Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Accessory or adjunct
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-05-08
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Accessory or adjunct
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227218
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fabric shelters, and specifically to tent structures supported by poles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking, back-country skiing, climbing and the like often requires, or is made more enjoyable by, the use of a portable fabric shelter. Tents have been enjoyed for years for this purpose, typically consisting of a flexible folding fabric shell that is supported by rigid or semi-rigid poles to form a shelter. Tents may be large for activities such as camping, or may be small, compact and lightweight for activities such as hiking and climbing. It is desirable for the tent fabric shell to be securely, but quickly and readily, assembled to the supporting pole structure. Similar considerations apply to smaller shelters such as bivouac-sacks, as well as canopies and “flying wing” shelters.
One manner of assembling poles to tent fabric is to slide the poles through fabric tubes or sleeves formed on the tent. While securely attaching the fabric to the poles, this method of assembly is time-consuming and cumbersome. Thus, many tents today include a plurality of clips that are attached to the tent fabric along the seams. The clips are then secured to the supporting poles. In particular for freestanding tents, a tent pole will typically have a first end received by a grommet or seat extending from the tent fabric close to the ground on one side of the tent. The tent pole then reaches up and bends over the tent, with the opposing end being received in a corresponding grommet or seat defined on the opposite side of the tent. Between the ends, a plurality of clips secured to the tent fabric are connected to the pole.
Conventional clips are formed of either metal or a substantially rigid plastic, such as Nylon polyamide. The clips are tethered to the tent fabric by a short length of fabric webbing, such as Nylon, or by an elastic cord. During and after assembly, the fabric or elastic cord tether allows the clip to be pulled relative to the fabric, and to pivot relative to the fabric. This results in a tent pole support structure that can be rather shaky and unstable. Further, many tents utilize a plurality of poles which cross each other at certain points. In conventional tent designs, at the point of crossing the poles are not secured together. Thus, they freely slide relative to each other in all directions. This again tends to contribute towards the general instability of the tent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fabric shelter, such as a tent, canopy or bivouac-sack, which includes a fabric shell and at least a first pole for supporting the fabric shell. The shelter includes at least one clip that defines a clasp portion for selective attachment to the first pole, and a base secured to the fabric shell. The clasp portion defines a clasp length oriented along an axis of the first pole, and the base defines a base length oriented parallel to the axis of the first pole. The base length is longer than the clasp length. This provides a stable securement of the clip to the fabric, and prevents the pivoting of the clip relative to the fabric.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the base of the clip is sewn or otherwise secured directly to the fabric shell, without any intervening tether, thereby further stabilizing the position of the clip relative to the fabric shell and the poles secured thereby.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a fabric shelter is provided that includes a fabric shell and at least a first pole for supporting the fabric shell. A clip is secured to the fabric shell, and defines a clasp portion for selective attachment to the first pole. The fabric shelter further includes a second pole, and the clip defines an aperture into which the second pole is slidably received to secure the second pole to the clip generally transverse with respect to the first pole.
The present invention thus provides for a highly stable tent or other fabric shelter. A single clip suitably accommodates crossed poles, and the clip has a broad base preferably sewn directly to the tent fabric. This maintains the positioning of the poles with regard to each other, and maintains the fabric shell in stable position with respect to the clip and poles.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a tent clip having the foregoing features is provided for securement to the fabric of a tent.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4265260 (1981-05-01), Gillis
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patent: 4440519 (1984-04-01), Pennel et al.
patent: 4827958 (1989-05-01), Cantwell et al.
patent: 4877044 (1989-10-01), Cantwell et al.
patent: 5197504 (1993-03-01), Howe
patent: 5901727 (1999-05-01), Kramer et al.
patent: 6094801 (2000-08-01), Howe
Chin-Shue Alvin
Christiansen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC
Mountain Safety Research, Inc.
Purol Sarah
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