U.S. patent application number 12/060822 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-30 for device for expanding ceiling portion of tent.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIVEPLEX CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jong-Joo KIM.
Application Number | 20090188538 12/060822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40897983 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090188538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Jong-Joo |
July 30, 2009 |
DEVICE FOR EXPANDING CEILING PORTION OF TENT
Abstract
The present invention discloses a device for expanding the
ceiling portion of a tent. The expanding device comprises an
extendable fabric portion 104 in which the ceiling portion 103 of
the inner fabric 102 is cut out to a given size and separated, and
which is attached to the cut-out portion; an insert ring 105
sewed-attached to the center of the extendable fabric portion 104;
a fixing band 121 and an adjusting band 131 that are sewed-attached
to the inner fabric 102 of both sides with the extendable fabric
portion 104 put in between and that have eyelets 122 and 132
respectively; a support rod 111 whose both sides are bent at a
given angle and has elastic force, whose central portion is
inserted into the insert ring 105, and whose both ends are fixed to
the eyelets 122 and 132 of the fixing band 121 and adjusting band
131 through an insert tube 112; a buckle 141 one end of which is
fixed to a free end, i.e. the end that is not sewed-attached to the
inner fabric, of the fixing band 121 and the other end of which is
connected in a knot to prevent the free end of the adjusting band
from coming loose.
Inventors: |
KIM; Jong-Joo; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN HAM & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
LIVEPLEX CO., LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
40897983 |
Appl. No.: |
12/060822 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/96 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/02 20060101
E04H015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 24, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0007493 |
Claims
1. A device for expanding the ceiling portion of a tent that made
of outer fabric and inner fabric, the device comprising: an
extendable fabric portion in which the ceiling portion of said
inner fabric is cut out to a given size and separated, and which is
attached to the cut-out portion; an insert ring sewed-attached to
the center of said extendable fabric portion; a fixing band and an
adjusting band that are sewed-attached to the inner fabric of both
sides with the extendable fabric portion put in between and that
have eyelets respectively; a support rod whose both sides are bent
at a given angle and has elastic force, whose central portion is
inserted into said insert ring, and whose both ends are fixed to
the eyelets of said fixing band and adjusting band through an
insert tube; a buckle one end of which is fixed to a free end, i.e.
the end that is not sewed-attached to the inner fabric, of said
fixing band and the other end of which is connected in a knot to
prevent the free end of said adjusting band from coming loose.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tent made of outer fabric
and inner fabric, and more specifically, to a device for expanding
the ceiling portion of a tent wherein: the ceiling portion of inner
fabric is cut out to a given size and separated; an extendable
fabric portion is sewed-attached to the cut-out portion; a fixing
band and adjusting band are sewed-attached to the inner fabric of
both sides with the extendable fabric portion put in between; a
support rod whose left and right sides are bent at a given angle
and has elastic force, has both ends inserted respectively to the
eyelets of the fixing band and the adjusting band through an insert
tube; the free end of the fixing band is fixed to a buckle; and the
free end of the adjusting band is connected in a knot to a buckle,
so that the height of the support rod can be varied according to
the length change of the adjusting band to thereby adjust the
height of the tent ceiling portion. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a device for expanding the space of the tent
ceiling portion, which comprises: an extendable fabric portion
attached to the ceiling portion of a tent; a support rod for
expanding the ceiling portion by applying force to the extendable
fabric portion; a fixing band and an adjusting band to which both
ends of the support rod are inserted; and a buckle for connecting
both bands so as to adjust the length, and through which the
adjusting band is pulled to make the support rod lift up the
ceiling portion to prevent sagging, so that it is possible to
prevent water from gathering in the ceiling portion in rainy
weather, and since snow does not pile up on the ceiling portion
even if it snows the ceiling portion won't crumble due to the
weight of snow, and also since the area inside tent can be
expanded, the crampedness felt inside the tent can be reduced to
make in-tent living pleasant, and the ceiling portion of tent is
transformed into a new and unique form, so that product
competitiveness is enhanced through differentiation from products
of other companies.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Usually, a tent, which is essential in outdoor camping life,
is made in a dual structure of outer fabric and inner fabric for
the purposes of waterproofing, windbreaking, etc.
