GB2059251A - Weatherproof garment - Google Patents

Abstract

A weatherproof garment which is adaptable for use as a cape, or is convertable for use as a tent. The garment is manufactured from a two meter square of proofed nylon material (1) and is provided with a centrally positioned aperture incorporating a hood (9). The square tapers towards the centre (2) (3) and an extended radius is added to both ends (4) (5). The tapered sides (2) (3) incorporate press stud fasteners (6) and the radii (4) (5) are provided with eyelets (8). When folded across the length, the tapered sides being fastened together with the press studs, the square forms a cape. The tent is formed using the centre of one of the tapered sides as apex by use of a tent pole (10), the material being attached to the ground by means of pegs through the eyelets (7) (8). The tent then takes on a trihedral shape overall and is stabilised by a guy rope, the hood (9) acting as a built-in ventilator. A supplementary groundsheet and/or complementary inner tent (14) can be fitted in the tent. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Weatherproof garments This invention relates to weatherproof garments.

According to the present invention there is pro vided a weatherproof garment which is adaptable for use as a cape or is convertable for use as a tent.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a weatherproof garment, the garment comprising: a piece of weatherproof material incor porating a closable aperture and attachment means, the attachment means being adapted as to enable the garment to be used as the cape or converted as the tent.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of an exemplary embodiment which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 illustrates an opened view of the shape of the weatherproof garment; Fig 2 illustrates the material folded in half to form the cape; Fig 3 illustrates a side view of the weatherproof garment when converted for use as a tent; Fig 4 illustrates a top view of the erected tent showing the trihedral form; and Fig 5 illustrates a perspective view of the erected tent.

The weatherproof garment essentially takes on the form of a cape and is so adapted and shaped for conversion into a tent. It is intended for the specific purpose of outdoor pursuits and may be used as a waterproof garment (the cape), and as necessary, a tent. The purpose of the garment embodies the essential factors necessary for survival in adverse outdoor conditions. It is lightweight, waterproof, and in its role as a tent is large enough to provide safe and adequate protection from the elements.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the garment is essentially a 2 metre (approx) square of weatherproof material (1), such as lightweight proofed nylon, which tapers towards the centre along each edge of one pair of opposite edges (2 and 3) of the material, from approximately 2 metres wide down to approximately 1.67 metres width. The opposite pair of edges (4 and 5) of the material tapers outwardly to the centre giving an overall length extending to approximately 2.250 metres. Each of the tapered edges (2 and 3) incorporate spaced-out press stud fasteners (6), and one such edge (2) also incorporates eyelets (7) spaced-apart between the press studs. The outward tapered edges (4 and 5) are also provided with eyelets (8), and these eyelets together with those eyelets (7), on the inward tapered edge (2) serve as pegging points.Loops of tape (15) are provided on two corners (rear) forthis purpose also.

When the material is folded in half (see Fig 2) the press stud fasteners (6) join the tapered edges (2 and 3) of the material (1 ) to form the cape. Some of the press studs can be left unfastened to provide varying degrees of ventilation as required and if necessary the wearer's arms can be passed through the openings between the adjacent pairs of press studs, either nearest the fold or lower down depending on personal requirements viz size etc. A centrally positioned aperture in the material takes further material in the form of a hood (9). This is clearly seen in Fig. 2, the face aperture of the hood (9) having a wire frame for adjustment. In this form the cape measures 1.67 metres at the top (fold) 2 metres wide at the bottom and the overall length is 1.125 metres.

This provides adequate coverage for the wearer to be completely protected even when carrying a rucksack for instance.

To convert the garment so that it can be used in its role as a tent, a door (18) is fitted to the front by means of the press studs (6). A five piece aluminium tent pole (10) is inserted into an eyelet at the centre (11) of this tapered side. The pole is positioned perpendicular with respect to the ground, whereupon the edges (2, 4 and 5) of the material are pegged to the ground by means of aluminium pegs (12) (see Fig 5) inserted through the eyelets (7 and 8) positioned around the edges of the material.

The tent now takes on a trihedral form, the apex formed by the pole itself. This particular form is extremely advantageous with regard to the stability in adverse weather conditions. A guy rope (13) is provided to support the tent and a guy (14) to position the hood (9) which has a wired framed face aperture allowing adjustment in conjunction with the guy (14) to provide appropriate amount of ventilation as required, and yet ensuring that rain is prevented from entering the tent. Entrance to the tent is gained by releasing the press studs along the tapered edge (3) (which essentially is the front of the tent) from the door (18).

The tent is fitted with two sets of three eyelets situated at the corners of edge (3), the door (18) also has similar sets of eyelets on the lower corners. This is to cater for adjustment of the front of the tent according to requirement. For instance, in inclemant weather one side of the tent can be pegged on an inner eyelet and the other side, and the door, can be pegged on their outer eyelets, thus a I allowing over- lapping of one part with the other, to admit only air not rain. As the door fastens either side, the opening can also be adjusted according to the wind direction.

