INSULATED LINER AND TENT HAVING INSULATED LINER

Abstract

A tent having a liner and liner including a dead air space region inhibiting convective heat transfer is provided. The dead air space region is provided between first and second layers of the liner. A plurality of dead air space regions may be provided that are separated by baffles. The one or more dead air space regions may include air relief slits that permit selective fluid communication between the surroundings and the dead air space regions to inflate and deflate the dead air space regions. The dead air space regions can be depressurized and/or gravity filling. The dead air space regions are provided, at least, proximate the roof sections of the liner of the tent.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/478,764, filed Apr. 25, 2011, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to liners and more particularly liners for tents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tents are well-known structures used to provide shelter for numerous outdoor events or outdoor storage. Tents will typically have a substantially rigid frame or support structure that will support either internally or externally a skin or shell that provides the shelter for an internal area of the tent from the outer environment. For instance, the tent may be designed to prevent exposure to wind and rain as well as provide thermal protection for the internal area of the tent. The present invention relates to improvements in the tent art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved liner for tents. The new and improved liner for tents provides improved thermal efficiency to inhibit heat transfer between an external environment of the tent and an internal area defined by the tent.

In one embodiment, a new and improved tent liner comprises: a first layer of material; and a second layer of material attached to the first layer of material. The first and second layers of material form dead air space regions therebetween.

In a more particular embodiment, the second layer of material forms only a part of the roof section of the tent liner. In another embodiment, the second layer forms all of the roof section of the tent liner.

In one embodiment, the second layer of material and first layer of material are connected by at least one baffle extending therebetween. The baffle fluidly separates adjacent ones of the dead air space regions from one another. The baffle substantially prevents fluid movement between the adjacent dead air spaces.

In one embodiment, the second layer of material is an inner surface of the liner such that the second layer of material defines, at least a portion of, an internal area of a tent when constructed into a tent.

To allow for easy assembly, packaging, and disassembly, in one embodiment, the second layer of material includes at least one air relief slit associated with each one of the dead air space regions. The at least one air relief slit fluidly communicates the corresponding dead air space region with the surrounding environment. In a further embodiment, a cover is associated with each of the at least one air relief slits. The cover inhibits fluid communication between the dead air space regions and the surrounding environment to further reduce convective heat transfer.

In one embodiment, the dead air space regions are gravity filling.

In one embodiment, the dead air space regions are not pressurized relative to the surrounding environment.

In one embodiment, each dead air space has thickness of at least 1 inch, a width of at least 1 foot and a length of at least 1 foot. Each dead air space may have a thickness of less than 5 inches, a width of less than 8 feet.

In a further embodiment, a new and improved tent is provided. The new and improved tent has improved thermal resistance to heat transfer between an internal area defined by the tent, such as where products are stored or events are held, and the external surrounding environment.

One embodiment of a tent comprises a frame structure and a liner. The liner is supported by the frame structure and includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material attached to the first layer of material. The first and second layers of material form a dead air space region therebetween.

In one embodiment, the tent further comprises an outer shell supported by the frame structure. The outer shell surrounds the liner and provides protection for the liner from the environment surrounding the tent. The frame structure may be interposed between the outer shell and the liner. In such an embodiment, a bulk dead air space is formed between the outer shell and the liner. This bulk dead air space is typically much larger in volume than dead air space regions between the first and second layers of material of the liner. In one embodiment, the dead air space region formed between the first and second layers of material is interposed between the bulk dead air space and an internal area of the tent. In one embodiment, the bulk dead air space is formed proximate the roof portion of the tent as well as the sidewall portions of the tent.

In one embodiment, the liner substantially defines an internal area of the tent. As such, an inner surface of the liner may define the wall and roof and ceiling surfaces of the tent.

In one embodiment, the liner is attached to the frame structure such that the first layer is in a general state of tension.

In one embodiment, the frame structure generally defines sidewall portions for the tent and a roof portion for the tent. The dead air space region defined by the liner is positioned adjacent/proximate only the roof portion of the tent. This provides the maximum amount of heat transfer resistance with minimal amounts of material to form the liner.

