Gutter and downspout system for a tent or shelter

Abstract

A gutter and downspout system that may be used with a tent, shelter, or other fabric structure. The gutter may be aligned along a rain fly edge to direct water away from the tent door or tent windows. After the rainwater is directed the proper distance to clear the tent door and/or windows, the water can fall from the rain fly to the ground or may be directed via a downspout to the ground. The gutter is formed of a flexible material that is sewn to the rain fly or to the canopy. The downspout may include, for example, a flexible ring at an upper portion connected to an elongate waterproof fabric tube. The end of the tube may be arranged and directed as wanted.

1 . A fabric covering, comprising: 
 a top; and    a structure that extends above the top to direct water runoff.    
   
   
       2 . The fabric covering of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric covering comprises a rain fly for a tent.  
   
   
       3 . The fabric covering of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric covering comprises a canopy for a shelter.  
   
   
       4 . The fabric covering of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises an elongate protrusion configured to extend above the top.  
   
   
       5 . The fabric covering of  claim 4 , wherein the elongate protrusion comprises a flexible bead attached to the top.  
   
   
       6 . The fabric covering of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible bead is attached to the top by a fabric strip.  
   
   
       7 . The fabric covering of  claim 6 , wherein the fabric strip forms a loop and the flexible bead is positioned in the loop.  
   
   
       8 . The fabric covering of  claim 7 , wherein the fabric strip wraps around the flexible bead to form the loop, and wherein opposite portions of the fabric strip adjacent the loop are aligned against one another and are attached to the top.  
   
   
       9 . The fabric covering of  claim 8 , wherein the fabric strip and the flexible bead are arranged so that the loop and the flexible bead are rotatable upward relative to the attachment of the fabric strip to the top.  
   
   
       10 . The fabric covering of  claim 9 , wherein, when the flexible bead is rotated upward relative to the attachment of the fabric strip, a back portion of the loop forms a wall that extends upward from the top and that is supported by the flexible bead and the attachment of the fabric strip to the top.  
   
   
       11 . The fabric covering of  claim 10 , wherein the wall extends at approximately a right angle to the top.  
   
   
       12 . The fabric covering of  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric downspout arranged to receive water flowing along the gutter at a first end and to direct the water to a second end of the downspout.  
   
   
       13 . The fabric covering of  claim 12 , wherein the fabric downspout comprises a tube of fabric.  
   
   
       14 . The fabric covering of  claim 12 , wherein the fabric downspout comprises a ring at the first end for holding the first end open to receive the water.  
   
   
       15 . The fabric covering of  claim 12 , wherein the fabric downspout is removably attached to the fabric covering.  
   
   
       16 . The fabric covering of  claim 1 , wherein the gutter extends along an edge of the fabric covering.  
   
   
       17 . The fabric covering of  claim 16 , wherein the gutter extends along an entire edge of the covering.  
   
   
       18 . A shelter comprising the fabric covering of  claim 1  as a canopy.  
   
   
       19 . A tent, comprising: 
 a rain fly comprising: 
 a top; and  
 a structure that extends above the top to direct water runoff.  
   
   
   
       20 . The tent of  claim 19 , wherein the structure comprises an elongate protrusion configured to extend above the top.  
   
   
       21 . The tent of  claim 20 , wherein the elongate protrusion comprises a flexible bead attached to the top.  
   
   
       22 . The tent of  claim 21 , wherein the flexible bead is attached to the top by a fabric strip.  
   
   
       23 . The tent of  claim 22 , wherein the fabric strip forms a loop and the flexible bead is positioned in the loop.  
   
   
       24 . The tent of  claim 23 , wherein the fabric strip wraps around the flexible bead to form the loop, and wherein opposite portions of the fabric strip adjacent the loop are aligned against one another and are attached to the top.  
   
   
       25 . The tent of  claim 24 , wherein the fabric strip and the flexible bead are arranged so that the loop and the flexible bead are rotatable upward relative to the attachment of the fabric strip to the top.  
   
   
       26 . The tent of  claim 25 , wherein, when the flexible bead is rotated upward relative to the attachment of the fabric strip, a back portion of the loop forms a wall that extends upward from the top and that is supported by the flexible bead and the attachment of the fabric strip to the top.  
   
   
       27 . The tent of  claim 26 , wherein the wall extends at approximately a right angle to the top.  
   
   
       28 . The tent of  claim 19 , further comprising a fabric downspout arranged to receive water flowing along the gutter at a first end and to direct the water to a second end of the downspout.  
   
   
       29 . The tent of  claim 28 , wherein the fabric downspout comprises a tube of fabric.  
   
   
       30 . The tent of  claim 28 , wherein the fabric downspout comprises a ring at the first end for holding the first end open to receive the water.  
   
   
       31 . The tent of  claim 28 , wherein the fabric downspout is removably attached to the rain fly.  
   
   
       32 . The tent of  claim 19 , wherein the gutter extends along an edge of the rain fly.  
   
   
       33 . The tent of  claim 32 , wherein the gutter extends along an entire edge of the rain fly.  
   
   
       34 . The tent of  claim 32 , wherein the gutter extends over a window for the tent.  
   
   
       35 . The tent of  claim 32 , wherein the gutter extends over a door for the tent.  
   
   
       36 . A fabric covering, comprising a fabric downspout arranged to receive water flowing along the gutter at a first end and to direct the water to a second end of the downspout.  
   
   
       37 . The fabric covering of  claim 36 , wherein the fabric downspout comprises a tube of fabric.  
   
   
       38 . The fabric covering of  claim 36 , wherein the fabric downspout comprises a ring at the first end for holding the first end open to receive the water.  
   
   
       39 . The fabric covering of  claim 36 , wherein the fabric downspout is removably attached to the rain fly.  
   
   
       40 . A tent comprising the fabric covering of  claim 36.