A roof tent

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof tent comprising a plurality of reversibly attachable legs; said roof tent comprising a mounting bar; wherein at least one leg of said plurality of reversible attachable legs comprises; a mounting unit configured to reversibly attach the at least one leg to the mounting bar.

Description

[0001] A ROOF TENT

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a roof tent a roof tent comprising a plurality of reversibly attachable legs.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] 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 collapse and detach roof tent when not in use. Generally, the roof tent is transported in a packed, collapsed or flattened configuration and is set-up or put-up by the user on the roof of the vehicle at their desired camping location. Roof tents provide a quick, safe and convenient way for a user to go camping.

[0006] However, current roof tents have a number of significant drawbacks. At present, roof tents are designed to be deployed and set-up on the roof of a vehicle only. However, there are situations wherein it is not preferred, undesirable, unfeasible or even dangerous for the roof tent to be set-up on the roof of the vehicle. Current roof-tents do not provide any flexibility on the location where the roof tent can be deployed, and so a user may be unable or unwilling to camp at their desired camping location.

[0007] Objects and aspects of the present invention seek to alleviate at least these problems associated with the prior art.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a roof tent comprising a plurality of reversibly attachable legs; said roof tent comprising a mounting bar; wherein at leastone leg of said plurality of reversible attachable legs comprises; a mounting unit configured to reversibly attach the at least one leg to the mounting bar.

[0010] In this way, the roof tent can easily be removed from the roof of a vehicle and quickly deployed on, for example, the ground. The plurality of reversibly attachable legs can further be removed from the mounting bar such that the roof tent can be removed from the ground and deployed on the roof of a vehicle.

[0011] The mounting unit allows the user to easily attach the at least one leg to the mounting bar during use and to detach the at least one leg from the mounting bar after use. In this way, there is provided a secure and reliable mechanism for reversibly attaching the at least one leg to the roof tent. It is advantageous to provide a plurality of legs as the user can remove the roof tent from its deployment on the roof of the vehicle and place the roof tent on, for example, the ground or other surface. The plurality of legs support and stabilise the roof tent in its position on the ground. The plurality of legs inhibit the roof tent from tipping when the user exits and enters the roof tent, and may prevent the base of the roof tent from coming into contact with the ground .

[0012] Preferably, each leg of the plurality of reversible attachable legs comprises; a mounting unit configured to reversibly attach the at least one leg to the mounting bar. Preferably, the roof tent comprises four reversible attachable legs. It is envisaged that any suitable number of reversible attachable legs may be provided, such as three, five, six or more legs to suit the size and shape of the roof tent.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one leg comprises a foot. Preferably, the at least one leg comprises a reversibly attachable foot. In this way, the at least one leg can be easily dismantled for repair, storage or transportation.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one leg comprises a support member, wherein the mounting unit is located at a first end of the support member and the foot is located at the opposing second end of the support member. Preferably, the support member comprises an elongate member such as a rod or bar. In this way, the weight of the roof tent, when attached to the at least one leg, is configured to be transferred through the support member to the foot located at the second end of the support member. Anelongate support member may provide improved stability and strength of the at least one leg.

[0015] Preferably, the height of the foot is adjustable relative to the support member. In this way, when the roof tent is deployed on, for example, the ground, the height of the at least one leg can be modified such that the base of the roof tent is level. In many camping locations, the ground is not flat and so inconsistencies in the height of the terrain can be addressed by increasing or decreasing the height of the foot relative to the support member to ensure the floor of the roof tent is level and more comfortable for the user.

[0016] Preferably, the height of the foot is adjustable via a hand-adjustable mechanism. Preferably, the support member comprises a threaded aperture and the foot comprises a pin comprising a thread complimentary to the threaded aperture of the support member, wherein the pin is configured to be housed within the threaded aperture. In this way, the user can rotate the pin within the aperture to adjust the height of the foot relative to the support member. It is envisaged that the height of the foot may alternatively be adjustable by mechanically assisted means.

[0017] Preferably, the foot comprises a base plate rotatably connected to the pin. In this way, the angle of the base plate relative to the support member can be adjusted to further compensate for uneven terrain onto which the roof tent is deployed.

[0018] Preferably, the mounting unit is pivotable relative to the support member. Preferably, the mounting unit is configured to lock in position relative to the support member. In this way, the position of part of the leg relative to the mounting bar can be modified to suit the terrain or surface onto which the roof tent is deployed. For example, an area of rocks on the ground may be avoided by repositioning the support member and the foot. In this way, the entire roof tent does not have to be repositioned to avoid the difficult terrain.

[0019] Preferably, the mounting unit comprises a channel configured to house a portion of the mounting bar. In this way, the user can insert the mounting bar into the channel and position the channel about the desired location on the mounting bar. Preferably,the cross-sectional shape of the channel is identical to the cross-sectional shape of the mounting bar.

[0020] In some embodiments, the channel is configured to house the mounting bar with a clearance fit. In this way, the mounting bar is permitted to slide within the aperture to allow the user to position the at least one leg relative to the mounting bar as desired.

[0021] Preferably, the mounting unit comprises a locking member configured to lock the mounting bar into position within the channel of the mounting unit. As such, when the user has positioned the at least one leg in the desired position, the locking member can be actuated to retain the mounting bar at the desired position within the channel. Preferably, the locking member comprises a hand-adjustable screw. For example, the screw may be a grub screw. Preferably, the locking member comprises a pad configured to contact the mounting bar when the at least one foot is reversibly attached to the mounting bar. For example, the screw may comprise a padded end configured to contact the mounting bar when the locking member is in a locked position. In this way, the locking member can be safely tightened against the mounting bar while damage to the mounting bar is inhibited. Preferably, the pad comprises rubber.

[0022] In some embodiments, the channel is configured to house the mounting bar with an interference fit. As such, the user may provide moderate force to push the mounting bar into the aperture and to subsequently sperate the mounting bar from the aperture. In this way, the need for a locking member may be negated.

[0023] Preferably, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the channel is from 5 and 12 degrees, inclusive. More preferably, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the channel is from 7 to 9 degrees, inclusive. In this way, the stability of the roof tent is improved when the at least one leg is attached. Further, the roof tent is better inhibited from tipping when the user enters and exits the roof tent.

[0024] Preferably, the mounting bar is configured to couple the roof tent to a roof of the vehicle. Preferably, the mounting bar is configured to couple the roof tent to a roof bar of a vehicle. In this way, the mounting bar can be attached to the roof of a vehicle when the roof tent is deployed on the roof of a vehicle and can also be attached to theplurality of reversibly attachable legs when the roof tent is deployed on the ground. As such, the roof tent can easily be adapted to suit either ‘roof’ or ‘ground’ deployment.

[0025] Preferably, the foot comprises at least one aperture configured to house an anchor. For example, the anchor may be a tent peg, stake or other means for anchoring the at least one leg to the ground. Such a feature is advantageous to further secure the roof tent to the ground during deployment on the ground.

[0026] Preferably, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the foot is between 95 and 175 degrees, inclusive. It is understood that the longitudinal axis of the foot may be equivalent to the longitudinal axis of the threaded pin.

[0027] Preferably, the support member comprises metal. Preferably, the mounting unit comprises metal. Preferably, the foot comprises metal or plastic. Preferably, the mounting bar comprises metal.

[0028] Description of the Invention

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 of the depicts a perspective view of a leg in accordance with the reversibly attachable legs of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 of the depicts a side-on view of the leg in Figure 1, wherein a mounting bar of a roof tent is attached to the leg; and

[0032] Figure 3 depicts an exploded view of the leg of Figure 1.

[0033] With reference to Figure 1 , there is illustrated a reversibly attachable leg 100 of a roof tent (not pictured) according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the roof tent comprises a plurality of identical legs 100. For brevity, a single leg 100 of the plurality of legs 100 is described. The leg 100 comprises a mounting unit 105, support member 110 and a foot 115. The mounting unit 105 is located at a first end 110a of the supportmember 110 and the foot 115 is located at an opposing second end 110b of the support member 110. The support member 110 comprises an elongate bar with a substantially constant cross-section along the majority of its length.

[0034] With reference to Figure 2, the roof tent further comprises a mounting bar 120, a portion of which is illustrated in dashed lines to allow the mounting unit 105 to be clearly viewed. It is appreciated that the mounting bar 120 is elongate and extends further than the portion depicted in Figure 2.

[0035] The mounting unit 105 is configured to reversibly attach the leg 100 to the mounting bar 120, such that the leg 100 can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the mounting bar 120 during its lifetime. The mounting unit 105 comprises a channel 125 configured to house a portion of the mounting bar 120. In Figure 2, the mounting bar 120 is shown in a position housed within the channel 125. The channel 125 is configured to house the mounting bar 120 with a clearance fit, such that the user may slide the mounting unit 105 along a portion of the mounting bar 120 until the leg 100 is located in the desired position.

[0036] The mounting unit 105 further comprises an aperture 130 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel 125 and configured to house a locking member 135. The locking member 135 comprises a hand-adjustable grub screw configured to be manually rotated by the user within the aperture 130. The locking member 135 is configured to project into the channel 125.

[0037] The aperture 130 comprises a thread complimentary to the thread of the locking member 135. The user can rotate the locking member 135 within the aperture 130 such that the locking member 135 projects further into the channel 125 and presses against the mounting bar 120. The locking member 135 is configured to secure the mounting bar 120 into position within the channel 125 and prevent the mounting unit 105 and mounting bar 120 sliding relative to one another.

[0038] The locking member 135 comprises a rubber pad 140 located at a distal end of the locking member 135. In this way, the pad 140 can contact the mounting bar 120 and provide greater friction between the locking member 135 and the mounting bar 120. The locking member 135 can be safely tightened against the mounting bar 120 withoutdamaging the mounting bar 120. The position in which the locking member 135 is located when the mounting bar 120 is unable to slide within the channel 125 is considered the locked position of the locking member 135. The user can manually rotate the locking member 135 such that a lesser or no portion of the locking member 135 projects into the channel 125 and the pad 140 is no longer in contact with the mounting bar 120. In this configuration, the locking member 135 is in an unlocked position.