In one embodiment, at least one baffle is interposed between the first and second layers of material to form a plurality of dead air space regions between the first and second layers of material.

In one embodiment, the dead air space region is gravity filling. As such, the dead air space region fills under the weight of the second layer of material under gravity forces.

In one embodiment, the dead air space region is not pressurized relative to the volumes of air surrounding the liner.

To allow for easy assembly, packaging, and disassembly, in one embodiment, the dead air space region includes an air relief slit to permit fluid communication between the dead air space region and the environment on at least one side of the liner. In a more particular embodiment, the air relief slit is formed in the first layer of material such that the dead air space region fluidly communicates with an environment external to an internal area of the tent. In one embodiment, the tent further comprises an outer shell supported by the frame structure that, at least in part, surrounds the liner. The first layer of material and outer shell form a bulk dead air space therebetween. The air relief slit has an open state and a closed state. The air relief slit fluidly communicates with the bulk dead air space when in the open state. In an even more particular embodiment, a closure is associated with the air relief slit and transitions the air relief slit between the open and closed states. The closure may include hook and/or loop material. As used herein, either hook material or loop material may be generically referred to as “hook and loop material” such that “hook and loop material” may be provided by either hook material, loop material, or both hook and loop material. Other forms of closures could be provided.

In one embodiment, the air relief slit is formed in the second layer of material such that the dead air space region fluidly communicates with an internal area of the tent through the air relief slit when in an open state. The dead air space region not fluidly communicating with the internal area of the tent when in a closed state. In a more particular embodiment, a closure is associated with the air relief slit for transitioning the air relief slit between the open and closed states. In a more particular embodiment, the closure includes hook and/or loop material.

In one embodiment, the dead air space has thickness of at least 1 inch, a width of at least 1 foot and a length of at least 1 foot. In one embodiment, the dead air space may have a thickness of less than 5 inches and a width of less than 8 feet.

In one embodiment, the dead air space has a thickness of between about 2 and 3 inches and a width of between about 1 and 4 feet.

The dead air space may extend an entire length of the tent. Alternatively, it may be broken by air baffles running generally non-parallel the sides of the tent. Typical baffles separating adjacent dead air space regions will, at a minimum, extend generally parallel to the sides of the tent or parallel to a peak of a tent to inhibit convective air current flows.

In one embodiment, the liner does not provided dead air spaces proximate the sidewall portions, but only proximate the roof portions. This provides the maximum increase in thermal efficiency without significantly increasing the weight and volume of the liner when in a packaged state.

In one embodiment, both the outer shell and the first layer of the liner are attached to the frame structure in a state of tension.

It is contemplated that some tents and liners may only have a single layer and not include the dead air space regions.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial illustration of a tent including a frame supporting an outer shell and an internal liner;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the dimensions of an internal liner and floor for the tent of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of representative dimensions of the outer skin of the tent of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the dimensions of the internal dimensions of the tent of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the external dimensions of the tent of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of the tent of FIG. 1.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the figures of the application and with primary reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a tent 100 is illustrated in partial cross-sectional view. The tent 100 generally includes a frame structure 102, an internal insulating liner 104, and an outer skin 106. The internal insulating liner 104 defines an internal space 108 of the tent 100 to, for example, store products, billeting, function as a field hospital or field kitchen, provide a shelter for events therein, etc. However, the use of the tent is not limiting thereon unless specifically claimed. The tent is set or rests on ground 110. In one embodiment, the floor of the tent is provided by an insulating liner or a portion of insulating liner 104 to provide further thermal insulation to impede heat transfer between the internal area of the tent 100 and the ground of the surrounding environment through the floor of the tent 100.

The outer skin 106 is a layer of material that is typically held in tension on the outer surfaces of the structural members of frame 102. The outer skin 106 provides a first layer of protection from the external environment 116. As such, the outer skin 106 is typically formed from a water-resistant material. The material is also typically resistant to wind.

The frame 102 generally defines a pair of roof sections 112 and a pair of sidewall sections 114. While a particular frame structure is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to any such frame structure and can be used with other style frame structures and tents.

