US20120152293A1

US20120152293A1 - Sky view tent

Info

Publication number: US20120152293A1
Application number: US12/969,090
Authority: US
Inventors: Adam Lucero
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-15
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2012-06-21

Abstract

A sky view tent is provided made of fabric (18) having a top (12), bottom (14) and inside (34). Upper portion (16) has a defog spray (26) and joins rain fly (22) via stitching (36), hook and loop fasteners (38), or snaps (40) covered by a flap (20) and may be covered by a curtain (28). Forward end (30) and aft end (32) may have windows (24) allowing air circulation. A tent furnishing a view of the sky while completely protecting it's occupants from the weather.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tents, in particular to tents allowing the camper to enjoy a view of the sky while being completely protected from the elements of the weather.
Tents have been well known since the beginning of time. Primarily tents have been a form of survival shelter. Today, tents have become widely used as a form of recreation. Camping on weekends and holidays provides an escape from weekly routine. For many person's, today, camping is a way to be close to nature. The problem is, tents are largely enclosed to protect from the weather elements. Thus a camper, after making the effort to retreat to nature, is still not able to commune with nature to the fullest extent. Mesh tents allow a close commune with nature but do not protect the user from the weather elements.
Accordingly there is a need for a tent which overcomes these limitations as noted above and allows camping without boundaries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In aspect of a tent is provided herein designed to allow the user the satisfaction and enjoyment of camping under the sky and stars without direct exposure to the elements such as; snow, rain, dew, wind, insects, or wildlife. Through a clear view roof, users will have the ability to see the day and night sky unobstructed, unlike tents with mesh roofs and no protection from the elements.
In at least one embodiment, a tent is provided that includes an upper portion; a lower portion connected to the upper portion at a seam that extends laterally along at least one wall of the tent between a top of the tent and a bottom of the tent, wherein the upper portion overlaps the lower portion and extends outward beyond the seam therewith providing a flap; and at least one rain fly removably attached to the at least one wall of the tent at the seam below the flap.
In at least one embodiment, the upper portion is made of a clear plastic material.
In at least one embodiment, the lower portion is made of a breathable fabric material.
In at least one embodiment, the tent includes a curtain located within the tent between the upper portion and the lower portion.
In at least one embodiment, the tent includes at least one vent window.
In at least one embodiment, the tent includes at least one awning located over the at least one vent window.
In at least one embodiment, the tent has a generally prismatic shape with opposing diagonal walls. The tent may further include a plurality of rain flies, each of the rain flies removably attached to a particular wall.
In at least one embodiment, the tent has a generally spherical shape, the seam extends along a perimeter of the tent between the upper and the lower portions, and the rain fly is attached continuously along at least a portion of the seam of the tent.
In at least one embodiment, the rain fly is removably attached to the at least one wall of the tent under the flap.
In at least one embodiment, a generally prismatic tent is provided that includes an upper portion made of a clear plastic material; a lower portion made from a breathable fabric material connected to the upper portion at a seam that extends laterally along each of a plurality of opposing walls of the tent between a top of the tent and a bottom of the tent, wherein the upper portion overlaps the lower portion and extends outward beyond the seam therewith providing a flap along the seam; at least one vent window with an overhang located in the upper portion; and at least one rain fly removably attached to the at least one wall of the tent at the seam below the flap.
In at least one embodiment, a generally spherical tent is provided that includes an upper portion made of a clear plastic material; a lower portion made from a breathable fabric material connected to the upper portion at a seam that extends along a perimeter of the between a top of the tent and a bottom of the tent, wherein the upper portion overlaps the lower portion and extends outward beyond the seam therewith providing a flap along the seam; at least one vent window with an overhang; and at least one rain fly removably attached to the at least one wall of the tent continuously along at least a portion of the seam of the tem below the flap.
Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a waterproof flap.

FIG. 4 is a second embodiment of a waterproof flap.

