US3845775A - Car top tent - Google Patents

Car top tent Download PDF

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US3845775A
US3845775A US00367907A US36790773A US3845775A US 3845775 A US3845775 A US 3845775A US 00367907 A US00367907 A US 00367907A US 36790773 A US36790773 A US 36790773A US 3845775 A US3845775 A US 3845775A
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Prior art keywords
poles
support
housing member
tent
eave
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US00367907A
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D Walz
P Norris
Haltern F Van
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Olin Corp
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Olin Corp
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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/02Tents combined or specially associated with other devices
    • E04H15/06Tents at least partially supported by vehicles
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S135/00Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
    • Y10S135/904Separate storage means or housing for shelter

Definitions

  • the supports are [51] Km CL v I I l A45f 1/16 unfolded to an erected condition exterior of the con- ⁇ 581 Field 0f A tainer to provide a tent of considerably greater size 296/23 24/42 than the carrier member.
  • the carrier member serves as a top for the mid portion of the tent and the entire 56] References Cited structure, when folded into its collapsed condition can be mounted on the roof of a car for transporting.
  • Tent structures which can be stored in a compact condition and secured to the roof of a car for transportation are generally known in the prior art.
  • Such tents fall into two general catagories, those which when erected remain secured to the car so that the latter forms a part of the tent and cannot be driven after the tent is set up, and those which are erected separately from the car so that the latter can be freely driven after the tent is set up.
  • Patents disclosing tents of the second general category include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,010,462, issued Nov. 28, 1961 to Charles C. Barber; 3,254,657, issued June 7, 1966 to Raymond Reger; 3,255,768, issued June 14, 1966 to Lyall L. Lowe; 3,289,684, issued Dec. 6, 1966 to Lyall L. Lowe; 3,368,574, issued Feb. 13, 1968 to Louise J. Yates et al.; 3,431,922, issued Mar. 11, 1969 to William R. Kilbride; 3,628,825, is-
  • the car top tents of the prior art which are transported on the roof of the car and erected free of connection to or dependence upon the car are conventionally stored in a rigid housing member of plastic, fiberglass, or the like.
  • the housing member When the tent is erected, the housing member usually forms a part of or all of the roof portion of the tent. Since the housing must readily fit on the roof of the automobile for transporting, the size of the housing is somewhat limited. For example, the housing can be about nine feet long and five feet wide, but cannot be much larger and still fit safely on the car roof. Since the housing serves as the roof of the erected tent, the tent itself is thereby limited as to size, and can not accommodate more than three or four persons at the most.
  • the tent structure of this invention contemplates the use of a rigid housing member which can be mounted on the top of an automobile for transport and which is erected free of attachment to the auto.
  • Tubular tent supporting members are stored within the housing member along with the tent fabric when the tent is in its compact or storage condition.
  • the tubular members are designed to be pulled out laterally of the housing member while the structure is on the roof of the auto and preparatory to erecting the tent. This provides a first lateral extension in opposite directions of the roof area of the tent, when erected.
  • the tubular members are then sequentially lowered to the ground from their laterally extended positions, the lowered members serving to support the tent on the ground, and being of sufficient length that, when lowered to the ground, they serve to displace the housing member upwardly away from and free of the roof of the car.
  • the car can be driven out from under the tent.
  • Others of the tubular members, which are secured to the lowered members are swung laterally further out from the lowered members and housing to further laterally expand the size of the tent.
  • the other swung members are secured to the tent fabric and pull the latter outwardly away from the housing.
  • the fabric is then staked to the ground and secured to the tubular members, which form external supports for the tent.
  • a tent of about 9 feet by 19 feet can be erected from a housing which is about 9 feet by 5 feet.
  • the roof of the tent can be positioned about 7 feet from the ground at its central portion formed by the housing, and the tent can readily accommodate six to eight people comfortably.
  • an object of this invention to provide a camping tent structure which can be stored in a relatively compact form and erected into a tent having considerable living area.
  • FIG. 1 is a side fragmented elevational view of a pre-
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the auto roof rack, mount base and tent structure-containing pod of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmented vertical sectional view taken through the mount base and pod showing the manner in which the tent tubular supports or poles are hinged and contained within the pod for transport or storage;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmented perspective view of the tent structure showing how the folded stored supports are exposed preparatory to erecting the tent;
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmented perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the still folded supports as they appear when pulled out of the pod as the tent is being erected;
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through the guide member secured to the pod showing how the laterally slidable support is prevented from exiting the guide when pulled out to the position shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a fragmented perspective view similar to FIG. 5, but showing how the vertical support poles are pivoted down to contact the ground so that the pod will be suspended on the vertical poles about the ground and the car can be driven out from under the pod;
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken through the lower portion of the vertical poles showing how their length may be increased by the use of telescoping inserts to further elevate the roof of the tent above the ground;
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmented perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but showing how further lateral pole members are pivoted outwardly away from the vertical poles to further increase the size of the tent, the tent fabric itself being shown in phantom;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tent structure as it appears when fully erected
  • FIG. II is a bottom plan view of the auto roof rack and pod-supporting base showing the structure by which the base is secured to the roof rack, the structure being shown in its release condition;
  • FIG. 12 is a fragmented bottom plan view similar to FIG. llll but showing the securing structure in its securement condition.
  • FIG. I3 is an elevational view partially in section of the portion of the securing structure which engages the side bar of the auto roof rack.
  • the tent structure is denoted generally by the numeral 2 and is shown in its collapsed storage or transporting condition.
  • the structure 2 is shown mounted on the roof rack of a station wagon 4 for transport to the camping site.
  • the roof rack 6 includes a pair of longitudinally extending side bars 8 connected to each other by laterally extending front and rear cross braces 10 and secured to the top of the auto by brackets 12 in a conventional manner.
  • a wind deflector l4 of conventional construction is secured to the rear end of the side bars 8.
  • a base or module-supporting member 16 is mounted on and secured to the roof rack 6, the member 16 being formed preferably from a sheet of plastic or fiber glass material.
  • the member I6 is formed with a pair of longitudinally extending downwardly opening side channels 18 which overlie the side bars 8 of the roof rack, and the rear face of the member 16 is recessed as at 20 to closely overlie the wind deflector 14.
  • the member 16 is also provided with a pair of upwardly opening recesses or pockets 22 the purpose of which will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the lateral side edges of the member 16 form a curved upwardly open lip 24 in which there is secured a rod 26 to which is hinged a locking plate 28.
  • the plate 28 includes a flange 30 with a protruding rib 32, the purpose of which will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.
  • Each plate 28 carries a pair of lock mechanisms 34 which can pass through openings 36 in the member 16 for securement to metal plates (not shown) mounted on the underside of the member 16.
  • the member 16 is formed with a central longitudinally extending downwardly open channel 38 and laterally extending downwardly open channels 40 which house the mechanism used to lock the member 16 to the roof rack. Details of the locking mechanism will be set forth hereinafter.
  • the member 16 also includes four recesses 42 which may be used for storing blankets, sleeping bags, cooking gear and the like. Water drainage openings 44 are provided in each recess 42.
  • a locking mechanismoperating handle 46 is disposed at the rear face of the member 16, the handle 46 carrying a lock 48 which is securable to a metal plate (not shown) attached to the underside of the member 16.
  • a recess 50 is provided on the rear face of the member 16 to permit the handle 46 to be grasped manually.
  • a pod 52 of plastic, fiberglass or the like is provided to house the tent fabric and support poles.
  • the pod 52 includes a top wall 54, downwardly sloping side walls 56, and downwardly sloping end walls 58.
  • the rear end wall 58 is recessed as at 60 to snugly overlie the wind deflector l4, and is also recessed as at 62 to provide access to the base handle 46.
  • Each side wall 56 is formed with an outwardly projecting shoulder 64 for engagement with the plate flange rib 32 so that the pod 52 can be secured to the base member 16.
  • a pair of openings 66 are formed in each sidewall 56 for passage of the locks 34.
  • a door 68 is formed in each side wall 56 and is hinged thereto along hinge line 70 for upward and outward pivoting movement.
  • FIG. 3 the manner in which the pod 52 is secured to'the base member 16 is shown as is the stored, folded condition of the pole members.
  • the plate 28 is pivoted upwardly'about the tube 26 until the rib 32 engages the shoulder 64 at which time the locks 34 engage the respective metal plates 35 which are mounted on the base 16.
  • a pair of generally U-shaped tubular members 72 are secured to the pod 52 by means of brackets 74.
  • a pair of laterally extending tubes 76 are secured to free ends of each of the tubes 72, the tubes 76 preferably having a square cross-sectional configuration.
  • the tubes 72 and 76thus serve to reinforce the pod 52 in addition to providing mounts for the tubular support poles of the tent.
  • each open end of the lateral tubes 76 there are telescopingly nested laterally slidable tubular members 78 (one shown).
  • the member 78 is shown in FIG. 3 in its fully telescoped storage condition.
  • Each member 78 includes a generally horizontal straight portion 80 which, when stored, is telescoped inside of the tube 76.
  • the horizontal straight portion 80 is withdrawn from the tube 76 when the tent is erected, as will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the tubular member 78 also includes a downwardly and outwardly extending terminal straight portion 82. which is connected to the horizontal straight portion 88 by an intermediate curved portion 84.
  • a hinge 84 which serves to hingedly connect the tubular member 78 to a pole 86 which is disposed in the horizontal when the structure is stored and which pivots down to a generally vertical position when the tent is erected, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the pole 86 is also connected to one end of an eave pole 88 by means of a hinge 90, and the eave pole 88 has its other end connected to a tubular eave cross member 92 by means of a hinge 94.
  • the tubular cross member 92 includes a longitudinally extending straight portion 96 and terminal straight portions 98 connected to the straight portions 96 by means of intermediate curved portions 100.
  • the tubular tent supports 73., 86, 60 and 92 are compactly folded up for storage and are positioned in the base recess 22 behind the pod door 78 when the tent structure is stored or transported.
  • the manner in which the tent is erected is disclosed.
  • the locks 34 are unlocked and the plates 28 are swung outwardly and downwardly away from the pod 52 to disengage the plate rib 32 from the pod shoulder 64. This frees the pod 52 to be lifted upwardly free of the base member 16, which is secured to the roof rack of the automobile (not shown).
  • the door 68 can then be pivoted upwardly and outwardly about its hinge 70 to expose the folded tent poles.
  • the folded poles may be held together by a clip 102 to prevent them from accidently dropping about their respective hinges prematurely whereby the auto might be hit.
  • each pole 78 has secured to the innermost end of its straight section 00 a square block 81.
  • the corners of the square tube 76 are turned down as at 77 to engage the blocks 81 when the poles 78 are fully withdrawn from the square tubes 76.
  • the clip 102 is then removed from the folded poles and the vertical poles 06 and 88 are swung down about their respective hinges 84 and 94 until the poles 86 touch the ground.
  • the poles 86 are longer than the combined height of the automobile and base member, so that when the bottom of the poles 86 touch the ground, the pod 52 will be lifted upwardly free of the base member 16.
  • each corner of the pod 52 will be independently lifted from the base member 16 as the appropriate pole 86 is swung into proper position.
  • On each of the poles 86 there is mounted a sleeve 1 which can be slid up over the hinges 04 to lock the latter in place and stabilize the unfolded poles.
  • the terminal straight portions 82 are provided on the poles 78 respectively to ensure that the sleeves can cover the hinges sufficiently for locking purposes.
  • the sleeves 104 are held in the locking position by means of a bayonet slot 105 in the sleeves 104, in which slot 105 there is disposed a pin 107 secured to the poles 86. After the sleeve 104i is slid over the hinge 06, the sleeve 104i is twisted to position the pin 107 in the lateral portion 109 of the bayonet slot 105, as shown in FIG. 9.
  • Pole inserts 87 are telescopingly housing within the poles 86 and can be slid out of the latter when the poles 86 are dropped to the ground.
  • the inserts 87 are provided with aligned pairs of longitudinally offset openings 89 for adjustment purposes should the ground on which the tent is erected be uneven.
  • the poles 86 are also provided with a pair of aligned openings 91.
  • the cave cross pole 92 is pulled outwardly away from the pod 52 causing the cave poles 86 to pivot outwardly about the hinges 90.
  • the cross pole 92 preferably passes through a sleeve R stitched in the tent fabric T so that by pulling the pole 92 outwardly, the tent fabric is caused to deploy properly.
  • other means may be used to secure the tent fabric to the cave cross pole 92.
  • the lower edge of the tent sidewall W is staked to the ground as at S in a manner which holds the poles 92 and in the proper position shown in FIG. 10.
  • the tent fabric T includes loops L which are tied around the poles 66 and a tent flap F is provided for access to the interior of the tent. Of course, the upper portions of the tent fabric are secured to the pod 52. When the tent is folded up for storage, the fabric T may be temporarily secured to the interior of the pod 62 by means of hooks and eyelets (not shown) in a known manner.
  • the tent may include a fabric floor which is stitched to the lower edges of the tent side walls.
  • the tent is folded up for storage by merely reversing the set-up steps described above.
  • the base member 16 includes longitudinally extending downwardly open side channels 18 which fit over the side bars 8 of the roof rack 6.
  • a central longitudinally extending downwardly open channel 36 is also provided in the base member 16, in which channel 30 is disposed aT-shaped (in cross-section) actuating rod 110.
  • the actuating rod 110 is connected to the base 16 by passing through brackets 112 which are riveted to the base 16.
  • brackets 112 which are riveted to the base 16.
  • the rod 110 is shown in FIG. 11 in its rearwardmost position wherein the base 16 is not locked onto the roof rack 6.
  • the handle 46 is mounted on the rearward end of the actuating rod 110.
  • a pair of openings 116 are provided on each side flange of the rod 110 for pivotal connection thereto of link members 120 by means of pins 122.
