Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Cover for shelter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-07-03
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Cover for shelter
C135S117000, 47, 47
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253777
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a tent, such as the type used by military personnel as a modular command post. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a tent having a flame resistant inner lining. In particular, a tent liner made according to the present invention has proven to be lightweight, white/opaque, and flame resistant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Military operations generally require a central location from which they can be effectively commanded. For mobile operations, the military defines such a central location as a Modular Command Post. Modular Command Posts generally contain a single tent or a network of tents from which commanders can direct various military operations.
Conventional tents used for Modular Command Posts are generally constructed with a number of discrete sections. Typically, a tent will include a plain wall, a window wall, an entrance way wall, and a roof cap. The sections are generally made from a lightweight, flame resistant fabric. In addition to the primary sections, conventional tents also include a plain wall liner and an entrance way/window wall liner.
The tent liner provides enhanced flame resistant qualities, as well as insulation qualities that allow the liner to be used as an outside wall during warm weather and daylight. Moreover, the tent liner aids in light diffusion to allow increased visibility for persons within the tent, while preventing visibility into the tent by an outside observer.
In the past, tent liners were made from a lightweight, pajama check weave cloth constructed from aramid fibers. One example of a fabric currently used as a tent liner in Modular Command Posts is made from NOMEX fibers marketed by DUPONT.
One difficulty encountered by current manufacturers of military tents is the high cost associated with producing an aramid fiber tent liner that is capable of complying with military specifications, which require that the liner be white/opaque, lightweight, and flame resistant.
As such, a need currently exists for a less expensive and/or improved tent and tent liner fabric. In particular, a need exists for a tent liner fabric that is white/opaque, lightweight, and flame resistant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, and others of prior art constructions and methods.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, improved tent suitable for use by military personnel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive tent for military personnel that is lightweight and flame resistant.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive tent liner for use in military tents that is lightweight, white/opaque, and flame resistant.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a flame resistant tent liner for constructing a tent suitable for use by military personnel. The tent liner can be attached to an outer wall enclosure, which includes wall sections that comprise the primary structural components of the tent.
In accordance with the present invention, polyester fibers can be used to form the tent liner fabric. The tent liner fabric can have a weight of from about 1.5 ounces per square yard to about 12 ounces per square yard. Further, the polyester fibers can also have a combined denier from about 70 to about 1200 in the warp and fill directions.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tent liner fabric can be made from AVORA FR polyester fibers marketed by Kosa. A tent liner comprising AVORA FR fibers and produced according to the present invention is generally flame resistant. Under vertical flammability testing, i.e. NFPA 701 and Fed. Test Method Standard No. 191A, Method 5903, a tent liner of the present invention was found to have a char length less than 6.5 inches (average of 5.5 inches for 10 samples) and an after flame time of less than 2.0 seconds.
A tent liner of the present invention can also be opaque and white in color. The opaqueness of the tent liner can prevent observation into the tent or into a segmented section of the tent by persons located outside the tent. Moreover, the white color of the tent liner can aid in light diffusion within the tent, allowing increased visibility by persons located inside the tent.
These and other objects of the present invention are also achieved by providing a flame resistant tent liner that can be attached to an outer wall enclosure. The outer wall enclosure can include a rear wall, side walls, and an entrance way wall. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention includes an outer wall enclosure having a plain (rear) wall, two side walls, and an entrance way wall. The walls can be interconnected by fasteners and supported by a frame assembly. Furthermore, a roof cap supported by cable assemblies can be used to cover the outer wall enclosure. The covered outer wall enclosure can be lined by a flame resistant tent liner of the present invention. Similar to the wall sections, the tent liner can be attached to the interconnected walls by fasteners.
Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4500592 (1985-02-01), Lee
patent: 5842495 (1998-12-01), Egnew
patent: 5908043 (1999-06-01), Paes
Trevira® FR Technical Bulletin; “Dyeing and Finishing Trevira CS/FR Upholstry Fabrics for Fastness to Mild Solutions of Bleach” Trevira Flame-Resistant Filament brochure.
Modular Command Post System (MCPS) brochure; No. N0024 P18 rev. Jan. 21, 1998.
Dority & Manning P.A.
Safety Components Fabric Technologies, Inc.
Stephan Beth A.
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