US20180223559A1

US20180223559A1 - Functional tent

Info

Publication number: US20180223559A1
Application number: US15/891,957
Authority: US
Inventors: Dong-Youn Lim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-09
Filing date: 2018-02-08
Publication date: 2018-08-09
Also published as: KR20180092472A

Abstract

A functional tent is provided. Components of the functional tent, including a central fixing plate 100, a plurality of tent fabric panels 110, a plurality of poles 120, and a plurality of zippers 130, are connected to the central fixing plate and radially distributed to form a unitary body. During assembly, the plurality of tent fabric panels are connected together in the shape of a dome, due to elastic force generated by bending of poles and tensile force generated by interlocking of zippers. Since the tent can be directly assembled without checking positions where the components are supposed to be put together, assembly time can be reduced. It is also possible to prevent the components from being separated and lost during transport and storage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0018177, filed Feb. 9, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a functional tent and, more particularly, to a functional tent, components of which are connected to a central fixing plate and radially distributed to form a unitary body, such that a plurality of tent fabric panels are connected together in the shape of a dome during assembly, due to elastic force generated by bending of poles and tensile force generated by interlocking of zippers.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a tent is used as a temporary shelter in a campsite during leisure activities, such as mountaineering, trekking, fishing, and camping. The tent is comprised of a body produced by sewing a waterproof fabric and poles supporting the body in a specific structure. Typically, the body may have a variety of shapes, such as a dome, a tunnel, or a house. An entrance able to be opened and closed using a zipper is provided in a wall of the body. The entrance is made of the same opaque waterproof fabric as the body.
However, since a tent assembly process is complicated and requires a long time, it is difficult to assemble and disassemble the tent, which is problematic.
Thus, a tent of the related art includes a support frame 10, a cover 20 fixed to the support frame 10, and an air mattress disposed below the cover 20.
The support frame 10 includes supports 11 fixedly disposed in the tent, a plurality of coupling members 13 integrally disposed on top of the supports 11 at an incline to be butted against each other, thereby forming a cylindrical body 12 having a binding groove 14 in the outer circumference thereof, and a binding member 15 disposed in the binding groove 14 to fix the cylindrical body 12.
The supports 11 are made of a material, such as a carbon material or a reinforced fiber material, having bearing capacity while being elastic. The supports 11 are configured to form a raised central portion of the tent while providing elasticity to an upper portion of the tent, thereby allowing the walls and roof of the tent to be provided.
The binding member 15 is implemented as a Velcro tape. The binding member 15 is fixed in the binding groove 14, thereby firmly holding the cylindrical body 12.
The cover 20 is made of a common type of waterproof synthetic fiber. The cover 20 has an entrance 21 comprised of one or more zippers to provide a function as a tent.
However, the related-art tent having the above-described configuration has a complicated structure as follows. Specifically, components of the support frame 10 comprised of the poles, components of the cover 20 comprised of tent fabric panels, and components of the air mattress 30 forming the floor of the tent, are provided respectively. In the case of assembly, the plurality of coupling members 13 of the cylindrical body 12, disposed adjacently to the upper ends of the plurality of poles 11 of the support frame 10, are bound using the separate binding member 15, and the lower ends of the poles 11 are fitted into fit holes 32 of the air mattress 30. In this manner, the dome shape of the tent is obtained. Thus, during the assembly of the tent, the components must be put together after the directions thereof are determined to be coincidental with assembly locations corresponding thereto, which are difficult and inconvenient. In addition, significantly long assembly and disassembly times must be taken. When the components are stored separately, the components may be lost, which is problematic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a functional tent able to provide convenience of use, significantly reduce assembly time, and prevent separated components from being lost during transport and storage.