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  Offset pole tentRelated Patent Categories: Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, Or Cane, Portable Shelter (i.e., Tent Or Canopy), Framework, External-type FrameThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070079860. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to tents and more specifically to lightweight single-pole tents. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Backpackers constantly seek to reduce the weight of camping equipment. Tents in particular tend to be heavy because of the large amount of material required and the rigid poles used to give the tent shape. Many attempts have been made to reduce the weight of tents; however none have provided an adequate solution. [0003] The most common tent used today is the dome tent. Such tents comprise multiple poles arching over the entire tent. Such tents typically include sleeves which are sewn to the tent as well as a rain fly that is positioned over the tent itself. The domed structured of such tents is typically accomplished by stitching a large number of panels together to approximate a hemispherical shape. Each of the seams securing the panels increases the weight of the tent due to necessary seam sealer treatments in addition to the stitching and overlapped portions of fabric forming the seam. The multiple poles, rain fly, sleeves, and seams combine to greatly increase the weight of the tent. The multiplicity of components of the typical dome tent also increases its cost. [0004] Some backpackers may use a bivouac (bivy) sack that is little more than a slip-on cover for a sleeping bag. Bivy sacks have the disadvantage of positioning a waterproof barrier next to the sleeping bag, ensuring that water vapor condensing on the inner surface of the bivy sack will be transferred to the sleeping bag, even for bivy sacks formed of breathable materials. Bivy sacks also provide no room for gear and may be unpleasant for claustrophobic people. Bivy sacks may also pose a danger of hypoxia due to inadequate ventilation and air space around the head of the user. [0005] Another attempt at lightweight tent design includes single pole pyramid-style tents, which typically include an upper sheet of material supported at its center by an upwardly extending pole. Lines extending from the edge of the upper sheet are then staked down to hold up the pole and expand the space beneath the upper sheet. These tents have the principle disadvantage of positioning a pole at the center of the tent, severely hampering the use of space within the tent. The tent must be made substantially bigger than the actual enclosed volume needed in order to provide an unobstructed space for the occupant to sleep. [0006] In view of the foregoing it would be an advancement in the art to provide a tent that is lightweight, water resistant and yet provides a large uninterrupted space for occupancy. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] A tent, according to one embodiment of the invention, includes an upper panel supported by a pole. The upper end of the pole engages the upper panel at a point spaced apart from the perimeter thereof. The lower end of the pole is horizontally fixed at a point offset from the upper end and spaced apart horizontally from the upper panel. A first line secures the upper panel and extends to a tie down point beyond the perimeter of the upper panel. The lower end of the pole may be positioned between the first tie down point and the upper end of the pole. A second line secures to the upper panel and extends to a second tie down point beyond the perimeter of the upper panel. The upper and lower ends of the pole may be located between the first and second tie down points. In some embodiments, third and fourth lines secure to the upper panel and extend laterally on either side of the pole. [0008] The lower end of the pole may be horizontally fixed by a stake inserted within a support surface and coupling to the lower end of the stake. The stake may include an upward projection positioned within the pole and a downwardly extending projection laterally, which may be laterally offset from the upward projection. An eyelet may be formed in the stake such as by forming a coil in a stake embodied as a rod. [0009] As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a lightweight single-pole tent providing an unobstructed interior space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an offset single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of an offset single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a panels for forming a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of panels for forming a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of a sleeve for receiving the pole of a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 6A is a side view of a pole retention stake, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 6B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a pole retention stake, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tent 10 includes a top panel 12 having a first end 14 and second end 16, which corresponds to the head and foot of an occupant sleeping in the tent 10. The top panel 12 preferably forms substantially the entire upper surface of the tent 10. A pole 18 supports the top panel and has the upper end 20a thereof positioned well within the perimeter of the top panel 12. The lower end 20b of the pole 18 is secured to the ground, or other support surface, spaced apart horizontally from the upper end 20a. Alternatively, the lower end 20b is anchored to the tent or a line secured to the tent restricting horizontal movement of the lower end 20b. The pole 18 is formed of a variety of materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, aluminum, or the like. The pole 18 is formed in one or more segments. In the preferred embodiment, the pole 18 is formed of hollow carbon fiber sections secured to one another by fiberglass farrels. Continue reading... Full patent description for Offset pole tent Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Offset pole tent patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Offset pole tent or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Sunshade tent Next Patent Application: Bifacial elongated solar cell devices with internal reflectors Industry Class: Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Offset pole tent patent info. 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