Tent

Nov. 21, 1950

R. T. GREENUP

TENT

2,530,765

Filed March 5, 1948

Sheets-Sheet 1

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<img file="US2530765A_D0002.tif" />

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INVENTOR.

7?ογ 77 Ghcb/yCD

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J iAlUFf-j

Nov. 21, 1950

R. T. GREENUP

TENT

2,530,765

Filed March 5, 1948

Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENTOR.

Roy T. Gheengp

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R. T. GREENUP

TENT

Nov. 21, 1950

Filed March 5, 1948

2,530,765

Sheets-Sheet 3

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ATTORNEYS

Patented Nov. 21, 1950

2,530,765

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,530,765

TENT

Roy T. Greenup, Quilcene, Wash., assignor of onehalf to H. Sanford

Application March 5,

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in what are generally referred to as tents, and has reference more particularly to provision of a novel, collapsible frame structure for a tent of a type that is especially adapted to the uses of bathers and campers, and for other general uses.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a collapsible frame structure for supporting a tent, and which structure is free of any central supporting leg, or structural member that would interfere with freedom of use of the entire enclosed area.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a tent-supporting structure that may be easily, readily and quickly collapsed to a compact bundle for convenient storage, and likewise, may be easily and readily erected.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of the various parts of the frame structure, in· their combination, relationship and mode of use as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a tent that is supported by means of a collapsible frame structure embodied by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tent.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged vertical section of the tent-supporting structure as seen on line 3—3 in Fig. 2, the tent top and side walls being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 3a is an enlarged detail of parts of the frame structure.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top view of the central hub member and one of the radial frames of the top structure.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, taken on line 5—5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5a is an enlarged detail of the locking means for the telescoped hub portion of the top frame.

Fig. 6 is a view, showing in enlarged scale, cross-sectional sizes and relationships of parts of the radial frame, as taken on line 6—6 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of connected sections of a supporting leg.

Fig. 8 is a side view of one of the leg-securing clips.

Fig. 9 shows parts of the top frame structure,

Saari, Tacoma, Wash.

, 1948, Serial No. 13,167 (Cl. 135—4) and supporting legs at diametrically opposite sides, the lower section of one of the legs being detached as for collapsing the frame.

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a partial col5 lapsing of one of the radial frames of the top structure.

Fig. 11 is a view illustrating the final collapsing movement of the top structure and upper portions of the supporting legs.

Referring more in detail to the drawings—

The collapsible tent-supporting frame will be best understood by reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 9, wherein it has been disclosed as comprising an umbrella-like top structure having a central, ver15 tical hub member from which six radial frames extend, at equal angular intervals. At their outer ends the radial frames are equipped with legs, or posts, for the functional support of the top structure and to define the limits of the side 20 walls of the tent. A more or less number of these radial frames might be used if it should be so desired, and each would be equipped with a supporting leg; however, six frames have been found quite satisfactory.

First describing the hub member of the top structure as seen in Figs. 3, 5 and 9: This comprises telescopically associated inner and outer tubular members 10 and 11, substantially of the same length. To the upper end of the outer 30 member there is fixed a collar 12, equipped with six equally spaced pairs of projecting ears 13, see Fig. 4, between each pair of which the top member of one of the radial frames is pivotally fixed, as presently explained. Likewise, fixed to the 35 lower end of the inner member !0 is a collar 15 with six sets of equally spaced pairs of ears 16 to each pair of which the lower member of one of the radial frames is pivotally fixed.

When the parts 10 and 11 are in their assem40 bled relationship, as in Fig. 5 or 9, the tube 10 extends within the tube 11 to near its upper end and the lower end of tube 11 engages against the collar 15 as a stop. A latch normally holds the parts in this assembled relationship.

The latch, as noted best in Fig. 5a, comprises a split collar Π that is applied about and fixed to the outer tube 11. Extended downwardly from the collar is a spring finger 18 that lies along the side of the tube and at its end has an inwardly extending stud 19 thereon. This stud projects through registering holes 20 and 2 i in the parts ί 0 and I i to hold them against separation.

Each of the radial frame members of the top structure comprises a top chord that is made up of two lengths of channel iron, 22 and 22a, joined

2,630,765 by a hinge 23, as seen best in Fig. 5. The part 22 is pivoted at what would be its inner end, by a pin 24, between paired ears 13—13 on the hub collar 12. The outer end of the part 22a is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, as will presently be fully explained.

Each radial frame also comprises a lower chord 26 comprising a single straight piece of channel iron pivotally attached at its inner end by a pivot pin 27 to one of the pairs of ears 16 on the collar 15 and at its outer end is pivotally attached by a pivot bolt 28 to the member 22a of the corresponding radial frame at a point about midway of the ends of the member 22a.

Also, there is a brace member 30 for each 1! radial frame comprising a single piece of channel iron which at one end is fixed to collar 15 by the same pin 27 that attaches the corresponding part 26 to the collar 16 and at its other end is pivoted as at 33 in Fig. 5 to the outer end of the part 22 of the corresponding radial frame. With the parts so connected, they will assume the position shown in Figs. 3,5 and 9 when the frame structure is erected. With the hub members 10 and il locked together by the latch stud IS, all radial 2 frames will be held rigid relative to each other and to the hub, but upon withdrawal of the locking stud 19, by an outward springing of the finger 18, the parts SO and ί I may be moved apart, as in Fig. 10, permitting each of the radial frames to 3 be collapsed. In this collapsing action, the parts 22 and 22a of each radial frame fold together in a vertical plane, by reason of their hinged connection, passing from the position shown in Fig. 5, through the positions of Figs. 10 and 11, 3 wherein the parts 22 and 39 come into a straight line and are received within the member 26.

It will be explained here, with reference to the showing of parts in Fig. 6, that the lower chord 26 of the radial frame is of channel form and is 4 faced upwardly, while the parts 22, 22a and 38 also are of channel form, and are fixed downwardly. The transverse dimensions of these parts are such that the part 22a may be contained within the part 26 and also that part 30 may be collapsed ί within part 26, as indicated in Fig. 11.

When all the radial frames of the top structure are thus collapsed, all parts are substantially parallel and compactly assembled, and the parts comprising the various radial frames are equally C spaced about the hub portions.

Each of the supporting legs for the top structure comprises upper and lower sections 40 and 48a. These are tubular in form and the lower end of section 40 may be telescopically received in the upper end of part 41 as shown in Fig. 7, and when so assembled, the parts may be locked together by a spring latch member like that which is associated with the hub, and which comprises a split collar 45 from which a spring finger 46 extends along the outer leg member. This finger has a stud 48 at its end adapted to be extended through registering holes 49 and 58 in the telescoped portions of the leg.

The upper end portions of the upper sections of the legs are equipped with angular brackets 52, and these have angularly directed bifurcated portions 53 between which the outer end portions of the sections 22a of the radial frames are pivoted by bolts 54. When the legs are in vertical supporting position, the bracket, by contact with the frame member 22a, as in Fig. 5, serves to limit the outward swinging of the lower end portions of the legs relative to the radial frames. When the frame structure is collapsed, the upper sec4 tions of the legs swing inwardly and to the position shown in Fig. 11. Then, the lower portions 48a of the legs may be detached and assembled coextensively with the collapsed members of the frame, or the lower sections may be telescoped upwardly along the upper sections to their full length.

From a collapsed condition, the tent structure may be easily and readily erected by extending ) all radial frames and then extending the telescoped leg sections to supporting positions.

In Figs. 1 and 2, I have indicated the tent as having a side wall portion 60 which may be in the form of a continuous strip of canvas, 5 equipped with suitable means such as hooks or common types of snap fasteners, as at 6 i in Fig. 3a, whereby it may be attached to the upper ends of the leg portions for support. Also, the tent, in this case, has a hexagonal top portion 62 which 0 may be applied over the top frame structure with its marginal flap 63 overhanging the top edges of the side wall structure and secured where necessary with ties, snap fasteners or other suitable means as at 64 in Fig. 3a.

In collapsing the tent structure, the top and side wall portions 60 and 62 may, if desired, be removed, but generally would be collapsed-with and folded into the collapsed parts of the structure. It is desirable, also, that the bracket parts ⁰ 52 be equipped with eyelets 65 for the attachment of guy ropes, should this be found necessary or desirable.

Tents of this character are especially desir. able for use by campers, tourists and at the ’’ bathing beach, and may be made in sizes that best suit any particular use. The frame structure may be made of light metal such as aluminum, and in ordinary sizes would be easy to carry, 0 The tent structure may be folded and wrapped about the collapsed frame structure, and all tied together in a compact bundle for easy storage and transportation.