EP4164455A1

EP4164455A1 - Tent frame

Info

Publication number: EP4164455A1
Application number: EP21730193.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Moritz Bürck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-06-16
Filing date: 2021-06-02
Publication date: 2023-04-19
Also published as: DE102020207443A1; DE102020207443B4; WO2021254775A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sun-protection- or play-tent-frame module (1), comprising two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) and three transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) extending transversely to the longitudinal struts (2a, 2b), wherein the transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) are fastened at one of their ends to one of the two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) and fastened at their other ends to the other of the two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b), in order to provide a sun-protection- or play-tent frame that is very easy to construct and dismantle, or a tent frame (10) for such a sun-protection- or play tent.

Description

description

TENT FRAME

The invention relates to a sun protection or play tent frame module system for children, the respective modules having longitudinal and transverse struts.

Especially in summer, children like to be outside in green areas or in gardens. It is important to have adequate sun protection, which protects the children from solar radiation when they are playing. Usually, children are given a lot of sun protection cream or a sun hat. Various sun protection tents are also offered. However, these are usually not set up and dismantled independently by children. Sun protection can also be desirable indoors, for example in the case of large, possibly wide-open window or door areas.

The task is thus to provide a tent that is child's play to erect and dismantle and which is suitable for sun protection and play, a "(sun protection or play) tent" or a tent frame for such a (sun protection or play) tent .

This is made possible with the (sun protection and / or play) tent frame of the independent claim and the corresponding (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. The invention thus relates to a modular tent frame system for a tent for children, which is suitable for sun protection and / or play. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

One aspect relates to a (sun protection and / or play) tent frame module with two or more longitudinal struts and three or more transverse struts running transversely to the longitudinal struts. Longitudinal and / or transverse struts are preferably straight and / or rigid and / or free of branches. The cross struts are each attached at one end to one of the two longitudinal struts and at their other end to the other of the two longitudinal struts. So there can be exactly two longitudinal struts and / or exactly three transverse struts. The longitudinal struts and / or cross struts can each be made in one piece. If such a module is set up as intended, the transverse struts accordingly run horizontally and the longitudinal struts run vertically.

With such (sun protection or play) tent frame modules, a (sun protection and / or Set up play tent. The corresponding cloths are pulled or placed over the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules and attached to the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules with appropriate clamps, preferably the said clothespins. Longitudinal struts and / or transverse struts can accordingly preferably be designed without additional fastening elements suitable for fastening cloths or other wall elements such as hooks, eyes, snap fasteners, pins or the like and therefore in particular have a consistently smooth surface. This makes assembly and dismantling easier and the risk of injury is reduced. The third (middle) cross strut facilitates handling during assembly and also offers children an opportunity to hold onto when assembled. In addition, an interior space of the sun protection tent is effectively delimited by the third cross strut, since a cloth hanging down at the side can also be attached to it. In this way, it can also be prevented or at least made more difficult that a child leaves the (sun protection or play) tent unnoticed by a caregiver, namely not by an input generated in cooperation with the longitudinal struts of adjacent (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. and exit of the (sun protection or play) tent but through the respective tent frame modules themselves. As an alternative to a third central cross strut, one or better two diagonal cross struts can be provided, which cross (x-shaped) between the two outer cross struts and longitudinal struts are arranged. This makes the tent frame modules particularly stable. The handling of towels and clamps, especially clothespins and sheets, is known and harmless for children, so that they can set up, convert and dismantle the (sun protection or play) tent independently. When used as intended, the longitudinal struts primarily ensure the stable arrangement of the cross struts, the cross struts primarily as a means of fastening the cloths.

Accordingly, it is provided in an advantageous embodiment that the tent and / or tent frame and / or tent frame modules are suitable for children within the meaning of the relevant regulations. "Suitable for children" can mean that the European standard EN 71 is fulfilled in the form applicable at the time of manufacture or placing on the market, for example EN 71 as laid down in Directive 2009/48 / EC of the European Union from June 1st 2009 corresponds.

In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the longitudinal struts run at least essentially parallel to one another, that is to say run parallel to one another or run parallel to one another apart from a predetermined deviation. The specified deviation can be, for example, 1 °, 2 °, 5 ° or 10 °. As an alternative or in addition, the cross struts can run at least substantially parallel to one another. Longitudinal or transverse struts running parallel to one another give the advantage of the particularly easy-to-understand static properties of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules and thus of the (sun protection or play) tent. The cross struts can run at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal struts.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that two of the transverse struts are attached to the longitudinal struts in respective end regions of the corresponding longitudinal struts. The end region extends from an associated end of the respective longitudinal strut at most over 12% of a length of the respective longitudinal strut, in particular at most over 6%, particularly preferably at most over 4% of the length. This results in particularly good stability and easy handling of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that one of the transverse struts is attached to the longitudinal struts in a respective central area of the longitudinal struts different from the end areas. Starting from a center of the associated longitudinal strut, the respective central area comprises a symmetrical area of +/- 20% of the length of the longitudinal strut, in particular +/- 12%, particularly preferably +/- 4% of the length. This also optimizes the stability and handling. In the middle area, the cross strut can be arranged in the middle, that is to say subdivide the longitudinal struts into two sections of the same size or at least sections of the same size apart from a predetermined deviation. This has the advantage that the (sun protection or play) tent frame module is symmetrical (or at least acts) and thus setting up the sun protection tent frame module with the longitudinal struts against or along a vertical direction has no effect on the shape of the sun protection set up - Has a tent frame, so the construction is even easier.

In the middle area, the cross strut can be arranged asymmetrically, that is, subdivide the longitudinal struts into two sections of unequal size. In particular, the cross strut can subdivide the longitudinal struts according to the golden section, i.e. approximately in the ratio 38:62. This has the advantage that setting up the (sun protection or play) tent frame module with the longitudinal struts opposite to or along a vertical direction has an effect on the shape of the built (sun protection and / or play) tent frame, namely the cross strut depending on the situation according to which is arranged higher or less high than in the respective other installation. This means that the shape of the (sun protection or play) tent frame that has been set up can be adapted to children of different sizes, for example.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that the longitudinal struts have a rectangular cross section, in particular a square cross section, in particular with rounded corners. As an alternative or in addition, the cross struts have a round cross section. This has the advantage that the struts can also be easily distinguished haptically and thus offer additional orientation, especially for children when setting up. The round cross-section is particularly suitable for clamping towels to the struts, for example sheets using clothespins. The combination of round cross struts with rectangular longitudinal struts is therefore advantageous.

In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that a thickness of the longitudinal struts is greater than a thickness of the transverse struts. In the case of round cross struts, the thickness of the cross struts is a diameter of the cross struts. This also improves the haptic differentiation and promotes the stability of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that the thickness of the cross struts is less than / equal to 22 mm, preferably less than / equal to 20 and particularly preferably less than / equal to 18 mm. As an alternative or in addition, the thickness of the cross struts is greater than / equal to 12 mm, preferably greater than / equal to 14 mm. The thicknesses of the cross struts can thus be in the ranges of 12mm-22mm, 12mm-20mm, 12mm-18mm, 14mm-22mm, 14mm-20mm or 14mm-18mm. The cross struts preferably have the same thickness and / or the same cross section. A particularly advantageous value for the thickness of the cross struts is 16mm. The thickness of the longitudinal struts is preferably less than / equal to 24 mm, particularly preferably less than / equal to 22 mm. Alternatively or in addition, the thickness of the longitudinal struts is greater than / equal to 16mm, preferably greater than / equal to 18mm. The thicknesses of the longitudinal struts can thus be in the range of 16mm-24mm, 16mm-22mm, 18mm-24mm or 18mm-22mm. The longitudinal struts preferably have the same thickness and / or the same cross section. A particularly advantageous value for the thickness of the longitudinal struts is 20mm. The stated value ranges or particularly advantageous values have the advantage that they

B. on the one hand, allow the simple and reliable use of commercially available clothespins for attaching towels to the cross struts, on the other hand, achieve sufficient stability, in particular torsional rigidity. This applies in particular to longitudinal and transverse struts made of wood, as is provided in a particularly advantageous embodiment. Equal thicknesses and / or cross-sections for cross or longitudinal struts make it easier for children to find their way around and thus use the tent frame modules.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is provided that the longitudinal struts each have a protruding area in the end areas, which extends from the respective end of the corresponding longitudinal strut assigned to the end area over at least 1% of the length of the respective longitudinal strut, in particular at least 1.5%, preferably at least over 2%. No cross strut is arranged on the longitudinal strut in the protruding area. Alternatively or in addition, the protruding area can extend over at least 0.5 cm, preferably over at least 1 cm, particularly preferably over at least 1.5 cm and / or at most Bern, preferably at most 2.5 cm, particularly preferably at most 2 cm. The extension of the protruding area is therefore in particular in the areas 0.5cm-3cm, 0.5cm-2.5cm, 0.5cm-2cm, 1cm-3cm, 1cm-2.5cm, 1cm-2cm, 1.5cm-3cm, 1.5cm-2.5cm or 1.5cm-2cm. This has the advantage that, on the one hand, a stable position of the longitudinal strut is achieved if it is set up vertically on a floor and, on the other hand, in this case the bottom cross brace does not run directly along the floor, so that clamps can be used without affecting a corresponding cloth to attach the bottom cross brace.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that at least one of the longitudinal struts, preferably both longitudinal struts, each have a hole, in particular exactly one hole, in their end regions for a coupling device for coupling the (sun protection or play) tent frame module by means of a coupling device to another (sun protection or play) tent frame module. The hole is preferably a continuous hole and not a blind hole. The further (sun protection or play) tent frame module is in particular structurally identical (or at least with the same features with regard to the claimed features) to the one (sun protection or play) tent frame module. The hole runs in particular transversely to or in a main extension plane of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module. The hole is preferably designed to accommodate a loop-shaped and / or flexible coupling device for coupling the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. Such a coupling device can be or comprise, for example, a leather loop or a leather ring or a cord or leash tied to form a loop or ring. This enables several (sun protection or play) tent frame modules to be coupled easily and with a low risk of injury. In this respect, a hinge is disadvantageous because of its rigidity and risk of injury. This allows rigid tent frame modules to be folded against each other and, for example, brought from an L- or U-shaped protection and play arrangement to a stowage arrangement in which the tent frame modules are arranged parallel to one another and can thus be stowed with little space requirement. The end regions, which specify the position of the hole, can be preset with the same features mentioned above as these, independently of the end regions in which the transverse struts are attached to the longitudinal struts. In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the length of the longitudinal struts and thus, when the (sun protection or play) tent frame module is used as intended, a height of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm. The height can therefore be in the ranges 80cm-125cm, 80cm-115cm, 80cm-105cm, 90cm-125cm, 90cm-115cm, 90cm-105cm, 95cm-125cm, 95cm-115cm or 95cm-105cm. Alternatively or in addition, a width of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module resulting from the length of the cross struts is at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm. The width can therefore be in the ranges 80cm-125cm, 80cm-115cm, 80cm-105cm, 90cm-125cm, 90cm-115cm, 90cm-105cm, 95cm-125cm, 95cm-115cm or 95cm-105cm. In particular, the height and width are not identical, which in turn facilitates orientation on the module and handling, especially for children. The values mentioned have proven to be particularly favorable for the handling of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules by children. You can refer to the height or width of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module and the length of the longitudinal or cross struts, which can lead to slight deviations depending on the technology used to attach the cross struts to the longitudinal struts. A length of the longitudinal struts or a height of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module of no more than 94 cm, in particular 94 cm, and / or a length of the cross struts or a width of the (sun protection or play) tent frame is particularly advantageous -Module of not more than 94cm, especially 94cm. This means that the (sun protection or play) tent frame module fits into standard luggage compartments and is therefore even easier to handle and more flexible in use. It is advantageous if the lengths of the longitudinal struts are equal to one another and the lengths of the transverse struts are equal to one another.

