VENT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TENT

A tent or shelter includes a fabric forming a structure for the tent or shelter. The tent or shelter can include a vent assembly having a port, a flap, and member. The port can be disposed through the fabric and permeable to airflow. The flap can be attached to the fabric and adjacent the port. The member can move in response to a force from within the structure so as to move the flap toward and/or away from a closed position in which the flap blocks airflow through the port.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/076,047, entitled “VENT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TENT,” filed Nov. 6, 2014, (Attorney Docket No. Orgtnt-2-6885), the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to tents, and more specifically to a vent and associated control system for use with a tent or shelter.

BACKGROUND

Camping is a popular recreational activity enjoyed by many. Some people camp to enjoy the outdoors, and others camp as an inexpensive alternative to staying in a hotel. Most campers utilize recreational-use tents, such as backpacking and family camping tents, while camping. In general, recreational-use tents are structures made of light weight, often waterproof, fabrics. Typically, a recreational-use tent is a collapsible shelter of canvas, polyester, or other material stretched over, sustained, and/or supported by a frame, such as one or more poles.

Recreational-use tents come in a variety of shapes, including dome and cabin tents. Dome and cabin tents are easy to set up and do not require support from tree limbs or other objects. When a dome or cabin tent is set up, the entirety of the pole structure for the tent is attached to the tent. This feature often permits the erected tent to be lifted by one or more campers, without the tent losing its shape. A rain fly may extend over the pole structure of the tent, and may be attached to the tent or may be staked to the ground. The campers may also stake the tent to the ground.

For many free standing tent structures, long flexible poles are used and extend between opposite comers of the tent. These poles are bent into arcs so that the ends can be attached to the tent comers or elsewhere along the outside edges of the floor of the tent. The fabric of the tent is attached along the arcs, such as by loops, hooks, or sleeves. The ends of the poles that are attached to the corners of the tent (or alternatively at the edges of the floor of the tent), coupled with the attachment of the walls and the roof of the tent to the central portion of the poles, puts the tent fabric in tension, causing the tent fabric to take shape. After all of the poles are put in place, the combination of the poles and the tent fabric form the free standing tent structure.

Because a tent is often a closed structure, one or more doors are generally provided through a tent wall to provide ingress or egress from the tent. A tent often includes at least one window, which can provide ventilation and/or a line of sight to the outside world for a person inside the tent. Tent windows and doors generally can be zipped shut or otherwise closed from the inside to keep wind, rain, insects, direct sunlight, or other inconveniences out of the tent.

When in a tent, a camper may wish to increase airflow or air circulation in the tent, such as to prevent the air in the tent from becoming overly warm, moist, or otherwise stuffy, or to alleviate one or more of such conditions. In some weather conditions, however, such as high wind and/or rain, opening a window or a door to provide airflow may also undesirably allow rain or other elements into the tent. In some tents, smaller vents, (e.g., near a floor of the tent) may be equipped with an awning or other covering on the outside of the tent that provides additional protection against the entry of rain or other elements through the vent. Although such vents may provide a sheltered path for airflow, a camper typically has no other choice but to exit the tent to open or close the vents, exposing the camper to the very elements from which refuge is sought in the tent.

