Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Combined
Utility Patent
1998-08-12
2001-01-02
Chilcot, Richard (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Combined
C135S099000, C135S119000, C135S900000, C174S002000, C174S003000
Utility Patent
active
06167896
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to shelters, in particular shelters for individuals groups or people caught in the open in inclement weather—particularly when there is a danger of lightning.
Many people follow avocations e.g. golfers, and walkers, which mean that they can be caught in the open at times of inclement weather. This can be particularly dangerous should there be lightning as it is possible the individual might be struck by lightning and severely injured or even killed.
Sheltering at such times under trees can be highly dangerous as a lightning strike may be attracted to a tree under which one is sheltering and thus provide an effective conduit for the lightning strike to a person sheltering beneath the tree.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the invention aim to provide an arrangement of shelter which is readily mountable at a position in which it may be entered by an individual caught in inclement weather, particularly thunder storms.
In a first aspect the present invention provides a shelter comprising a plurality of elongate electrically conductive members first ends of which are conjoined, each said elongate electrically conductive member extending away from and depending from its first end to define a fraxme, the second end of each elongate electrically conductive member being provided with a first electrically conductive spike member drivable into the ground.
The shelter may comprise a further electrically conductive member removably mountable at the point of conjunction of said plurality of electrically conductive elongate members to extend normally away from said frame.
Each said elongate electrically conductive member in moving from its said first to its said second ends extends firstly through a curved portion and then through a generally straight portion. Said curved portion is substantially one quarter of a circle.
The second ends of the plurality of elongate electrically conductive members preferably define points on the perimeter of a circle.
Each of the plurality of elongate electrically conductive members has attached thereto adjacent its said second end and electrically connected therewith another electrically conductive member extending generally radially outwardly of the circle.
Each of said other outwardly extending conductive members preferably has at its free end a further electrically conductive spike member drivable into the ground.
The outer surface of each elongate electrically conductive member may be covered with an electrically insulating layer. The insulating layer may comprise polyethylene.
The shelter may be provided with a floor of electrically conductive material, e.g. of welded metal mesh.
Desirably, the floor is electrically coupled to each of the plurality of elongate electrically conductive members and said first spike members.
The floor may extend outwardly of the second ends of the plurality of elongate electrically conductive members.
The floor may be welded to collars adapted to surround the elongate electrically conductive members and which are fixed thereto by a plurality of electrically conductive bolts.
With advantage the outer perimeter of said floor is within the perimeter of the circle defined by said further spike members.
The floor and the further spike members are, in use, preferably located beneath the surface of ground upon which the shelter stands.
The first ends of the plurality of elongate electrically conductive members are preferably joined by a pair of plate members bolted to either side of said first ends.
The heads of the bolts which hold the plate members together, within the frame, are desirably domed.
The shelter may further comprise a cover of a waterproof fabric material placable over at least part of said frame.
Said cover may be held in position by a rope passing through loops carried on the edges of the cover and through apertures in said elongate electrically conductive members.
Preferably, the cover is held on the frame by a rope passing through apertures formed in the elongate electrically conductive members and eyelets formed in the edge of the cover.
REFERENCES:
patent: 407660 (1889-07-01), Hill
patent: 881453 (1908-03-01), Anderson
patent: 1155648 (1915-10-01), Dodd
patent: 1175749 (1916-03-01), Gunthorpe
patent: 2518167 (1950-08-01), Mintz
patent: 3477453 (1969-11-01), D'Ulisse et al.
patent: 3860022 (1975-01-01), Arndt et al.
patent: 3889698 (1975-06-01), Roessl
patent: 4447847 (1984-05-01), Drulard
patent: 4488392 (1984-12-01), Pearcey et al.
patent: 5043527 (1991-08-01), Carpenter, Jr.
patent: 5798482 (1998-08-01), Reeves
patent: 857311 (1960-12-01), None
patent: WO 94/02980 (1994-02-01), None
patent: WO 94/26990 (1994-11-01), None
Chilcot Richard
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
LandOfFree
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