[0005] Because most of tent ceiling portions are in a flat form,
they have a problem that rainwater gathers in the ceiling portion
in rainy weather and snow piles up on the ceiling when it snows.
Namely, when the ceiling portion of a tent is in contact with
rainwater in rainy weather, the fabric of the tent absorbs moisture
to cause it to sag, so water starts to gather in the sagged
portion.
[0006] Also, because the ceiling portion of a tent is relatively
flat, snow piles up on the ceiling portion when it snows in
wintertime. Eventually, the ceiling portion is pressed by the
weight of snow that has piled up, which may cause the tent to
collapse.
[0007] Conventionally, in order to prevent water from gathering or
snow from piling up on the ceiling portion of tent, a long pole is
used to lift up the ceiling portion. Namely, by standing a long
pole in the tent to protrude the ceiling portion, it prevents water
from gathering or snow from piling up on the raised ceiling
portion.
[0008] However, such a conventional tent has a problem in that
since a long pole is stood up in the center of the tent, there are
many constraints to in-tent living and the size of utilizable space
is considerably reduced.
[0009] Also, because conventionally a long pole has to be carried
along with the tent all the time, there is a problem in that weight
and volume are increased when carrying the tent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is to solve such conventional problems
with an object to provide a device for expanding the ceiling
portion of a tent such that: it can prevent water from gathering in
the ceiling portion because the ceiling portion of a tent does not
sag in rainy weather; the ceiling portion does not collapse due to
the weight of snow because snow does not pile up on the ceiling
portion even when it snows; it is possible to have pleasant living
conditions without crampedness felt in the tent because the area
inside the tent can be expanded; and it is possible to
differentiate from products of other companies by a tent that can
be transformed into a new and unique form.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a device for expanding the ceiling portion of a tent that made of
outer fabric and inner fabric, the device comprising: an extendable
fabric portion in which the ceiling portion of the inner fabric is
cut out to a given size and separated, and which is attached to the
cut-out portion; an insert ring sewed-attached to the center of the
extendable fabric portion; a fixing band and an adjusting band that
are sewed-attached to the inner fabric of both sides with the
extendable fabric portion put in between and that have eyelets
respectively; a support rod whose both sides are bent at a given
angle and has elastic force, whose central portion is inserted into
the insert ring, and whose both ends are fixed to the eyelets of
the fixing band and adjusting band through an insert tube; a buckle
one end of which is fixed to a free end, i.e. the end that is not
sewed-attached to the inner fabric, of the fixing band and the
other end of which is connected in a knot to prevent the free end
of the adjusting band from coming loose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and other objects, features, and advantages of
preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more fully
described in the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tent showing the state in
which the ceiling portion is expanded by a device for expanding the
ceiling portion of the tent of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device for expanding the
ceiling portion of the tent according to the present invention as
seen from inside the tent;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the state in which the
device for expanding the ceiling portion of the tent according to
the present invention is combined;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the state in which the
device for expanding the ceiling portion of the tent according to
the present invention is used; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a lateral cross sectional view showing the device
for expanding the ceiling portion of the tent according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Hereinafter, a device for expanding the ceiling portion of a
tent according to the present invention will be described more
clearly with reference to the drawings.
[0019] Commonly, a tent is made of outer fabric 101 and inner
fabric 102. A device for expanding the ceiling portion of the tent
according to the present invention comprises an extendable fabric
portion 104 in which the ceiling portion 103 of the inner fabric
102 is cut out to a given size and separated, and which is attached
to the cut-out portion; an insert ring 105 sewed-attached to the
center of the extendable fabric portion 104; a fixing band 121 and
an adjusting band 131 that are sewed-attached to the inner fabric
102 of both sides with the extendable fabric portion 104 put in
between and that have eyelets 122 and 132 respectively; a support
rod 111 whose both sides are bent at a given angle and has elastic
force, whose central portion is inserted into the insert ring 105,
and whose both ends are fixed to the eyelets 122 and 132 of the
fixing band 121 and adjusting band 131 through an insert tube 112;
a buckle 141 one end of which is fixed to a free end, i.e. the end
that is not sewed-attached to the inner fabric, of the fixing band
121 and the other end of which is connected in a knot to prevent
the free end of the adjusting band from coming loose.