The illustrated tent 100 is particularly useful in that it can be easily assembled and disassembled into a much smaller package for shipment. Therefore, the outer skin 106 and internal insulating liner 104 are removably attached to the frame structure 102. They can be removed from the frame structure 102 and then folded or rolled into a small package for easy transport. Therefore, it is desirable to remove as much volume in the folded packages of the internal insulating liner 104 and outer skin 106 as possible to reduce weight and volume thereof

While the outer skin 106 is removable, the outer skin 106 is only removed, typically, if it needs to be repaired or replaced. However, unlike the outer skin 106, the liner 104 is typically removed during transport and packaged in a separate wrapper.

The insulating liner 104 of the present embodiment is configured to substantially provide a package that is no greater than about 30 percent more than the volume of a prior single layer liner when folded, more preferably no greater than 25 percent more than the volume when folded, and preferable no greater than 20 percent more than the volume of a prior liner when folded for transport.

The present tent 100 is configured to have a strong insulating characteristic to impede heat transfer between the internal area 108 and the external environment 116.

The tent 100 forms a plurality of different dead air space regions to provide insulation between the external environment 116 and the internal area 108.

A first bulk dead air space is formed between an inner surface of the outer skin 106 and an outer surface of the internal insulating liner 104. This area is generally identified with reference numeral 118. This general region, particularly at the roof sections 112, can have a vertical dimension d1 of approximately between 12 inches and 24 inches at various locations. However, smaller or larger dimensions are possible. This significant gap between the inner surface of the outer skin 106 and the outer surface of the internal insulating liner 104 provides a very large dead space. Because the bulk dead air space 118 is so large, it permits air movement therein which can promote convection heat transfer between the internal insulating liner 104 and the outer skin 106. The convective heat transfer thus reduces the insulating value of the overall tent 100. In the walls of the tent, the air gap between the outer shell and the liner can be as small as two inches.

The illustrated embodiment of the tent 100 thus includes a second insulating feature. More particularly, the insulating liner 104 includes, in the illustrated embodiment, four secondary, or interior, dead air space regions 120. These secondary dead air space regions 120 are significantly smaller than the primary dead air space 118 discussed previously. These secondary dead air space regions 120 therefore substantially reduce any air flow therein and thus substantially reduce convection heat transfer.

In the illustrated embodiment and such as illustrated in FIG. 6, the internal insulating liner 104 only has the secondary dead air space regions 120 proximate the roof sections 112 and not proximate the sidewall sections 114. However, the secondary dead air space regions 120 could be provided along the sidewall sections 114 of the tent 100 in alternative embodiments.

To form the secondary dead air space regions 120, the internal insulating liner 104 includes first and second layers of material 122, 124. The first layer of material 122 forms the internal surfaces of the sidewall sections 114. A second part of the first layer of material 122 forms part of the roof sections 112 of the tent 100, but does not form the internal surfaces of the roof sections 112. The second layer 124 forms the internal surfaces of the roof sections 112. The first layer of material 122 is operably attached to the frame structure 102 and is maintained in a state of general tension.

The second layer of material 124 of liner 104 is operably affixed to the first layer of material. The first and second layers of material 122, 124 are preferably spaced apart from one another when the tent is assembled between about 1.5 and 4.5 inches. More preferably, the two layers of material are preferably spaced apart between about 2 and 3.5 inches when the tent is fully assembled. This spacing provides a second layer or region of dead space in the roof sections 112 of the tent to prevent or inhibit heat transfer between the external environment 116 and the internal area 108.

The internal insulating liner 104 includes a plurality of separating baffles 126. These separating baffles 126 separate the dead air space between the first and second layers of material 122, 124 into smaller air volumes. The smaller air volumes further reduce the amount of movement of the air trapped therein. The reduction in air movement thus also reduces the convective heat transfer between the first and second layers 122, 124 to further reduce heat transfer to the external environment 116.

In one embodiment, the individual secondary dead air space regions 120 extend the entire length L of the tent 100. However, in alternative embodiments separating baffles could be added that segment the length of the individual secondary air space regions 120 into shorter length regions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary dead air space regions 120 are considered to be “gravity filling.” As such, the dead air space regions 120 do not need to be pressurized using a pump. Instead, the liner 104 is attached to the frame structure 102 as was typically performed with single layer liners and then the secondary dead air space regions 120 will self-fill due to the weight of the second layer of material 124 separating the second layer of material 124 from the first layer of material due to gravity.

The second layer of material 124 will typically include air relief slits 128 that selectively provide fluid communication between the internal dead space between the first and second layers of material 122, 124 and internal area 108 of the tent. The air relief slits 128 are typically between about 12 and 24 inches in length. The liner 104 will typically also include closures that can allow for selectively closing or opening the air relief slits 128 to facilitate assembling the tent or packaging the inner liner once the tent has been unassembled. The air relief slits 128 could fluidly communicate with the bulk dead air space 118, when in the open state, and be formed in the first layer of material 122 in alternative, less desirable, embodiments.

In one embodiment, the closures may be provided by pieces of hook and loop type material (Velcro®). This hook and loop material will allow the closures to be opened when it is desired to either allow the secondary dead air space regions 120 to fill with air subsequent to assembly or when the tent is being taken down and it is desired to evacuate the air rapidly that is stored within the secondary dead air space regions 120. However, once the tent is in an assembled state, the closures can be used to substantially close off the air relief slits 128 to prevent significant fluid flow between the secondary dead air space regions 120 and the internal area 108 of the tent 100.

The closures may have hook and loop material that runs on both sides of the slits and then a separate piece of material that connects to the hook and loop material across the slit to provide the closure. Alternative closure arrangements could be provided to inhibit significant air flow between the secondary dead air space regions 120 and the internal area 108 of the tent 100.

The dead air space regions 120 will typically have a width w of between about 1 and 4 feet. The dead air space regions 120 will typically have a length of at least 3 to 4 feet. However, as noted above, the length of the secondary dead air space regions 120 can run the entire length of the tent 100. With reference to FIG. 6, the thickness X of the dead air space regions 120 will typically be between 1.5 and 4.5 inches as noted above. However, more preferably the thickness is at least 2 inches. Thus, with these typical minimum dimensions the secondary dead air space regions 120 will have a large substantially uninterrupted/continuous air volume. However, the volume is significantly less than that of the primary dead space 118 between the liner 104 and skin 106.

With reference to FIG. 2, the liner inside dimensions may be, in a representative tent: W1 of about 13-15 feet; W2 of about 18-20 feet; H1 of about 8-9 feet; and H2 of about 6-7 feet. With reference to FIG. 4, the liner floor space dimensions may be L1 of about 30-32 feet and W5 of about 18-20 feet. With reference to FIG. 3, the outer skin dimensions may be, in the representative embodiment, W3 of about 14-16 feet; W4 of about 19-21 feet; H3 of about 10-11 feet; and H4 of about 7.5-8.5 feet. With reference to FIG. 5, the exterior foot print of the tent may have, in an embodiment, dimensions of L2 of about 31-33 feet; and W6 of about 19-21 feet.

It should be noted that the individual secondary dead air space regions 120 may have additional support members that are similar to the separating baffles 126 in that they extend between the first and second layers of material 122, 124 to prevent sagging of the second layer of material 124 between the adjacent separating baffles 126. However, these secondary supporting segments do not form separate individual air space regions. The inclusion of these additional supporting segments to prevent sagging of the second layer of material 124 shall not be considered to break up or otherwise change the volume of air within the secondary dead air space regions 120 from being considered continuous volumes of air.

The new and improved internal insulating liner 104 is configured such that it would be assembled or otherwise operably attached to the frame structure 102 as a normal liner. Thus, during assembly, standard attachment operations for securing the internal liner 104 to the frame structure 102 can be used. Thus, the time for installing the new and improved liner 104 is substantially equal to prior set-up times and operations. Further, the new and improved internal liner 104 is similarly easy to disassemble from frame structure 102.

