Collapsible fabric structures

Abstract

A tent having at least a frame and a canopy. The said frame includes a base member defining an outer periphery, and at least a pair of arch members spanning the base member. The base member being captive in the canopy, around a lower peripheral edge thereof. The arch members being captive in the canopy over the base member. The canopy being dimensioned so as to maintain tautness between the base member and the arches.

1 . A tent comprising at least a frame and a canopy, said frame comprising a base member defining an outer periphery, and at least a pair of arch members spanning said base member, said base member being captive in said canopy, around a lower peripheral edge thereof, and said arch members being captive in said canopy over said base member said canopy being dimensioned so as to maintain tautness between said base member and said arches.  
   
   
       2 . The tent of  claim 1 , wherein said base member comprises a resilient loop of spring material.  
   
   
       3 . The tent as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each said arch member extends from a first point on said base member, across said base member, to a second point on said base member opposite said first point.  
   
   
       4 . The tent as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first points from which each of said arch members extend across said loop are close together.  
   
   
       5 . The tent as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the second points to which said arch members extend are close together.  
   
   
       6 . The tent as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the arch members diverge from each other in a V-shape.  
   
   
       7 . The tent as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said canopy is provided with a sleeve in its lower periphery for said base member.  
   
   
       8 . The tent as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said canopy is provided with sleeves for said arch members.  
   
   
       9 . The tent as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said tent is provided with a floor interior of said lower peripheral edge.  
   
   
       10 . The tent as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein further arch members are provided, captive in said canopy, spaced from said arch members that diverge from one another in a U-shape.  
   
   
       11 . The tent as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each said arch member comprises a series of interconnected rod-like members that together form an arch-shaped member.  
   
   
       12 . The tent as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said base member comprises an inflatable floor panel.  
   
   
       13 . The tent as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said canopy includes one or more access doors.  
   
   
       14 . The tent as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said canopy includes one or more access doors.  
   
   
       15 . A collapsible fabric structure in the form of a dome tent having a base frame member and at least two additional canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from points on the base frame member to support a fabric canopy of the tent, wherein the canopy supporting frame members each comprise a plurality of rods that are connected together and fed into means which locate the fabric to the frame members and force the frame members into an arcuate form, and wherein the base frame member comprises a resilient member in the form of a loop which extends around substantially the perimeter of the structure to expand the base upon release from a collapsed configuration.  
   
   
       16 . The structure as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the rods of the canopy supporting frame members connect together and feed into sleeves, loops or pockets of the fabric structure.  
   
   
       17 . The structure as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a coilable base frame member in the form of a fibre reinforced resin wire.  
   
   
       18 . The structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said fibre reinforced resin wire comprises an epoxy based wire, and wherein at least a surface layer of fibre is helically wound around the core of the wire.  
   
   
       19 . The structure as claimed in  claim 15 , including additional arch or other frame members that are hinged to the base at positions between a central fold line and an end of the base.  
   
   
       20 . A collapsible fabric structure in the form of a dome tent having at least two canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from common points on a base of the structure to support the fabric canopy of the tent, wherein the base comprises an air chamber.  
   
   
       21 . A collapsible fabric structure in the form of a dome tent comprising a fabric canopy, at least two canopy supporting frame members extending as arches from common points on a base of the structure to support the fabric canopy of the tent and a base comprising an inflatable air chamber, wherein the canopy supporting frame members and the canopy are secured to the base by releasable connections so that the base can be separated from the frame members and canopy for storage purposes.