  • a plurality of levers 124 are pivotally mounted on the base 16 by means of pins 126, the levers 124 each being provided with a U-shaped shoe 126.
  • U-shaped brackets are mounted on the base 16 about each shoe 128 to guide movement of the latter.
  • the outer end of each link 120 is pivotally secured to a respective lever 124 by means of a pin 132.
  • the links 120 can be connected to the levers at different locations 110 so as to vary the degree of outwardly pivoting movement imparted to the levers to adapt the device to different size roof racks. As shown in FIG.
  • the base 16 is positioned over the roof rack 6 but is not secured thereto.
  • the handle 46 is manually pushed forward until it enters the pod recess 62 (see FIG. 2) and is flush with the rear wall of the pod 52.
  • the lock 418 is thus caused to engage a metal plate (not shown) secured to the underside of the base 16 so that the handle 46 is locked in place.
  • the actuating rod 110 is thus moved forward through the brackets 112. Forward movement of the rod 110 causes the links 120 to move forward resulting in pivoting of the levers 124 about their respective pins 126.
  • the shoe 128 includes a clevis portion 129 in which is mounted a pad 134 of high friction material, such as rubber, which pad 134 actually engages the side bar 8 of the roof rack.
  • An insert member H36 may be removably secured to one side of the clevis to permit modification of the shoe 128 to receive a roof rack side bars of varying thickness.
  • the tent structure of this invention provides a compact arrangement for transportation and storage while at the same time providing an erected tent having considerably greater living area than previously found in tents transported in pods atop automobiles and erected free of the autos.
  • the tent is erected free of the auto so as to permit free use of the latter at the camp site.
  • a tent structure comprising:
  • a. a first rigid portion for supporting tent fabric to form at least a portion of a roof of the tent;
  • first poles hingedly connected to said rigid portion, said first poles being hinged for movement between a storage position adjacent said rigid portion and an erected position wherein said first poles are operative to support said rigid portion above the ground;
  • a plurality of second poles having hinge means connected to said first poles whereby said second poles are mounted on said first poles for movement between a storage position adjacent said first poles and an erected position wherein said second poles extend laterally from said first poles and upwardly from said hinge means.
  • a support frame comprising:
  • first tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent
  • hinge means for pivotally connecting said second support means to said first support means whereby said second support means can be pivoted from a position adjacent said first support means to a position depending from said first support means and return;
  • a support frame comprising: a. first tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent;
  • second tubular support means for elevating said first support means above the ground, one of said first and second support means including a straight terminal portion and an intermediate curved portion connecting said straight terminal portion to the remainder of said one support means;
  • hinge means pivotally connecting said straight terminal portion of said one support means with a terminal end of the other of said first and second support means;
  • a sleeve slidably mounted on said other of said first and second support means for movement from a first position offset from said hinge means to a second position overlying said hinge means to lock the latter against pivoting when said straight terminal portion of said one support means and said other support means are coaxial.
  • a camping shelter comprising: a. a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material, said housing member including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls;
  • a plurality of support pole means pivotally carried by said housing member for supporting said housing member in a position elevated from the ground, said support pole means being movable between a first storage position within the confines of said housing member to a second erected position wherein said support pole means are operative to elevate and support said housing member above the ground;
  • eave pole means having hinges connected to each of said support pole means, said eave pole means being pivotable between a storage position adjacent said support pole means and an erected position extending laterally from said support pole means and upwardly away from said hinges;
  • said support pole means comprises at least a first pair of poles operative, when in the erected position, to elevate and support at least one side wall of said housing member above the ground
  • said eave pole means comprises at least a second pair of poles each of which is pivotally connected to a respective one of said first pair of poles.
  • said eave pole means further comprises a third pole having one end pivotally connected to one of said second pair of poles, and its other end pivotally connected to the other of said second pair of poles.
  • a camping shelter comprising:
  • a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material and including a top wall and depending side and end walls;
  • tenting material connected to said housing member, said tenting material being foldable into a compact storage condition contained within the confines of said housing member and deployable therefrom into an erected condition providing side walls of the camping shelter;
  • first poles for elevating and supporting said housing member above the ground, said first poles being pivotally connected to said housing member for pivotal movement between a storage position within the confines of said housing member and a housing-supporting position depending downward from said housing member;
  • each of said eave poles being pivotally connected to respective ones of said first poles for pivotal movement between a storage position closely adjacent to said first poles and an erected position extending laterally from said first poles and said housing member;
  • each of said third poles being connectable to said tenting material, and each of said third poles being laterally movable away from said housing member when said eave poles are pivoted to their respective erected positions whereby lateral movement of said third poles serves to deploy said tenting material laterally of said housing member to expand the volume of the shelter laterally of said housing member.
  • the camping shelter of claim 9 further comprising base means releasably securable to said housing member to close off the lower portion thereof, said base means including means for releasably securing said base means to an automobile roof rack.
  • the camping shelter of claim 9 wherein said housing member side walls are provided with a door movable between a first position substantially coplanar with said side walls and a second position offset from said side walls to expose said poles in their respective storage positions.
  • a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material, said housing member including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls;
  • sliding means carried by said housing member, said sliding means being extensible to an erecting position extending laterally beyond said housing member side walls and the side of the car, and retractable to a storage position within the confines of said housing member;
  • a plurality of support pole means for supporting said housing member in a position elevated from the ground and the roof of the car;
  • hinge means for pivotally connecting said support pole means to said sliding means whereby said sliding means is operable to enable said support pole means to be moved from a storage position within the confines of said housing member to an erecting position laterally beyond said housing member side walls and the sides of the car, and said hinge means enabling said support pole means to be pivoted to a housing-supporting position;
  • eave pole means comprising pairs of eave poles pivotally mounted on respective pairs of said support poles and eave cross poles having their opposite ends pivotally connected to ones of respective pairs of said-eave poles, said pairs of eave poles being pivotable between a storage position closely adjacent to said support poles and an erected position extending laterally away from said support poles; and

Abstract

A tent structure having folding tubular supports which, when collapsed, are contained within a carrier member along with the tent fabric. The supports are unfolded to an erected condition exterior of the container to provide a tent of considerably greater size than the carrier member. The carrier member serves as a top for the mid portion of the tent and the entire structure, when folded into its collapsed condition can be mounted on the roof of a car for transporting. When erected, the tent stands free of the car so that the latter can be driven about without the tent.

Description

Unite States Patent 11 1 1111 3,845,775
Norris et al. I [45] N 5, 1974 I CAR TOP TENT 3,599,651 8/l97l Perry 135/1 A [75] Inventors: Paul IR. Norris, Stone Mount $730,196 5/1973 Borskey 135 5V Frank Van Haitern, Jr., Atla t FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS David Stone u ta a 513,613 6/1955 Canada 135 4 A of Ga.
73 A 3 Co N a Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell sslgnee 52 mom on CW dvcn Attorney, Agent, or FirmDonald R. Motsko; H. 2] H d J 7 1973 Samuel Kieser; William W. Jones 1 c une [Z1] Appl No.: 367,907 ABSTRACT A tent structure having folding tubular supports [52] US Cl n 135/1 A 135/4 A 135/7 1 A which, when collapsed, are contained within a carrier member along with the tent fabric. The supports are [51] Km CL v I I l A45f 1/16 unfolded to an erected condition exterior of the con- {581 Field 0f A tainer to provide a tent of considerably greater size 296/23 24/42 than the carrier member. The carrier member serves as a top for the mid portion of the tent and the entire 56] References Cited structure, when folded into its collapsed condition can be mounted on the roof of a car for transporting. UNITED STATES PATENTS When erected, the tent stands free of the car so that 3,186,419 6/1965 McCarrOll l35/1 A h latter can b d i about ith t th t 3,228,405 l/l966 Bursey et al. 135/1 A 3,596,977 8/1971 Bunger t. 296/27 12 Claims, I3 Drawing Figures can "roe TENT This invention relates to a shelter in the form of a tent structure which can be folded into a collapsed condition which takes up a minimum amount of space and which may be transported on the roof of an automobile. The tent structure can, when desired, be unfolded into an erected condition so as to stand on the ground free and clear of the automobile so that the latter can be driven about with no problem.
Tent structures which can be stored in a compact condition and secured to the roof of a car for transportation are generally known in the prior art. Such tents fall into two general catagories, those which when erected remain secured to the car so that the latter forms a part of the tent and cannot be driven after the tent is set up, and those which are erected separately from the car so that the latter can be freely driven after the tent is set up. Patents disclosing tents of the second general category include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,010,462, issued Nov. 28, 1961 to Charles C. Barber; 3,254,657, issued June 7, 1966 to Raymond Reger; 3,255,768, issued June 14, 1966 to Lyall L. Lowe; 3,289,684, issued Dec. 6, 1966 to Lyall L. Lowe; 3,368,574, issued Feb. 13, 1968 to Louise J. Yates et al.; 3,431,922, issued Mar. 11, 1969 to William R. Kilbride; 3,628,825, is-
sued Dec. 21, 1971 to Mitchell Hannoosh; 3,649,063, issued Mar. 14, 1972 to Turner Stark; and 3,655,077, issued Apr. 11, 1972 to Lyall Lowe. [t is to the latter general category of tents that the tent of this invention belongs.
The car top tents of the prior art which are transported on the roof of the car and erected free of connection to or dependence upon the car are conventionally stored in a rigid housing member of plastic, fiberglass, or the like. When the tent is erected, the housing member usually forms a part of or all of the roof portion of the tent. Since the housing must readily fit on the roof of the automobile for transporting, the size of the housing is somewhat limited. For example, the housing can be about nine feet long and five feet wide, but cannot be much larger and still fit safely on the car roof. Since the housing serves as the roof of the erected tent, the tent itself is thereby limited as to size, and can not accommodate more than three or four persons at the most.
Various solutions have been offered toward enlarging the size of this type of tent, such as sloping the side walls of the tent outwardly from the side edges of the roof-housing when the tent is erected; and providing a housing which consists of two components of about the same size which are hinged together like a clamshell, and which open into a roof structure of about twice the size of the conventional housing. These solutions have somewhat relieved the crowded condition of the tent interior, but have not readily increased its occupancy capacity.
The tent structure of this invention contemplates the use of a rigid housing member which can be mounted on the top of an automobile for transport and which is erected free of attachment to the auto. Tubular tent supporting members are stored within the housing member along with the tent fabric when the tent is in its compact or storage condition. The tubular members are designed to be pulled out laterally of the housing member while the structure is on the roof of the auto and preparatory to erecting the tent. This provides a first lateral extension in opposite directions of the roof area of the tent, when erected. The tubular members are then sequentially lowered to the ground from their laterally extended positions, the lowered members serving to support the tent on the ground, and being of sufficient length that, when lowered to the ground, they serve to displace the housing member upwardly away from and free of the roof of the car. After the lowered members are properly positioned on the ground, the car can be driven out from under the tent. Others of the tubular members, which are secured to the lowered members, are swung laterally further out from the lowered members and housing to further laterally expand the size of the tent. The other swung members are secured to the tent fabric and pull the latter outwardly away from the housing. The fabric is then staked to the ground and secured to the tubular members, which form external supports for the tent. By using this form of tubular support structure, a tent of about 9 feet by 19 feet can be erected from a housing which is about 9 feet by 5 feet. The roof of the tent can be positioned about 7 feet from the ground at its central portion formed by the housing, and the tent can readily accommodate six to eight people comfortably.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a camping tent structure which can be stored in a relatively compact form and erected into a tent having considerable living area.
It is another object of this invention to provide a tent structure of the character described which can be transported in its stored condition on the roof of an automobile and erected from the auto roof free of connection to the auto.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tent structure of the character described which includes a rigid housing member in which the tent structure is stored and which forms a portion of the roof of the erected tent.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a tent structure of the character described having folding tubular support members which can be folded into a compact storage configuration and expanded into an enlarged erected configuration.
These and other objects and advantages of the tent structure of this invention will become more readily ap' parent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side fragmented elevational view of a pre-,
ferred embodiment of the tent structure of this invention shown mounted on the roof rack of a station wagon;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the auto roof rack, mount base and tent structure-containing pod of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmented vertical sectional view taken through the mount base and pod showing the manner in which the tent tubular supports or poles are hinged and contained within the pod for transport or storage;
FIG. 4 is a fragmented perspective view of the tent structure showing how the folded stored supports are exposed preparatory to erecting the tent;
FIG. 5 is a fragmented perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the still folded supports as they appear when pulled out of the pod as the tent is being erected;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through the guide member secured to the pod showing how the laterally slidable support is prevented from exiting the guide when pulled out to the position shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a fragmented perspective view similar to FIG. 5, but showing how the vertical support poles are pivoted down to contact the ground so that the pod will be suspended on the vertical poles about the ground and the car can be driven out from under the pod;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken through the lower portion of the vertical poles showing how their length may be increased by the use of telescoping inserts to further elevate the roof of the tent above the ground;
FIG. 9 is a fragmented perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but showing how further lateral pole members are pivoted outwardly away from the vertical poles to further increase the size of the tent, the tent fabric itself being shown in phantom;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tent structure as it appears when fully erected;
FIG. II is a bottom plan view of the auto roof rack and pod-supporting base showing the structure by which the base is secured to the roof rack, the structure being shown in its release condition;
FIG. 12 is a fragmented bottom plan view similar to FIG. llll but showing the securing structure in its securement condition; and
FIG. I3 is an elevational view partially in section of the portion of the securing structure which engages the side bar of the auto roof rack.
Referring to FIG. 1, the tent structure is denoted generally by the numeral 2 and is shown in its collapsed storage or transporting condition. The structure 2 is shown mounted on the roof rack of a station wagon 4 for transport to the camping site.
Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded perspective view of the tent structure and auto roof rack is shown. The roof rack 6 includes a pair of longitudinally extending side bars 8 connected to each other by laterally extending front and rear cross braces 10 and secured to the top of the auto by brackets 12 in a conventional manner. A wind deflector l4 of conventional construction is secured to the rear end of the side bars 8.