In addition to recreational-use tents, some campers may use a free standing shelter that provides protection from sun, rain, or insects during leisure periods while the camper is not in the tent. Similar to tents, the shelter may be provided with covered vents that must be opened or closed from outside of the shelter or from a top of the shelter, such as during assembly. Thus, to close or open a vent, a camper may have to forego the refuge of the shelter, potentially even partially disassembling the shelter to reach the vent, resulting in similar problems to those encountered with exteriorly-protected vents on a tent.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In some embodiments, a tent or shelter is provided including a fabric forming a structure for the tent or shelter. The tent or shelter includes a vent assembly having a port, a flap, and a vent control system. The port is configured to allow airflow between an inside of the structure and an outside of the structure. The flap is attached to the fabric. The flap is also overlying the port on an exterior of the structure. The flap is adjustable between an open configuration (i) open configuration permitting airflow through the port and between the inside of the structure and the outside of the structure, and (ii) a closed configuration blocking airflow through the port between the inside of the structure and the outside of the structure. The vent control system includes a conduit and a member. The conduit may be distinct from the port. The conduit provides access from the inside of the structure to the flap. The member is configured for movement through the conduit by a pushing or pulling force from the inside the structure. The flap is coupled with the member so as to move between the open and closed configurations in response to movement of the member through the conduit by the pushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure. The flap may also be attached to the fabric along a top of the flap and along lateral sides of the flap, and at least a portion of a bottom of the flap may be not attached to the fabric. The member may also include or be coupled with a handle configured for gripping by a person from within the structure for application of the pushing or pulling force.

The tent or shelter may further include at least one fastener. At least one fastener may be at least partially positioned on an interior of the structure and configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in the open configuration. Additionally or alternatively, at least one fastener may be at least partially positioned on an interior of the structure and configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in the closed configuration. Additionally or alternatively, at least one fastener may be (i) at least partially positioned on the exterior of the structure; (ii) configured to releasably secure the flap to the exterior of the structure in the closed configuration; and (iii) configured to release the flap from the exterior of the structure in response to movement of the member through the conduit by the pushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure.

In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes providing a tent or shelter having fabric that defines a structure of the tent or shelter when the tent or shelter is set up or erected. The method further includes providing a vent comprising a flap covering an opening in the fabric. The method further includes providing a member coupled with the flap and extendible from within the structure for moving the flap away from a closed position over the opening. The method may further include providing a conduit distinct from the opening of the vent, the conduit providing access for the member from the inside of the structure through the fabric to the flap. The method may further include providing a handle for the member, the handle arranged within the structure to prevent the handle from being removed from within the structure through the conduit. The method may further include the member is retractable from within the structure for moving the flap toward the closed position over the opening.

In some embodiments, a tent or shelter is provided including fabric forming a structure for the tent or shelter. The tent or shelter includes a vent assembly having a port, a flap, and a member. The port is disposed through the fabric and permeable to airflow. The flap is attached to the fabric and adjacent the port. The member is movable in response to a force from within the structure so as to reconfigure the flap toward and/or away from a closed configuration in which the flap blocks airflow through the port.

The tent or shelter may further include a conduit distinct from the port. The conduit may include or form a path through the fabric and through which the member is movable to reconfigure the flap. The tent or shelter may further include a fastener configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in an open configuration away from the closed configuration. The tent or shelter may further include a fastener configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in the closed configuration. The member of the tent or shelter may include or be coupled with a handle configured for gripping by a person from within the structure for application of the force from within the structure. The handle may include a loop sized for the hand of a person. The handle may be oriented transversely to the member. The member may correspond to a plurality of parallel members, and the handle may be oriented transversely among the plurality of parallel members. The member may include or be coupled with a handle configured for securing to an interior of the tent or shelter at different locations to secure the member in different positions corresponding to different amounts that the flap is from the closed configuration.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a tent having vents with external coverings controllable from within the tent in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a vent with an external covering controllable from within a tent or shelter in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent of FIG. 2 in an open configuration in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent of FIGS. 2-3 in a closed configuration, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example of a vent, showing a closed configuration of an external covering controllable from within a tent or shelter in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vent of FIG. 5, showing an open configuration of the external covering in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent of FIGS. 5-6 in an open configuration, in accordance with some embodiments.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments are described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

Embodiments herein are directed to vents with external coverings controllable from within a structure that includes the vent. In many embodiments, an external covering is controlled from within the structure by a vent control system. In many embodiments, such vents and/or control systems are particularly suited for a tent or shelter (hereinafter “tent”). Although description herein is primarily provided in the context of a tent, vents and/or control systems described herein can be employed in other contexts, including, but not limited to, yurts, huts, domes, teepees, and other temporary or permanent structures.

In many embodiments, a vent control system includes suitable structure for permitting a user (e.g., a camper in a tent) to manipulate an external covering of a vent without requiring the user to exit the tent or shelter to directly manipulate the external covering. For example, in many embodiments the camper can manipulate an external covering of a vent from inside the comfort of a tent, e.g., without requiring the camper to exit the tent and face exposure to elements outside of the tent to reach the external covering for opening, closing, or other adjusting of the external covering.

In many embodiments, a vent for a tent includes elements to facilitate passage of air while protecting against passage of moisture and/or other effects into the tent. For example, the vent can include an air-permeable port and an impermeable flap. The flap can be positioned on the outside of the tent as an external covering of the vent. The flap can move between an open configuration permitting passage of air through the port and a closed configuration blocking passage of air through the port. The flap can be moved between the open configuration and the closed configuration by movement of a member of a vent control system. The member can be situated for movement through a conduit that is distinct from the port and that provides access from an interior of the tent to the flap situated along the exterior of the tent. Movement of the member through the conduit in a first direction (e.g., away from the interior of the tent, such as from a person within the tent pushing the member outward) can cause the flap to move toward and/or into the open configuration. Movement of the member through the conduit in a second direction (e.g., toward the interior of the tent, such as from a person within the tent pulling the member inward) can cause the flap to move toward and/or into the closed configuration. The control system can also include fasteners to maintain the member and/or the flap in a particular configuration, such as fully open, fully closed, or at some intermediate configuration between the fully open configuration and the fully closed configuration. Any suitable type of fastener can be used, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, snaps, buttons, toggles and loops, clips, adhesives, or static cling surfaces.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a tent 100 having vents 102 with external coverings controllable from within the tent 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The tent 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a simplified model, and some poles, windows, doors, and other specific details for the tent 100 are not shown. The general configuration and manufacture of tents, however, is known, and thus specific configuration details of the tent may be omitted or simplified in order to not obscure the embodiments being described.

The vents 102 can be transitioned between an open configuration and a closed configuration, such as to adjust whether and/or how much airflow is permitted through the vents 102. For example, the vents 102 can function as airflow paths when in the open configuration and function to provide a seal against moisture or other foreign substances when in the closed configuration. The vents 102 can be transitioned between the open configuration and the closed configuration from within the tent 100, such as by control systems described herein. In many embodiments, the control systems are operable to secure the vent in a fully open configuration, a fully closed configuration, and/or in one or more intermediate configurations between the fully open configuration and the fully closed configuration.

The vents 102 can be formed in a boundary of the enclosure of the tent 100, such as in a fabric section of the tent 100. As examples, the vents 102 can be situated in a side wall 104, a rear wall 106, a front wall of the tent (not shown), a top or roof 107 of the tent (and/or an integrated or separate rainfly over the roof 107), or a portion of the floor (such as a portion of a tub wall 108 formed by a part of the tent floor extending up along the tent walls 104, 106, etc.). In some embodiments, a vent 102 can be positioned at least one inch above an uppermost edge of a tub floor 108.

Although two vents 102 are shown in FIG. 1, the tent 100 can include one or more vents 102. For example, instead of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 with one vent 102 at a first end of the side wall 104 (such as adjacent to the rear wall 106) and another vent 102 positioned at an opposite edge of the side wall 104 (e.g., farthest from the rear wall 106), the tent 100 can include vents on different walls and/or only a single vent on the entire tent 100. Various types of the vents 102 can be used alternatively or in combination in the tent 100.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a vent 202 that can be controlled from within a tent (e.g., the tent 100) or structure in accordance with some embodiments. The depicted vent 202 includes a port 204 and a flap 206. The port 204 allows airflow through the boundary of a tent (e.g., the tent 100). The port 204 can include slits, holes, mesh, screens, or any other structure permitting airflow through the port 204. The port 204 can be disposed within, include, or otherwise correspond to an opening in the fabric 200 of the tent.

