IP Library Granted Patent US 10,745,932
Granted Patent B1
US 10,745,932 · App. 16/231,228 · Granted Aug 18, 2020

Inflatable rooftop tent system for vehicles

Inventor: Evan Michael Currid (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: Thule, Inc.
E04H15/20B60P3/341E04H15/06E04H15/324E04H15/56E04H15/64E04H2015/201E04H2015/206E04H2015/208
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,745,932
App. No.
16/231,228
Granted
Aug 18, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

A tent system includes a base configured to mount to a roof of a vehicle and an inflatable tent frame coupled to the base. The base includes a platform with a perimeter edge, an air delivery mechanism integrated into the base, and a support configured to support an edge of the base extending beyond the vehicle. The inflatable tent frame is configured to support a tent canopy. The tent canopy is configured to form an interior cavity with the base. The tent canopy includes a flexible membrane configured to attach to the perimeter edge of the platform.

Claims (41)

1. A tent system, comprising:

a base configured to mount to a roof of a vehicle, the base comprising:

a platform with a perimeter edge;

an air delivery mechanism integrated into the base, the air delivery mechanism having a manifold attached to a hinge coupled to the air delivery mechanism; and

a support configured to support an edge of the base extending beyond the vehicle; and

an inflatable tent frame coupled to the base and configured to support a tent canopy,

wherein the tent canopy is configured to form an interior cavity with the base and the tent canopy comprises a flexible membrane configured to attach to the perimeter edge of the platform.

2. The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the air delivery mechanism is configured to be coupled to a perforation in the platform.

3. The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the air delivery mechanism comprises an integrated air pump.

4. The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the edge of the base extends beyond a side of the vehicle.

5. The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the edge of the base extends beyond a rear of the vehicle.

6. A tent system, comprising:

a base configured to mount to a roof of a vehicle, the base comprising:

a platform with a perimeter edge; and

a hinge, wherein the hinge is coupled to an air delivery mechanism and is configured to allow the platform to fold from a closed position to an open position;

an inflatable tent frame coupled to the base; and

a tent canopy comprising a flexible membrane coupled to the perimeter edge of the platform,

wherein the inflatable tent frame is configured to support the tent canopy when the inflatable tent frame is inflated.

7. The tent system of claim 6 , wherein a fill valve of the air delivery mechanism couples to the hinge.

8. The tent system of claim 6 , wherein a manifold of the air delivery mechanism is attached to the hinge.

9. The tent system of claim 6 , wherein the hinge pivotably attaches a first base member and a second base member of the platform such that the first and second base members are substantially flat relative to one another in the open position.

10. The tent system of claim 6 , wherein the inflatable tent frame is coupled to the hinge.

11. A tent system, comprising:

a base configured to mount to a roof of a vehicle, the base comprising:

a platform with a perimeter edge;

an inflatable drop stitch panel, wherein the inflatable drop stitch panel is coupled to the platform and configured to form a floor surface of the base; and

an air delivery mechanism coupled to the inflatable drop stitch panel and configured to deliver pressurized air to the inflatable drop stitch panel;

an inflatable tent frame coupled to the base and comprising an inflatable tube; and

a tent canopy comprising a flexible membrane coupled to the base,

wherein the inflatable tube is configured to support the tent canopy when the inflatable tube is inflated, and

wherein a portion of the inflatable tube is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the inflatable drop stitch panel.

12. The tent system of claim 11 , wherein the inflatable drop stitch panel comprises a plurality of rings configured to attach to a fastener of the tent system to secure the inflatable drop stitch panel to the base.

13. The tent system of claim 11 , wherein the air delivery mechanism is coupled to a bottom surface of the inflatable drop stitch panel.

14. The tent system of claim 11 , wherein the floor surface of the base is at least at a height of the perimeter edge of the platform.

15. The tent system of claim 11 , wherein the inflatable drop stitch panel is disposed within the perimeter edge of the platform.

16. The tent system of claim 11 , wherein a portion of the inflatable tent frame is disposed substantially parallel to the inflatable drop stitch panel.

17. The tent system of claim 11 , wherein the base further comprises a support coupled to the inflatable drop stitch panel and configured to extend beyond the vehicle.

18. The tent system of claim 17 , wherein the support is a ladder.

19. The tent system of claim 11 , wherein the inflatable tube comprises a first arch and a second arch opposite the first arch.

20. The tent system of claim 19 , wherein the tent canopy comprises a rainfly coupled to the first and second arches.

21. The tent system of claim 19 , wherein the first and second arches each have an arch diameter of at least three feet.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2021
From: THULE INC.
To: THULE SWEDEN AB
Reel/Frame 058449/0057 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 7, 2019
From: TEPUI OUTDOORS, INC.
To: THULE, INC.
Reel/Frame 048530/0201 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2019
From: CURRID, EVAN MICHAEL
To: TEPUI OUTDOORS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048193/0566 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15693215 · Aug 31, 2017
Provisional Application 62382661 · Sep 1, 2016
Cited By (1)
US 12,553,253