US20180283037A1

US20180283037A1 - Outdoor shelter system and method

Info

Publication number: US20180283037A1
Application number: US15/945,713
Authority: US
Inventors: Kyle M. McDonald; Kent M. McDonald; Vickie McDonald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-04
Filing date: 2018-04-04
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

A frameless outdoor shelter system; the frameless outdoor shelter system may be suspended from an overhead structure by a single suspension member. The frameless outdoor shelter system includes a flexible four-sided sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge having corners, such flexible four-sided sheet adapted to form a protective shelter by concurrent tensioning of selected portions of such top surface and the peripheral edge of the sheet. The system may be configured to form a wearable poncho.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/481,308 filed 2017 Apr. 4, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of shelters suspended from diverse support means and more specifically relates to a frameless shelter suspended from an overhead structure.

2. Description of Related Art

Keeping dry outdoors during inclement weather can be difficult, especially for those who are camping, hiking, and the like. When setting up a rain fly, people are forced to look for trees. This process can be time-consuming and may be impossible in some remote locations. It can start raining quickly, and swiftly setting up shelter is of paramount importance. Further, most tarps and shelters take up excessive amounts of storage space and may be heavy to carry. Moreover, customary tarp shelters require one or more rigid poles or multiple overhead support points. A system allowing for the erection of shelter without need for the rigid poles or multiple overhead support points would benefit many.
Prior attempts have been made to overcome the above-noted limitations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,356 to Wallenstatter relates to a portable tent. The described portable tent includes a portable tent having an interior, mesh-like netting portion, and an outer, waterproof canvas covering which may double as a poncho. The tent requires no assembly components other than stakes to affix the bottom of the tent to the ground and a top securing plate which is removably secured to a support object such as a tree limb. The top metal plate has a plurality of fastening rings on its upper and lower sides and is tied to the object situated substantially above the place where the tent is to be erected. A unique flexible support ring is woven into the fabric of the interior netting portion to support the sides of the tent structure. An object such as a cellular telephone or a flashlight may be suspended from an interior suspension ring situated on the bottom side of the plate via twine or string to allow the occupant to conveniently protect valuable or electronic accessories or to provide hands-free illumination from above during tent assembly. The outer, canvas covering conveniently doubles as a waterproof poncho by simply disengaging it from its support fasteners and the support plate. The entire tent, including both inner and outer enclosures may be folded neatly into a carrying case thereby allowing an entire waterproof tent structure to be transported easily and conveniently.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known shelter suspended from diverse support means art, the present disclosure provides a novel outdoor shelter system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a lightweight and quickly-deployable outdoor shelter system that requires no rigid support poles or similar support members.
A frameless outdoor shelter system is disclosed herein. The frameless outdoor shelter system includes a flexible four-sided sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge having corners, such flexible four-sided sheet adapted to form a protective shelter by concurrent tensioning of selected portions of such top surface and such peripheral edge; a plurality of ground-tetherable cords, each one adapted to be removably tetherable to at least one fixed ground structure; a plurality of peripheral cord connectors adapted to couple such plurality of ground-tetherable cords to such peripheral edge, such plurality of peripheral cord connectors including a first peripheral cord-connector coupled to a first corner of such peripheral edge, a second peripheral cord-connector coupled to a second corner of such peripheral edge, a third peripheral cord-connector coupled to a third corner of such peripheral edge, a fourth peripheral cord-connector coupled to a fourth corner of such peripheral edge, a fifth peripheral cord-connector coupled to such peripheral edge at a point intermediate of such first corner and such second corner, a sixth peripheral cord-connector coupled to such peripheral edge at a point intermediate of such second corner and such third corner, and a seventh peripheral cord-connector coupled to such peripheral edge at a point intermediate of such first corner and such fourth corner; a single top suspension cord adapted to be removably-coupleable to a fixed overhead structure; a suspension-cord connector adapted to couple such single top suspension cord to such top surface at a point internal of such peripheral edge; and formation of such protective shelter from such flexible four-sided sheet is achieved by such concurrent tensioning of such top surface by such single top suspension cord and such peripheral edge by such plurality of ground-tetherable cords. Moreover, it provides such a frameless outdoor shelter system, further comprising at least one storage sleeve configured to store such frameless outdoor shelter system in a compact stowed configuration. Additionally, it provides such a frameless outdoor shelter system, further comprising: the least one fixed ground structure; wherein such at least one fixed ground structure consists of a plurality of ground-engageable stakes configured to releasably secure such plurality of ground-tetherable cords to a ground surface. Also, it provides such a frameless outdoor shelter system, further comprising: a throw weight adapted to assist a user in deploying such single top suspension cord over the fixed overhead structure; wherein such throw weight includes a cord-to-weight coupler adapted to removably couple such throw weight to such single top suspension cord. Even further, it provides such a frameless outdoor shelter system, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the frameless outdoor shelter system is arranged as a kit.
A method of using frameless outdoor shelter system is also disclosed herein. The method of using frameless outdoor shelter system may comprise the steps of: providing a flexible four-sided sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge having corners; joining a plurality of peripheral cord connectors to the peripheral edge providing a plurality of ground-engageable stakes adapted to be removably driven into a ground providing a plurality of ground-tetherable cords attachable to the plurality of peripheral cord connectors and to the plurality of ground-engageable stakes; joining a suspension-cord connector to the top surface of the flexible four-sided sheet at a point internal of the peripheral edge; providing a single top suspension cord attachable to the suspension-cord connector and removably-couplable to a fixed overhead structure; providing a throw weight adapted to assist a user in deploying the top suspension cord over the fixed overhead structure; providing a set of instructions describing the formation of a protective shelter from such flexible four-sided sheet by concurrent tensioning of such top surface by such single top suspension cord and such peripheral edge by such plurality of ground-tetherable cords; and providing a storage sleeve configured to store the flexible four-sided sheet, the plurality of ground-engageable stakes, the single top suspension cord, the throw weight, and the set of instructions in a compact stowed configuration. Even further, it provides such a method, further comprising the step of: joining a pair of spaced-apart interlocking couplers to the flexible four-sided sheet, the interlocking couplers adapted to releasably couple two points of the bottom surface together to form a user-wearable hood; and, wherein such flexible four-sided sheet is adapted to form a user-wearable poncho.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an outdoor shelter system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the frameless outdoor shelter system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the frameless outdoor shelter system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the frameless outdoor shelter system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the frameless outdoor shelter system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the frameless outdoor shelter system, according to the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternate wearable configuration of the frameless outdoor shelter system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for frameless outdoor shelter system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a shelter that may be suspended from diverse support means and more particularly to an outdoor shelter system and method as used to improve the art of frameless shelters that may be suspended from overhead structures.
Generally, the present system provides outdoor enthusiasts with a reliable canopy capable of being set up at any location outdoors. As designed, the system virtually eliminates the need to locate trees and other wildlife for ample protection from the weather. It utilizes a nylon-based rope in order to tie down all corners of the canopy, thus allowing the device to be staked securely into the ground. The device deploys quickly and easily without the need for excessive amounts of tools. The present system allows users to fold/roll up the canopy and all components for storage in a travel bag, offering lightweight transportation while camping, hiking, fishing, and the like. The frameless outdoor shelter system is a suspension canopy capable of being suspended from a single tree limb. The system is intended to provide ample shelter and be deployed in a swift manner. The canopy is comprised of a silnylon material and can be folded compactly for storage in a backpack or other storage pack. The canopy can use a bridal loop in the center to hoist the shelter up onto the tree limb. Users can throw a line over any tree branch while maintaining control over both sides of the rope. The thrown side is hooked to the bridal loop in the center of the canopy. Users can pull the other side of the rope, lifting the canopy to a desired height. Users can then apply four or more reinforced metal loops to stake down the canopy. The long side of the rope can be tied off away from the canopy to the tree or another heavy object. The frameless outdoor shelter system can be constructed using durable, weather resistant materials. The canopy may be available in various sizes; however, a standard version may measure approximately 10 feet in length and 10 feet in width. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing. For example, in another embodiment, the canopy may include an aperture in a center thereof, and a hood. In this embodiment, the bridal loop may be located on top of the hood. The location of the bridal loop in various embodiments may provide a same tension point.
Implementations of the system may include a long oval with reinforced stitching along the outside seams with a patch stitching bridal loop in the center of the canopy for the suspension-based system. The suspension line may be thrown over a sturdy branch of any one tree while having control over both sides of the rope. The thrown side of the rope may be hooked to the bridal loop in the center of the system while pulling the other side of the rope to lift the canopy. After a selected canopy height is achieved, the four or more reinforced stitched in loops may be used to stake down the canopy. The long side of the rope may be tied off away from canopy to the tree or a heavy source.
In summary, the system provides a suspension-type canopy, which requires one tree and no poles and is extremely convenient to carry in a backpack. The frameless outdoor shelter system may be constructed out of silnylon, making the apparatus compactable to the size of the smallest pocket of most hiking packs. The frameless outdoor shelter system was made to keep people dry, and out of the elements as fast as possible when needed the most. There is no need to carry a large tent bag or tent poles. The system can cover a hammock on a hot summer day or may extend over a fishing spot while it rains. Staying dry is paramount during outdoors activities. The system is easily packable, light weight, and is an easily deployable way to keep users sheltered from the elements.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-7, various views of a frameless outdoor shelter system 100. FIG. 1 shows a frameless outdoor shelter system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As Illustrated, the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 may include a flexible four-sided sheet 102 having a top surface 104, a bottom surface 106, and a peripheral edge 108 having corners 110. The flexible four-sided sheet 102 is specially adapted to form a protective shelter 112 by concurrent tensioning of a selected portion of the top surface 104 and the peripheral edge 108. More specifically, the flexible four-sided sheet 102 is specially adapted to form a protective shelter 112 by the concurrent tensioning of the top surface 104 at a single point of suspension 103 and at multiple points along the peripheral edge 108, as shown in FIG. 1.
The flexible four-sided sheet 102 may have a width W1 and a length L1 of at least about seven feet. In one implementation of the system, the flexible four-sided sheet 102 may have a width W1 of about seven feet and a length L1 of about nine feet. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other sheet arrangements such as, for example, larger or smaller sheets, alternate geometric shapes, etc., may be sufficient.
The system may include a plurality of ground-tetherable cords 114, each one adapted to be removably tetherable to at least one fixed ground structure. The ground-tetherable cords 114 may be a nylon-based rope or other polymer-based cord material. Alternately, each one of the ground-tetherable cords 114 may consist of elastic cords.
In one preferred implementation of the present system, the above-noted fixed ground structures may consist of a plurality of ground-engageable stakes 116. Such stakes may be similar in design to those customarily used to secure tents and similar structures to the earth. In one implementation, the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 may include such stakes 116, which may be configured to releasably secure the plurality of ground-tetherable cords 114 to an adjacent ground surface 5.
The system may include a plurality of peripheral cord connectors 118 adapted to couple the plurality of ground-tetherable cords 114 to the peripheral edge 108. The plurality of peripheral cord connectors 118 may include four or more peripheral cord connectors 118 space about the peripheral edge, as shown. In one implementation of the present system, seven peripheral cord connectors 118 are provided. These may include a first peripheral cord-connector 118A coupled to a first corner 110A of the peripheral edge 108, a second peripheral cord-connector 118B coupled to a second corner 110B of the peripheral edge 108, a third peripheral cord-connector 118C coupled to a third corner 110C of the peripheral edge 108, a fourth peripheral cord-connector 118D coupled to a fourth corner 110D of the peripheral edge 108, as shown. In addition, a fifth peripheral cord-connector 118E may be provided coupled to the peripheral edge 108 at a point intermediate of the first corner 110A and the second corner 110B, a sixth peripheral cord-connector 118F coupled to the peripheral edge 108 at a point intermediate of the second corner 110B and the third corner 110C, and a seventh peripheral cord-connector 118G coupled to the peripheral edge 108 at a point intermediate of the first corner 110A and the fourth corner 110D. The plurality of peripheral cord connectors 118 may each consist of a loop of flexible woven webbing permanently joined with the peripheral edge 108.
In one implementation of the present system, the fifth peripheral cord-connector 118E may be coupled to the peripheral edge 108 at a point equidistant from the first corner 110A and the second corner 110B, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the sixth peripheral cord-connector 118F may be coupled to the peripheral edge 108 at a point equidistant from the second corner 110B and the third corner 110C, as shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, the seventh peripheral cord-connector 118G may be coupled to the peripheral edge 108 at a point equidistant from the first corner 110A and the fourth corner 110D, as shown in FIG. 2.
As noted above, the peripheral cord connectors 118 may each consist of a reinforced loop of durable woven polymer webbing mechanically stitched to the flexible four-sided sheet 102. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other arrangements of the peripheral cord connectors such as, for example, closer spacing, wider spacing, asymmetrical spacing, us of more or fewer connectors, use of outer connector types, etc., may be sufficient.
A key feature of the present system is the single top suspension cord 120, which forms a unitary point of suspension for the deployed apparatus. The single top suspension cord 120 is adapted to be removably-coupleable to a fixed overhead structure. In the field, a tree branch 7 is often used as the fixed overhead structure; however, any fixed overhead structure in close proximity may suffice.
A suspension-cord connector 122 may be coupled to the top surface 104, which functions to join the single top suspension cord 120 to the flexible four-sided sheet 102, as shown. The suspension-cord connector 122 is coupled to the top surface 104 at a point internal of the peripheral edge 108, as shown. Formation of the protective shelter 112 from the flexible four-sided sheet 102 may be achieved by the concurrent tensioning of the top surface 104 by the single top suspension cord 120 and the peripheral edge 108 by the plurality of ground-tetherable cords 114, as generally illustrated in FIG. 1.
