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US4077418A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Quickly erected back pack tent

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-07-12
•
Granted: 1978-03-07
•
Expires: 1996-07-12
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Abstract

Abstract A lightweight collapsible tent structure is disclosed which can be folded into a compact "U-shaped" package readily nested around a conventional hiker's back pack thereby facilitating easy transportation through difficult terrain. This tent structure comprises a rectangular tent support frame made of aluminum or plastic tubing which has the ability of being quickly erected from its collapsed state by merely straightening its hinged joints. A rectangular box-like tent fabricated from flame-retardant, water-impervious, nylon material strapped to the tubular framework unfolds into its functional configuration when the frame structure is erected. This tent shelter permits easy attachment to a second unit thus expanding its capacity to accommodate additional occupants.

Inventors

  • 👤 Wilfred Cohen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 10:46
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/32; E04H15/34; E04H15/44; E04H15/48

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 251 words
A collapsible tent structure, comprising: a primary unitary collapsible support framework formed of a plurality of lightweight, high tensile tubular strut members connected by a plurality of hinged fittings permitting pivotal movement of the component strut members to allow said framework to be folded into a compact inverted U-shape for carrying or unfolded into a substantially three dimensional rectangular frame structure for utilization as a tent support structure, said framework in its unfolded position comprising two rectangular frames pivotally connected together at each corner by four corner upright struts, both of said corner upright struts being foldable so that said framework can be collapsed into a generally flat elongated bundle which is then folded into said compact inverted U-shape without disconnecting any of said strut members, each edge of said rectangular frame being formed by at least two of said pivotally connected struts and the longest edge thereof being formed by no less than three of said pivotally connected struts with the maximum strut length (and, therefore, maximum length of any side of the folded U-shape configuration) being substantially less than the shortest edge of the unfolded rectangular frame; a foldable fabric tent of a rectangular box-like configuration having a roof, side, and floor panels; means for attaching said foldable fabric tent to said primary collapsible support framework, said tent remaining attached to said framework in both its folded and unfolded positions; and means for locking said plurality of hinged fittings within the primary support framework in an unfolded, extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 251 words
A collapsible tent structure, comprising: a primary unitary collapsible support framework formed of a plurality of lightweight, high tensile tubular strut members connected by a plurality of hinged fittings permitting pivotal movement of the component strut members to allow said framework to be folded into a compact inverted U-shape for carrying or unfolded into a substantially three dimensional rectangular frame structure for utilization as a tent support structure, said framework in its unfolded position comprising two rectangular frames pivotally connected together at each corner by four corner upright struts, both of said corner upright struts being foldable so that said framework can be collapsed into a generally flat elongated bundle which is then folded into said compact inverted U-shape without disconnecting any of said strut members, each edge of said rectangular frame being formed by at least two of said pivotally connected struts and the longest edge thereof being formed by no less than three of said pivotally connected struts with the maximum strut length (and, therefore, maximum length of any side of the folded U-shape configuration) being substantially less than the shortest edge of the unfolded rectangular frame; a foldable fabric tent of a rectangular box-like configuration having a roof, side, and floor panels; means for attaching said foldable fabric tent to said primary collapsible support framework, said tent remaining attached to said framework in both its folded and unfolded positions; and means for locking said plurality of hinged fittings within the primary support framework in an unfolded, extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 42 words
A collapsible support framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said component strut members fold upon and adjacent to each other to form said compact inverted U-shape so that the total tent structure may be nestled around a conventional hiker's pack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A collapsible support framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said means for locking said plurality of hinged fittings are self-locking in the unfolded extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
A collapsible support framework as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said means for locking said hinged fittings in the unfolded extended position comprises a spring loaded connector pin and mating detent means on the hinge components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
A collapsible support framework as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said means for locking said hinged fittings in the unfolded extended position comprises a slidable slotted sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 75 words
A collapsible support framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the corner upright strut members fold inwardly in the vertical planes of the side panels; said two rectangular frames having end strut members which fold inwardly in the horizontal planes of the roof and floor panels so as to form said generally flat elongated bundle; and the outer extremities of said generally flat elongated bundle is then folded downwardly to form said inverted U-configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 39 words
A collapsible support framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein said two rectangular frames include central strut members which telescope to enable said rectangular frames to be folded into said inverted U-configuration without interference between its integral parts.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US907032A Cited
US1464875A Cited
US1509881A Cited
CH172233A Cited
US2168913A Cited
GB889455A Cited
FR1337193A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-03-06 1981-09-05 1982-03-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-03-06 1985-09-05 1986-03-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-03-06 1989-09-05 1990-03-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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