US2743734A - Tent construction - Google Patents

Description

y 1, 1956 ST. JOHN TERRELL ET AL 2,743,734

TENT CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 27, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l lql. A

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ATTORNEY United States 2,743,734 Patented May 1, 1956 TENT CONSTRUCTION St. John Terrell, Lambertville, N. J., and Ernest Chandler, New York, N. Y.

Application October 27, 1950, Serial No. 192,556

6 Claims. (Cl. 135-1) The present invention relates to a tent construction and it particularly relates to a system of giving performances in drama, music, comedy or for other purposes where there will be a minimum of obstruction and a maximum of visibility.

In outdoor performances, and particularly in connection with various summer festivals, Chautauquas and theatre performances, it is desirable to present the performances in an outdoor setting and desirably under a tent.

Considerable difficulty, however, has been experienced due to the fact that the supports of the tent, and particularly the pole supporting arrangement, greatly obstruct visibility and also gives an undesired, confined effect both to the actors as well as to the audience.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel tent construction, and a novel base construction for such tent construction which will enable a maximum of visibility, induce a closer and more intimate feeling between the audience and the players or performers and at the same time will give a relatively wide, open space devoid of confinement, in which the performers or players and the audience may be arranged in an intimate relationship without being divided in pockets and without undue confinement.

Another object is to provide a novel tent construction of the character described in which there will be a minimum of ground support and yet a maximum of stability for the entire tent with maximum visibility between the audience and the stage.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way.

of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been found most suitable, according to one embodiment of the present invention, to provide a tent construction in which the main or center poles will be utilized but in which the quarter poles will be eliminated in their usual form to be replaced by oblique quarter poles supported from and adjustable upon the center poles.

In the preferred construction, the quarter poles will be arranged at the lower end to be supported upon a collar, which may be vertically elevated upon the center poles by a convenient block and fall arrangement. Atthe same time these oblique quarter poles will be adequately supported to hold them aloft in case of any separation from the tent structure and, moreover, both the quarter poles and the upper portion of the tent will be independently held aloft from the center pole construction.

In one preferred system, the lower ends of the oblique,

wind or other disturbance detaches them from the tent end or the tent canvas structure.

A third ring or collar is also provided in the canvas, which is also independently supported aloft and from the quarter pole. Each of these rings or collars are provided with a block and fall arrangement to enable their elevation upon the center pole to the desired position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a tent construction according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the center pole constructions, showing the rings or collars thereon for carrying the quarter poles and the canvas together with the associated block and fall arrangement.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional.

view upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view upon the line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic top plan View of the arrange- 1 line 10--10 of Fig. 8, showing the relationship of the orchestra pit to the stage.

Figs. 11 and 12 show an alternative method of con nection of the quarter poles to the collar riding on the center pole, Fig. 11 being a vertical sectional view upon the line 11-11 of Fig. 12 and Fig. 12 being a side elevational view.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a tent A with the side canvas B and the top canvas C.

The tent A has the center pole D and the arrangement E.

The stage F is set centrally with a depressed orchestra pit G, and the seating arrangement H is arranged in a bowl encircling the stage P.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 7, there is shown the lower collar or ring I for supporting the lower ends of the quarter poles E.

quarter pole The ring or collar K also fits upon the center pole 1),.

and affords an intermediate support for the quarter poles E, while the ring or collar L affords a support for the canvas C. The ground is indicated at M.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the ground M comes to its lowest point at 10 and elevates at 11 so as to support the seats 12. The ground 13 at the end of seats 14 will slope downwardly so as t to carry drainage in the direction indicated at 14.

it will be noted that the lower end 25 of the skirt portion B of the tent A extends beyond the peak 15.

The center poles D are supported on the ground at 16 outside of the stage F.

The orchestra pit G extends into the ground either part way or all the way around the stage P.

The top ends 17 of the center poles are provided with metal caps 13 (see Fig. 3), of which eyes 19 permit attachment of the guy wires 20 which support the poles from the ground.

As shown in Fig. 3, at the top of the center pole or mast D there are provided three rings 30 to which are attached the double blocks 31, 32 and 33 (see also 1 4).

l The block 31 carries the rope or tackle 34 and 35.

p The rope or tackle extends down to the single block or pulley36 which is connected by the chain 37 to the saddle 38 forming part of the collar J.

This collar J has a plurality of double ears or yokes 39 which receive the eyes 40 on the caps 41 at the lower end of the quarter poles E.

The lower ends of the quarter poles are provided with the pivot mounts 42 consisting of pins or bolts extending through the yokes 39 and eyes 41) (see Figs. 3 and 6).

l The ropes 35 extend down to the bottom blocks or pulleys 43 connected by the hook-and-eye 44 to the lower end 45 of the center poles or masts D.

The masts D are provided with cleats or supports 46, upon which the cables or ropes 35 may be wrapped to fix the collar 3 or saddle 38 in any desired position.

In respect to the collar or safety'bail ring K, shown best in Figs. 3 and 5, this bail ring is connected to the safety wires or cables 55, which are connected to the quarter poles at 56 and to the bails at 57.

The wire or chain member 58 extends from the bail or collar to the single block 59. The block 59 connects to a cable 61) which extends through the double block 32 and down, as indicated at 61, to the single pulley or block 62 at the base 45 of the mast D.

The block or tackle 62 is connected by the hook and eye arrangement 63 to the lower end 45 of the center pole and the lower end of the rope, as indicated at 64 may be wrapped around the cleats 46 to hold it in position.

The top bail, ring or collar L is fixed in and holds the canvas C up and it is connected by the eye 75 and the block 76 to the cable or rope arrangement 7'7. This cable or rope extends downwardly, as indicated at 78, to the lower tackle 79 connected by the hook-and-eye 80 to the lower end 45 of the center pole or mast D.

The upper end of the quarter poles E are provided with the spindles 90 which project through openings 91 in the tent canvas and are mounted on the caps 92.

The tent canvas is also provided with an eye 93 adjacent the openings 91 which enables a connection to a jump rope 94. The jump rope 94 is wrapped around the top of the quarter pole E and prevents jumping of the tent canvaS ofi the top of the pole E during bellying or strong winds.

In operation the saddle J and the bail rings L and K are elevated by means of pulling on the ropes 47, 64 or 81. The ropes will then be drawn up through the tackles or single blocks 43, 62 and 79, the double blocks 31, 32 and 33, and the single pulleys 36, 59 and 76.

When the canvas C and the quarter poles E are elevated to the proper position, the tent will be as shown in Fig. 2, with the quarter poles lifted out of any possible obstruction between the audience position H and the stage indicated at F.

After the ropes have been tied around the cleats 46, they may be readily removed and the various elements adjusted for different wind conditions, due to the stretching of the canvas or loose ends of the canvas, without difiiculty and without disturbance of the performers.

At the same time the bowl formed at 11 will be free of moisture or running water, since all drippage from the canvas A will be down over the descending portion of the ground 13 in the direction indicated by the arrow 14.

As indicated in Fig. 2, there will be a maximum space available within the tent, permitting circulation of air and also eliminating any sense of confinement or pocketing of the audience.

As shown in Fig. 3, the quarter poles B may serve to carry the lighting arrangements, as indicated at R in Fig. 3. The vertical suspension rod is supported by the collar 126 upon the quarter pole E. This rod 125 may carry the electrical connections 127, At its lower end 128 it also carries the arms 129 upon which the lamp or lamps 130 may be adjustably suspended.

As shown upon Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the stage F may be provided with an encircling, annular lower stage portion onto which characters may step when they want to partly withdraw themselves from the attention of the audience. They may hold themselves in this position during such period of minimum attention until they assume their prominent role and step back upon the stage F.

This offset annular stage portion, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, is above the lowest portion of the audience bowl, as indicated at 141, and it will terminate at each side 142 from the orchestra pit 143.

The aisles 144, 145, 146 and 147 will normally extend down to the lowest portion 141 of the audience bowl.

Two or more aisles, however, desirably at opposite positions of the stage P, may have runways 148 and 149 to permit an actor to descend the aisles 144 and 147 to go directly upon the stage F Without descending below the level of the stage and passing over the annular, lower stage portion 140.

By this arrangement it is possible for an entering actor or character to achieve maximum attention as he or she descends the aisles 144 or 147 or passes upon the runway 148 or 149 and. upon the stage F without appearing to descend away from the audience.

At the same time where more emphasis is to be laid upon certain characters or actors than upon others who are not to be withdrawn from the stage, they may partly descend upon the annular portion and permit concentration of the audience to be directed upon those characters or actors in more elevated position upon the main portion of the stage F.

Referring to the embodiment of Figs. 11 and 12, there is shown an alternative for the collar arrangement I in Figs. 3 and 6.

In Fig. 11 the collar T has a circular sleeve portion 160. To the sides thereof at spaced intervals are welded or bolted the base elements 161 of the U-brackets 162 having the upper leg 163 and the lower leg 164. The brackets 163 and'164 are provided with openings to receive the pivotal rod 165, which is fixed in position by means of the pin 166, where the rod 165 projects at 167 below the flange 164.

The upper part of the rod 165 is provided with the shoulder 168 and the clevis 169 carrying the pivotal pin 170.

The ear 171 on the collar 172 also fits upon said pivotal pin within the clevis 169. The quarter poles U then extend upwardly to support the canvas in the same manner as the quarter poles E of Fig. 3.

This quarter pole arrangement is advantageous inasmuch as it permits easier and less laborious mounting of the quarter poles U upon the collar T.

' While there has been herein described a preferred form of the invention, it should be understood that the same may be altered in details and in relative arrangement of parts within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, What'is claimed is:

1. In a tent construction, a center pole centrally supporting the canvas top, said center pole having a collar loosely fitting thereon and slidable upwardly and downwardly on said center pole and a plurality of quarter poles extending obliquely upwardly and outwardly from said collar on said center pole substantially above the audience level and supporting the canvas top at their upper ends, a slide ring slidable upwardly and downwardly on said center pole, said slide ring being positioned above said collar and mounted on said center pole and being attached to the canvas top at a position above the sliding collar and independent adjustment cables extending along said center pole one of which is connected to said collar and the other of which is connected to said slide ring for adjusting the height of the canvas top and height of the lower ends of the quarter poles.

2. In a tent construction, a center pole centrally supporting the canvas top, said center pole having a collar loosely fitting thereon and slidable upwardly and downwardly on said center pole and a plurality of quarter poles extending obliquely upwardly and outwardly from said collar on said center pole substantially above the audience level and supporting the canvas top at their upper ends, the lower ends of said quarter poles being pivotally connected to said collar mounted to slide upon said center pole, a slide ring slidable upwardly and downwardly on said center pole, said slide ring being positioned above said collar and mounted on said center pole and being attached to the canvas top at a position above the sliding collar and independent adjustment cables extending along said center pole one of which is connected to said collar and the other of which is connected to said slide ring for adjusting the height of the canvas top and height of the lower ends of the quarter poles.

3. In a tent construction, a center pole centrally supporting the canvas top and a plurality of quarter poles extending obliquely upwardly and outwardly from a position on said center pole substantially above the audience level and supporting the canvas top at their upper ends, said center pole carrying three n'ng members and being provided with means to elevate said ring members to desired positions, the lowermost ring member supporting the lower ends of the quarter poles, the intermediate ring member supporting the center portions of said quarter poles and the top ring member supporting the canvas top, said intermediate ring member having cables connected thereto at one end which at their other end are connected to an intermediate portion of the quarter poles.

4. A tent construction comprising a fabric top covering, center poles for supporting said covering, top, intermediate and bottom encircling members encircling the center poles and mounted in superposed relationship on each center pole to slide up and down on each center pole, the top encircling member being attached to the covering, a plurality of oblique quarter poles supporting said covering around said top encircling member at their upper ends and mounted on the bottom encircling member at their lower ends, and said intermediate encircling member supporting said quarter poles intermediate their length, and independent cables extending vertically along said center poles, one of said cables at each pole being connected to the top encircling member to elevate and lower the same and another of said cables at each center pole being connected to the bottom encircling member to elevate and lower the same.

5. The tent construction of claim 4, said encircling members being formed by spaced rings mounted to slide upon said center poles.

6. The construction of claim 4, said encircling member for said lower ends of said quarter poles having pivotal connections for the lower ends of said quarter poles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 32,861 Davis July 23, 1861 641,586 French Jan. 16, 1900 645,704 Downs Mar. 20, 1900 858,875 Knabenshue July 2, 1907 892,698 Whinnery July 7, 1908 1,095,362 Swinland May 5, 1914 1,449,894 Dial Nov. 27, 1923 1,559,739 Brown Nov. 3, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 8,864 Great Britain of 1903

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