The flap 206 can be formed of any material capable of blocking airflow and/or passage of any other applicable element (e.g., water). As illustrative examples, the flap can include canvas or polyester material. The flap 206 can be positioned adjacent to and/or over the port 204. For example, a portion 210 of the flap 206 is shown cut away in FIG. 2 in order to better illustrate the position of the port 204 behind the flap 206. In many embodiments, the flap 206 covers the port 204 when the vent 202 is in the closed configuration.

The flap 206 can be connected to the tent fabric 200, such as on the outside of the tent. For example, the flap 206 can be stitched or otherwise permanently fastened along a top 212 and lateral sides 214 of the flap 206, and releasably secured or otherwise capable of being open along a bottom 215 of the flap 206. The flap 206 can be attached to the tent fabric 200 in a manner that prevents passage of air and/or moisture through the top 212 and sides 214 of the flap 206. Preventing passage of moisture through the top 212 and the sides 214 of the flap 206 can prevent passage of moisture through the port 204. Although the sides 214 of the flap 206 are shown secured to the tent fabric 200 along an entire height of the flap 206, other arrangements are possible. For example, the attachment at the sides 214 may extend less than a full height of the flap 206. In an illustrative example, the stitching may extend to a height of the bottom extremity of the port 204 and effectively prevent passage of moisture or other material from the outside of the tent into the port 204 through the sides 214 and top 212 of the flap 206. Furthermore, the flap 206 can be connected to the tent fabric 200 by any suitable connection method or combinations of connection methods including, but not limited to, fusing, melting, mounting, gluing, bonding, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or sliding rails.

The vent 202 includes a control system 207 for adjusting a position and/or condition of the flap 206 from within the tent. Various elements of the control system 207 that are numbered in FIG. 2 are described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. Generally, the control system 207 can be operated by a person within the tent to move the flap 206, for example, between an open configuration shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2 and a closed configuration shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. In the closed configuration, the flap 206 can seal or block the port 204. For example, an open end of the flap 206 (e.g., along the bottom 215) may be situated substantially flush against the tent fabric 200 in the closed configuration, thereby restricting and/or preventing airflow through a space between the bottom 215 and the tent fabric 200. In the open configuration, the flap 206 can permit airflow through the port 204. For example, the flap 206 may be stretched or otherwise moved so that the bottom 215 is offset from the tent fabric 200, thereby allowing airflow through the space between the bottom 215 and the tent fabric 200. In some cases, the flap 206 includes a reinforcing or guiding structure 215 that biases the flap 206 toward a certain shape when opened or closed. For example, the guiding structure 215 shown in FIG. 2 may correspond to a rectangular piece of foam that biases the flap 206 in the closed configuration toward the flat rectangular shape shown in solid lines and in the open configuration toward the smooth curved shape shown in phantom lines.

Although the port 204, the flap 206, and the guiding structure 215 are depicted as rectangular in FIG. 2, these and other elements described herein may vary in shape from one another and/or be any shape, including, but not limited to a trapezoid, a triangle, a curved form, or a polygon. Additionally, although the vent 202 is depicted with an open edge along the bottom 215 of the flap 206, the vent 202 additionally or alternatively may have a different edge open. However, having the bottom 215 of the flap 206 as the only open edge can advantageously prevent water moving under the effects of gravity from running down the tent fabric 200 and into the port through the top 212 or sides 214 of the vent flap 206.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent 202 of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments. FIG. 3 shows the vent 202 in an open configuration that allows airflow 226 between the inside 227 and the outside 229 of the tent. The airflow 226 travels through an opening in the tent fabric 200 via the port 204. The depicted port 204 includes an opening 224 in the tent fabric 200 and a permeable layer 220 (such as a mesh or screen) across the opening 224, although other possibilities exist, including arrangements without a permeable layer 220 or arrangements with the permeable layer 220 positioned within the opening 224. The airflow 226 through the port 204 moves between the port 204 and the outside 229 of the tent through a space 225 formed between the tent fabric 200 and the open flap 206. In some embodiments, the opening 224 in the tent fabric 200 and/or the permeable layer 220 associated with the opening 224 faces the flap 206 along a direction perpendicular to the tent fabric 200. Airflow through the opening 224 and/or the permeable layer 220 in the direction perpendicular to the tent fabric 200 can be routed in a direction along the tent fabric 200 by the flap 206.

