IP Library Granted Patent US 12,553,254
Granted Patent B2
US 12,553,254 · App. 18/759,185 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Hard shell rooftop tent with utility rails

Inventor: Evan Michael Currid (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
E04H15/06B60P3/343B60P3/38B60R9/045E04H15/008E04H15/48B60R9/058B60R9/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,553,254
App. No.
18/759,185
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tent system includes a first shell member configured to mount to a vehicle, a second shell member rotatably coupled to the first shell member via a hinge assembly, a first flexible membrane having a first membrane fastener, a second flexible membrane having a second membrane fastener, and a shell interconnector configured to couple at least a portion of the first shell member or second shell member to at least one of the first flexible membrane and second flexible membrane.

Claims (18)

1 . A tent system, comprising:

a first shell member configured to mount to a vehicle;

a second shell member rotatably coupled to the first shell member via a hinge assembly;

a first flexible membrane comprising a first membrane fastener;

a second flexible membrane comprising a second membrane fastener; and

a shell interconnector configured to couple at least a portion of the first shell member or second shell member to at least one of the first flexible membrane and second flexible membrane,

wherein the shell interconnector comprises an attachment member configured to fixably couple with the first shell member or second shell member, and a plurality of interconnector fasteners, wherein each interconnector fastener of the plurality of interconnector fasteners is configured to releasably couple with the first membrane fastener or the second membrane fastener.

2 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnector fasteners comprises a first interconnector fastener and a second interconnector fastener, and wherein the first interconnector fastener releasably couples with the first membrane fastener and the second interconnector fastener releasably couples with the second membrane fastener.

3 . The tent system of claim 2 , wherein the first flexible membrane is a canopy, and the second flexible membrane is a rainfly.

4 . The tent system of claim 2 , wherein the first interconnector fastener extends along at least three sides of a perimeter edge of the second shell member and the second interconnector fastener extends along at least three sides of the perimeter edge of the second shell member.

5 . The tent system of claim 4 , wherein the first interconnector fastener extends along at least four sides of the perimeter edge of the second shell member.

6 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is configured to fixably couple to the second shell member.

7 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member fixably couples to the second shell member along at least a portion of a perimeter edge of the second shell member.

8 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a portion disposed within a channel in a perimeter edge of the second shell.

9 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a bolt cord.

10 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the shell interconnector further comprises a body coupled to the plurality of interconnector fasteners along a first edge of the body and coupled to the attachment member along a second edge of the body.

11 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible membrane comprises a porous portion and the second flexible membrane is water-impermeable.

12 . The tent system of claim 1 , wherein the second shell member is configured to fold into a parallel plane over the first shell member when in a collapsed position.

Continuity (10)
Continuation 18182937 · Mar 13, 2023
Continuation 17824068 · May 25, 2022
Continuation 17201757 · Mar 15, 2021
Continuation 16671659 · Nov 1, 2019
Continuation 16107225 · Aug 21, 2018
Continuation 15625659 · Jun 16, 2017
Continuation In Part 15254961 · Sep 1, 2016
Provisional Application 62351175 · Jun 16, 2016
Provisional Application 62213600 · Sep 2, 2015
Related Publication 20240352762A1 · Oct 24, 2024
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