In one implementation, the suspension-cord connector 122 is joined to the top surface 104 at a point of equidistant separation D1 from the third corner 110C and the fourth corner 110D and separated from the peripheral edge 108 a distance X1 of about 10 inches, as best illustrate in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a side view of the frameless outdoor shelter system of FIG. 1 showing the deployed configuration of the above-described flexible four-sided sheet 102.
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the frameless outdoor shelter system 100, according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the frameless outdoor shelter system 100, according to the alternate embodiment of FIG. 4. In other implementations, the suspension-cord connector 122 may be joined to the top surface 104 at a point of equidistant separation D2 from the first corner 110A, the second corner 110B, the third corner 110C, and the fourth corner 110D, as illustrated in the configuration of FIG. 5 and the deployed configuration of FIG. 4.
The single top suspension cord 120 may include at least one carabiner-type fastener 121 adapted to releasably couple the single top suspension cord 120 to the suspension-cord connector 122. Even further, the suspension-cord connector 122 may include a reinforcing gusset panel 130, as shown. The gusset panel 130 may be adapted to distribute tension forces, applied by the single top suspension cord 120, over an enlarged area of the top surface 104 engaged with the gusset panel 130.
The frameless outdoor shelter system 100 may further include at least one storage sleeve 124 configured to allow a user to store the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 in a compact stowed configuration. The storage sleeve 124 may be supplied as a flexible re-closable bag with a zipper or draw-string closure.
In some implementations of the frameless outdoor shelter system 100, a throw weight 126 may be provided. The throw weight 126 is adapted to assist a user in deploying the single top suspension cord 120 over the tree branch 7 or other fixed overhead structure. Such a throw weight 126 may include a cord-to-weight coupler 128 adapted to assist the user in removably coupling the throw weight 126 to the single top suspension cord 120. Throw weight 126 suitable for use in the present system include those used by arborist and climbers, such as, for example, throw bags produced by the Petzl Equipment Group of West Valley City, Utah.
The flexible four-sided sheet 102 may be constructed from Silicone-coated nylon (Silnylon). Alternately, the flexible four-sided sheet 102 may be constructed from Cuben Fiber (Dyneema® composite), Silicone-coated polyester (SilPoly), Polyurethane-coated polyester, Polyurethane-coated nylon, or Tyvek®.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 may further comprising set of instructions 155; and wherein the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 is arranged as a kit 152. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 (such that the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner). The kit 152 may include any combination of the items illustrated in FIG. 2. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit arrangements such as, for example, repair patches, compression sacks, spare cords, etc., may be sufficient.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternate wearable configuration of the frameless outdoor shelter system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this configuration, the bottom surface 106 comprises a pair of spaced-apart interlocking couplers 131 (see also FIG. 5) adapted to releasably couple two points of the bottom surface 106 together to form a user-wearable hood 132. In this arrangement, the flexible four-sided sheet 102 is adapted to form a user-wearable poncho 134, as shown.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing a frameless protective outdoor shelter 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of providing a frameless protective outdoor shelter 500 may include the steps of: step 502, providing a flexible four-sided sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge having corners; step 504, joining a plurality of peripheral cord connectors to the peripheral edge providing a plurality of ground-engageable stakes adapted to be removably driven into a ground; step 506, providing a plurality of ground-tetherable cords attachable to the plurality of peripheral cord connectors and to the plurality of ground-engageable stakes; step 508, joining a suspension-cord connector to the top surface of the flexible four-sided sheet at a point internal of the peripheral edge; step 510, providing a single top suspension cord attachable to the suspension-cord connector and removably-couplable to a fixed overhead structure; step 512, providing a throw weight adapted to assist a user in deploying the top suspension cord over the fixed overhead structure; step 514, providing a set of instructions describing the formation of a protective shelter from the flexible four-sided sheet by concurrent tensioning of the top surface by the single top suspension cord and the peripheral edge by the plurality of ground-tetherable cords; and step 516, providing a storage sleeve configured to store the flexible four-sided sheet, the plurality of ground-engageable stakes, the single top suspension cord, the throw weight, and the set of instructions in a compact stowed configuration. Even further, the method 500 may further comprise the step 518 of joining a pair of spaced-apart interlocking couplers to the flexible four-sided sheet, the interlocking couplers adapted to releasably couple two points of the bottom surface together to form a user-wearable hood; and, wherein the flexible four-sided sheet is adapted to form a user-wearable poncho.
It should be noted that step 518 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 7 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for frameless outdoor shelter system 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A frameless outdoor shelter system comprising:

a flexible four-sided sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge having corners, said flexible four-sided sheet adapted to form a protective shelter by concurrent tensioning of selected portions of said top surface and said peripheral edge;

a plurality of ground-tetherable cords, each one adapted to be removably tetherable to at least one fixed ground structure;

a plurality of peripheral cord connectors adapted to couple said plurality of ground-tetherable cords to said peripheral edge, said plurality of peripheral cord connectors including

a first peripheral cord-connector coupled to a first corner of said peripheral edge,

a second peripheral cord-connector coupled to a second corner of said peripheral edge,

a third peripheral cord-connector coupled to a third corner of said peripheral edge,

a fourth peripheral cord-connector coupled to a fourth corner of said peripheral edge,

a fifth peripheral cord-connector coupled to said peripheral edge at a point intermediate of said first corner and said second corner,

a sixth peripheral cord-connector coupled to said peripheral edge at a point intermediate of said second corner and said third corner, and

a seventh peripheral cord-connector coupled to said peripheral edge at a point intermediate of said first corner and said fourth corner;

a single top suspension cord adapted to be removably-coupleable to a fixed overhead structure;

a suspension-cord connector adapted to couple said single top suspension cord to said top surface at a point internal of said peripheral edge; and

formation of said protective shelter from said flexible four-sided sheet is achieved by such concurrent tensioning of said top surface by said single top suspension cord and said peripheral edge by said plurality of ground-tetherable cords.

2. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, further comprising at least one storage sleeve configured to store said frameless outdoor shelter system in a compact stowed configuration.

3. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, further comprising:

the at least one fixed ground structure;

wherein said at least one fixed ground structure consists of a plurality of ground-engageable stakes configured to releasably secure said plurality of ground-tetherable cords to a ground surface.

4. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, further comprising:

a throw weight adapted to assist a user in deploying said single top suspension cord over the fixed overhead structure;

wherein said throw weight includes a cord-to-weight coupler adapted to removably couple said throw weight to said single top suspension cord.

5. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein:

said fifth peripheral cord-connector is coupled to said peripheral edge at a point equidistant from said first corner and said second corner;

said sixth peripheral cord-connector is coupled to said peripheral edge at a point equidistant from said second corner and said third corner; and

said seventh peripheral cord-connector is coupled to said peripheral edge at a point equidistant from said first corner and said fourth corner.

8. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said suspension-cord connector is joined to said top surface at a point equidistant from said third corner and said fourth corner and separated from said peripheral edge a distance of about 10 inches.

9. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said suspension-cord connector is joined to said top surface at a point equidistant from said first corner, said second corner, said third corner, and said fourth corner.

10. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of peripheral cord connectors each consist of a loop flexible woven webbing permanently joined with said peripheral edge.

9. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein each one of said ground-tetherable cords consist of elastic cords.

10. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said flexible four-sided sheet has a width and a length of at least about seven feet.

11. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said flexible four-sided sheet has a width of about seven feet and a length of about nine feet.

12. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said flexible four-sided sheet is constructed from Silicone-coated nylon (Silnylon).

13. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said flexible four-sided sheet is constructed from at least one of:

Cuben Fiber (Dyneema® composite)

Silicone-coated polyester (SilPoly),

Polyurethane-coated polyester,

Polyurethane-coated nylon,

Tyvek®.

14. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said single top suspension cord includes at least one carabiner-type fastener adapted to releasably couple said single top suspension cord to said suspension-cord connector.

15. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein said suspension-cord connector includes a gusset panel adapted to distribute tension forces, applied by said single top suspension cord, over an enlarged area of said top surface engaged with said at least one gusset panel.

16. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 1, wherein:

said bottom surface comprises a pair of spaced-apart interlocking couplers adapted to releasably couple two points of said bottom surface together to form a user-wearable hood; and

said flexible four-sided sheet is adapted to form a user-wearable poncho.

17. A frameless outdoor shelter system, the frameless outdoor shelter system comprising:

a flexible four-sided sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge having corners, said flexible four-sided sheet adapted to form a protective shelter by concurrent tensioning of said top surface and said peripheral edge;

a plurality of ground-tetherable cords, each one adapted to be removably tetherable to a ground surface by at least one ground-engageable stake;

a plurality of peripheral cord connectors adapted to couple at least one of said plurality of ground-tetherable cords to said peripheral edge, said plurality of peripheral cord connectors including

a suspension-cord connector adapted to couple said single top suspension cord to said top surface at a point on said top surface internal of said peripheral edge;

a throw weight adapted to assist a user in deploying said single top suspension cord over the fixed overhead structure; and

at least one storage sleeve configured to store said frameless outdoor shelter system in a compact stowed configuration;

wherein formation of said protective shelter from said flexible four-sided sheet is achieved by such concurrent tensioning of said top surface by said single top suspension cord and said peripheral edge by said plurality of ground-tetherable cords;

wherein said throw weight includes a cord-to-weight coupler adapted to removably couple said throw weight to said top suspension cord;

wherein said fifth peripheral cord-connector is coupled to said peripheral edge at a point equidistant from said first corner and said second corner;

wherein said sixth peripheral cord-connector is coupled to said peripheral edge at a point equidistant from said second corner and said third corner;

wherein said seventh peripheral cord-connector is coupled to said peripheral edge at a point equidistant from said first corner and said fourth corner;

wherein said suspension-cord connector is joined to said top surface at a point equidistant from said third corner and said fourth corner;

wherein the plurality of peripheral cord connectors each consist of a loop flexible woven webbing permanently joined with said peripheral edge;

wherein said flexible four-sided sheet has a width and a length of at least about seven feet; and

wherein said flexible four-sided sheet is constructed substantially from at least one waterproof fabric.

18. The frameless outdoor shelter system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein the frameless outdoor shelter system is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of providing a frameless protective outdoor shelter, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible four-sided sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge having corners;

joining a plurality of peripheral cord connectors to the peripheral edge

providing a plurality of ground-engageable stakes adapted to be removably driven into a ground

providing a plurality of ground-tetherable cords attachable to the plurality of peripheral cord connectors and to the plurality of ground-engageable stakes;

joining a suspension-cord connector to the top surface of the flexible four-sided sheet at a point internal of the peripheral edge;

providing a single top suspension cord attachable to the suspension-cord connector and removably-couplable to a fixed overhead structure;

providing a throw weight adapted to assist a user in deploying the top suspension cord over the fixed overhead structure;

providing a set of instructions describing the formation of a protective shelter from said flexible four-sided sheet by concurrent tensioning of said top surface by said single top suspension cord and said peripheral edge by said plurality of ground-tetherable cords; and

providing a storage sleeve configured to store the flexible four-sided sheet, the plurality of ground-engageable stakes, the single top suspension cord, the throw weight, and the set of instructions in a compact stowed configuration.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

joining a pair of spaced-apart interlocking couplers to the flexible four-sided sheet, the interlocking couplers adapted to releasably couple two points of the bottom surface together to form a user-wearable hood; and, wherein said flexible four-sided sheet is adapted to form a user-wearable poncho.