Zipped Flap Opening System

Abstract

A zipped flap opening system comprising a textile flap having a first side and a second side, the first side and second side meeting to form a corner; a zipper including a pair of toothed sides, each toothed side positioned to the sides of a slit, one of the sides of the slit being the first side; an enclosed channel that extends substantially parallel to the second side, the enclosed channel having an open end; and a cord having a secured end and a running end. The cord is partly received within the enclosed channel by way of the open end. The secured end of the cord is received within the enclosed channel and securely retained to the flap at a position proximate the corner. The running end of the cord is free of the channel, such that the running end is accessible from an interior side of the flap.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent comprising:
 a textile flap having a first side and a second side, the first side and second side meeting to form a corner;   a zipper including a pair of toothed sides, each toothed side positioned to the sides of a slit, one of the sides of the slit being the first side;   an enclosed channel that extends substantially parallel to the second side, the enclosed channel having an open end; and   a cord having a secured end and a running end, the cord partly received within the enclosed channel by way of the open end,   
       where the secured end of the cord is received within the enclosed channel and securely retained to the flap at a position proximate the corner, the running end of the cord being free of the enclosed channel, such that the running end is accessible from an interior side of the flap. 
     
     
         2 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the cord is made from material of limited elasticity. 
     
     
         3 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 2 , where the cord is inelastic. 
     
     
         4 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the secured end of the cord is looped back on the rope and secured in place by stitching that transverses both the secured end of the cord and the section of the cord that the secured end loops back on. 
     
     
         5 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the cord incorporates means for preventing the running end from being drawn into the channel. 
     
     
         6 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 5 , where the means for preventing the running end from being drawn into the channel is a knot in the cord. 
     
     
         7 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the cord passes through a cord lock located in the open end. 
     
     
         8 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 7 , where the cord lock is a bracket having a pair of axially aligned apertures, the cord operable to pass through a first axially aligned aperture in a first direction and pass through the second axially aligned aperture in a second, opposite, direction. 
     
     
         9 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 7 , where the cord lock comprises:
 a body having a pair of transverse apertures extending therethrough; and   an adjustor having a transverse aperture extending therethrough, the adjustor adapted to be received within the body; and   biasing means for biasing the position of the adjustor relative to the body   
       where, the transverse apertures are adapted to receive the cord therethrough and the biasing means naturally biases the adjustor to a position where the transverse apertures are out of alignment, but as the bias of the biasing means is overcome, the adjustor is moved towards a position where the transverse apertures are aligned. 
     
     
         10 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the tent material is folded over to form the enclosed channel. 
     
     
         11 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the enclosed channel extends the whole length of the second side. 
     
     
         12 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the zipper has a pair of running stops at one end and a cord stop at the other, such that, when the zipper is closed, the running stops are proximate the corner, the cord stop being covered by a textile wrap. 
     
     
         13 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 12 , where the distance between the cord stop and the corner is less than the distance between the cord stop and the open end. 
     
     
         14 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the flap forms part of a framed structure, the framed structure including an anchoring point for the running end of the cord. 
     
     
         15 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the flap forms part of a framed structure, the open end being located proximate a portion of the frame. 
     
     
         16 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 15 , where the portion of the frame incorporates a pulley wheel, the cord extending out from the open end being wound about the pulley wheel before terminating at the running end. 
     
     
         17 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the textile is a low-friction material having a weight of 100 gsm or less. 
     
     
         18 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the first side meets the second side at an angle of 90°. 
     
     
         19 . A zipped flap opening system for a tent according to  claim 1 , where the zipped flap opening system forms part of a tent or a cover for a tent.