When a user disassembles the tent 100, the user would remove internal insulating liner 104 and open air relief slits 128 to allow for rapid deflating of the secondary dead air space regions 120 by opening/removing the closures. The user would then be able to easily fold or roll the insulating liner 104 into a compact package that is easy to manipulate and transport. Again, the inclusion of the second layer of material 124 that forms the secondary dead air space regions 120 does not significantly increase the weight or volume of the folded or rolled internal insulating layer 104.

Thus, it is a benefit of this embodiment that the insulating liner 104 is significantly lightweight, inexpensive, and packagable into a small package. Further, as the insulating liner 104 mounts or operably attaches to the frame structure 102 in a normal manner, the new and improved insulating liner 104 can be used to replace normal liners that do not include the secondary dead air space regions 120.

It should be noted that the secondary dead air space regions 120 of the illustrated internal insulating liner 104 are not under pressure or sealed. However, they could be. Further, the fabric used to form the internal insulating liner 104 may be formed from a quilted material and permit limited fluid transfer between the internal area 108 of tent 100 and the secondary dead air space regions 120. Thus, the present liner is not highly susceptible to damaged due to minor punctures or rips in the insulating liner 104 that could damage the insulating value thereof.

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.

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) is 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. 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 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.

Claims

1. A tent liner comprising:

a first layer of material;

a second layer of material attached to the first layer of material, the first and second layers of material forming a plurality of dead air space regions therebetween.

2. The tent liner of claim 1, wherein the second layer of material forms only a part of the roof section of the tent liner.

3. The tent liner of claim 1, wherein the second layer of material and first layer of material are connected by at least one baffle extending therebetween, the baffle separating adjacent ones of the dead air space regions.

4. The tent liner of claim 1, wherein the second layer of material is at least a portion of an inner surface of the liner such that the second layer of material defines, at least a portion of, an internal area of a tent when constructed into a tent.

5. The tent liner of claim 1, wherein the second layer of material includes at least one air relief slit associated with each one of the dead air space regions, the at least one air relief slit fluidly communicating the corresponding dead air space region with the surrounding environment.

6. The tent liner of claim 5, further comprising a cover associated with each of the at least one air relief slits, the cover inhibiting fluid communication between the dead air space regions and the surrounding environment.

7. The tent liner of claim 6, wherein the dead air space regions are gravity filling.

8. The tent liner of claim 1, wherein the dead air space regions are gravity filling.

9. The tent liner of claim 1, wherein the dead air space regions are not pressurized relative to the surrounding environment.

10. The tent liner of claim 1, wherein each dead air space has thickness of at least 1 inch, a width of at least 1 foot and a length of at least 1 foot.

11. The tent liner of claim 10, wherein each dead air space has a thickness of less than 5 inches, a width of less than 8 feet.

12. A tent comprising:

a frame structure;

a liner supported by the frame structure including: a first layer of material; a second layer of material attached to the first layer of material, the first and second layers of material forming a dead air space region therebetween.

13. The tent of claim 12, further comprising an outer shell supported by the frame structure, the outer shell surrounding the liner and providing protection for the liner from the environment surrounding the tent.

14. The tent of claim 13, wherein the frame structure is interposed between the outer shell and the liner.

15. The tent of claim 14, wherein a bulk dead air space is formed between the outer shell and the liner; and wherein the dead air space region formed between the first and second layers of material is interposed between the bulk dead air space and an internal area of the tent.

16. The tent of claim 12, further comprising at least one baffle interposed between the first and second layers of material to form a plurality of dead air space regions between the first and second layers of material.

17. The tent of claim 12, wherein the dead air space region is gravity filling and is not pressurized.

18. The tent of claim 12, wherein the dead air space region includes an air relief slit to permit fluid communication between the dead air space region and the environment on at least one side of the liner.

19. The tent of claim 23, wherein the air relief slit is formed in the first layer of material such that the dead air space region fluidly communicates with an environment external to an internal area of the tent.

20. The tent of claim 19, further comprising a closure associated with the air relief slit and transitioning the air relief slit between the open and closed states.

21. The tent of claim 12, wherein the dead air space has thickness of at least 1 inch, a width of at least 1 foot and a length of at least 1 foot.

22. The tent of claim 21, wherein the dead air space has a thickness of less than 5 inches, a width of less than 8 feet.