Modular tent structures

Abstract

A modular tent structure system using detachable side panels is disclosed that allows users to configure the shape and size of the tent for a wide variety of applications. Moreover, 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 also disclosed. The detachable side panels allow users to readily connect, assemble, and configure three-sided structures up to any number of plurality of connectable side panels. The tent structure system further includes a flexible bottom or floor panel, and a top or ceiling panel that is sized to accommodate a wide variety of tent structure configurations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular tent structure comprising:
 a plurality of side panels comprising at least one rib formed into an approximate circle, and a flexible cover attached to said at least one rib to cover the inside of said approximate circle;   a plurality of connecting elements attached to each of said side panel ribs, where said plurality of connecting elements comprise at least one of strings, snaps, clasps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and buckles;   wherein said tent structure is assembled by interconnecting at least three of said plurality of side panels to each other using said plurality of connecting elements.   
     
     
         2 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising a top panel attachable to a top section of each of said plurality of side panels to form a roof for said modular tent structure. 
     
     
         3 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom panel attachable to a bottom section of each of said plurality of side panels to form a floor for said modular tent structure. 
     
     
         4 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material. 
     
     
         5 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material. 
     
     
         6 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material. 
     
     
         7 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one openable door within at least one of said plurality of side panels said flexible covers. 
     
     
         8 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one openable window within at least one of said plurality of side panels said flexible covers. 
     
     
         9 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said flexible covers further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The modular 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 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said flexible covers further comprises a plurality of stakes to anchor said collapsible tent structure to the ground. 
     
     
         12 . A modular tent structure comprising:
 a plurality of side panels comprising at least one flexible rib formed into an approximate circle, and a flexible covering attached to said at least one flexible rib to cover the inside of said approximate circle;   a plurality of connecting elements attached to each of said side panel flexible ribs, where said plurality of connecting elements comprise at least one of strings, snaps, clasps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and buckles;   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.   
     
     
         13 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material. 
     
     
         14 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material. 
     
     
         15 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a synthetic plastic polymer including at least one of a polyethylene material and a polyvinyl chloride material. 
     
     
         16 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , further comprising at least one openable door within at least one of said plurality of side panels said flexible covers. 
     
     
         17 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , further comprising at least one openable window within at least one of said plurality of side panels said flexible covers. 
     
     
         18 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said flexible covers further comprises at least one slit to allow for a release of internal air pressure. 
     
     
         19 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , further comprising a flexible shaped bag into which said folded collapsible tent structure may be placed once fully folded. 
     
     
         20 . The modular tent structure, as provided in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said flexible covers further comprises a plurality of stakes to anchor said collapsible tent structure to the ground.