providing the roof tent of any one preceding claim.

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