FIG. 5 is a third embodiment of a waterproof flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 a sky view tent according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is provided that includes a top 12, a bottom 14, a forward end 30, an aft end 32, and an inside 34. The tent generally includes a clear and/or transparent upper portion 16. The tent may further include a curtain 28 located within the tent that divides substantially all of the upper portion 16 from the lower portion and/or vents 24 within the upper portion 16. Awnings 42 may be provided over the vents 24.
The tent is generally made from a fabric 18 that can be any suitable fabric material, such as nylon or preferably a breathable material. The upper portion 16 of the tent roof is preferably constructed from a crystal clear plastic. Such as, Crystal Clear 2.7 m thick vinyl sheeting, Duck Tape brand by Henkel Corporation of Avon, Ohio or other suitable material. This plastic upper portion 16 will be joined in any suitable means such as sewn, stapled, taped or glued to the tent fabric 18. The seam connecting the upper portion 16 to the lower portion of the tent walls is preferably covered by a water proof fabric flap 20.
Referring to FIG. 1, in at least one embodiment, the tent has a generally prismatic shape with opposing side walls and a rain fly 22 removably attached to each of the walls. The rain fly 22 is preferably attached to the side walls at a point at or below the upper portion 16 so as to provide an unobstructed view through the tent with the rain fly 22 attached. Although the tent may be described herein as having a traditional prismatic shape, it is understood that the tent may be made into any shape, including a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 2.
Because the plastic upper portion 16 is non breathable and will retain moisture on the inside of the tent one or more small mesh vent windows 24 may be provided required at the top forward end 30 and aft end 32 of the tent to allow for circulation and moisture removal. Windows 24 are comprised of mesh and a cover material for sealing the windows when desired. Awnings 42 over hang the windows 24 to protect the windows 24 from the elements. A defog spray 26 may also be used at times open vent windows 24 are not desired. The defog spray 26 is formulated from water and white vinegar or water and wax in a ratio of one part to sixteen parts respectively. Any water absorber dissolved in water or another carrier, in varied ratio, can also be used. Other commercially available defog sprays 26 such as Fogtech brand or Jaws Quick Spit brand can be used as well.
Fabric privacy curtains 28 on the inside of the tent will allow the user to “close” the plastic viewing area, upper portion 16, and are located on the inside 34 of the tent. One or more curtains 28 will fold up and connect for privacy or as a heat barrier.
It is understood that the invention can be adapted to any tent with a one or more piece rain fly 22 and waterproof flap 20.
FIG. 3 depicts a detail view of a waterproof flap 20 according to one embodiment of the flaps disclosed herein. As noted herein, the tent may be made from a breathable material. In this instance, a rain fly 22 may be required to prevent the breathable non-waterproof tent material from water entry. The rain fly 22 is preferably waterproof and removably attaches to the clear plastic/fabric seam under the waterproof flap 20. This ensures that any moisture build up or drainage rolls smoothly down the clear plastic upper portion 16, over the water proof flap 20, and down the rain fly 22. This prevents any leaks through the seam or moisture from coming into contact with the non waterproof tent fabric 18 below.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are other embodiments of the waterproof flap 20. The rain fly 22 may be attached to the tent and or flap 20 by stitching 36, hook and loop fasteners 38, snaps 40, or any other suitable means. In at least one embodiment, the rain fly 22 is attached under the flap 20 onto the inside end of the flap 20.
While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tent comprising:

an upper portion;

a lower portion connected to the upper portion at a seam that extends laterally along at least one wall of the tent between a top of the tent and a bottom of the tent, wherein the upper portion overlaps the lower portion and extends outward beyond the seam therewith providing a flap; and

at least one rain fly removably attached to the at least one wall of the tent at the seam below the flap.

2. The tent of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is made of a clear plastic material.

3. The tent of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is made of a breathable fabric material.

4. The tent of claim 1, comprising a curtain located within the tent between the upper portion and the lower portion.

5. The tent of claim 1, comprising at least one vent window.

6. The tent of claim 5, comprising at least one awning located over the at least one vent window.

7. The tent of claim 1, wherein the tent has a generally prismatic shape with opposing diagonal walls.

8. The tent of claim 7, comprising a plurality of rain flies, each of the rain flies removably attached to a particular wall.

9. The tent of claim 1, wherein the tent has a generally spherical shape, the seam extends along a perimeter of the tent between the upper and the lower portions, and the rain fly is attached continuously along at least a portion of the seam of the tent.

10. The tent of claim 1, wherein the rain fly is removably attached to the at least one wall of the tent under the flap.

11. The tent of claim 1, comprising a defog spray located in the upper portion of the tent, the defog spray comprising an anti-fog composition sprayable from the defog spray.

12. A generally prismatic tent comprising:

an upper portion made of a clear plastic material;

a lower portion made from a breathable fabric material connected to the upper portion at a seam that extends laterally along each of a plurality of opposing walls of the tent between a top of the tent and a bottom of the tent, wherein the upper portion overlaps the lower portion and extends outward beyond the seam therewith providing a flap along the seam;

at least one vent window with an overhang located in the upper portion; and

13. A generally spherical tent comprising:

an upper portion made of a clear plastic material;

a lower portion made from a breathable fabric material connected to the upper portion at a seam that extends along a perimeter of the between a top of the tent and a bottom of the tent, wherein the upper portion overlaps the lower portion and extends outward beyond the seam therewith providing a flap along the seam;

at least one vent window with an overhang; and

at least one rain fly removably attached to the at least one wall of the tent continuously along at least a portion of the seam of the tem below the flap.