One aspect also relates to a (sun protection and / or play) tent frame with at least two, preferably two or three or four (sun protection or play) tent frame modules according to one of the described embodiments, each of which is provided with a coupling device, which in particular is flexible and / or loop-shaped, can be folded against one another and are attached to at least one other of the (sun protection or play) tent frame modules. Flexible can be understood here as "not rigid", whereby, for example, an ordinary metal hinge would be a rigid coupling device. The (sun protection or play) tent frame can thus consist of exactly two or exactly three or exactly four (sun protection or play) tent frame The (sun protection or play) tent frame modules can thus form a two, three or more-link (sun protection or play) tent frame module chain, which is then the (sun protection or play) tent frame The other (sun protection or play) tent frame modules are, as described above, in particular structurally identical (or at least with the same features with regard to the claimed features) to one another. The (sun protection or play) tent frame modules can also have the same features only in parts, for example have at least essentially the same height and / or at least essentially the same width, the heights and / or widths of the different modules le of a tent frame can therefore be the same or at least be the same apart from a predetermined deviation of, for example, 2%, 5% or 10%. With easy handling with appropriate cloths and clamps, this can be used to quickly create effective (sun protection or play) tents with L-shaped (from exactly two or exactly three tent frame modules, two adjacent tent frame modules are perpendicular to each other and thus form the two legs of the "L") and U-shaped (from exactly three tent frame modules, adjacent tent frame modules are each perpendicular to each other and thus each form the two legs as well as the bottom of the "U") Build floor plan. Several (sun protection or play) tent frames can also be freely combined with one another, so that a large number of different shapes is possible for the (sun protection and / or play) tents. A (sun protection or play) tent frame can therefore also be used variably for many different occasions.

Another aspect also relates to a (sun protection or play) tent with such a (sun protection or play) tent frame and one or more cloths or other wall elements, for example sheets, and a large number of clamps or clamping elements, for example clothespins.

The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, also in the introductory part, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the specified combination, but also in other combinations, without departing from the scope of the invention. There are thus also embodiments of the invention to be considered as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but emerge and can be generated from the explained embodiments by means of separate combinations of features. Designs and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed, which therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim. In addition, designs and combinations of features, in particular through the statements set out above, are to be regarded as disclosed which go beyond the combinations of features set forth in the back-references of the claims or differ from them.

The subject according to the invention is to be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, without wishing to restrict it to the specific embodiments shown here.

Show:

Fig.l an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection or play) tent frame module;

2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection or play) tent frame.

Identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection and / or play) tent frame module. The (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 has two longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, which extend in the y-direction, and three transverse struts 3a, 3b, 3c, which extend in the x-direction. Correspondingly, the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b run parallel or essentially parallel to one another and the transverse struts 3a, 3b, 3c, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, also run parallel or essentially parallel to each other. The longitudinal struts 2a, 2b in the present case have a rectangular cross section, the transverse struts 3a, 3b, 3c have a round cross section.

The two transverse struts 3a, 3c are fastened with their ends in corresponding end regions 2 'to one of the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, for example let into a bore. The middle cross strut 3b is attached with its ends in corresponding central areas 2 "of the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b, for example also let into a bore 3a, 3b, 3c is arranged on the longitudinal strut 2a, 2b.

In the present case, the longitudinal strut 2a has a hole 4 in each of its end regions 2 'in order to connect a coupling device 5 (FIG. 2) for coupling the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 by means of the coupling device 5 to another (sun protection or Play) tent frame module 1. In the example shown, the hole 4 runs transversely to a main plane of extent of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 spanned by the x and y directions.

In the embodiment shown, the height H of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1, i.e. the extent of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 in the y-direction, is predetermined by the length of the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b . The width B of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1, i.e. the extension of the (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1 in the x direction, is determined in this example by the length of the cross struts 3a, 3b, 3c and the type of attachment of the cross struts 3a, 3b, 3c to the longitudinal struts 2a, 2b is given, since, for example, the depth of the hole in which the cross struts 3a, 3b, 3c are embedded, the width B of the (sun protection or play) Tent frame module 1 influenced.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a (sun protection or play) tent frame in an exemplary setup in a top view. The (sun protection or play) tent frame 10 has three (sun protection or play) tent frame modules 1, which are flexibly attached to one another via respective coupling devices 5. The coupling devices 5 are in the present case designed to be loop-shaped and flexible. The coupling devices 5 are passed through holes 4 at the respective end regions 2 'of the longitudinal struts 2a and 2b and thus allow the three (sun protection or play) tent frame modules 1 to be folded against each other about respective folding axes perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

Correspondingly, two next adjacent (sun protection or play) tent frame modules 1 are each coupled to one another by two coupling devices 5, of which only one (closer to the viewer) is shown in the present case. The loop or ring-shaped coupling devices 5 thus enable space-saving storage and many different floor plans. In the present case, an L-shaped floor plan is shown, which can be converted into a U-shaped floor plan by rearranging the lower (sun protection or play) tent frame module 1. The (sun protection or play) tent frame 10 is thus formed in the present case by a (sun protection or play) tent frame module chain with three chain links.

Claims

1. Tent frame (10), in particular for a sun protection or play tent, with at least two tent frame modules (1) each with

- two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b); and

- Three transverse struts (3a, 3b, 3c) running transversely to the longitudinal struts (2a, 2b); wherein the cross struts (3a, 3b, 3c) are each attached at one end to one of the two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) and at their other end to the other of the two longitudinal struts (2a, 2b), the tent frame modules ( 1) are each fastened to one another so as to be foldable against one another by a coupling device (5).

2. tent frame (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) run at least substantially parallel to one another and / or the respective cross struts (3a, 3b, 3c) run at least substantially parallel to one another.

3. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), two of the respective cross struts (3a, 3c) in respective end regions (2 ') of the respective respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) are attached to the longitudinal struts (2a, 2b), the end region (2') extending from an associated end of the respective longitudinal strut over at most 12% of a length of the respective longitudinal strut (2a , 2b) extends, in particular at most over 6%, particularly preferably at most over 4% of the length; and / or one of the respective transverse struts (3b) is attached to the longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) in a respective central region (2 ") of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b), the respective central region (2") starting from a center of the associated longitudinal strut (2a, 2b) comprises a symmetrical area of +/- 20% of the length of the longitudinal strut (2a, 2b), in particular +/- 12%, particularly preferably +/- 4% of the length.

4. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) have a rectangular cross-section, in particular have a square cross-section, in particular with rounded corners, and / or the respective cross struts (3a, 3b, 3c) have a round cross-section.

5. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), a thickness of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) is greater as a thickness of the respective cross struts (3a, 3b, 3c).

6. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the thickness of the respective cross struts (3a, 3b, 3c) is less than / equal to 22mm, preferably less than / equal to 20 and particularly preferably less than / equal to 18mm, and / or greater than / equal to 12mm, preferably greater than / equal to 14mm.

7. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) in the end regions ( 2 ') each have a protruding area (2 "') in which no cross strut is arranged on the longitudinal strut (2a, 2b), the protruding area (2" ') extending from the respective end of the corresponding end area (2') assigned to the longitudinal strut (2a, 2b) Longitudinal strut (2a, 2b) extends at least over 1% of the length of the respective longitudinal strut (2a, 2b), in particular at least over 1.5%, preferably at least over 2%.

8. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1), at least one of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) in their End areas (2 ') each have a hole (4) for the coupling device (5) for coupling the respective tent frame module (1) by means of the coupling device (5), in particular by means of a loop-shaped coupling device (5), to a further tent frame module (1), the hole (4) running in particular transversely to or in a main plane of extent of the tent frame module (1).

9. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more of the tent frame modules (1), in particular in all tent frame modules (1)

the length of the respective longitudinal struts (2a, 2b) is at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm; and / or - the length of the respective cross struts (3a, 3b, 3c) is at least 80 cm, in particular at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm and at most 125 cm, in particular at most 115 cm, preferably at most 105 cm.

10. tent frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device is flexible and / or loop-shaped

11. tent frame (10) with exactly two or exactly three or exactly four tent frame modules (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which are each fastened to one another foldable by the coupling device (5).

12. tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is a sun protection tent frame (10) with sun protection tent frame modules (1) and / or a play tent frame (10) with play tent frame modules (1).

IS. Tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is suitable for children and thus in particular complies with Directive 2009/48 / EC of the European Union of June 30, 2009.

14. tent frame module (1) for a tent frame (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Tent with one or more tent frames (10) of claims 1 to 13 and one or more cloths, such as sheets, and a variety of clamps for attaching the cloths to the tent frame modules (10), such as clothespins.