The control system 207 includes a member 208. In the open configuration shown in FIG. 3, the member 208 extends between the tent fabric 200 and the flap 206 and supports the flap 206 in the open configuration. The member 208 can be moved from within the tent to adjust the configuration of the flap 206.

For example, the member 208 shown in FIG. 3 is sized and configured for passing through a conduit 216. The conduit 216 can be any structure that provides access from the inside 227 of the tent to the flap 206. In FIG. 3, the conduit 216 is depicted as an aperture or slot that is distinct from the opening 224. However, other possibilities exist, including a sheath (e.g., tubing) having an open end in communication with the inside 227 of the tent and an opposite end coupled with the flap 206 (such as may prevent passage of elements located outside of the sheath from passing from the outside 229 to the inside 227 of the tent through the conduit 216). In some embodiments, the provision of a conduit 216 allows the flap 206 to be adjusted without introducing new or temporary openings in the tent, e.g., without operating zippers or other closures in mesh portions etc. of the tent for reaching outside of the tent by hand to adjust a vent. In some examples, the conduit 216 is covered by the flap 206 when the vent 202 is in the closed configuration. Movement of the member 208 through the conduit 216 can be used to move the flap 206 between closed and open configurations.

The member 208 shown in FIG. 3 can be formed from webbing 228 enclosing a stiffener section 218 of foam. However, the member 208 and/or stiffener section 218 can be formed from any other suitable materials individually or in combination, including, but not limited to fabric, plastic, foam, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or metal. In some aspects, the stiffener section 218 is positioned elsewhere (e.g., on an outside of the webbing 228 or other material forming the member 208), is homogeneous with other material of the member 208 (e.g., the stiffener section 218 may represent additional layers of the webbing 228), or is omitted altogether. In general, the member 208 can be constructed so as to be rigid or semi-rigid. In some aspects, a greater level of rigidity may facilitate certain functions (such as resisting buckling when pushing the flap 206 outward), while a lower level of rigidity (e.g., increased flexibility) may facilitate additional or alternative functions (such as permitting the member 208 to bend when passing through the conduit 216 to the interior 227 of the tent fabric 200, e.g., for securing a portion of the member 208 along the tent fabric 200 while another portion of the member 208 extends transverse to the tent fabric 200 toward the flap 206).

The member 208 can include or be coupled with any suitable features for facilitating movement of the member 208 from the inside 227 of the tent and/or securing the member 208 in a particular location or orientation. For example, the depicted member 208 includes a handle 230 (e.g., formed from the same piece of webbing 228 that encloses the stiffener section 218 and anchors to the flap 206 at location 232). The handle 230 can provide a suitable gripping interface for a user to push or pull the member 208 from the inside 227 of the tent. The handle 230 can be sized and/or otherwise configured to prevent the handle from being pulled through the conduit 216. For example, the loop formed by the handle 230 may form a larger cross-section than a cross-section of the conduit 216. Additionally, the depicted handle 230 includes a first fastener component 240 (e.g., one patch of a hook and loop fastener) engaged with a second fastener component 242 (e.g., a mating patch of the hook and loop fastener) on an interior side of the tent fabric 200. This arrangement maintains the member 208 in position holding the flap 206 of the vent 202 open. In addition to or in lieu of hook and loop fasteners, any other suitable type of fastener may be used, including, but not limited to, magnets, snaps, buttons, toggles and loops, clips, adhesives, or static cling surfaces.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the vent 202 of FIGS. 2-3 in a closed configuration, in accordance with some embodiments. In operation, a user may use the control system 207 from within the tent to reconfigure the flap 206 from the open configuration shown in FIG. 3 toward and/or to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 4. To do this, the user would begin (referring again to FIG. 3) by pulling the handle 230 away from the tent fabric 200. This action would decouple the first fastener component 240 and the second fastener component 242 from one another, thereby releasing the handle 230 from the depicted position (FIG. 3) secured along the tent fabric 200 on an inside 227 of the tent. As the user continues to pull the handle 230, the member 208 is pulled through the conduit 216 toward the inside 227 of the tent. This motion pulls the flap 206 (e.g., at the location 232 where the member 208 is anchored) toward the port 204. When the flap 206 is pulled fully closed, the user can pivot the member 208 downward, which can align a third fastener component 244 on the member 208 for attachment with the second fastener component 242 on the interior side of the tent fabric 200. Such attachment may secure the vent 202 in the closed configuration, such as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally or alternatively, as the flap 206 is pulled fully closed, a fourth fastener component 246 on the flap 206 can be brought into engagement with a fifth fastener component 248 on an exterior of the tent fabric 200 to secure the flap 206 in the closed position. In some embodiments, securing the flap 206 in the closed configuration (e.g., by any combination of the fasteners 242, 244, 246, and 248) holds the flap 206 sufficiently close (e.g., substantially flush) to an exterior 229 of the tent fabric 200 to prevent wind coming along the exterior 229 from catching the flap 206 and pulling it open.

In operation, a user can use additionally or alternatively use the control system 207 from within the tent to move the flap 206 away from the closed configuration shown in FIG. 4 and into the open configuration shown in FIG. 3. For example, the user may begin (referring to FIG. 4) by pulling the handle 230 away from the tent fabric 200. This action would decouple the third fastener component 244 and the second fastener component 242 from one another, thereby releasing the member 208 from the depicted position (FIG. 4) secured along the tent fabric 200 on an inside 227 of the tent. The user may then use the handle to push member 208 through the conduit 216 toward the outside 229 of the tent. This motion pushes the flap 206 (e.g., at the location 232 where the member 208 is anchored) away the tent fabric 200 on the outside 229 of the tent, and may do so with sufficient force to decouple the fourth fastener component 246 and the fifth fastener component 248 (if present) from one another to release the flap 206 from the secured closed position. Referring now to FIG. 3, when the flap 206 is pushed fully open, the user may pivot the handle 230 downward, which may align a first fastener component 240 on the handle 230 for attachment with the second fastener component 242 on the interior side of the tent fabric 200. Such attachment may secure the vent 202 in the open position, such as shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate another example of a vent 302 that can be used in a tent (e.g., the tent 100) or a structure in accordance with some embodiments. A closed configuration of the vent 302 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 5. An open configuration of the vent 302 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 6 and in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 7. The vent 302 can include features similar to the vent 202, such as a port 304 covered by a flap 306 attached to tent fabric 300 on an outside.

The vent 302 has a different handle 330 than the handle 230 of the vent 202 of FIG. 2. The handle 330 connects multiple side members 308 (individually referenced as a side member 308A and a side member 308B in FIG. 5-7). The depicted handle 330 extends transversely between the side members 308 (e.g., extends horizontally relative to the vertically oriented side members 308). This arrangement may prevent the handle 330 from being pulled through the conduit 316, which may increase a chance that the handle 330 will always be available inside the tent for a user to grasp, regardless of whether the vent 302 is open or closed.

The flap 306 of the vent 302 also has a different geometry than the flap 206 of the vent 202. As best seen in FIG. 6, the flap 206 includes sidewalls 350 with creases 352 that allow the flap 206 to take on a gusseted shape when in the open position, in contrast with the curved open shape of the flap 206 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2. Additionally, as best seen in FIG. 7, the port 304 differs from the port 204 in that the port 304 includes a permeable layer 320 positioned within (rather than merely alongside) the opening 324.

Furthermore, the vent 302 also features a different arrangement of fastener components than the vent 202. Although an exterior of the vent 302 includes a fourth fastener component 346 and a fifth fastener component 348 for securing the flap 306 to an exterior of the tent fabric 300 similar to the vent 202, fastening components on an interior of the vent 302 differ from the vent 202. The vent 302 features a first fastener component 340 and a second fastener component 342 on an interior of the tent fabric 300 (unlike the single fastener component 242 on the tent fabric 200), and the vent 302 further features a third fastener component 344 on the handle 330 (unlike the two fastener components 240, 244 on the webbing 228 that formed the member 208 and handle 230 with vent 202).

In operation, a user can use the control system 307 from within the tent (e.g., without having to leave the refuge of the tent) to shift the vent 302 from the closed configuration shown in FIG. 5 to the open configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This may entail releasing the third fastener component 344 on the handle 330 from the first fastener component 340 (e.g., at a lower position on the tent fabric 300 shown in FIG. 5) to free the handle 330, using the handle to push and/or extend the side members 308A, 308B through respective conduits 316A, 316B (best seen in FIG. 6), and engaging the third fastener component 344 on the handle 330 with the second fastener component 342 (e.g., at a higher position on the tent fabric 300 shown in FIGS. 6-7) to secure the handle 330 to the tent fabric 300 (e.g., which can secure the side members 308 in place holding the flap 306 open, as shown in FIGS. 6-7).

Conversely, a user may use the control system 307 from within the tent (e.g., without having to leave the refuge of the tent) to shift the vent 302 from the open configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 5. This may entail releasing the third fastener component 344 on the handle 330 from the second fastener component 342 (e.g., at a higher position on the tent fabric 300 shown in FIGS. 6-7) to free the handle 330, and using the handle to pull and/or retract the side members 308A, 308B through respective conduits 316A, 316B (best seen in FIG. 6) to pull the flap 306 shut. Pulling the flap 306 shut may engage the fourth and fifth fastening components 346 and 348 to secure the vent 302 in the closed configuration of FIGS. 6-7. When the flap 306 is fully shut, the user may also engage the third fastener component 344 on the handle 330 with the first fastener component 340 (e.g., at the lower position on the tent fabric 300 shown in FIG. 5) to secure the handle 330 to the tent fabric 300 (e.g., which can further secure the side members 308 in place holding the flap 306 closed, as shown in FIG. 5).

Furthermore, although two discrete fastener components 340 and 342 are shown on interior of the tent fabric in FIGS. 5-7 at opposite ends of a range of travel of the side members 308, other possibilities exist. For example, other fastener components may be arranged in between fastener components 340 and 342, or fastener components 340 and 342 may correspond to sections of one continuous fastener component, such as a continuous patch of a hook and loop fastener. Such arrangements may allow the handle 330 to be secured at intermediate positions between a fully open configuration of the vent 302 or a fully closed configuration of the vent 302, such as to permit a user to control the vent 302 along a spectrum between fully open or fully closed configurations. In some such arrangements, the side members 308 can be sufficiently flexible so as to bend proximate to the corresponding conduits 316, e.g., so that portions of the side members 308 can be oriented along the tent fabric 300 inside the tent and other portions can be oriented transverse to the tent fabric 300, extending toward the flap 306, e.g., outside of the tent. These and other differences described with respect to vent 302 may additionally or alternatively be incorporated into the vent 202, and vice versa. Additionally, although description herein has primarily focused on vents with coverings that are located on an exterior and that are controllable from an interior, the scope of the present disclosure also includes vents with coverings that are instead located on an interior and controllable from an exterior.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

Claims

1. A tent or shelter, comprising:

fabric forming a structure for the tent or shelter; and
a vent assembly comprising: a port configured to allow airflow between an inside of the structure and an outside of the structure; a flap attached to the fabric and overlying the port on an exterior of the structure, the flap adjustable between an (i) open configuration permitting airflow through the port and between the inside of the structure and the outside of the structure, and (ii) a closed configuration blocking airflow through the port between the inside of the structure and the outside of the structure; and a vent control system comprising: a conduit providing access from the inside of the structure to the flap; and a member configured for movement through the conduit by a pushing or pulling force from the inside the structure, the flap coupled with the member so as to move between the open and closed configurations in response to movement of the member through the conduit by the pushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure.