A base or module-supporting member 16 is mounted on and secured to the roof rack 6, the member 16 being formed preferably from a sheet of plastic or fiber glass material. The member I6 is formed with a pair of longitudinally extending downwardly opening side channels 18 which overlie the side bars 8 of the roof rack, and the rear face of the member 16 is recessed as at 20 to closely overlie the wind deflector 14. Thus the base overlies the auto roof rack and fits snugly against the top of the auto presenting a low profile thereon. The member 16 is also provided with a pair of upwardly opening recesses or pockets 22 the purpose of which will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter. The lateral side edges of the member 16 form a curved upwardly open lip 24 in which there is secured a rod 26 to which is hinged a locking plate 28. The plate 28 includes a flange 30 with a protruding rib 32, the purpose of which will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter. Each plate 28 carries a pair of lock mechanisms 34 which can pass through openings 36 in the member 16 for securement to metal plates (not shown) mounted on the underside of the member 16. The member 16 is formed with a central longitudinally extending downwardly open channel 38 and laterally extending downwardly open channels 40 which house the mechanism used to lock the member 16 to the roof rack. Details of the locking mechanism will be set forth hereinafter. The member 16 also includes four recesses 42 which may be used for storing blankets, sleeping bags, cooking gear and the like. Water drainage openings 44 are provided in each recess 42. A locking mechanismoperating handle 46 is disposed at the rear face of the member 16, the handle 46 carrying a lock 48 which is securable to a metal plate (not shown) attached to the underside of the member 16. A recess 50 is provided on the rear face of the member 16 to permit the handle 46 to be grasped manually.
A pod 52 of plastic, fiberglass or the like is provided to house the tent fabric and support poles. The pod 52 includes a top wall 54, downwardly sloping side walls 56, and downwardly sloping end walls 58. The rear end wall 58 is recessed as at 60 to snugly overlie the wind deflector l4, and is also recessed as at 62 to provide access to the base handle 46. Each side wall 56 is formed with an outwardly projecting shoulder 64 for engagement with the plate flange rib 32 so that the pod 52 can be secured to the base member 16. A pair of openings 66 are formed in each sidewall 56 for passage of the locks 34. A door 68 is formed in each side wall 56 and is hinged thereto along hinge line 70 for upward and outward pivoting movement.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the manner in which the pod 52 is secured to'the base member 16 is shown as is the stored, folded condition of the pole members. To lock the base l6 to the pod 52, the plate 28 is pivoted upwardly'about the tube 26 until the rib 32 engages the shoulder 64 at which time the locks 34 engage the respective metal plates 35 which are mounted on the base 16. A pair of generally U-shaped tubular members 72 (one shown) are secured to the pod 52 by means of brackets 74. A pair of laterally extending tubes 76 (one shown) are secured to free ends of each of the tubes 72, the tubes 76 preferably having a square cross-sectional configuration. The tubes 72 and 76thus serve to reinforce the pod 52 in addition to providing mounts for the tubular support poles of the tent. At each open end of the lateral tubes 76 there are telescopingly nested laterally slidable tubular members 78 (one shown). The member 78 is shown in FIG. 3 in its fully telescoped storage condition. Each member 78 includes a generally horizontal straight portion 80 which, when stored, is telescoped inside of the tube 76. The horizontal straight portion 80 is withdrawn from the tube 76 when the tent is erected, as will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter. The tubular member 78 also includes a downwardly and outwardly extending terminal straight portion 82. which is connected to the horizontal straight portion 88 by an intermediate curved portion 84. At the terminal part of the straight portion 82 there is disposed a hinge 84 which serves to hingedly connect the tubular member 78 to a pole 86 which is disposed in the horizontal when the structure is stored and which pivots down to a generally vertical position when the tent is erected, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The pole 86 is also connected to one end of an eave pole 88 by means of a hinge 90, and the eave pole 88 has its other end connected to a tubular eave cross member 92 by means of a hinge 94. The tubular cross member 92 includes a longitudinally extending straight portion 96 and terminal straight portions 98 connected to the straight portions 96 by means of intermediate curved portions 100. As will be readily appreciated from FIG. 3 and the following figures, the tubular tent supports 73., 86, 60 and 92 are compactly folded up for storage and are positioned in the base recess 22 behind the pod door 78 when the tent structure is stored or transported.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-10, the manner in which the tent is erected is disclosed. To begin erecting the tent, the locks 34 are unlocked and the plates 28 are swung outwardly and downwardly away from the pod 52 to disengage the plate rib 32 from the pod shoulder 64. This frees the pod 52 to be lifted upwardly free of the base member 16, which is secured to the roof rack of the automobile (not shown). The door 68 can then be pivoted upwardly and outwardly about its hinge 70 to expose the folded tent poles. The folded poles may be held together by a clip 102 to prevent them from accidently dropping about their respective hinges prematurely whereby the auto might be hit. The folded poles are then grasped and pulled outwardly so as to cause the straight portions 00 of the tubular members 78 to slide out of the square tubes 76. This causes the folded poles to be laterally displaced from the sides of the pod 52 and from the sides of the automobile. Referring to FIG. 6, the manner in which the poles 78 are prevented from being pulled completely free of the square tubes 76 is shown. Each pole 78 has secured to the innermost end of its straight section 00 a square block 81. The corners of the square tube 76 are turned down as at 77 to engage the blocks 81 when the poles 78 are fully withdrawn from the square tubes 76.
The clip 102 is then removed from the folded poles and the vertical poles 06 and 88 are swung down about their respective hinges 84 and 94 until the poles 86 touch the ground. The poles 86 are longer than the combined height of the automobile and base member, so that when the bottom of the poles 86 touch the ground, the pod 52 will be lifted upwardly free of the base member 16. When the tent structure is erected each corner of the pod 52 will be independently lifted from the base member 16 as the appropriate pole 86 is swung into proper position. On each of the poles 86, there is mounted a sleeve 1 which can be slid up over the hinges 04 to lock the latter in place and stabilize the unfolded poles. The terminal straight portions 82 are provided on the poles 78 respectively to ensure that the sleeves can cover the hinges sufficiently for locking purposes. The sleeves 104 are held in the locking position by means of a bayonet slot 105 in the sleeves 104, in which slot 105 there is disposed a pin 107 secured to the poles 86. After the sleeve 104i is slid over the hinge 06, the sleeve 104i is twisted to position the pin 107 in the lateral portion 109 of the bayonet slot 105, as shown in FIG. 9.
Reference is made to FIG. 8 wherein there is disclosed means for elongating the effective length of the poles 86 so as to raise the pod 52 higher off of the ground when the tent is finally erected. Pole inserts 87 are telescopingly housing within the poles 86 and can be slid out of the latter when the poles 86 are dropped to the ground. The inserts 87 are provided with aligned pairs of longitudinally offset openings 89 for adjustment purposes should the ground on which the tent is erected be uneven. The poles 86 are also provided with a pair of aligned openings 91. When the openings 91 are brought into alignment with a desired pair of insert openings, a pin 93 is passed through the aligned openings 69 and 91 to hold the insert 87 projecting from the pole 86. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that provision other than the pin and aligned openings disclosed can be made for increasing and adjusting the height of the tent without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, erection of the tent is continued after the tent is free of the car. The cave cross pole 92 is pulled outwardly away from the pod 52 causing the cave poles 86 to pivot outwardly about the hinges 90. The cross pole 92 preferably passes through a sleeve R stitched in the tent fabric T so that by pulling the pole 92 outwardly, the tent fabric is caused to deploy properly. Alternatively, other means may be used to secure the tent fabric to the cave cross pole 92. The lower edge of the tent sidewall W is staked to the ground as at S in a manner which holds the poles 92 and in the proper position shown in FIG. 10. The tent fabric T includes loops L which are tied around the poles 66 and a tent flap F is provided for access to the interior of the tent. Of course, the upper portions of the tent fabric are secured to the pod 52. When the tent is folded up for storage, the fabric T may be temporarily secured to the interior of the pod 62 by means of hooks and eyelets (not shown) in a known manner. The tent may include a fabric floor which is stitched to the lower edges of the tent side walls.
The tent is folded up for storage by merely reversing the set-up steps described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a preferred mechanism for securing the base member 16 to roof rack 6 of the auto is shown from the underside ofthe base member 16. As previously noted, the base member 16 includes longitudinally extending downwardly open side channels 18 which fit over the side bars 8 of the roof rack 6. A central longitudinally extending downwardly open channel 36 is also provided in the base member 16, in which channel 30 is disposed aT-shaped (in cross-section) actuating rod 110. The actuating rod 110 is connected to the base 16 by passing through brackets 112 which are riveted to the base 16. Thus the actuating rod 110 is free to slide longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the base 16. The rod 110 is shown in FIG. 11 in its rearwardmost position wherein the base 16 is not locked onto the roof rack 6. The handle 46 is mounted on the rearward end of the actuating rod 110.
A pair of openings 116 are provided on each side flange of the rod 110 for pivotal connection thereto of link members 120 by means of pins 122. A plurality of levers 124 are pivotally mounted on the base 16 by means of pins 126, the levers 124 each being provided with a U-shaped shoe 126. U-shaped brackets are mounted on the base 16 about each shoe 128 to guide movement of the latter. The outer end of each link 120 is pivotally secured to a respective lever 124 by means of a pin 132. The links 120 can be connected to the levers at different locations 110 so as to vary the degree of outwardly pivoting movement imparted to the levers to adapt the device to different size roof racks. As shown in FIG. 11, the base 16 is positioned over the roof rack 6 but is not secured thereto. To secure the base 16 to the roof rack 6, the handle 46 is manually pushed forward until it enters the pod recess 62 (see FIG. 2) and is flush with the rear wall of the pod 52. The lock 418 is thus caused to engage a metal plate (not shown) secured to the underside of the base 16 so that the handle 46 is locked in place. The actuating rod 110 is thus moved forward through the brackets 112. Forward movement of the rod 110 causes the links 120 to move forward resulting in pivoting of the levers 124 about their respective pins 126. The pivoting of the levers T24 causes the U-shaped shoes 128 to be forced against and into tight engagement with the side bars 8 of the roof rack 6, thus securing the base 16 to the roof rack 6. To release the base to from the roof rack 6, the lock 48 is disengaged from the metal plate, and the handle 46 is pulled to the rear causing retraction of the actuating rod 110, links 120, levers 124 and shoes 128 to their initial positions shown in FIG. ll.
Referring now to FIG. 13, details of the shoes 128 are shown. It will be noted that the shoe 128 includes a clevis portion 129 in which is mounted a pad 134 of high friction material, such as rubber, which pad 134 actually engages the side bar 8 of the roof rack. An insert member H36 may be removably secured to one side of the clevis to permit modification of the shoe 128 to receive a roof rack side bars of varying thickness.
it will be readily appreciated that the tent structure of this invention provides a compact arrangement for transportation and storage while at the same time providing an erected tent having considerably greater living area than previously found in tents transported in pods atop automobiles and erected free of the autos. The tent is erected free of the auto so as to permit free use of the latter at the camp site. Provision is made for storage of the poles by hingedly connecting them together, the hinges being locked upon deployment so as to stabilize the erected structure.
Since many changes and variations of the disclosed embodiment of the invention may be made without departing from the invention concept, it is not intended to limit the invention otherwise than as required by the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
l. A tent structure comprising:
a. a first rigid portion for supporting tent fabric to form at least a portion of a roof of the tent;
b. a plurality of first poles hingedly connected to said rigid portion, said first poles being hinged for movement between a storage position adjacent said rigid portion and an erected position wherein said first poles are operative to support said rigid portion above the ground; and
c. a plurality of second poles having hinge means connected to said first poles whereby said second poles are mounted on said first poles for movement between a storage position adjacent said first poles and an erected position wherein said second poles extend laterally from said first poles and upwardly from said hinge means.
2. In a tent structure, a support frame comprising:
a. first tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent;
b. second tubular support means for elevating said first support means above the ground;
c. hinge means for pivotally connecting said second support means to said first support means whereby said second support means can be pivoted from a position adjacent said first support means to a position depending from said first support means and return; and
d. means for selectively locking said hinge means when said second support means is in said depending position to restrain said second support means from pivoting away therefrom.
3. The structure of claim 2, further comprising third tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent laterally of said first support means, said third support means being hingedly connected to said second support means for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent said second support means, and a sec-' ond position extending laterally from said second support means.
4. in a tent structure, a support frame comprising: a. first tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent;
b. second tubular support means for elevating said first support means above the ground, one of said first and second support means including a straight terminal portion and an intermediate curved portion connecting said straight terminal portion to the remainder of said one support means;
c. hinge means pivotally connecting said straight terminal portion of said one support means with a terminal end of the other of said first and second support means; and
d. a sleeve slidably mounted on said other of said first and second support means for movement from a first position offset from said hinge means to a second position overlying said hinge means to lock the latter against pivoting when said straight terminal portion of said one support means and said other support means are coaxial.
5. The structure of claim 4, further comprising means for engaging said sleeve when said sleeve is in said second position, to hold said sleeve in said second position.
6. A camping shelter comprising: a. a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material, said housing member including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls;
b. a plurality of support pole means pivotally carried by said housing member for supporting said housing member in a position elevated from the ground, said support pole means being movable between a first storage position within the confines of said housing member to a second erected position wherein said support pole means are operative to elevate and support said housing member above the ground;
c. eave pole means having hinges connected to each of said support pole means, said eave pole means being pivotable between a storage position adjacent said support pole means and an erected position extending laterally from said support pole means and upwardly away from said hinges; and
d. fabric-like tent material secured to said housing and held in deployment by said support and eave pole means whereby said housing member and said tent material form the roof and walls of the erected shelter.
7. The camping shelter of claim 6, wherein said support pole means comprises at least a first pair of poles operative, when in the erected position, to elevate and support at least one side wall of said housing member above the ground, and said eave pole means comprises at least a second pair of poles each of which is pivotally connected to a respective one of said first pair of poles.
8. The camping shelter of claim 7, wherein said eave pole means further comprises a third pole having one end pivotally connected to one of said second pair of poles, and its other end pivotally connected to the other of said second pair of poles.
9. A camping shelter comprising:
a. a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material and including a top wall and depending side and end walls;
b. tenting material connected to said housing member, said tenting material being foldable into a compact storage condition contained within the confines of said housing member and deployable therefrom into an erected condition providing side walls of the camping shelter;
c. a plurality of first poles for elevating and supporting said housing member above the ground, said first poles being pivotally connected to said housing member for pivotal movement between a storage position within the confines of said housing member and a housing-supporting position depending downward from said housing member;
d. a plurality of eave poles for supporting a portion of said tenting material forming side walls of the camping shelter, each of said eave poles being pivotally connected to respective ones of said first poles for pivotal movement between a storage position closely adjacent to said first poles and an erected position extending laterally from said first poles and said housing member; and
e. a plurality of third poles, each having opposite ends pivotally connected to ones of a respective pair of said eave poles, each of said third poles being connectable to said tenting material, and each of said third poles being laterally movable away from said housing member when said eave poles are pivoted to their respective erected positions whereby lateral movement of said third poles serves to deploy said tenting material laterally of said housing member to expand the volume of the shelter laterally of said housing member.
10. The camping shelter of claim 9, further comprising base means releasably securable to said housing member to close off the lower portion thereof, said base means including means for releasably securing said base means to an automobile roof rack.
111. The camping shelter of claim 9, wherein said housing member side walls are provided with a door movable between a first position substantially coplanar with said side walls and a second position offset from said side walls to expose said poles in their respective storage positions.
12. A camping shelter adapted to be transported on the roof of a car, said camping shelter comprising:
a. a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material, said housing member including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls;
b. sliding means carried by said housing member, said sliding means being extensible to an erecting position extending laterally beyond said housing member side walls and the side of the car, and retractable to a storage position within the confines of said housing member;
c. a plurality of support pole means for supporting said housing member in a position elevated from the ground and the roof of the car;
d hinge means for pivotally connecting said support pole means to said sliding means whereby said sliding means is operable to enable said support pole means to be moved from a storage position within the confines of said housing member to an erecting position laterally beyond said housing member side walls and the sides of the car, and said hinge means enabling said support pole means to be pivoted to a housing-supporting position;
e. means engaging said hinge means to lock the latter when said support pole means are in the housingsupporting position;
f. eave pole means comprising pairs of eave poles pivotally mounted on respective pairs of said support poles and eave cross poles having their opposite ends pivotally connected to ones of respective pairs of said-eave poles, said pairs of eave poles being pivotable between a storage position closely adjacent to said support poles and an erected position extending laterally away from said support poles; and
g. fabric-like tent material secured to said housing and held in deployment by being attached at least to said eave cross poles whereby said housing member and said tent material form the roof and walls of the erected shelter.

Claims (12)

1. A tent structure comprising: a. a first rigid portion for supporting tent fabric to form at least a portion of a roof of the tent; b. a plurality of first poles hingedly connected to said rigid portion, said first poles being hinged for movement between a storage position adjacent said rigid portion and an erected position wherein said first poles are operative to support said rigid portion above the ground; and c. a plurality of second poles having hinge means connected to said first poles whereby said second poles are mounted on said first poles for movement between a storage position adjacent said first poles and an erected position wherein said second poles extend laterally from said first poles and upwardly from said hinge means.
2. In a tent structure, a support frame comprising: a. first tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent; b. second tubular support means for elevating said first support means above the ground; c. hinge means for pivotally connecting said second support means to said first support means whereby said second support means can be pivoted from a position adjacent said first support means to a position depending from said first support means and return; and d. means for selectively locking said hinge means when said second support means is in said depending position to restrain said second support means from pivoting away therefrom.
3. The structure of claim 2, further comprising third tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent laterally of said first support means, said third support means being hingedly connected to said second support means for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent said second support means, and a second position extending laterally from said second support means.
4. In a tent structure, a support frame comprising: a. first tubular support means for supporting a portion of the tent; b. second tubular support means for elevating said first support means above the ground, one of said first and second support means including a straight terminal portion and an intermediate curved portion connecting said straight terminal portion to the remainder of said one support means; c. hinge means pivotally connecting said straight terminal portion of said one support means with a terminal end of the other of said first and second support means; and d. a sleeve slidably mounted on said other of said first and second support means for movement from a first position offset from said hinge means to a second position overlying said hinge means to lock the latter against pivoting when said straight terminal portion of said one support means and said other support means are coaxial.
5. The structure of claim 4, further comprising means for engaging said sleeve when said sleeve is in said second position, to hold said sleeve in said second position.
6. A camping shelter comprising: a. a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material, said housing member including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls; b. a plurality of support pole means pivotally carried by said housing member for supporting said housing member in a position elevated from the ground, said support pole means being movable between a first storage position within the confines of said housing member to a second erected position wherein said support pole means are operative to elevate and support said housing member above the ground; c. eave pole means having hinges connected to each of said support pole means, said eave pole means being pivotable between a storage position adjacent said support Pole means and an erected position extending laterally from said support pole means and upwardly away from said hinges; and d. fabric-like tent material secured to said housing and held in deployment by said support and eave pole means whereby said housing member and said tent material form the roof and walls of the erected shelter.
7. The camping shelter of claim 6, wherein said support pole means comprises at least a first pair of poles operative, when in the erected position, to elevate and support at least one side wall of said housing member above the ground, and said eave pole means comprises at least a second pair of poles each of which is pivotally connected to a respective one of said first pair of poles.
8. The camping shelter of claim 7, wherein said eave pole means further comprises a third pole having one end pivotally connected to one of said second pair of poles, and its other end pivotally connected to the other of said second pair of poles.
9. A camping shelter comprising: a. a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material and including a top wall and depending side and end walls; b. tenting material connected to said housing member, said tenting material being foldable into a compact storage condition contained within the confines of said housing member and deployable therefrom into an erected condition providing side walls of the camping shelter; c. a plurality of first poles for elevating and supporting said housing member above the ground, said first poles being pivotally connected to said housing member for pivotal movement between a storage position within the confines of said housing member and a housing-supporting position depending downward from said housing member; d. a plurality of eave poles for supporting a portion of said tenting material forming side walls of the camping shelter, each of said eave poles being pivotally connected to respective ones of said first poles for pivotal movement between a storage position closely adjacent to said first poles and an erected position extending laterally from said first poles and said housing member; and e. a plurality of third poles, each having opposite ends pivotally connected to ones of a respective pair of said eave poles, each of said third poles being connectable to said tenting material, and each of said third poles being laterally movable away from said housing member when said eave poles are pivoted to their respective erected positions whereby lateral movement of said third poles serves to deploy said tenting material laterally of said housing member to expand the volume of the shelter laterally of said housing member.
10. The camping shelter of claim 9, further comprising base means releasably securable to said housing member to close off the lower portion thereof, said base means including means for releasably securing said base means to an automobile roof rack.
11. The camping shelter of claim 9, wherein said housing member side walls are provided with a door movable between a first position substantially coplanar with said side walls and a second position offset from said side walls to expose said poles in their respective storage positions.
12. A camping shelter adapted to be transported on the roof of a car, said camping shelter comprising: a. a housing member formed from comparatively rigid material, said housing member including a top wall and downwardly depending side and end walls; b. sliding means carried by said housing member, said sliding means being extensible to an erecting position extending laterally beyond said housing member side walls and the side of the car, and retractable to a storage position within the confines of said housing member; c. a plurality of support pole means for supporting said housing member in a position elevated from the ground and the roof of the car; d. hinge means for pivotally connecting said support pole means to said sliding means whereby said sliding means is opErable to enable said support pole means to be moved from a storage position within the confines of said housing member to an erecting position laterally beyond said housing member side walls and the sides of the car, and said hinge means enabling said support pole means to be pivoted to a housing-supporting position; e. means engaging said hinge means to lock the latter when said support pole means are in the housing-supporting position; f. eave pole means comprising pairs of eave poles pivotally mounted on respective pairs of said support poles and eave cross poles having their opposite ends pivotally connected to ones of respective pairs of said eave poles, said pairs of eave poles being pivotable between a storage position closely adjacent to said support poles and an erected position extending laterally away from said support poles; and g. fabric-like tent material secured to said housing and held in deployment by being attached at least to said eave cross poles whereby said housing member and said tent material form the roof and walls of the erected shelter.
US00367907A 1973-06-07 1973-06-07 Car top tent Expired - Lifetime US3845775A (en)

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US4077662A (en) * 1975-04-01 1978-03-07 Kauffman Clarence B Expansible camper
US5280801A (en) * 1989-04-22 1994-01-25 Mary Phyllis Hamnett Car-borne tent
US20140090679A1 (en) * 2011-04-04 2014-04-03 Belron Hungary Kft-Zug Branch Canopy Structure
ITVI20130174A1 (en) * 2013-07-08 2015-01-09 Franco Celli MULTIPURPOSE DEVICE FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
IT201700063969A1 (en) * 2017-06-09 2018-12-09 Myevasion Srl CAMPING TEND
US10543771B2 (en) 2016-06-05 2020-01-28 Yakima Products, Inc. Vehicle rooftop rack assembly
US11639612B1 (en) * 2021-02-03 2023-05-02 Otoniel Florez Vehicle rack

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US3228405A (en) * 1963-11-18 1966-01-11 Pneumatic And Hydraulic Co Ltd Tent
US3596977A (en) * 1969-08-13 1971-08-03 Howard P Bunger Foldable car top shelter
US3599651A (en) * 1969-06-17 1971-08-17 Sidney L Perry Portable tent apparatus
US3730196A (en) * 1971-07-16 1973-05-01 C Borskey Storable vehicle canopy

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA513613A (en) * 1955-06-14 H. Culham William Mobile tent
US3186419A (en) * 1962-07-27 1965-06-01 Lila K Mccarroll Automobile shelter tent
US3228405A (en) * 1963-11-18 1966-01-11 Pneumatic And Hydraulic Co Ltd Tent
US3599651A (en) * 1969-06-17 1971-08-17 Sidney L Perry Portable tent apparatus
US3596977A (en) * 1969-08-13 1971-08-03 Howard P Bunger Foldable car top shelter
US3730196A (en) * 1971-07-16 1973-05-01 C Borskey Storable vehicle canopy

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4077662A (en) * 1975-04-01 1978-03-07 Kauffman Clarence B Expansible camper
US5280801A (en) * 1989-04-22 1994-01-25 Mary Phyllis Hamnett Car-borne tent
US20140090679A1 (en) * 2011-04-04 2014-04-03 Belron Hungary Kft-Zug Branch Canopy Structure
ITVI20130174A1 (en) * 2013-07-08 2015-01-09 Franco Celli MULTIPURPOSE DEVICE FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
US10543771B2 (en) 2016-06-05 2020-01-28 Yakima Products, Inc. Vehicle rooftop rack assembly
IT201700063969A1 (en) * 2017-06-09 2018-12-09 Myevasion Srl CAMPING TEND
US11639612B1 (en) * 2021-02-03 2023-05-02 Otoniel Florez Vehicle rack

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