Untitled record

Application filed March 7,1895. SerialNo.540,879. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Spencer F. B. Biddle, a citizen of the United States, residing at Graham, Caster county, and State of Montana, 5 have invented a new and useful Military or Camping Tent, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tents; and the objects of my improvements io are, first, to provide a folding device for the exterior support of the tent; second, to afford a tent with sides and floor or ground-covering joined together, and, third, to afford a sack in which camp outfit may be packed. I 15 attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which—

Figure 1 is a front view in perspective of the tent and its supports. Fig. 2 is a view iu 20 perspective of a section of the tent, showing a portion of the ground-covering joined to the side. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the supporting device folded and tent packed with camp outfit for transportation. Fig. 4 25 is a view in perspective of the supporting device and of the tent with camp outfit secured on pack-horse.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The shears or supporting-poles A are pivoted together at B and also jointed at C, being made rigid when opened out by turnbuckles D or similar device. The lower ends of the shears are inserted in loops I, fastened to the lower opposite edges of the tent. At the joint B is a block, loop, pulley, or similar suitable device for running the rope fastened to peak K of the tent. At each corner or other equidistant points around the lower circumference 40 of the tent are fastened strong loops of cord or other suitable material, through which are driven into the ground stout pegs or pins H. These loops may be the continuation of ropes or cords running from the peak K and firmly secured in the seams of the tent.

By means of the rope attached to peak K and running through B the peak is drawn tightly toward, the point B and firmly secured in that position. The tension is thus produced from the point B through the peak K and the cords running down the seams of the tent, or the seams themselves in case the cords are not used, to the pins H, and from the point B through the shears to the loops I, the seams and ropes between Β, K, and II 55 affording the necessary guys to make a firm rigid structure capable of resisting strong winds.

The tent is so constructed that instead of ending at the lower edges of its walls or sides 60 it has a floor or ground covering of a similar material, turned up around its edge to the height of twelve inches, more or less, and permanently stitched or otherwise fastened to the walls'of the tent, thus making a tight 65 weather-proof shelter. The portion of the wall L used as a flap or door is not fastened to the upturned portion of the floor or groundcovering. Ventilation-ports with suitable device for opening and closing may also be pro- 70 vided, as at J.

An especial feature of utility of atentconstructed so that the sides and ground-covering are closely sewed together as though in one piece is the protection itaffords from the 75 weather, moisture, dust, and insects. In such a tent as this a mosquito-net maybe successfully used for its door and ports.

As thus constructed the tent consists practically of a bag or sack with the door its open- 80 ing or mouth. This forms a serviceable receptacle for storage and transportation of blankets and other camp outfit, protecting its contents from moisture and dust.