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a functional tent including: a central fixing plate; a plurality of tent fabric panels fixed to and radially extending from the central fixing plate such that widths thereof increase; a plurality of poles, each pole of the plurality of poles being disposed on a corresponding tent fabric panel among the plurality of tent fabric panels, wherein one ends of the plurality of poles are fixed to a circumferential surface of the central fixing plate to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined distances, and the other ends of the plurality of poles are fixedly disposed on outer edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined distances; and a plurality of zippers disposed on opposing edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels to connect the plurality of tent fabric panels together when all of the plurality of zippers are interlocked and to form an open entrance when a specific zipper among the plurality of zippers is not interlocked (or opened).
According to another embodiment, inner or upper ends of the plurality of tent fabric panels may be fixed to a circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate, in positions separated by 90° or 120°, inner or upper ends of the plurality of poles may be fixed to the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 45° or 60°, two of which are provided in each of the plurality of tent fabric panels, and inner or upper ends of the plurality of zippers may be fixed to the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 90° or 120°, where the plurality of tent fabric panels face each other.
According to another embodiment, a close contact portion configured to be in contact with a ground may be connected to an outer or lower edge of each of the plurality of tent fabric panels, a plurality of binding rings may be attached to outer surfaces of the plurality of tent fabric panels to bind the plurality of poles so as not to move out of designated positions or to hold the plurality of poles separably, and a plurality of pull rings may be attached to the plurality of tent fabric panels, along lines on which the plurality of binding rings are located, in positions adjacent to middle portions in a height direction and the outer or adjacent to lower edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels.
According to another embodiment, a plurality of connectors may be disposed on outer or lower edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels to pull the plurality of tent fabric panels, such that tent fabric panels among the plurality of tent fabric panels, facing each other, are butted against each other.
According to another embodiment, each of the plurality of connectors may include a female buckle and a male buckle.
According to another embodiment, the plurality of poles may be separate from each other such that poles among the plurality of poles are put together or separated from each other one by one in a longitudinal direction, due to fitting of ends thereof, and a group of poles among the plurality of poles may be connected by an elastic cord extending through inner holes thereof.
According to another embodiment, each of the plurality of zippers may include: a pair of slide fasteners attached to the opposing edges of corresponding tent fabric panels among the plurality of tent fabric panels; and a slider engaging and disengaging the pair of slide fasteners. Inner or upper ends of the pair of slide fasteners may be fixed to the central fixing plate in a position in which the pair of slide fasteners are engaged, and the slider may engage the pair of slide fasteners when moved downwards from the inner or upper ends of the pair of slide fasteners.
As set forth above, in the functional tent according to the present invention, components of the functional tent, including the central fixing plate, the plurality of tent fabric panels, the plurality of poles, and the plurality of zippers, are connected to the central fixing plate and radially distributed with directionalities to form a unitary body. During assembly, the plurality of tent fabric panels are connected together in the shape of a dome, due to elastic force generated by bending of poles and tensile force generated by interlocking of zippers. Since the tent can be directly assembled without checking positions where the components are supposed to be put together, assembly time can be reduced. It is also possible to prevent the components from being separated and lost during transport and storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 an exploded perspective view illustrating a tent according to the related art;

