Patent US3929145A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3929145A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible shelter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-14
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1995-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible, tubular shelter adjustable between a stretched or extended form in which it can accommodate a sleeping hiker on level ground and a compressed or contracted form in which it can be easily carried on the hiker''s back. The shelter is formed from a tubular cover of lightweight, weatherproof nylon tenting reinforced by axially spaced hoops of flat spring steel strip which serve as ribs for holding the shelter in its tubular shape. The cover is permanently enclosed at one end and has zippered opening flaps at the other end to permit entry to and exit from the shelter. The shelter is stretched apart axially for use and is tied to a ground-anchored peg at each end by means of a line affixed to the top of the nearest hoop so that the two lines exert stretching force on the cover to hold it in its tubular shape. The lines also pull downwardly on the shelter to flatten it somewhat so that it can more readily accommodate a sleeping bag, the hoops being sufficiently resilient to permit this. The pitched shelter can be easily converted to its compressed form for carrying by disconnecting the lines from the anchored pegs and pushing the hoops together to collapse the cover, in accordion-like fashion, into a relatively flat, lightweight bundle.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen J Schroeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:03
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/02; E04H15/10; E04H15/14; E04H15/32; E04H15/34; E04H15/36; E04H15/40; E04H2015/328; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S135/00; Y10S135/905; Y10S135/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
Collapsible shelter means comprising: a flexible cover of relatively thin, weatherproof, lightweight sheet material adapted to assume a tubular shape when suitably stretched; a plurality of normally hoop-shaped ribs formed from flat strip material in general conformity with the cross-sectional size and shape of said cover in its stretched, tubular form, said ribs being resiliently deformable under downwardly directed force when standing on edge; fastening means for securing said ribs in positions adjacent said cover in generally coaxial relationship with, and in spaced apart relationship along the axis of, the cover in its stretched, tubular form, the spacing of the secured ribs being such as to permit them to serve as frame means for the stretched cover; and removably installable anchoring means for exerting oppositely and downwardly directed pulling force on the upper center portions of the two end ones of said ribs to stretch the ribreinforced cover into the form of a tubular shelter, and help cause flattening distortion of said shelter to increase its width, on a substantially horizontal support surface; said shelter means being axially contractable, when free of the pulling influence of the anchoring means, into a compact, lightweight bundle, for easy portability.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
Collapsible shelter means comprising: a flexible cover of relatively thin, weatherproof, lightweight sheet material adapted to assume a tubular shape when suitably stretched; a plurality of normally hoop-shaped ribs formed from flat strip material in general conformity with the cross-sectional size and shape of said cover in its stretched, tubular form, said ribs being resiliently deformable under downwardly directed force when standing on edge; fastening means for securing said ribs in positions adjacent said cover in generally coaxial relationship with, and in spaced apart relationship along the axis of, the cover in its stretched, tubular form, the spacing of the secured ribs being such as to permit them to serve as frame means for the stretched cover; and removably installable anchoring means for exerting oppositely and downwardly directed pulling force on the upper center portions of the two end ones of said ribs to stretch the ribreinforced cover into the form of a tubular shelter, and help cause flattening distortion of said shelter to increase its width, on a substantially horizontal support surface; said shelter means being axially contractable, when free of the pulling influence of the anchoring means, into a compact, lightweight bundle, for easy portability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 1 adapted primarily for use as a sleeping shelter for a single person and in which the tubular shape of said flexible cover is of normally round cross-section and said ribs are hoops fabricated from spring steel strip stock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 2, in which said flexible cover has ends disposed in substantially parallel planes generally perpendicular to the axis of the cover in its tubular shape, a separate one of said ribs is secured in position at approximately each end of said tubular shape and said anchoring means comprises a pair of tie-down lines fastenable at their outer ends to pegs anchored in the ground under sufficient tension to exert said pulling force on said upper center portions of said two end ones of said ribs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 3, in which said sheet material is lightweight nylon tenting material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claims 3, in which said tubular shelter has a permanent enclosure of flexible sheet material at one end and an opening adapted to permit an occupant to enter or leave the shelter at the other end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 5, in which said opening at said other end is fitted with flexible closure means which can be opened or closed by said occupant from inside said shelter to permit movement through said opening or provide protection from outside influences to one occupying the shelter, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 6, in which said closure means comprises flexible flaps fitted with zipper fastening means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 7, in which said permanent enclosure includes a window opening screened by insect netting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 7, in which the flexible flaps include an inner pair of insect netting flaps and an outer pair of flaps formed from a relatively thin, weatherproof, lightweight sheet material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Collapsible shelter means in accordance with claim 8, in which said permanent enclosure has a flexible flap attached to proper position to cover said window opening, the means of attachment being such as to permit temporary folding of the flap away from the opening to expose the latter for shelter ventilation purposes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |