Slide-top tent retrofit system

Abstract

A slide-top tent retrofit system for converting a frame tent to a slide-top tent is described. In some embodiments, the system comprises a retrofit end crown fitting that can attach to an original crown fitting using an original attachment means. In some embodiments this retrofit end crown fitting comprises a sliding channel and attaches to retrofit rafter beams, also comprising a sliding channel, which replace original rafter beams. The retrofit rafter beams can also attach to retrofit side eave fittings, which replace original side eave fittings. In larger tents comprising one or more original mid crown fittings, retrofit mid crown fittings can replace the original fittings and attach to retrofit rafter beams. In one embodiment, the retrofit end crown fitting attaches to the original end crown fitting using a pin and hole attachment system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A frame tent comprising:
 an original end crown fitting; and   a retrofit end crown fitting for use with an original tent structure;   wherein said retrofit end crown fitting is attached to said original end crown fitting and is configured to enable slide installation of at least one part of a tent cover.   
     
     
         2 . The frame tent of  claim 1 , wherein said original end crown fitting is a central crown fitting. 
     
     
         3 . The frame tent of  claim 1 , wherein said retrofit end crown fitting is attached to said original end crown fitting using an original end crown fitting attachment system. 
     
     
         4 . The frame tent of  claim 3 , wherein said original end crown fitting attachment system is a pin and hole attachment system. 
     
     
         5 . The frame tent of  claim 3 , wherein said retrofit end crown fitting is attached in two opposite connection slots of said original end crown fitting. 
     
     
         6 . The frame tent of  claim 5 , wherein said retrofit end crown fitting comprises a means for connecting two rafter beams to said two opposite connection slots of said original end crown fitting. 
     
     
         7 . The frame tent of  claim 1 , wherein said original end crown fitting is at least a 6-way fitting. 
     
     
         8 . The frame tent of  claim 1 , wherein said retrofit end crown fitting comprises a first channel to enable slide installation of said at least one part of a tent cover. 
     
     
         9 . The frame tent of  claim 1 , further comprising a first retrofit rafter beam;
 wherein said first retrofit rafter beam is attached to said retrofit end crown fitting.   
     
     
         10 . The frame tent of  claim 9 , wherein said retrofit end crown fitting comprises a first channel to enable slide installation of said at least one part of a tent cover;
 wherein said first retrofit rafter beam comprises a second channel to enable slide installation of said at least one part of a tent cover; and   wherein said first channel and said second channel are aligned.   
     
     
         11 . The frame tent of  claim 10 , further comprising a retrofit side eave fitting;
 wherein said retrofit side eave fitting comprises a third channel to enable slide installation of said at least one part of a tent cover;   wherein said third channel is aligned with said second channel.   
     
     
         12 . The frame tent of  claim 9 , further comprising a retrofit side eave fitting;
 wherein said first retrofit rafter beam is attached to said retrofit side eave fitting.   
     
     
         13 . The frame tent of  claim 12 , wherein said first retrofit rafter beam is attached to said retrofit end crown fitting and is attached to said retrofit side eave fitting using push-button attachment systems. 
     
     
         14 . The frame tent of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a retrofit mid crown fitting connected to a second retrofit rafter beam; and   a second retrofit side eave fitting;   wherein said second retrofit side eave fitting is attached to said second retrofit rafter beam.   
     
     
         15 . The frame tent of  claim 9 , wherein said first retrofit rafter beam is attached to said retrofit end crown fitting using a push-button attachment system. 
     
     
         16 . The frame tent of  claim 9 , further comprising a retrofit mid crown fitting and a second retrofit rafter beam;
 wherein said retrofit mid crown fitting is connected to said second retrofit rafter beam.   
     
     
         17 . A frame tent, comprising:
 an original end crown fitting for use with an original tent structure; and   an original end crown fitting attachment system for use with an original tent structure;   a retrofit end crown fitting configured to enable slide installation of at least one part of a tent cover;   said retrofit end crown fitting attached to said original end crown fitting by said original end crown fitting attachment system;   a first retrofit rafter beam attached to said retrofit end crown fitting; and   a first retrofit side eave fitting attached to said first retrofit rafter beam.   
     
     
         18 . The frame tent of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a retrofit mid crown fitting configured to enable slide installation of at least one part of a tent cover, wherein said retrofit mid crown fitting is attached to a second retrofit rafter beam; and   a second retrofit side eave fitting attached to said second retrofit rafter beam.   
     
     
         19 . An end crown fitting system for use in a sliding-top frame tent comprising a retrofit end crown fitting, said retrofit end crown fitting comprising:
 a cap comprising two sliding channels; and   at least two legs;   wherein each of said at least two legs is configured to attach to a rafter beam.   
     
     
         20 . The end crown fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein said retrofit end crown fitting is attached to an original end crown fitting by an attachment system. 
     
     
         21 . The end crown fitting system of  claim 20 , wherein said original end crown fitting comprises said attachment system. 
     
     
         22 . The retrofit end crown fitting system of  claim 20 , wherein attachment system is a pin and hole attachment system.