Hard shell rooftop tent with utility rails

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11608654-B2
Application number	US-202217824068-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 25, 2022
Priority date	Sep 2, 2015
Publication date	Mar 21, 2023
Grant date	Mar 21, 2023

Abstract

A tent system includes a base system, a canopy, and one or more interconnecting members. The base system includes a first base member configured to mount to a vehicle, a second base member, and a hinge pivotally attaching the first base member to the second base member. The canopy includes a flexible membrane having a membrane edge and a canopy fastener coupled to at least a portion of the membrane edge and configured to mate with an interconnecting member fastener. The one or more interconnecting members include an interconnecting member body defining a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, an attachment member, and the interconnecting member fastener attached to the interconnecting member body along the second longitudinal edge and configured to mate with a plurality of different canopy fasteners.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tent system, comprising:
a first shell member configured to mount to a vehicle;
a second shell member coupled to the first shell member, wherein the second shell member is configured to close into a parallel plane over the first shell member when in a collapsed position;
a canopy comprising:
a flexible membrane having a membrane edge,
a canopy fastener coupled to at least a portion of the membrane edge and configured to mate with a shell fastener, and
a flap configured to overlap the canopy fastener to provide weather protection;

a shell interconnector configured to couple at least a portion of the first shell member, the second shell member, or both to the canopy, the shell interconnector comprising:
a shell membrane having a shell membrane edge, and
the shell fastener, wherein the shell fastener is coupled to at least a portion of the shell membrane edge and configured to mate with the canopy fastener; and

a lift mechanism coupling the second shell member to the first shell member, the lift mechanism configured to extend the second shell member vertically over the first shell member in a deployed position,
wherein the lift mechanism comprises a multi-bar linkage.

2. The tent system of claim 1 , wherein, in the deployed position, the second shell member is disposed in a non-parallel plane over the first shell member.

3. A tent system, comprising:
a first shell member configured to mount to a vehicle;
a second shell member coupled to the first shell member, wherein the second shell member is configured to close into a parallel plane over the first shell member when in a collapsed position;
a canopy comprising:
a flexible membrane having a membrane edge,
a canopy fastener coupled to at least a portion of the membrane edge and configured to mate with a shell fastener, and
a flap configured to overlap the canopy fastener to provide weather protection;

a shell interconnector configured to couple at least a portion of the first shell member, the second shell member, or both to the canopy, the shell interconnector comprising:
a shell membrane having a shell membrane edge, and
the shell fastener, wherein the shell fastener is coupled to at least a portion of the shell membrane edge and configured to mate with the canopy fastener; and

a lift mechanism coupling the second shell member to the first shell member, the lift mechanism configured to extend the second shell member vertically over the first shell member in a deployed position,
wherein, in the deployed position, the second shell member is disposed in a parallel plane over the first shell member.

Assignees

• Thule Sweden Ab

Inventors

• Currid Evan Michael

Classifications

• B60P3/343

  Hoods for caravans · CPC title

• B60R9/058

  characterised by releasable attaching means between carrier and roof · CPC title

• B60R9/10

  for cycles · CPC title

• E04H15/008

  Tents or tent-like constructions composed partially of rigid panels (E04H15/06 takes precedence; trailer-type vehicles or caravans with foldable or readily disassembled living accommodation comprising flexible elements B60P3/341) · CPC title

• E04H15/06 Primary

  Tents at least partially supported by vehicles · CPC title