Collapsible Tent Structures

Abstract

A collapsible tent structure formed from at least one flexible support pole, and a flexible cover with a plurality of elements for attaching the flexible cover to the support pole, such that the flexible cover and attaching elements are configured so that at least one extended section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface, is disclosed. In an embodiment with two flexible support poles, a first support pole forms a roof line of the collapsible tent structure, and a second support pole forms the floor perimeter of the collapsible tent structure. In different embodiments, the flexible cover may be manufactured from nylon ripstop, canvas, polyvinylchloride, and/or polyethylene material. The collapsible tent structure may also include one or more openable doors and/or windows incorporated into the flexible cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible tent structure comprising:
 at least one flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape;   a flexible cover connected to said at least one flexible support pole using a plurality of attachment elements, wherein said flexible cover and said plurality of attachment elements are configured so that at least one section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface; and   at least one restrainer element attached to said flexible cover proximate to a location where at least one of said plurality of attachment elements is attached to said flexible cover;   wherein for disassembly, said at least one flexible support pole is configurable to form at least one approximate circle shape;   wherein for disassembly, approximate opposite sides of each of said at least one flexible support pole are pulled towards each other to form an hour-glass shaped collapsed configuration;   wherein for disassembly, each of said at least one flexible support pole, in said collapsed configuration, is folded into at least two substantially circular sections to form a plurality of discs.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one sleeve formed in said flexible cover. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and clasps. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one securing element to secure said at least two substantially circular sections proximate to each other. 
     
     
         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 at least one of polyvinylchloride or polyethylene material. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one openable door within said flexible cover. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover. 
     
     
         10 . 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. 
     
     
         11 . A collapsible tent structure comprising:
 a first flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape;   a second flexible support pole formed into a substantially circular-shape;   a flexible cover connected to said first and second flexible support poles using a plurality of attachment elements, wherein said first flexible support pole forms in part a roof line for said collapsible tent structure, and wherein said second flexible support pole forms a floor perimeter for said collapsible tent structure;   wherein said flexible cover and said plurality of attachment means are configured so that at least one section of said at least one flexible support pole is shaped to be in contact with a substantially planar support surface.   
     
     
         12 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one sleeve formed in said flexible cover. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of attachment elements comprise at least one of strings, snaps, buttons, hook and loop elements, magnets, and clasps. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a nylon ripstop material. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from a canvas material. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible cover is formed from at least one of polyvinylchloride or polyethylene material. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one openable door within said flexible cover. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible tent structure, as provided in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one openable window within said flexible cover. 
     
     
         19 . 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. 
     
     
         20 . 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.