Collapsible tent structure

Abstract

An integral tent structure and system that, through the use of flexible and specifically configured rib elements, along with selectively placed restraining elements to position and hold sections of the configured rib elements in proximity to each other, allows for easy folding, collapsing, storage, transportation, and then equally easy unfolding, assembly, and usage of the tent, is disclosed. The rib elements are designed to, with minimal directional force, fold and collapse into a compact, readily storable configuration. The tent cover of the tent structure incorporates specifically placed connection and securing elements to provide means for securing the folded tent structure in the folded configuration. Because the rib elements are folded or collapsed with a resistive or expanding spring force, upon release of the securing elements, the integral tent structure automatically unfolds into the normal operative shape and configuration with little to no effort.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible tent structure comprising:
 a plurality of flexible ribs;   a flexible cover connected to said plurality of flexible ribs by a plurality of attachment elements, said plurality of attachment elements comprising at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and claps;   wherein for disassembly, each of said plurality of flexible ribs is configurable to form at least one approximate circle shape;   a plurality of restrainer elements, each one of said plurality of restrainer elements being attached to at least one of said flexible ribs;   at least one rachet element through which at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements operates;   wherein for disassembly, approximate opposite sides of each of said plurality of flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by pulling at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements to pull said approximate sides of each of said plurality of flexible ribs towards each other to form a collapsed configuration;   wherein for disassembly, each of said plurality of flexible ribs in said collapsed configuration is foldable into at least two substantially circular sections to form a plurality of discs; and   at least one securing element to secure said at least two substantially circular sections proximate to each other, all as further described and detailed in the above specification including the attached figures, and drawings.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , having two flexible ribs that cross each other at an approximate orthogonal angle at an approximate mid-point of each flexible rib, wherein the two flexible ribs form two approximate circle shapes after initial disassembly, and form four discs after said opposites sides of said two flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by said at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , having three flexible ribs that form three approximate circle shapes after initial disassembly, and form six discs after said opposite sides of said three flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by said at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , having at least four flexible ribs that form at least four approximate circle shapes after initial disassembly, and form at least eight discs after said opposite sides of said at least four flexible ribs are pulled towards each other by said at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a polyethylene material. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible shaped bag into which said folded collapsible tent structure may be placed once fully folded. 
     
     
         11 . A collapsible tent structure comprising:
 a plurality of flexible ribs each having a first and second end;   a plurality of first connector ends integrally attached to each of said plurality of flexibl e rib first ends;   a plurality of second connector ends integrally attached to each of said plurality of flexible rib second ends;   a flexible cover connected to said plurality of flexible ribs by a plurality of attachment elements comprising at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop material, magnets, and claps;   wherein each of said plurality of first connector ends is formed to securely connect to one of said plurality of second connector ends such that, once a first connector end is securely connected to a second connector end, said flexible rib forms an approximate circle shape;   a plurality of restrainer elements attached to an approximate middle section of each of said flexible ribs;   wherein opposite sides of each of said plurality of flexible ribs, in said form of an approximate circle, are pulled towards each other by pulling at least one of said plurality of restrainer elements to form a collapsed configuration;   further wherein, each of said plurality of flexible ribs in said collapsed configuration are foldable to form a plurality of discs; and   at least one securing element to secure said plurality of discs to each other, all as further described and detailed in the above specification including the attached figures, and drawings.   
     
     
         12 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , having two flexible ribs that cross each other at an approximate orthogonal angle at an approximate mid-point of each flexible rib, wherein the two flexible ribs form two approximate circle shapes after connection of said two first connector ends to said two second connector ends, and further forms four disc s in a fully folded configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , having three flexible ribs that form three approximate circle shapes after connection of said three first connector ends to said three second connector ends, and further forms six discs in a fully folded configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , having four flexible ribs that form four approximate circle shapes after connection of said four first connector ends to said four second connector ends, and further forms eight discs in a fully folded configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of first and second connector ends connect by a press and friction fit. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of first and second connector ends connect by a twist and detent motion. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of first and second connector ends connect by a screw mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material. 
     
     
         20 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a polyethylene material. 
     
     
         21 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover further comprises a plurality of stakes to anchor said collapsible tent structure. 
     
     
         22 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover. 
     
     
         23 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure. 
     
     
         24 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , further comprising a flexible shaped bag into which said folded collapsible tent structure may be placed once fully folded.