DOUBLE-WALLED SHELTER

Abstract

A double walled shelter comprises a shelter support frame comprising a plurality of frame poles. The plurality of frame poles is configured for being arranged and interconnected in a predetermined manner forming the fabric wall support frame for the shelter. The shelter further comprises a first or outer fabric shelter covering configured for being removably coupled to and supportable by the fabric wall support frame forming an external fabric wall of the double walled shelter. A second or inner fabric shelter covering is configured for forming an internal wall of the double walled shelter and is permanently coupled to the first fabric shelter covering in a spaced apart relationship once the structure is erected.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A double walled shelter comprising: a fabric wall support frame comprising a plurality of frame poles, said plurality of frame poles configured for being arranged and interconnecting in a predetermined manner forming said fabric wall support frame for said shelter; a first fabric shelter covering, wherein said first fabric shelter covering is configured for being coupled to and supportable by said fabric wall support frame forming an external fabric wall of said double walled shelter; and a second fabric shelter covering, wherein said second fabric shelter covering is configured for forming an internal wall of said double walled shelter, said second fabric shelter covering permanently coupled to said first fabric shelter covering, and wherein said first fabric shelter covering is configured to support said second fabric shelter covering and forming said double walled shelter when said first fabric shelter covering is coupled to and supported by said fabric wall support frame.

3. The double walled shelter according to claim 2, wherein said first fabric shelter covering includes a plurality of straps configured for coupling said first fabric shelter covering to said fabric wall support frame.

4. The double walled shelter according to claim 2, wherein said second fabric shelter covering includes a plurality of attachment elements permanently coupling said second fabric shelter covering to said first fabric shelter covering.

5. The double walled shelter according to claim 4, wherein said attachment elements include non-stretch coated webbing strips.

6. The double walled shelter according to claim 2, wherein said first fabric shelter covering includes a silicone treated fabric covering.

7. The double walled shelter according to claim 6, wherein said second fabric shelter covering includes a silicone treated fabric covering.

8. A double walled shelter comprising: a fabric wall support frame comprising a plurality of frame poles, said plurality of frame poles configured for being arranged and interconnecting in a predetermined manner forming said fabric wall support frame for said shelter; a first fabric shelter covering, wherein said first fabric shelter covering is configured for being coupled to and supportable by said fabric wall support frame forming an external fabric wall of said double walled shelter; and a second fabric shelter covering, wherein said second fabric shelter covering is configured for forming an internal wall of said double walled shelter, said second fabric shelter covering permanently coupled to said first fabric shelter covering, and wherein said first fabric shelter covering is configured to support said second fabric shelter covering and forming said double walled shelter when said first fabric shelter covering is coupled to and supported by said fabric wall support frame; a plurality of straps configured for coupling said first fabric shelter covering to said fabric wall support frame; and a plurality of attachment elements permanently coupling said second fabric shelter covering to said first fabric shelter covering.

9. The double walled shelter according to claim 8, wherein said attachment elements include non-stretch coated webbing strips.

10. The double walled shelter according to claim 9, wherein said first fabric shelter covering includes a silicone treated fabric covering.

11. The double walled shelter according to claim 10, wherein said second fabric shelter covering includes a silicone treated fabric covering.

12. A double walled shelter comprising: a fabric wall support frame comprising a plurality of frame poles, said plurality of frame poles configured for being arranged and interconnecting in a predetermined manner forming said fabric wall support frame for said shelter; a first fabric shelter covering, wherein said first fabric shelter covering is configured for being coupled to and supportable by said fabric wall support frame forming an external fabric wall of said double walled shelter, wherein said first fabric shelter covering includes a silicone treated fabric covering; and a second fabric shelter covering, wherein said second fabric shelter covering is configured for forming an internal wall of said double walled shelter, said second fabric shelter covering permanently coupled to said first fabric shelter covering, and wherein said first fabric shelter covering is configured to support said second fabric shelter covering and forming said double walled shelter when said first fabric shelter covering is coupled to and supported by said fabric wall support frame, wherein said second fabric shelter covering includes a silicone treated fabric covering; a plurality of straps configured for coupling said first fabric shelter covering to said fabric wall support frame; and a plurality of attachment elements permanently coupling said second fabric shelter covering to said first fabric shelter covering, wherein said attachment elements include non-stretch coated webbing strips.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a double-walled mountaineering shelter wherein the inner and outer shells are permanently connected with a series of non-stretch coated webbing strips; and

[0014] FIG. 1B illustrates an enlarged view of a section of the double-walled mountaineering shelter of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention features a unique, double-walled mountaineering or other use shelter or tent 88, FIG. 1A. Given that double-walled mountaineering shelters are almost never erected without the outer layer, the present invention provides a series of non-stretch coated webbing strips 90 (FIG. 1B) which permanently connect the inner and outer shells.

[0016] Thus, in order to erect the mountaineering shelter according to the present invention, the user only needs to connect one set of clips, straps or the like 90, 92, 93 to the exterior poles or frame 100 providing faster set up a time and also providing significant weight savings. Additionally, the inner and outer shells may be constructed of a double-sided silicone coated fabric to provide additional weight saving and tear strength.

[0017] An embodiment of the double-walled mountaineering shelter 88 (hereinafter also referred to as shelter 88) is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the shelter 88 comprises a fabric wall support frame 100 comprising a plurality of frame poles 100. The plurality of frame poles forming the frame 100 are configured for being arranged and interconnected in a predetermined manner, forming the fabric wall support frame 100 for the shelter 88. In one embodiment, the connection of the plurality of frame poles forming the frame 100 may be facilitated via snap or push fitment elements provided thereon as is well known in the art. In addition or alternatively, the frame poles may be connected together by a stretch cord also well-known in the art.

[0018] The shelter 88 comprises a first or outer fabric shelter covering 102, wherein the first fabric shelter covering 102 is configured for being coupled to and supportable by the fabric wall support frame 100 forming an external fabric wall of the double walled shelter 88.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first fabric shelter covering 102 may include a silicone treated fabric covering. The silicone treated fabric covering may facilitate provision of a water resistant feature to the first fabric shelter covering 102.

[0020] The shelter 88 according to the present invention further comprises a second or inner fabric shelter covering 104, wherein the second fabric shelter covering 104 is configured for forming an internal wall of the double walled shelter 88. The second fabric shelter covering 104 is permanently coupled to the first fabric shelter covering as will be explained below.

[0021] One feature of the present invention is that the first fabric shelter covering 102 is configured to support the second fabric shelter covering 104 thus forming the double walled shelter 88 when the first fabric shelter covering 102 is coupled to and supported by the fabric wall support frame 100. In one embodiment, the second fabric shelter covering 104 may include a silicone treated fabric covering. The silicone treated fabric covering may facilitate provision of a water resistant feature to the second fabric shelter covering 104.

[0022] More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the shelter 88 comprises a plurality of non-stretch coated web strips or straps 97, 98 configured for permanently coupling the first fabric shelter covering 102 to the second fabric shelter covering 104.

[0023] The shelter 88 further comprises a plurality of attachment elements 90, 92, 93 comprising straps or clips or the like, for removably coupling the first fabric shelter covering 102 to the frame 100. Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy to erect double-walled tent structure which is erected by attaching only one set of attachment straps (coupled to the first or outer tent fabric) to a frame but which thus automatically provides a dual walled structure since the second or inner wall of the tent is permanently attached in a spaced apart relationship to the first or outer tent wall structure thereby providing all the advantages of a dual wall tent structure with the ease of erecting a single wall structure.

[0024] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents.