Air tent

Abstract

This product provides an air tent that can be easily folded and stored in a relatively short time, even for those performing the storage task for the first time or those unfamiliar with the process. [Solution] The air tent 1 is composed of a canopy 4, a floor sheet 2, and an air column equipped with intake and exhaust valves 50 and 51. The canopy 4 has a pair of end wall sections 8 and a side wall section 10 connecting the pair of end wall sections 8. Markers 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, 27 and 20, 21, 22, 30, 31, 32 are provided on the surface of the canopy 4. The markers 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, 27 and 20, 21, 22, 30, 31, 32 are all the same shape and are positioned to overlap and face each other when the canopy 4 is folded for storage of the air tent 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air tent composed of a canopy, a floor sheet, and air columns provided with air intake and exhaust valves.

Background Art

[0002] As a temporary structure that can be quickly set up for use as an outdoor area, an event venue, an evacuation shelter during a disaster, a temporary medical facility, etc., as shown in Patent Document 1, an air tent that forms a structure by filling it with air is known. The air tent erects a plurality of air columns on a floor sheet, injects air into these air columns to expand them, and covers the outside of the air columns with a canopy to form a tent shape. Such an air tent can be set up as needed and can be stored in a folded state in a narrow space when not needed, so it is widely used for emergency disasters, etc.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as described above, such a conventional air tent is folded and stored compactly, so the setup method for expansion and the folding method during storage after use are often complicated. Therefore, especially when working for the first time or when not accustomed to setup or storage, it may take a long time for setup or storage. Also, if the proper folding method is not performed during storage, problems may occur such as difficulty in accurately setting up the tent at the intended position during the next setup or inability to set up the tent in a predetermined orientation.

[0005] Therefore, this invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an air tent that can be easily folded and stored in a relatively short time, even when performing the storage operation for the first time or when the user is not accustomed to the storage operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides an air tent comprising a canopy, a floor sheet, and an air column equipped with intake and exhaust valves, wherein the canopy has a pair of end wall sections and a side wall section connecting the pair of end wall sections, and a one-sided marker and a other-sided marker are provided on the surface of the canopy, and the one-sided marker and the other-sided marker are positioned to overlap and face each other when the canopy is folded when the air tent is stored. Here, the one-sided marker means the marker on the side that is aligned with the other-sided marker when stored, and the other-sided marker means the marker on the reference side for aligning the one-sided marker when stored.

[0007] Furthermore, the aforementioned one marker and the other marker are identical in shape. By making them identical in shape, the combination of one marker and the other marker can be easily identified, thereby reducing storage time.

[0008] Furthermore, the one-sided marker and the other-sided marker may be provided in pairs at multiple locations on the surface. By providing the one-sided marker and the other-sided marker at multiple locations in this way, the desired folding position can be clearly indicated to the worker.

[0009] Furthermore, the aforementioned one marker and the other marker may be visually identifiable figures, symbols, or letters.

[0010] Furthermore, the surface of the tent canopy may be provided with valve marks at positions corresponding to the intake and exhaust valves of the air column when the tent is extended. By providing valve marks in this way, when releasing air from the air column (3) during storage, the position of the intake and exhaust valves hidden by the canopy can be immediately confirmed from the outside of the air tent, making it more effective to shorten the storage time of the air tent.

[0011] Furthermore, the floor sheet may have a folding line on the side that contacts the floor surface for storage. This allows the floor sheet to be folded along this line when folding the entire sheet, making it easy and proper to fold even if the overall area of ​​the floor sheet is large and the folding process is difficult. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As this invention is constructed as described above, even when performing the storage operation for the first time or when unfamiliar with the storage operation, the tent can be easily and properly folded using the aforementioned one-sided and the other-sided markers as guides. Therefore, storage time can be shortened, variations in the work performed by different workers can be reduced, and the air tent can be accurately set up in the desired position during the next setup. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the setup state of an air tent according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A plan view showing the folded state of both end walls in one embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the state of discharging air from an air column in one embodiment. [Figure 4] A conceptual diagram showing the end wall portion extended in one embodiment. [Figure 5] A conceptual diagram showing the state after the folding of a pair of end walls is complete. [Figure 6] A conceptual diagram showing the state in which the protruding portion of the side wall is extended in one embodiment. [Figure 7] Conceptual diagram showing the overhanging part of the side wall in one embodiment. [Figure 8] Conceptual diagram showing the state where the folding back of a pair of overhanging parts of the side wall is completed in one embodiment. [Figure 9] Conceptual diagram showing the folded state at the first folding line of the floor sheet in one embodiment. [Figure 10] Conceptual diagram showing the folded state at the second folding line of the floor sheet in one embodiment. [Figure 11] Conceptual diagram showing the state where the side edge of the floor sheet is folded back from the state of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] Plan view showing the back side of the storage bag in one embodiment. [Figure 13] Conceptual diagram showing the state where the air tent is stored in the storage bag from the state of FIG. 11. [Figure 14] Conceptual diagram showing the state where the air tent is arranged at the base of the storage bag in one embodiment. [Figure 15] Conceptual diagram showing the state where the air tent is stored in the storage bag from the state of FIG. 14.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration when the air tent (1) according to this embodiment is set up. The air tent (1) according to this embodiment is composed of a floor sheet (2) installed on the floor surface, an air column (3) erected on this floor sheet (2), and a tent roof (4) covering this air column (3).

[0015] To describe the air tent (1) of this embodiment in more detail, the floor sheet (2) constitutes the floor surface of the internal space of the air tent (1), and air columns (3) are arranged on this floor sheet (2) at predetermined intervals. This air column (3) is configured as a bag-shaped body capable of enclosing air inside, and can be formed, for example, of a sheet material having flexibility and airtightness. And this air column (3) is provided with intake and exhaust valves (50)(51) for intake and exhaust of air. By supplying air through these intake and exhaust valves (50)(51), this air column (3) expands and constitutes the framework of this embodiment when maintaining a predetermined shape during installation.

[0016] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, this air column (3) is formed with three substantially arched arch portions (6) and a plurality of beam portions (7) connecting these three arch portions (6). Therefore, a stable framework structure can be constituted for the entire air tent (1) by these arch portions (6) and beam portions (7). Also, adjacent arch portions (6) and beam portions (7) are respectively connected, and since a plurality of arch portions (6) and beam portions (7) are integrally constituted, the rigidity and stability of the air tent (1) can be improved during installation. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the intake and exhaust valves (50)(51) are respectively provided on the installation side of each arch portion (6) to the floor sheet (2).

[0017] Also, the canopy (4) is provided so as to cover the outside of the air column (3) having the above configuration, and forms the outer surface of the entire air tent (1) during installation. In the air tent (1) shown in FIG. 1, this canopy (4) constitutes a pair of end wall portions (8) and a side wall portion (10) connecting these pair of end wall portions (8), thereby forming the internal space of this air tent (1). Also, entrances (11) are respectively provided in the pair of end wall portions (8). As shown in FIG. 1, this entrance (11) opens by pulling up an opening curtain (13) formed by a pair of slits (12) extending in the vertical direction, and a user can enter and exit the inside and outside of the air tent (1) through this entrance (11).

[0018] Furthermore, the surface of the canopy (4) is marked to indicate how to fold the air tent (1) when storing it. To explain these marks in detail, as shown in Figure 2, there are three marks along the inner circumference of the top (24) side of the pair of roughly semicircular end walls (8). Specifically, a first directional mark (15) is provided near the top (24) of the end wall (8), and a second directional mark (16) and a third directional mark (17) are provided at positions equally spaced from this first directional mark (15). A first valley fold line (18) indicating the valley fold position of the end wall (8) is marked on the end wall (8) with a dotted line as shown in Figure 2.

[0019] Furthermore, the first other marker (20), second other marker (21), and third other marker (22) are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the first valley fold line (18) with respect to the first one-sided marker (15), second one-sided marker (16), and third one-sided marker (17). Also, as shown in Figure 2, the first one-sided marker (15) and the first other marker (20), the second one-sided marker (16) and the second other marker (21), and the third one-sided marker (17) and the third other marker (22) are all the same size and shape. In addition, a roughly semicircular confirmation line is provided along the inner periphery of this end wall (8) using a dotted line. Also, as shown in Figure 2, one end of a rope (14) is connected and fixed to both ends of this end wall (8) on the top side (24) at symmetrical positions.

[0020] Furthermore, on the side walls (10) of the tent (4), the fourth one-sided marker (25), fifth one-sided marker (26), and sixth one-sided marker (27) are provided at equal intervals near the ridge line (37) when the tent is set up as shown in Figure 1, at the center in the width direction and at both the left and right ends, respectively. Below the fourth one-sided marker (25), fifth one-sided marker (26), and sixth one-sided marker (27), a second valley fold line (28) is provided as a dotted line in the horizontal direction in Figure 1, and the fourth other-sided marker (30), fifth other-sided marker (31), and sixth other-sided marker (32) are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to this second valley fold line (28), respectively.

[0021] Furthermore, the fourth one-sided marker (25) and the fourth other-sided marker (30), the fifth one-sided marker (26) and the fifth other-sided marker (31), and the sixth one-sided marker (27) and the sixth other-sided marker (32) are all the same size and shape. In this embodiment, as described above, the first one-sided markers (15) to the sixth one-sided marker (27) and the first other-sided markers (20) to the sixth other-sided marker (32) are all the same size and shape for the corresponding markers. Therefore, when folding for storage, accurate folding is possible by aligning the markers of the same shape so that they overlap.

[0022] Furthermore, as described above, the exact folding position can be immediately confirmed by visual inspection, thus shortening the folding time. In this embodiment, the markings are distinguished by being the same size and shape, but in other different embodiments, they can be distinguished by being the same color. Furthermore, while the markings in this embodiment are shapes, in other different embodiments they are not limited to shapes and may be letters or symbols.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, below the fourth other marker (30), the fifth other marker (31), and the sixth other marker (32), one end of a rope (23) is connected and fixed, as shown in Figure 1. Also, on this side wall (10), valve marks (33) are provided at positions corresponding to the intake and exhaust valves (50) (51) installed on the air column (3) when the air tent (1) is deployed, as shown in Figure 1, to mark the positions of the intake and exhaust valves (50) (51) of the air column (3).

[0024] By providing valve marks (33) in this manner, when releasing air from the air column (3) during storage, the location of the intake and exhaust valves (50) (51), which are hidden by the canopy (4), can be immediately confirmed from the outside of the air tent (1). Therefore, the storage time of the air tent (1) can be shortened more effectively. Also, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the floor sheet (2) has two solid fold lines, a first fold line (34) and a second fold line (35), on the side that contacts the floor. Furthermore, the contact surface of this floor sheet (2) is marked with an arrow mark (36), as shown in Figures 11 and 13.

[0025] The method for storing the air tent (1), which is configured as described above and set up as shown in Figure 1, is explained below. First, using the valve mark (33) on the canopy (4), the intake / exhaust valve (50) located in the central arch section (6) of the air column (3) is opened to release the air, as shown in Figure 3. Then, the intake / exhaust valves (51) on both sides of the arch sections (6) are opened to release the air. By releasing the air from the central intake / exhaust valve (50) in this way, the wall sections (8) at both ends of the canopy (4) are folded inward from the top section (24), as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3.

[0026] Furthermore, the folded end wall sections (8) as described above are stretched out so that the confirmation lines form a roughly semicircular shape, while pulling the pair of ropes (14) provided on each end wall section (8) as shown in Figure 4. After confirming that the confirmation lines (5) formed along the inner circumference of the end wall section (8) as shown in Figure 2 have become roughly semicircular, the folding of the end wall section (8) is completed, and the end wall section (8) is folded back from the top (24) side as shown by the arrow in Figure 2. At this time, the end wall section (8) is folded so that the first one-sided marker (15) and the first other marker (20), the second one-sided marker (16) and the second other marker (21), and the third one-sided marker (17) and the third other marker (22) overlap. As a result, the end wall section (8) is folded into the predetermined shape as shown in Figure 5 along the first valley fold line (18).

[0027] After the folding of the pair of end wall sections (8) is completed, the folding of the side wall section (10) is performed. First, starting from the state in which both end wall sections (8) are folded as shown in Figure 5, the rope (23) connected to the side wall section (10) is pulled to make it protrude, as shown by the arrow in Figure 6, and the protruding section (52) is made flat so that the second valley fold line (28) provided on this side wall section (10) becomes straight. Then, as shown by the arrow in Figure 7, the protruding section (52) is folded inward.

[0028] At this time, the protruding portion (52) is folded so that the fourth one-sided marker (25) and the fourth other-sided marker (30), the fifth one-sided marker (26) and the fifth other-sided marker (31), and the sixth one-sided marker (27) and the sixth other-sided marker (32) overlap. As a result, the protruding portion (52) is folded along the second valley fold line (28) into the predetermined shape shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, by folding the side wall portion (10) as described above, the end of the folded side wall portion (10) is configured not to protrude significantly outward from the floor sheet (2).

[0029] Furthermore, the protruding portions (52) are formed on both sides of the pair of end portions of the side wall portion (10) in this embodiment. Therefore, although only the folding operation of one protruding portion (52) has been described above, the same operation is performed on the other protruding portion (52). As a result, both protruding portions (52) can be folded into a predetermined shape, as shown by the arrows in Figure 8.

[0030] Then, after folding the pair of protruding parts (52) of the side wall (10) as described above, the side wall (10) and both end wall parts (8) are folded together with the floor sheet (2) as follows. That is, with the side wall (10) folded as shown in Figure 8, the floor sheet (2) is folded perpendicular to the folding direction of the protruding parts (52) as shown in Figure 9. At this time, since the floor sheet (2) has a first folding line (34) near the center in the width direction as described above, folding along this first folding line (34) makes it easy to fold to a predetermined position.

[0031] Furthermore, from the folded state shown in Figure 9, lift the side along the first folding line (34) and fold the floor sheet (2) along the second folding line (35) shown in Figure 10. From this state, as shown in Figure 11, fold the side edge (53) of the floor sheet (2) opposite the second folding line (35) so that, as described above, the side edge (53) is positioned above the second folding line (35) where it was folded.

[0032] Next, the procedure for storing the folded air tent (1) into the storage bag (40) as described above will be explained below. First, as shown in Figure 12, the storage bag (40) used in this embodiment is formed of a roughly cross-shaped planar sheet consisting of a rectangular base (41), left and right sheets (42) extending from the base (41) in the left and right directions in Figure 12, and upper and lower sheets (43) extending from the base (41) in a direction perpendicular to the left and right sheets (42). A pair of left and right belt members (44) and an upper and lower belt member (45) are connected and fixed to the left and right sheets (42) and upper and lower sheets (43), respectively. As shown in Figure 14, one end of the left and right belt members (44) and the upper and lower belt member (45) is provided with a ring (56) for connecting the belt members.

[0033] Specifically, the left and right belt members (44) are connected and fixed to the left and right sheets (42) by, for example, sewing at two fixing parts (46) on the ring (56) side, and the upper and lower belt members (45) are connected and fixed at one end each to the upper and lower sheets (43) in pairs. A straight reference line (47) is provided on the inner surface of the base (41) of the storage bag (40), as shown in Figure 13. Then, as shown in Figure 13, one end (54) of the folded air tent (1) is lifted up as described above, and the storage bag (40) is set up so that this end (54) aligns with the reference line (47) of the storage bag (40).

[0034] Then, after venting the air contained inside the air tent (1) which has been folded and stacked in advance as shown in Figure 11, the air tent (1) is rolled up from the other end (55) so that the entire air tent (1) is placed inside the base (41) of the storage bag (40) as shown in Figure 14. After that, the air tent (1) which has been placed in the base (41) as described above is covered from both the left and right sides with the left and right sheets (42) and the left and right belt members (44) are connected to fix the left and right sheets (42), and then the upper and lower sheets (43) are further covered from above the left and right sheets (42) and the upper and lower belt members (45) are connected to fix the upper and lower sheets (43).

[0035] As a result, the air tent (1) is stored in the storage bag (40) in a properly folded state, completing the storage process. By folding and storing the air tent (1) as described above, the storage time can be shortened, variations in the work performed by different workers can be reduced, and the air tent can be accurately set up in the desired location the next time it is erected. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1 Air Tent 2 Floor sheet 3 air columns 4 Tent 8 End wall section 10 Side wall section 15. First landmark 16. Second one-way landmark 17. Third landmark 20. First other landmark 21. Second other landmark 22 Third Other Landmark 25. Fourth point of reference 26. Fifth Landmark 27. Sixth Landmark 30. Fourth other landmark 31. Fifth other landmark 32. Sixth Other Landmark 33 Valve Mark 34. First folding line 35. Second folding line

Claims

1. An air tent comprising a canopy, a floor sheet, and an air column equipped with intake and exhaust valves, wherein the canopy has a pair of end wall sections and a side wall section connecting the pair of end wall sections, and the surface of the canopy is provided with one marker and the other marker, the one marker and the other marker are identical in shape, and are positioned to face each other and overlap when the canopy is folded for storage.

2. The air tent according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned one marker and the other marker are visually identifiable figures, symbols, or characters.

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