[0039] In this embodiment, the angle a between the longitudinal axis L1 of the support member 110 and the longitudinal axis L2 of the channel 125 is 8 degrees. In this way, the roof tent is less likely to tip or fall over, advantageously providing a more stable roof tent when the reversibly attachable legs 100 are attached.

[0040] The mounting unit 105 further comprises moulding 145 which projects into the channel 125. The moulding 145 is configured to better couple the mounting bar 120 to the mounting unit 105.

[0041] The height of the foot 115 is adjustable relative to the support member 110. The support member 110 comprises a threaded aperture 150 and the foot 115 comprises a pin 155 comprising a thread complimentary to the threaded aperture 150. The pin 155 is configured to be housed in the threaded aperture 150. A base plate 160 is rotatably connected to a first end 155a of the pin 155. A cap 170 is located at an opposing second end 155b of the pin 155. The cap 170 aids user grip on the pin 155. The user can rotate the pin 155 within the threaded aperture 150 to adjust the height of the base plate 160 relative to the support member 110. Namely, the base plate 160 can be positioned closer to the support member 110 or further away from the support member 110.

[0042] The angle of the base plate 160 relative to the pin 155 can also be adjusted by tilting the base plate 160 about the rotatable connection to the pin 155 to further compensate for uneven terrain onto which the roof tent is deployed. The base plate 160 comprises a pair of apertures 165 configured to house an anchor, such as a tent peg.

[0043] The mounting bar 120 is configured to removably couple the roof tent to a roof bar of a vehicle, such as a car or van. In this way, the roof tent can be securely but removablyattached to a roof of a vehicle. Such a configuration is desirable for transporting the roof tent to the camping site and for deploying the roof tent on the roof of the vehicle, such that the user may, for example, sleep within the elevated roof tent. The user may also lift the roof tent from the roof of the vehicle and place it on, for example, the ground next to the vehicle. The user can then attach the plurality of reversibly attachable legs 100 to the mounting bar 120 and tighten the locking member 135. When secured in place by the locking member 135, the legs 100 are removably fixed to the mounting bar 120.

[0044] The user can then adjust the height of the feet 115 of one or more legs 100 by rotating each pin 155 such that the roof tent is level with the ground. Optionally, anchors can be positioned in the apertures 165 of each base plate 160. The roof tent has thus been adapted from its roof position to a position on the ground.

[0045] Similarly, to move the roof tent back to the roof of the vehicle, the user can loosen the locking members 135 such that the mounting bar 120 can be easily removed from each channel 125 of the mounting units 105. Each leg 100 can then be disconnected from the mounting bar 120 and the mounting bar can be recoupled to the roof bar of a vehicle. The legs 100 can then be safely stored away.

[0046] In this embodiment, the support member 110 comprises anodised aluminium. The pin 155 comprises a TR 16x4 screw comprising 316 stainless steel. The cap 170 comprises anodised aluminium. The base plate 160 comprises nylon. The walls of the mounting unit 105 defining the channel comprise anodised aluminium. The rubber pad 140 is 2mm thick.

[0047] Further embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be envisaged that have not been described above, for example, the mounting bar may be any suitable cross-sectional shape and / or dimensions for the desired application.

Claims

Claims1. A roof tent comprising a plurality of reversibly attachable legs;said roof tent comprising a mounting bar;wherein at least one leg of said plurality of reversible attachable legs comprises;a mounting unit configured to reversibly attach the at least one leg to the mounting bar.

2. The roof tent of claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg comprises a reversibly attachable foot.

3. The roof tent of claim 2, wherein the at least one leg comprises a support member, wherein the mounting unit is located at a first end of the support member and the foot is located at the opposing second end of the support member.

4. The roof tent of claim 3, wherein the height of the foot is adjustable relative to the support member.

5. The roof tent of claim 4, wherein the height of the foot is adjustable via a hand- adjustable mechanism.

6. The roof tent of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the mounting unit is pivotable relative to the support member.

7. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the mounting unit comprises a channel configured to house a portion of the mounting bar.

8. The roof tent of Claim 7, wherein the channel is configured to house the mounting bar with a clearance fit.

9. The roof tent of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the mounting unit comprises a locking member configured to lock the mounting bar into position within the channel of the mounting unit.

10. The roof tent of claim 9, wherein the locking member comprises a hand- adjustable screw.

11. The roof tent of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the locking member comprises a pad configured to contact the mounting bar when the at least one foot is reversibly attached to the mounting bar.

12. The roof tent of claim 7, wherein the channel is configured to house the mounting bar with an interference fit.

13. The roof tent of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the channel is from 5 and 12 degrees, inclusive.

14. The roof tent of claim 13, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the channel is from 7 to 9 degrees, inclusive.

15. The roof tent of any one preceding claim, wherein the mounting bar is configured to couple the roof tent to a roof of the vehicle.

16. The roof tent of any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the foot comprises at least one aperture configured to house an anchor.

17. The roof tent of any one of claims 3 to 16, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the foot is between 95 and 175 degrees, inclusive.

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