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a disassembled position of a functional tent according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating an assembled position of the functional tent according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled position of the functional tent according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the assembled position of the functional tent according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating an assembled position of the functional tent according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.
FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a disassembled position of a functional tent according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating an assembled position of the functional tent according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled position of the functional tent according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the assembled position of the functional tent according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, the functional tent according to the present invention includes a central fixing plate 100, a plurality of tent fabric panels 110, a plurality of poles 120, and a plurality of zippers 130, which are configured to remain in necessary positions when separated while readily forming a tent in the shape of a dome by being coupled to each other in corresponding manners when put together.
The central fixing plate 100 is a mold in the shape of a disk or a polygonal plate. Inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 are fixed to a circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100, in positions separated by 120°. Inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of poles 120 are fixedly fitted into the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100 to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 60°, two of which are provided in each of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110. Inner (or upper) ends of a plurality of zippers 130 are fitted into the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100 to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 120°, where corresponding tent fabric panels among the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 face each other.
That is, the inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110, the inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of poles 120, and the inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of zippers 130, in contact with the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100, are fixed integrally via heat fusion, an adhesive, or the like so as not to be separated.
The inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 are fixed to the central fixing plate 100 such that the plurality of tent fabric panels radially extend from the central fixing plate, with the widths thereof gradually increasing. Close contact portions 112 extend from the outer (or lower) edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110, respectively, connected thereto by sewing, in order to minimize gaps between the ground surface and the outer (or lower) edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110. A plurality of binding rings 114 are attached to the outer surfaces of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 by sewing to bind the plurality of poles 120 so as not to move out of designated positions or to hold the plurality of poles 120 separably. A plurality of connectors 116 are disposed on the outer (or lower) edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110, at boundary portions in which the tent fabric panels 110 face each other. Each of the plurality of connectors 116 is comprised of a female buckle 116 a and a male buckle 116 b, configured to pull corresponding tent fabric panels 110, facing each other, to be butted against each other.
In addition, pull rings 118 are attached to the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 via sewing, along lines on which the plurality of binding rings 114 are located. More particularly, the pull rings 118 are attached to the tent fabric panels 110, in positions adjacent to the middle portions in the height direction and adjacent to the outer (or lower) edges, such that pull strings can be tied thereto to fix the tent, built in the shape of a dome, to the ground via forged pegs or carabiners, set into the ground.
The plurality of poles 120 is implemented as carbon or aluminum pipes. Two or more poles among the plurality of poles 120 are disposed on each of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110. Inner (or upper) ends of the poles 120 are fixed to the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100, while outer (or lower) of the poles 120 are fixedly located at predetermined distances on the outer (or lower) edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110.
In addition, poles among the plurality of poles 120 are separate from each other such that the poles can be put together or separated from each other one by one in the longitudinal direction, due to fitting of ends thereof. A group of poles among the plurality of poles 120 is connected by an elastic cord, such as a rubber cord, extending through the inner holes thereof.
The plurality of zippers 130 is disposed on opposing edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 to connect the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 together when all of the plurality of zippers 130 are interlocked and to form an open entrance E when a specific zipper among the plurality of zippers 130 is not interlocked.
Specifically, each of the plurality of zippers 130 includes a pair of slide fasteners 132 attached to the opposing edges of the tent fabric panels 110 corresponding thereto and a slider 134 engaging and disengaging the pair of slide fasteners 132.
Here, inner (or upper) ends of the pair of slide fasteners 132, engaged with each other, are fixed to the central fixing plate 100. The slider 134 is configured to engage the pair of slide fasteners 132 when moved downwards from the inner (or upper) ends of the pair of slide fasteners 132.
FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating an assembled position of the functional tent according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 are fixed to the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100, distributed in positions separated by 90°. Inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of poles 120 are fixedly fitted into the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100 to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 45°, two of which are provided in each of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110. Inner (or upper) ends of the plurality of zippers 130 are fitted into the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate 100 to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 90°, where corresponding tent fabric panels 110 among the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 face each other.
Hereinafter, the functions and effects of the functional tent according to the present invention, having the above-described configuration, will be described.
To use the functional tent according to the present invention, first, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the tent is spread to be flattened. In this position, the plurality of poles 120, supported by the plurality of binding rings 114, respectively, are put together one by one to be fitted into each other in the longitudinal direction. Afterwards, the female buckles 116 a and the male buckles 116 b are connected to the outer (or lower) edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110, in positions facing each other.
Here, the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 are erected into the shape of a dome by bending elastic force, induced by the preassembled position, in which the outer (or lower) edges thereof are connected to each other due to the engagement of the female buckles 116 a and the male buckles 116 b, and the connection of the plurality of poles 120.
In this position, when the sliders 134 of the zippers 130, located adjacent to the central fixing plate 100, are pulled downwards, the pairs of slide fasteners 132, engaged with the sliders 134, are interlocked, thereby completing the roof and the walls of the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 having the shape of a dome.
Here, the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 maintain the dome shape due to tensile force therebetween, generated by the engagement of the zippers 130 connecting the tent fabric panels, and elastic force, generated by bending of the plurality of poles 120.
That is, the plurality of tent fabric panels 110 are configured to maintain the dome shape using the tensile force therebetween, generated by the engagement of the zippers 130 connecting the tent fabric panels, and the elastic force, generated by bending of the plurality of poles 120. Thus, it is not required to separately connect the outer (lower) edges of the tent fabric panels 110 to a floor mattress, thereby reducing assembly time.
In particular, since the tent fabric panels 110 and the poles 120 are not connected to the separate floor mattress, a single person can carry the assembled tent to an intended position. Since the inner portions of the tent are free from interference with the floor mattress, a single person can easily carry the tent while maintaining the center of gravity of the tent, which is convenient.
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair of the tent fabric panels 110 may be partially engaged using the zipper 130, so that the open space form the entrance E. Unlike the related-art tent, it is unnecessary to form a separate entrance, thereby reducing fabrication costs. This also provides convenience in that entrances E can be opened in a variety of manners.
As set forth above, in the functional tent according to the present invention, the components of the functional tent, including the central fixing plate 100, the plurality of tent fabric panels 110, the plurality of poles 120, and the plurality of zippers 130, are connected to the central fixing plate and radially distributed to form a unitary body. During assembly, the plurality of tent fabric panels are connected together in the shape of a dome, due to elastic force generated by bending of poles and tensile force generated by interlocking of zippers. Since the tent can be directly assembled without checking positions where the components are supposed to be put together, assembly time can be reduced. It is also possible to advantageously prevent the components from being separated and lost during transport and storage.
Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A functional tent comprising:

a central fixing plate;

a plurality of tent fabric panels fixed to and radially extending from the central fixing plate such that widths thereof increase;

a plurality of poles, each pole of the plurality of poles being disposed on a corresponding tent fabric panel among the plurality of tent fabric panels, wherein one ends of the plurality of poles are fixed to a circumferential surface of the central fixing plate to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined distances, and the other ends of the plurality of poles are fixedly disposed on outer edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined distances; and

a plurality of zippers disposed on opposing edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels to connect the plurality of tent fabric panels together when all of the plurality of zippers are interlocked and to form an open entrance when a specific zipper among the plurality of zippers is not interlocked.

2. The functional tent as set forth in claim 1, wherein

inner or upper ends of the plurality of tent fabric panels are fixed to a circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate, in positions separated by 90° or 120°,

inner or upper ends of the plurality of poles are fixed to the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 45° or 60°, two of which are provided in each of the plurality of tent fabric panels, and

inner or upper ends of the plurality of zippers are fixed to the circumferential thickness surface of the central fixing plate to a predetermined depth, in positions separated by 90° or 120°, where the plurality of tent fabric panels face each other.

3. The functional tent as set forth in claim 1, wherein

a close contact portion configured to be in contact with a ground is connected to an outer or lower edge of each of the plurality of tent fabric panels,

a plurality of binding rings are attached to outer surfaces of the plurality of tent fabric panels to bind the plurality of poles so as not to move out of designated positions or to hold the plurality of poles separably, and

a plurality of pull rings are attached to the plurality of tent fabric panels, along lines on which the plurality of binding rings are located, in positions adjacent to middle portions in a height direction and the outer or adjacent to lower edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels.

4. The functional tent as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of connectors are disposed on outer or lower edges of the plurality of tent fabric panels to pull the plurality of tent fabric panels, such that tent fabric panels among the plurality of tent fabric panels, facing each other, are butted against each other.

5. The functional tent as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of connectors comprises a female buckle and a male buckle.

6. The functional tent as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of poles are separate from each other such that poles among the plurality of poles are put together or separated from each other one by one in a longitudinal direction, due to fitting of ends thereof, and a group of poles among the plurality of poles is connected by an elastic cord extending through inner holes thereof.

7. The functional tent as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of zippers comprises:

a pair of slide fasteners attached to the opposing edges of corresponding tent fabric panels among the plurality of tent fabric panels; and

a slider engaging and disengaging the pair of slide fasteners, wherein

inner or upper ends of the pair of slide fasteners are fixed to the central fixing plate in a position in which the pair of slide fasteners are engaged, and

the slider engages the pair of slide fasteners when moved downwards from the inner or upper ends of the pair of slide fasteners.