[0020] First, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tent showing the
state in which the ceiling portion 103 is expanded by a device for
expanding the ceiling portion of the tent of the present invention.
Because in the tent fitted with the device for expanding the
ceiling portion of the tent of the present invention, the ceiling
portion 103 in the center rises higher than the other ceiling
portion, any rainwater or snow flows down over the both sides of
the tent, such that rainwater does not gather or snow pile up on
the ceiling portion. The tent maintains a given shape by a pole
that is inserted into a plurality of rings attached on the outer
fabric 101 of the tent.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device for expanding the
ceiling portion of the tent according to the present invention as
seen from inside the tent, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing
the state in which the device for expanding the ceiling portion of
the tent according to the present invention is combined, and FIG. 4
is a sectional view showing the state in which the device for
expanding the ceiling portion of the tent according to the present
invention is used.
[0022] As shown in these drawings, in order to lift up the ceiling
portion 103 of the tent, the inner fabric 102 of the ceiling
portion 103 is cut out in a given size and separated, and then an
extendable fabric portion 104 is attached to the cut-out portion.
Since the extendable fabric portion 104 should be expanded upward
while it is being extended by elastic force of the support rod 111
which is to be described later, it is preferable to make it of
extendable material. Also, the shape of the extendable fabric
portion 104 is not specially limited and is preferable to have a
shape suitable according to the size and shape of the tent. An
embodiment of the present invention illustrates a rectangular
extendable fabric portion 104.
[0023] To the extendable fabric portion 104 is sewed-attached an
insert ring 105. Into the insert ring 105 is inserted the central
portion of the support rod 111. It is preferable to attach the
insert ring 105 in the center of the extendable fabric portion 104
so that the ceiling portion 103 of the tent is expanded by the
support rod 111 during the expansion of the extendable fabric
portion 104.
[0024] The fixing band 121 and the adjusting band 131 are
sewed-attached on both sides with the extendable fabric portion put
in between. In order to widen the expansion range of the ceiling
portion 103, it is preferable to arrange the support 111 lengthwise
of the extendable fabric portion 104. Accordingly, it is preferable
to attach the fixing band 121 and the adjusting band 131 to the
inner fabric 102 each at a point separated at a given interval from
opposite ends of the extendable fabric portion 104. Also, it is
preferable that the top ends of the fixing band 121 and adjusting
band 131 are attached on the straight line the same as the insert
ring 105 such that expansion of the extendable fabric portion 104
by the support rod 111 can be made smoothly.
[0025] The top end of the fixing band 121 is fixed to the inner
fabric 102 of the tent at a given interval from one end (left end
in the drawing) of the extendable fabric portion 104, while the
bottom end, which is a free end, is not fixed to the inner fabric
but is freely hung, and is inserted into one end of a buckle 141
which is to be described later. Roughly in the middle of the fixing
band 121 is formed an eyelet 122 for insertion of one end of the
support rod 111.
[0026] Likewise, the top end of the adjusting band 131 is fixed to
the inner fabric 102 of the tent at a given interval from one end
(right end in the drawing) of the extendable fabric portion 104,
while the bottom end, which is a free end, is not fixed to the
inner fabric but is hung freely, and is inserted into the other end
of the buckle 141. Also in the adjusting band 121 is formed an
eyelet 132 for insertion of the other end of the support rod
111.
[0027] Both ends of the support rod 111 are inserted respectively
to the eyelets 122 and 132 of the fixing band 121 and adjusting
band 131 through the insert tube 122. Both ends of the support rod
111 are maintained in a state inserted in the eyelets 122 and 132
through the insert tube 122.