As an alternative to the tent door being open for ventilation, use can be made of a mesh screen panel (20) which is fitted to the door (18). This replaces the top portion of the door by unfastening the top two pairs of press studs and top tent stud then fastening the press stud on top of the mesh panel to the top of the tent, thereby providing an alternative ventilation method. The door attachment (18) is also utilised to wrap the garment and all other attachments together as one compact single unit suitable in size to fit a pocket or rucksack. When converted as a tent, there is adequate length for sleeping also adequate room for all equipment.

A supplementary groundsheet (not shown) can be provided for the tent, the groundsheet is eyeleted and fitted with rubber rings and 's' hooks which are connected to the tent pegs, thereby providing a dry area for sleeping and equipment. The shape of the groundsheet is substantially as shown in Fig 4.

Additionally a complementary lightweight (cotton, cloth, Ripstop nylon) inner tent (17) can be provided with built-in groundsheet, the inner tent being slightly smaller than the original tent and is illustrated by the broken lines in Fig 3. The inner tent would preferably act as a freestanding tent in its own right and would be fastened down the front seam and along one lower edge, to provide an entry point.

Other alternatives to press studs for joining together the various parts of the garment are available; the use of zips for instance; and there are alternative methods of fixing the tent to the ground with pegs other than through the eyelets, the use of loops stitched to the material for instance.

An additional feature can be provided to give more internal height and ventilation at the rear of the tent.

This is effected by inserting a further single section pole (not shown) approximately 10" long, into the centre rear eyelet (19) and fitting an insertable rear panel (not shown) to the existing press studs at rear of the tent and pegging it out. This rear panel is also fitted with a mesh panel similar to that in the front door panel and which can be opened and closed as required in a manner similar to that described for the front door panel.

Claims (21)

1. A weatherproof garment which is adaptable for use as a cape or is convertable for use as a tent.

2. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 1, in which the garment comprises of a piece of weatherproof material incorporating a closable aperture and attachment means, the attachment means being so adapted as to enable the garment to be used as the cape or converted for use as the tent.

3. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 2, in which the piece of weatherproof material is substantially quadrilateral in form.

4. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 2 or3 in which the closable aperture is substantially centrally positioned within the material.

5. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claims 2,3 or 4, in which the attachment means are positioned at, ortowards and around the periphery, or part thereof, of the material.

6. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 5, in which each edge of opposite edges of one pair of edges of the material are formed so as to taper inwardly towards the centre thereof.

7. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 6, in which each edge of opposite edges of the other pair of edges of the material taper outwardly to the centre.

8. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 6, in which the attachment means on the inwardly tapered edges are so adapted as to enable the joining of each such edge inwardly towards the centre of the material such that the garment takes the form of the cape.

9. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 7, in which the attachment means on the outward tapered edges of the material and one of the inwardly tapered edges are so adapted so as to enable the material to be fastened to the surface of the ground and the other of said inwardly tapered edges is adapted for positioning a tent pole in the centre thereof and in a position perpendicular with respect to the surface of the ground to form an apex, such that the garment is converted to take the form of the tent.

10. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 9, in which the tent takes on a trihedral form.

11. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 10, in which a guy rope is attached to the top of the tent pole, and attached to the surface of the ground at two separate points thereon.

12. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 11 in which the other of the inwardly tapered edges is closable by means of the attachment means thereon, or can be maintained in a partially open position in such a manner as to enable the attachmentthereto of a separate door.

13. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 12, in which the separate door incorporates a mesh screen panel which is adapted to replace a portion of the door for ventilation purposes.

14. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 10, in which the said one inwardly tapered edge is so adapted such as to enable a further tent pole, which is smaller in length than that of the other tent pole, to be positioned perpendicular with respect to the ground, thereby creating an opening at this end of the tent, the opening being closable by an insertable rear panel incorporating a mesh screen panel which is adapted to replace a portion of the rear panel for ventilation purposes.

15. A weatherproof garment as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14 in which a supplementary groundsheet is attachable within the tent.

16. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 15 in which a complementary inner tent, based on the overall shape of the tent outer, but having slightly reduced dimensions than the outer is positionable within the tent.

17. A weatherproof garment as claimed in any preceding claim in which the attachment means on the inwardly tapered edges are press stud fasteners and additionally on said one tapered edge eyelets, each being adapted for the insertion of a tent peg for the purpose of fastening the material to the ground.

18. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 17, in which the attachment means on the outward tapered edges are eyelets each adapted for the insertion of a tent peg for the purpose of fastening the material to the ground.

19. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 18, in which each rearcornerofthe material incorporates a loop each being adapted for the insertion of a tent peg for the purpose of fastening the material to the ground.

20. A weatherproof garment as claimed in claim 19, in which the closable aperature takes the form of a hood.

21. A weatherproof garment substantially as described herein, with reference, to, and as shown, in the accompanying drawings.