2. The tent or shelter of claim 1, wherein the flap is attached to the fabric along a top of the flap and along lateral sides of the flap, and at least a portion of a bottom of the flap is not attached to the fabric.

3. The tent or shelter of claim 2, further comprising at least one fastener at least partially positioned on an interior of the structure and configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in the open configuration.

4. The tent or shelter of claim 3, further comprising at least one fastener at least partially positioned on an interior of the structure and configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in the closed configuration.

5. The tent or shelter of claim 4, further comprising at least one fastener that is:

at least partially positioned on the exterior of the structure;
configured to releasably secure the flap to the exterior of the structure in the closed configuration; and
configured to release the flap from the exterior of the structure in response to movement of the member through the conduit by the pushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure.

6. The tent or shelter of claim 5, wherein the member comprises or is coupled with a handle configured for gripping by a person from within the structure for application of the pushing or pulling force.

7. The tent or shelter of claim 5, wherein the member comprises a plurality of members and the conduit comprises a plurality of conduits such that each of the plurality of members is configured for movement through a respective conduit of the plurality of conduits by the pushing or pulling force from the inside the structure, and wherein the flap is coupled with all of the members of the plurality of members so as to move between the open and closed configurations in response to movement of the plurality of members through the plurality of conduits by the pushing or pulling force from the inside of the structure.

8. A method comprising:

providing a tent or shelter having fabric that defines a structure of the tent or shelter when the tent or shelter is set up or erected;
providing a vent comprising a flap covering an opening in the fabric; and
providing a member coupled with the flap and extendible from within the structure for moving the flap toward and/or away from a closed position over the opening.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a conduit distinct from the opening of the vent, the conduit providing access for the member from the inside of the structure through the fabric to the flap.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a handle for the member, the handle arranged within the structure to prevent the handle from being removed from within the structure through the conduit.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the member is retractable from within the structure for moving the flap toward the closed position over the opening.

12. A tent or shelter, comprising:

fabric forming a structure for the tent or shelter; and
a vent assembly comprising: a port disposed through the fabric and permeable to airflow; a flap attached to the fabric and adjacent the port; and a member movable in response to a force from within the structure so as to reconfigure the flap toward and/or away from a closed configuration in which the flap blocks airflow through the port.

13. The tent or shelter of claim 12, further comprising a conduit distinct from the port, the conduit comprising a path through the fabric and through which the member is movable to reconfigure the flap.

14. The tent or shelter of claim 12, further comprising a fastener configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in an open configuration away from the closed configuration.

15. The tent or shelter of claim 12, further comprising a fastener configured to releasably secure the member in a position that maintains the flap in the closed configuration.

16. The tent or shelter of claim 12, wherein the member comprises or is coupled with a handle configured for gripping by a person from within the structure for application of the force from within the structure.

17. The tent or shelter of claim 16, wherein the handle comprises a loop sized for a hand of a person.

18. The tent or shelter of claim 16, wherein the handle is oriented transversely to the member.

19. The tent or shelter of claim 19, wherein the member corresponds to a plurality of parallel members and the handle is oriented transversely among the plurality of parallel members.

20. The tent or shelter of claim 12, wherein the member comprises or is coupled with a handle configured for securing to an interior of the tent or shelter at different locations to secure the member in different positions corresponding to different amounts that the flap is from the closed configuration.

Patent History
Publication number: 20170335594
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 6, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 23, 2017
Inventors: Patrick James Stariha (Lakewood, CO), Ivan Daniels (Andover, KS), Patrick Ryan Mech (Denver, CO)
Application Number: 15/524,657
Classifications
International Classification: E04H 15/14 (20060101);