[0028] Into one end of the buckle 141 is inserted the fixing band
121 and into the other end is inserted one end of the adjusting
band 131. At this time, one end of the adjusting band 131 is
combined to the buckle 141 in a knot for prevention of coming
loose. Accordingly, if one end of the adjusting band 131 is held
and pulled to the right, the length of the adjusting band 131 is
decreased to make the interval between both ends of the support rod
111 reduce and the central portion protrude upward simultaneously.
On the other hand, if the adjusting band 131 is let go, one end of
the adjusting band 131 does not come loose from the buckle 141 by
virtue of the knot of the adjusting band 131 but instead maintains
the combined state, so the protruded state of the support rod 111
can be maintained as it is.
[0029] During use, if one end of the adjusting band 131 is pulled
to the right in the drawing, the length of the adjusting band 131
is reduced while the interval between both ends of the support 111
decreases, and at the same time the central portion of the support
111 is protruded upward to press the extendable fabric portion 140
outward. The extendable fabric portion 104 is expanded outward and
extended upward by the pressing of the support rod 111, and the
outer fabric 101 in contact with the extendable fabric portion 140
is also lifted up as shown in FIG. 3. The state in which the
central portion of the support rod 111 is protruded by pulling one
end of the adjusting band 131 is shown in FIG. 4.
[0030] At this time, by adjusting the length of the adjusting band
131 according to the weather and terrain of the area where the tent
is installed to adjust the extent of the pressing of the support
111, the protruded height of the extendable fabric portion 104 can
be suitably adjusted. Namely, if the adjusting band 131 is pulled
further to the right, the support rod 111 is further deformed
elastically to make the central portion protrude upward so as to
further press the extendable fabric portion 104 upward. As a
result, the ceiling portion of the tent is lifted up further from
the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 4. As such, it
is possible to suitably adjust the protrusion height of the ceiling
of the tent by elastic deformation of the support rod 111 by means
of the adjusting band 131.
[0031] For example, in the case of using a tent in an area with a
little snow or rain, the height of the ceiling portion 103 is
lifted up just a little, and in an area with a lot of snow or rain,
the height of the support rod 111 is lifted up to the maximum to
prevent snow from piling up or rain from gathering on the ceiling
portion 103.
[0032] Meanwhile, the insert ring 105 that is supporting the middle
portion of the support rod 111 is sewed-attached to the extendable
fabric portion 104 so as to maintain the normal position all the
time. Therefore, since the support rod 111 can be elastically
deformed at the normal position by the insert ring 105, it
maintains the protrusion form of the extendable fabric portion
uniform at all times.
[0033] Next, FIG. 5 is a lateral cross sectional view showing the
device for expanding the ceiling portion of the tent according to
the present invention. Both ends of the support rod 111 are
supported by the eyelets 122 and 132 of the fixing band 121 and
adjusting band 131 through the insert tube 112, and the central
portion of the support 111, inserted into the insert ring 105, is
supporting the protruded state of the extendable fabric portion 104
by the top outer circumference of the support rod 111. Therefore,
the support rod 111 can firmly support the protruded state of the
extendable fabric portion 104 while being maintained in a stable
state by the eyelets 122 and 132 of the fixing band 121 and
adjusting band 131 and the insert ring 105.
[0034] Thus, the support rod 111 of the present invention has the
length considerably short compared with the conventional long pole
and is also lightweight, so it has an advantage that it is easy to
carry without trouble.
[0035] Although it is not shown in drawings, it is preferable that
the support ring has a detachable means such as a Velcro fastener
so as to detachably install the support rod.
[0036] In addition, since the space expanding device of the present
invention is installed adjacent to the ceiling portion 103 inside
the tent, it is possible to live a life like normal times without
restrictions to in-tent life. Rather, since crampedness can be
reduced by the expanded ceiling portion and air circulation is made
smoothly by a widened space, it is possible to live a pleasant life
in a tent.
[0037] Although the present invention has been described in detail
with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications
and equivalents can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *