US20070283992A1

US20070283992A1 - Embrace-Air "TM" situates air conditioner and method for use with tent

Info

Publication number: US20070283992A1
Application number: US11/450,021
Authority: US
Inventors: Timothy Joseph Hennessy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-10
Filing date: 2006-06-10
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

The invention (FIG. 3 #30) comprises a brace (FIG. 4 #40) and a mount (FIG. 5 #50) that secures and positions an item so that it is partially protruded into a tent (FIG. 1 #10) via an opening (FIG. 7 #70). The brace is a multi-faceted engagement feature providing a means for attaching it to a tents frames and a mount to it. The mount is an engagement feature that facilitates securing an item to it. This feature is also a means for attaching the mount and an item and to the brace. Curl pins (FIG. 6 #60) are an engagement feature that provides a means for locking the brace and the mount, into their respective epositions.

Description

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPED

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to camping. It positions an air conditioner that is used to cool the interior of a tent.

BACKGROUND

2. Discussion of Prior Art
Vacations are a welcomed break from our every day working life. Many choose to go camping and pitch a tent.
Tents provide an inexpensive alternative to high priced hotel and motel rooms. These days there are many parks, public and private, reserves, campgrounds and areas available to pitch a tent at. While providing economic lodging, tents provide only basic shelter and a limited enclosed area. Furthermore, camping for most of us is restricted to certain seasons and select times of the year. Tents are primitive. Ventilation to make a tents interior comfortable is dependant on wind. In these modern times there are many luxuries we take for granted. Tents are not designed or manufactured to accommodate the many luxuries we leave behind when we go camping. Air conditioning is one such luxury. My invention situates and securely positions a room size air conditioner using a tent's frame(s). With the Embrace-Air, the camper now has the option of having an air conditioned tent. The air conditioner is up out of the way and does not require any usage of the limited floor space. Further, by using the Embrace-Air, Disaster Relief Agencies could very quickly and inexpensively set up Tent Towns to temporarily house displaced individuals.
Patent searches resulted in the finding of one example of prior art. It was application Ser. No. 10/714,143. As of this writing, it has not resulted in a patent being issued. It showed an air conditioner that was used to cool a tents interior. My invention is distinctly different and superior in several ways.
The prior art sat the air conditioner on the ground or on a box. Positioning the air conditioner in this manner is precarious at best. It can be bumped into or tripped over. The unit can fall to the ground and be broken and cause damage to the tent. To be effective it monopolizes precious limited floor space. It limits one's movement while inside the tent. The problem is how to safely and securely air condition a tent and not take up or use precious floor space. The Embrace-Air is the solution. No tripping over or bumping into the air conditioner. No restricted access. It doesn't limit or restrict one's movement while in the tent. The air conditioner will not break free, fall and be broken. It will not cause damage to the tent. The Embrace-Air securely holds and situates (positions) the air conditioner well up from the ground. Additionally significant, my invention doesn't require usage of any of the tents limited floor space.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the invention provides a camper the luxury of being able to have an air conditioned tent to rest, sleep, read, entertain, conduct business etc. Further reading will make it apparent that the invention's application and usage, is not limited to tents and air conditioners. It is anticipated that the invention can be made to be used with other types of temporary structures, enclosed areas etc. Additionally anticipated, the invention will also be used to position or situate a wide range of items that can be, but not limited to manufactured, assembled, molded, extruded or constructed items etc. in addition to an air conditioner. Therefore the drawing figures, features and the specification should not be construed as to limit the invention's scope.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffices.

FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of a tent, its back wall and details of frames and poles.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a frontal perspective view of two frame members that have been modified.

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 presents a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a brace, cross strut or beam and features as a means for engaging.

FIG. 5 reveals a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a mount, carrier or adapter that is detachable from the brace, and features as a means for engaging.

FIG. 6 exhibits a front orthogonal view of an embodiment of a curl pin which is an engagement feature.

FIG. 7 communicates a perspective view of the back of a tent where the preferred embodiment of an opening, portal or aperture is located.

FIG. 8 expresses a front and a rear (left and right respectively in drawing figure) orthogonal view of an embodiment of a collar, stiffener or backer.

ADDITIONAL EMBODIMNT DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 4A shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the brace comprised of sections.

FIG. 4B demonstrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the brace that is extendable and contractible.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the mount that is detachable from the brace with two screw plates, an appendage and connective hardware.

FIG. 5B presents a perspective view of an embodiment of the mount with two screw plates, two lengths of threaded bolt stock, nuts and washers.

FIG. 7A reveals a perspective view of the back of a tent and in/on its back wall, an embodiment of a multi ported opening.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND TENTS MODIFICATIONS—FIGS. 1-8

FIG. 1 shows rear perspective view of an erected cabin or room type tent. The tent 10 is nine feet wide and twelve feet long. The tent's envelope or shell is flexible, non-rigid and weather-resistant. The shell forms an enclosed area. The shell is composed of sections that are joined together. The rear vertical section is the back wall 14. This is where the tent's opening is located. The erected tent is approximately five feet six inches high at each end. Its center height is approximately six and a half feet.
Three independent frames support the tent's shell. Two tubular frame members are coupled together to form a pole. Three poles are used to form a frame. Each frame has a horizontal pole, which connects at each end to the top of a vertical pole 12. The vertical poles are parallel to each other. Theses frame's horizontal poles span the width of the tent. These frames are located at each end of the tent and in the center. These frames are exterior and close to the tents shell.
FIG. 2 shows a frontal perspective of two frame members that have been modified. A modified frame member 22 is the top member of the rear center and right rear vertical poles 12. A member 20 is modified by boring or drilling two holes into it. A front hole 24 and a rear hole 26 are centered and perpendicular to the member's longitudinal axis. The outside diameter of the members is three quarters of an inch.
Start with the rear center pole. Measure five feet three inches up from the bottom and make a mark. Repeat for the right rear pole. Remove the rear center pole from its frame. Place pole's top member 20 into a vise and secure it. Use a hammer and center punch to indent the mark on the member. Insert a three sixteenth inch drill bit into a drill. Align the drill so that it is at a right angle to the member. Place the bits tip on the indentation. Drill into and through to make the front hole. Make hole. Use hole as a guide. Maintain the drill at a right angle to member. Place the bits tip on the interior rear side of the member. Drill into and though to make the rear hole. Make hole. Reassemble pole. Replace pole (rear center) back into frame. Repeat procedure to the right rear pole's top member 20.
FIG. 3 shows a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention 30. The invention has a brace 40, cross strut or beam. The brace has engagement features. The brace has a mount 50, adapter or carrier. The mount has engagement features. The mount is detachable from the brace.
FIG. 4 shows a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an auxiliary frame brace, cross strut or beam. The brace is an extrusion made from aluminum. Extrusions can be purchased from metal outlets in various lengths and shapes and sizes. It could also be made from other metals, materials or composites. It has a rectangular shape. Get a tape measure. Measure the distance between the rear center and right rear poles 12. (These poles are vertical.) Add four inches. This will be the braces length, which is six feet four inches. Place the aluminum extrusion into a vise and secure it. Measure six feet four inches and make a mark. Cut length of extrusion at mark.
The brace's rectangular shape provides four surfaces. These surfaces are: the top, bottom, front and rear. The top and bottom surfaces are two inches wide. The front and rear surfaces are four inches high (vertical orientation). These surfaces contain voids (42, 44, and 46.), bores or holes. The voids are referred to in plural because they occur in sets. For example: top void on top surface and directly below, bottom void on bottom surface. The voids centers' have the same vertical central axis. There are three types of voids on the brace: primary voids 42; secondary voids 44; and tertiary voids 46. There are two sets of primary voids. The primary voids are established first.
Get a tape measure. Measure the specific distance between rear center and right rear poles' longitudinal axis's centers. Locate center on the brace's/extrusion's top surface. Measure out from center, half the specific distance towards each end. Place marks central relative to brace's top surfaces width, at each location.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND TENTS MODIFICATIONS

Use a hammer and center punch to indent each mark. Indent each mark. Secure the brace near one of its ends, in a vice, top surface up. (The outside diameter of the modified frame members is three quarters of an inch). Get a one inch drill bit. Put bit into drill. Align drill at a right angle to the brace's top surface. Place drill bit's tip on indentation. Drill cleanly through. Use the hole as a guide. Start drilling again, this time at the interior side of the bottom surface. (Be careful to maintain drill at a right angle to brace). Drill cleanly through. These two holes represent the first set of two sets of the primary voids. Remove brace from vise. Reposition the other end of brace in the vise top surface up and secure. Repeating procedures produces final or second set of primary voids 42. Repeat procedures.
There are three sets of secondary voids 44. The secondary voids are located on the brace's front and rear surfaces. Two of these sets relate to the primary voids. These voids are perpendicular and centered to the primary voids' shared central axis. (The third set relates to the tertiary voids). Secure one end of the brace, front surface up in vice. Start at the braces end. Determine the brace's primary voids 42 shared central axis. Make a line on front surface to delineate axis. Keep line straight. Determine and place a mark on the line at center of brace's front surface. As before, use a hammer and center punch to make an indentation. Put a three sixteenths of an inch drill bit into the drill. Carefully align drill at a right angle to the brace. Put the bit's tip on the indentation. Drill cleanly through. Course straight through to the interior side of the rear surface area. Maintain the drill at a right angle. Drill cleanly through. One set of the secondary voids is made. Remove brace from vise. Place other end of brace as before, into the vise and secure. Repeat procedures to make the final of the first two sets of secondary voids 44. Repeat procedures.
There is one set of tertiary voids 46. Theses voids are on the braces top and bottom surface areas. There are two differences between the primary and tertiary voids. The tertiary voids are located at the midpoint (center) of the brace's length. The voids diameters are smaller. The diameters are seven eights of an inch. The procedure for making the tertiary voids is the same as for the primary voids. Center brace in vise, top surface up and secure. Locate center (center) on the braces top surface. Make a mark. Indent. Place into drill a seven eighths inch drill bit. Repeat previous drilling procedures.
Next, make the final or third set of secondary voids 44. Place the three sixteenths of an inch drill bit into the drill. Center brace front side up in a vise and secure. Locate and mark tertiary voids' shared central axis with a line, on the brace. Locate center on line and make a mark. Indent. Repeat the procedures for drilling the secondary voids. Drill the voids. The third or final set of secondary voids is made.
FIG. 5 shows a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a mount 50, adapter or carrier. The mount has a vertical appendage 52 attached to a screw plate 54. The appendage has an anterior (front) hole 52 a and a posterior (rear) hole 52 b. The screw plate has through-holes. The materials needed to make the mount are: one foot of tubular aluminum extrusion; (The tube's walls thickness should be one eight of an inch. The tubes outside diameter should be three quarter of an inch.); a piece of flat aluminum sheet stock one eighth to three sixteenths of an inch thick; (A piece one foot wide by two feet long will be plenty.). Other metals or materials etc. could also be used. Different sizes or thicknesses could be chosen. These materials can be purchased from a metal supply outlet.
Make the appendage first. (The brace is four inches high by two inches wide.) Place the tubular extrusion in the vise and secure it. Measure and cut the tubular extrusion to a length of six inches. Be careful to cut at a right angle. This will be the appendage. Next, make the screw plate. The screw plate is cut from the flat aluminum sheet stock. Its size is relative to the desired items size. (The item is a 5000 BTU room size air conditioner. Its dimensions are: eighteen inches wide, twelve inches high and twenty four inches long.) Cut a piece eighteen inches long and ten inches wide from the flat aluminum sheet stock.
A through-hole 56 is a single bore drilled through the screw plate. Next, locate where the plate's through-holes will be. Lay the piece on a flat surface. Start at the upper left corner. Measure right one inch. From that point, measure down one inch. Make a mark. Go to lower left corner. Measure right one inch. Measure up one inch. Make a mark.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND TENTS MODIFICATIONS

Go to upper right corner. Measure left one inch, then down one inch. Make a mark. Repeat for lower right corner. The locations for four through-holes are marked. Locate and make marks for four more through holes on the piece. The piece now has eight marks where its through-holes will be. Indent marks. Review the drilling procedures. Use the three sixteenths of an inch drill bit. (Clamps or vise to hold piece is optional.) Drill holes on the marks. The piece is the screw plate. Next, locate and attach the appendage. The point of attachment is on the screw plate's top surface. Its location relative to plate's length and width is center. Determine center. Make a mark. Weld the appendage to the screw plate. Make sure appendage's 52 longitudinal axis is perpendicular to screw plate's top surface's plane. The mount is almost finished. Insert screw plate's 54 appendage 52 into brace's 40 tertiary voids 46.
Position screw plate's top one inch from the brace. Align the screw plate's length, parallel with the brace's length. Use one of the brace's center secondary voids 44 (relative to tertiary voids) as a guide. Place a mark on the appendage. Remove mount 50 from the brace. Place the appendage into a vise and secure it. Review previous drilling procedures. Place the three sixteenths of an inch drill bit into drill. Repeat drilling procedures and make an anterior hole 52 a (front), and a posterior hole (rear). The mount is completed.
FIG. 6 shows a front orthogonal view of an embodiment of a curl pin 60. The curl pin has a curl 62 or circular end. The curl is connected to a spine 64. The spine is straight. The curl pin is made from metal rod stock (round). The rod stock has a diameter of one eight of an inch. It could also be made from other metals, alloys or composites etc. Its design can vary. Different designs can include other features. Metal rod stock can be purchased from a hardware store.
The curls' diameters are one inch. The spines' lengths are four inches. Purchase three linear feet of rod stock. A small tube bender is useful. A heat source or torch may be helpful. A hacksaw or bolt cutter and a pair of pliers are needed. Heat the rod stock three inches in from one end. Use the pliers to grip the end. Bend the end into a complete circle that has a one inch diameter. A curl is formed. The curl pin's spine 64 is four inches long. Start at the curls center. Measure out from center four and a half inches. Make a mark. Cut or sever the curl pin at the mark, from the rod stock. Use a hand file or grinding wheel to dress the pin's ends (optional). Repeat the procedure two more times.
FIG. 7 shows a rear perspective view of a tent's back wall, where the preferred embodiment of an opening 70, portal or aperture is located. The opening is rectangular. This is the shape of the item's (5000 BTU room size air conditioner) front surface area. It is between the rear center and right rear vertical frame poles 12. It is two inches larger in width and height than the front of the ac. Tools and materials needed are as follows: a razor or sharp knife; a pair of heavy duty scissors; a fifteen foot roll of heavy duty, adhesive backed hook and loop fastening tape (two inches wide); a hand held binding stapler and quarter inch staples (stainless steel); a tape measure; short straight edge or yard stick; a square; a three foot square piece of card board.
The front of the air conditioner is eighteen inches wide. It is twelve inches high. Add two inches to each of theses dimension. Draw a rectangle whose dimensions are twenty by fourteen inches on the piece of card board. Make sure the four corners are square. Cut the rectangle from the piece of cardboard. Next, locate where the opening on the tent will be. Before proceeding, install the invention (the brace and its mount). It is used as a guide to specifically locate the opening. See Operation of Invention, paragraphs 49, 51, 53. The next step is to locate and specifically mark the opening on the tent's back wall 14. Use the card board template to do this. Place template on wall. Align one of template's twenty inch long edges with the top of the screw plate. The template's top edge and the screw plate should be level and parallel. Center the template's central vertical axis to the appendage. Shift the template up one inch. Use a marker and outline the template onto the tent's wall. The outline delineates the opening. Remove template and invention from tent.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND TENTS MODIFICATIONS

A description of the hook and loop fastening tape. The tape is two inches wide. The tape has two parts. The tape has a bottom hook layer. The tape has a top or superior loop layer. These layers can be separated from each other. The bottom surface of the hooking part has an adhesive backing. The superior surface of the top layer has an adhesive backing. The adhesive backing covers the entirety of both respective surfaces.
The tape is placed and centered over the outline. The tape creates a two inch wide border 72. The border is continuous along the outline's/opening's horizontal and vertical lines. (When taped, the outside dimension of border is twenty two inches wide by sixteen inches high.) Get a fifteen foot roll of heavy duty industrial strength hook and loop tape. The next step is to apply the hook and loop tape. Cut two lengths twenty two inches long from the roll of tape. Start with one of the two lengths. Separate the hook layer from the loop layer. Use the hook layer first. Set loop layer aside. Peel back several inches of the cellophane lining/backing to expose the adhesive surface. Start at the upper left corner. Measure left one inch from the corner. This is the starting point. Align the tape's center or central longitudinal axis with the top horizontal line. Press tape on to the tent. Altemately peel back cellophane lining and press tape into place. Do this along the entire length of the top line. The tape terminates one inch to the right of the top right corner. Start again this time at the lower left corner (bottom line). Repeat procedure. Measure the vertical distance between the inside or inward edges of the lengths of tape. Cut two lengths (twelve inches) from the roll of tape. One piece is for the left vertical line. The other piece is for the right. Repeat procedures. Gather the four top or loop lengths of tape and save. (They are used for re-inserting and securing the cut out section back into the opening).
The next step is to cut out the rectangular shaped piece from the tents wall. (The piece's size and the net opening is twenty by fourteen inches. The piece cut out will have a one inch wide taped border. The opening on tent's rear wall will also have a one inch wide border). Go inside the tent. Look closely and locate the template's drawn outline. Use the razor knife and cut an L shaped notch at each corner of the outline. Cut cleanly through the fabric and the tape on the outside wall. (The upright of the L is one cut. The L's base is another cut. The cuts intersect at a ninety degree angle). For example: lower left corner, L cut.; Straight up or upper left corner, rotate “L” ninety degrees clock wise. Make cuts. Continue on as described for remaining two corners, rotating “L” twice more.
Exit tent. Go to the rear wall. Lift the notched corners slightly out from border. The notched corners serve as a guide. Align straight edge or yard stick with two notches. Use the razor knife or heavy pair of scissors. Cut cleanly through, from one notched corner to the next. Cut straight and central in the border. Repeat three more times. Remove and set the cut out aside. Next is to staple the tape to the tent. The staples are located around the perimeter of the openings inside edges. The cut out's outside edges are to be stapled as well. Get the hand binding stapler. Set its guide to three sixteenths of an inch. (The guide allows uniform alignment of the staples relative to the borders' edges). Practice placing a few staples. Start stapling. Space the staples one eight of an inch apart side by side. Place staples around the entirety of the border. Do this also to the cut out's border.
FIG. 8 shows a front and rear (left and right respectively in drawing figure) orthogonal view of an embodiment of a collar 80, backer or stiffener. The collar also has a taped border 86. There are two collars. The collars are made from quarter inch thick plywood; are rectangular and are “mirror images” of each other. The collars could be made to other sizes and shapes. They could be made from other materials such as: plastics; acrylics; press board; metals and compositions etc. Tools and materials needed to make the collars are as follows: half sheet of quarter inch plywood (four feet by four feet); tape measure; straight edge or yard stick; marking pen; scissors; hook and loop tape; heavy hand stapler and quarter inch staples (stainless steel); a jig or scroll saw.
Cut the piece of plywood in half. There is now two, two by two foot pieces of plywood. The tent's opening including its border is twenty two by sixteen inches. The collars are larger than the opening. They will be two inches wider and two inches higher than opening's border. The exterior dimensions (outward edges 84, length and width) are twenty

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND TENTS MODIFICATIONS

four by eighteen inches respectively. Measure, mark and cut the pieces of plywood to this size. Next cut out and remove a rectangular shaped piece from each of the collars' interiors. (Recall, the front surface of the air conditioner is eighteen across by twelve inches high).
The size of the cut outs: eighteen and a half by twelve and a half inches. (a quarter inch distance between collars and air conditioner). Measure, center and draw rectangular outlines on the collars. Each outline represents a collar's inward edges 82. Locate outlines centrally on collars 80. Get the jig saw. Make a plunge cut on the outline. Follow outline and cut out interior of one collar. Repeat procedure to other collar. The next aspect of the collars is to apply hook and loop tape. The collars have a taped border 86. This border is aligned with the collars inward edges. Cut two twenty two inch lengths from the roll of tape. Separate the bottom hook layer from top loop layer of tape. Review previous starting positions, cutting and applying procedures. (See paragraph 42). This time the procedures relate to the collars' inward edges 82. Lay collars on a flat surface.
Start with one collar. Use the top, loop layers of tape. Lay out one length of tape, adhesive surface down on one collar. Align one of tape's edges (length) with collars top inward edge 82. Shift and overlay entire length of tape a quarter of an inch interiorly. Be careful to keep the edges parallel. Apply tape. Repeat for collar's lower inward edge. Measure and cut two more lengths of tape for collar's inward side edges (when installed, vertical edges). Separate tapes layers. (Use top loop layer).Repeat procedures. One of the collars is “taped”. Apply tape to the other collar in the same fashion. Use bottom hook lengths of tape this time.
The final aspect is to staple the tape to the collars. The staples will be one eight an inch apart along the perimeter of the tape. There will be two rows of staples. One row for each of the tapes two edges. One row will be one eighth of an inch inset from the collars' (wooden) inward edges 82. The second row, relative to the tapes' outward edges are inset an eighth inch. Start with one collar. Staple two rows of staples around tapes edges as described. Repeat stapling procedure to second collar.

OPERATION OF INVENTION

The invention holds and protrudes an air conditioner's front (5000 BTU room size air conditioner) into the tent. The tent requires two modifications. The utilization of these modifications are discussed in the appropriate text below. The invention is composed of two parts. One part is a brace 40, cross strut or beam. The brace has voids (42, 44, and 46). They are engagement features. The second part is a mount 50, adapter or carrier. The mount's appendage and its anterior and posteriors holes are engagement features. The mount's screw plate 54 and its through-holes 56 are engagement features. The brace is incorporated into the tent's frames. The air conditioner is fastened to the mount. The mount is attached to the brace. The front of the air conditioner is protruded into the tent, through the tent's opening 70.
The brace spans horizontally from the tent's rear center pole to its right rear pole. It is six feet four inches long and rectangular. It's top and bottom surfaces are two inches wide. Its front and rear surfaces are four inches high. The voids are on these surfaces. The brace has three types of voids. They are: primary voids 42, secondary voids 44 and tertiary voids 46. The primary and tertiary voids are on the top and bottom surfaces. (The tertiary voids are discussed with the mount's appendage 52.) The secondary voids are on the front and rear surfaces. The voids are referred to in plural because they're paired and in sets. For example: one void on top, another void directly below on bottom; one void on front, one void directly behind on rear. Each set has a common central axis. There are two sets of primary voids. The diameter of the primary voids is one inch. They are approximately two inches in from each of the braces ends. The primary voids encircle the tent's poles 12 permitting them to course though. (The poles are vertical and parallel.)
One of the necessary modifications to the tent is to its rear center and right rear poles. These poles have modified frame members 22. There are two modified frame members. These members are the top or superior sections of the poles. (The poles are assembled by “coupling” two members 20 together.) Their outside diameter is three quarters of an inch. The members have a set of holes drilled into each one. These holes (Front hole 24, rear hole 26 respectively.) permit the curl pins' spines 64 to course though them. The holes' diameters are three sixteenths of an inch. The holes are centered on the members' longitudinal axis. They are five feet three inches up from the poles bottoms. The modified frame members course through and are encircled by the brace's primary voids 42. The brace's secondary voids 44 are on its front and rear surfaces. (There are three sets of these engagement features.) Their diameters are three sixteenths of an inch. Two sets are positioned central and perpendicular, relative to the primary voids central axis. (The third set of secondary voids is similarly positioned relative to the tertiary voids.)
Get the brace. Remove the tent's rear center pole from its frame. Align the pole with one of the brace's primary voids. Place the pole into and course it through the first set of primary voids. Place the pole back into its frame (hold brace). Remove the right rear pole from its frame. Align the pole with the brace's other (the second set) set of primary voids. Place pole into and course it through. Place the pole back into its frame. Twist or turn the poles/members to line up the modified frame members' 22 holes (24, 26 respectively) with the primary voids' secondary voids 44. The curl pins are used as a means for locking the brace into place with the tent's poles. Insert curl pins' spines 64 into and through the secondary voids and modified members. (The curl pins' spines 64 have a diameter of one eighth of an inch. The spines' length is four inches. The secondary voids and modified frame members holes diameters' are three sixteenths of an inch.) The brace is securely locked into place.
The front of the air conditioner is to be protruded three inches into the tent. Carefully measure and position mount 50 onto the top of the air conditioner accordingly. The mount's screw plate 54 has through-holes 56.The screw plate 54 and through-holes 56 are engagement features. The holes are three sixteenths of an inch in diameter. Get three sixteenths by half inch self tapping sheet metal screws. (The air conditioners external housing is sheet metal.) Secure the ac by screwing the mount to the air conditioner.

OPERATION OF INVENTION

The mount has an appendage 52. The appendage is an engagement feature. It is centrally located on the screw plate's top. It is a six inch length of tubular extrusion. It projects vertically upright. Its outside diameter is three quarters of an inch. Located along its length are two holes. These holes are engagement features. One is the anterior hole (52 a. Front surface of appendage.) The other one is the posterior hole (52 b. rear surface). The holes have a diameter of three sixteenths of an inch. These holes share a common center. The shared center is centered on and perpendicular to the appendages longitudinal axis. It is also perpendicular to the screw plate's top and longitudinal axis.
The mount is attached to the brace via the appendages insertion up and into the brace's tertiary voids 46. The brace has one set of tertiary voids. These voids are on the brace's top and bottom surfaces. They are aligned vertically. They are located in the center of the brace. Their diameters are seven eighths of an inch. The third set of secondary voids is perpendicular and centered (on the brace's front and rear surfaces) to the tertiary voids' central axis. Inserting a curl pin into tertiary voids' secondary voids and through the appendage locks the mount into place in the brace.
The second required modification to the tent is the opening. The location of the opening 70 was predetermined and is on the tent's back wall 14. It is rectangular. The size and shape is complementary to the front of the air conditioner. Its outside border 72 is one inch wide. This border is an engagement feature. (The section of the back wall that was cut out and removed also has a one inch wide taped border. It was reinserted and taped back into the opening. Together these two borders equal the width of the two inch wide tape.) Remove the lengths of top layer tape and the cut out piece from the back wall.
The collars reinforce the tent's opening 70 interiorly and exteriorly. This allows the tents flexible non rigid fabric back wall 14 to flex inward and out in windy weather. Additionally, they reduce the openings net size and contribute to form a seal around the air conditioner. Get the collars. Place the collar 80 that is taped with the looped section of tape, onto the front section of the air conditioner. Face taped side towards the tent. The opening's outside border 72 is taped with a hooked layer of tape. The outward half of the collar's taped border 86 engages with the opening's taped border. The inward half of its taped border engages with the second collar's hooked taped border 86.
Lift the air conditioner up. Place the mount's appendage 52 up into the brace's tertiary voids. Align the appendage's anterior and posterior holes (52 a and 52 b respectively) with the tertiary voids' secondary voids (The third set of secondary voids). Insert a curl pin 60 into the secondary voids and through the appendage. The mount/ac is locked into place in the brace. The front of the air conditioner is protruded three inches into the tent via the tent's opening 70.
Gently press exterior/outside collar on to the tent. Get the second collar 80. Go inside the tent. Place collar onto the front of the air conditioner. (Face the hooked taped side towards the tent wall.) Firmly press collar on to tent. Get and run a length of heavy duty extension cord from an outlet. Exercise prudent safety precautions. Plug in cord. Plug in air conditioner. Turn air conditioner on. Chill!

DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 4A shows frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the brace comprised of sections. There is a left end section 41, a center section 41 a, and a right end section 41 b. The section's shape is rectangular, two by four inches (top/bottom width, front/rear height respectively). The sections are two feet two inches long (without inserts). The center section has an insert 41 c welded into each of its ends. The inserts are also rectangular and one size smaller (or one size down) than the other sections' sizes (41, 41 a, 41 b respectively). The insert's lengths are six inches. They extend into and out from the center section's two ends three inches. There is a set of holes near each outwardly protruded end of the inserts. Near one of the ends of each of the other two sections (41, 41 b) is a set of complementing holes. These holes are quad holes 41 d. The quad holes' diameters are three sixteenths of an inch. The holes are centered on the inserts and main end sections top and bottom surfaces. (The holes align and have a common central axis.) Cut three pieces, two feet three inches long from a length of two by four inch extrusion. Cut two pieces six inches long for the inserts (from a length of extrusion that is one size smaller than the size of the first length of extrusion). Place inserts three inches into both ends of one section (the center section 41 a). Weld the inserts to the section. Put/couple the sections together. Insert sections/brace into vise and secure. Mark and indent. Drill quad holes (three sixteenths of an inch) cleanly and completely through near each section's ends and the inserted inserts. Make two curl pins.

OPERATION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of a brace comprised of sections. It is incorporated into the tents frame work the same way that the preferred embodiment is installed. This version of the brace is easier to store and transport when not in use. Together, the sections 41, 41 a and 41 b form the brace's length. Assemble the brace by coupling the sections together. Insert curl pins into the engagement features (quad holes 41 d) to secure/lock the sections together. Install the brace.

DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 4B shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the brace that is extendable and contractible. It is comprised of sections. One of the sections is a larger section 43. Its cross sectional size is one size larger than the other section. The other section is a smaller section 43 a. The sections are three feet six inches long. Cut from a length of larger extrusion, a section three feet six inches long. Cut from the other length of smaller extrusion, (smaller size) a section three feet six inches long. Put/slide smaller section 43 a into larger section 43. Extend smaller section to the right, out from the larger section to a length of six feet. One inch to the left of larger section's right end make a mark and indent. Place sections into vise and secure.
Drill a three sixteenths of an inch hole into, though and cleanly out from both sections. The resultant hole/bore is a pent hole 43 b. (Larger section encases twelve inches of smaller section.) Extend smaller section right one inch. Use previous hole(s) on the larger section as a guide. Drill another set of holes into the smaller section. Repeat procedure once more. Extend smaller section half of an inch to the right. Drill holes. Repeat procedure (half inch increments of extension) three more times. Collectively these holes are the pent holes. Make a curl pin.

OPERATION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of a brace that is extendable and contractible. This feature allows the brace to be extended to various lengths. It allows one brace to engage tent frame poles that are various distances apart. It is installed the same as the preferred embodiment is installed. The brace is easier to store and transport when not in use. Install brace (extend as needed for length). Insert a curl pin into the engagement features (the appropriate pent holes 43 b) and lock the sections together.

DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 5A shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a mount with two screw plates and two lengths of threaded bolt stock and nuts and washers. These plates are cut from a sheet of flat aluminum stock. The plates are rectangular. They are two inches longer than the air conditioner is wide. (The air conditioner is eighteen inches wide by twelve inches high.) They extend out one inch from both sides of the air conditioner. There is a hex hole 51 d near each of the pieces ends. (Two pieces, two holes each piece, four hex holes total.) The holes' have a diameter of three eighths of an inch. One plate is for the top of the air conditioner. This plate is a top screw plate 51. This top plate has an appendage 52 attached to it. One plate is for the bottom. This plate is a bottom screw plate 51 a. Cut two pieces, ten by twenty inches from sheet stock. Drill a hole centrally on each of the pieces' two ends, one half of an inch in from each end (four holes). Get a three foot length of threaded, five sixteenths of an inch thick metal bolt stock. Cut two thirteen inch lengths from the bolt stock. These two pieces are the threaded bolt stocks 51 b. Get four nuts and four washers 51 c.

OPERATION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a mount that has two screw plates (51, 51 a) and two lengths of threaded bolt stock 51 b. Additionally there are four washers/four nuts 51 c. The plates straddle and “sandwich” the ac. They are engagement features. The threaded bolt stocks course through the plates' hex holes 51 d. These hex holes are engagement features. The nuts are used to snug and tighten the plates. Place air conditioner on a flat surface. Place the top screw plate 51 on top of it. This top screw plate has an appendage 52 attached to it. The appendage is an engagement feature. Position plate to have its edges extend one inch out from both sides. Insert a length of threaded bolt stock 51 b downward into each hole. Put a washer on each length. Thread a nut onto each length. Turn nuts until they are one quarter of an inch from the bolt stocks' top ends. Tilt ac and shift bottom screw plate 51 a into place. Insert the bolt stocks into the bottom screw plate's (51 a) hex holes 51 d. Starting from the underside, put washers then nuts 51 c onto the bolt stocks. Tighten nuts by hand. Install mount/ac to brace. Adjust ac's position between the mount's plates so that ac's front is protruded three inches into the tent. Use a wrench and pliers to the tighten nuts. Tighten nuts until the plates firmly secure the ac.

DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 5B shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the mount with two screw plates, two lengths of threaded metal bolt stock. Get a six foot length of five sixteenths of an inch thick threaded bolt stock. Get six nuts and six washers. Cut the length of bolt stock in half. There are now two three foot long lengths of bolt stock. Put two washers and two nuts on the lengths. Thread the nuts a half of an inch from each of the lengths ends. (This arrangement is for the bottom plate.) Run the lengths of bolt stock through both of the screw plates' holes (hex holes). Rest the plates on the washers/nuts. Move the top plate thirteen inches up and away from the bottom plate. Put washers and nuts onto the other ends of the bolt stocks. Turn the nuts and thread them downward on the stocks until they meet the top plate. (The plates are ten by twenty inches. The holes' centers are nineteen inches apart.)

OPERATION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of a mount that has two screw plates and two three foot lengths of threaded bolt stock. Additionally, there are six washers and six nuts. This mount's configuration via the treaded bolt stocks connects directly to the brace. The plates straddle and “sandwich” the ac. The bolt stocks course through the plates' holes. The nuts are used to snug/tighten the plates to the ac and to secure the mount/ac to the brace. The remaining upward length of the bolt stocks is used to attach the mount/ac to the brace. Put the air conditioner on a flat surface. Lift rear of ac and tilt it forward. Put one screw plate under ac. Put lengths of bolt stock up through the plates holes. Put washers and nuts onto the bolt stock (underside). Align bolt stocks with the second (top) plates' holes. Descend the top plate down to the ac. Place washers on and turn nuts onto the bolt stocks. Descend washers and nuts down to meet with the top plate. Tighten two nuts by hand. Lift up the ac/mount. Insert bolts stocks up, into and through the brace's tertiary voids. (The brace has been installed. This brace has two sets of tertiary voids. Their diameters' are three eights of an inch.) Put washers and nuts onto the bolt stocks ends. (These ends project upward a half inch from the brace's top surface.) Position the ac between the mount's screw plates so that its front is protruded three inches into the tent. Use a wrench and pliers to tighten the nuts for the screw plates. Tighten nuts enough to firmly secure the ac.

DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a multi ported opening. It is rectangular in shape. It is located on/in one of the tent's walls. It has a main area 71 that is forty six inches (horizontally) by thirty inches (vertically). Contained within the main area is a plurality of subsections 71A or quadrants. In this embodiment there are four subsections. Mark an outline of the main rectangular area on the tent. Get hook and loop tape. Apply tape to the main opening's marked outline. Mark an outline that divides the main opening into four sections or quadrants. Apply tape to delineate these sections. Cut out the main section first. Lay main section on flat surface. Cut section into quadrants. Staple the tape to increase the functionality and longevity of openings/portals.

OPERATION OF ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of a multi ported opening. This type of opening permits more than one item to be protruded into the tent from one brace 40. These items may have similar sizes and shapes. For example, the ac would be situated in the opening's upper left quadrant. To the ac's right or below it another item (microwave oven, shelf unit, TV etc.) could be placed. The other item could also be positioned diagonally down in the opening's lower right quadrant.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the invention is easy and convenient to use with a tent. It allows the camper to enjoy an air conditioned enclosed area. It doesn't require usage of any of the tents limited floor space. It can be quickly and easily installed or removed, leaving the tent intact and inhabitable. Furthermore, the invention can be made to:

- permit it to be used with a wide range of tents with frames;
- permit it to be used with shade canopies, gazebos and other types of temporary readily collapsible/assembled structures;
- Allows many different types of items to be securely held and positioned such as: Heaters; Small one to three cubic foot refrigerators; TVs; Stereos; Microwaves; Medicine cabinets/sinks; Mirrors; Cabinetry etc.

Although the Description of Invention has much specificity, its specificities' should not be misconstrued as to limit the inventions scope. The illustrations show preferred embodiments of the invention. There can be other versions and various alternative embodiments.
The brace is made from an aluminum extrusion. It could also be made from other metals, ferrous or non ferrous, alloys, plastics, polymers, wood, and composites, multi-elemental compounds etc. or combinations thereof. The brace can be hollowed cored or of solid construction. The brace could have a horizontal section joined to a vertical section (L shaped or variation of). These sections' intersection could be at or about ninety degrees. These sections can be fixed together or be hinged and separable. The brace then could engage with both vertical (or near vertical) and horizontal (or nearly horizontal) frame members. Alternately, the two sections could intersect at or about 45 degrees (V shaped or variation thereof). One section would be horizontal and one of its ends would engage with a pole. The other section would connect to the first section at about 45 degrees. It would course diagonally/obliquely and connect back to the same pole. The brace's cross sectional shape could be square, round, u shaped, hexagonal etc. It could be composed of sections. It could be extendable and contractible (for storage or other applications).
The brace could be attached to a frame member. It could then enter into the tent, span across the tents interior, exit tent and attach to a frame member on the opposite side of the tent. Items could be suspended from or attached to it inside the tent. It could be a base for a platform. Items could be placed up on it. It could have items placed upon and suspended from it. A plurality of braces having perpendicular or other attached, angled cross strut(s) can form a base/platform to situate items onto, form networks to attach items to inside, outside, on top of or on the side of a tent or structure etc. The brace could sit down atop and span poles that are or near to vertical.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

The primary, secondary and tertiary voids and other holes are engagement features. They could be square, oval, triangular, etc. Their sizes could be larger or smaller. There could be a mixed combination of larger, smaller, square, round etc. They could be singular instead of in sets re: the usage with a u shaped brace; a solid (not hollow cored) brace etc. The primary void's (relative to brace being horizontal) and the tertiary voids vertical and inline orientation could be at varying degrees from vertical and inclined towards a common central or other point. Instead of primary voids, other features could be used to incorporate the brace into a tent or other structure's frame(s). Various types of devices and or hardware etc. that encircle and or grip or used to engage and secure could be used.
The brace could have caps on or in its ends or near to. They would have an attachment or engaging feature that extends outward from each end. The attachments shape could conform to a particular frame member's shape. Their shape could be an arc for round tubular frame members, “u” shaped for square etc. Hose clamps or u bolts could secure the end caps attachments (and the brace) to the tent's frame(s). The attachments could be a short length of similarly shaped extrusion (relative to frame members shape) that is cut in half longitudinally, hinged to open and engage frame member, closed and “latched” shut to secure engagement with the frame member. The end caps attachments can have a range of motions, orientations or swivel. For example, the attachments could be attached to a “ball” partially enclosed in a “socket” type feature. This or other combinations of hardware/material would permit ranges of motion for the attachment to facilitate the braces engagement to poles that have inclinations from vertical or are vertical. Additionally, the ends in conjunction with extendible sections, one brace could used to engage with many different types of tent frame arrangements.
The curl pins are made from metal rod stock. They could also be made from other metals, ferrous or non ferrous, alloys, plastics, polymers, wood, and composites, multi-elemental compounds etc. or combinations thereof. The curl pins are engagement features that are used to lock the brace and mount into their respective places. Straight pieces of metal rod stock, cotter type pins etc. could be used in lieu of and or in addition to curl pins. These features could be made to different shapes, lengths etc. They could be cast, molded, extruded etc. The pins could be colligated. They could be attached to the brace.
The tertiary voids could be eliminated and other kinds of engaging features would permit the mount's connection to the brace: an eye bolt and hook; chain and nuts and bolts; clips; snap rings and other types of coupling, engaging and encircling, gripping hardware etc. The secondary voids orientation could be varied. They could be eliminated from the brace. Hose clamps, u bolts or other types of encircling hardware, devices etc. could be used to fix the braces horizontal (or near to) orientation to a frame member and for securing the mount to the brace.
The mount is made of aluminum. It could also be made from other metals, ferrous or non ferrous, alloys, plastics, polymers, wood, and composites, multi-elemental compounds etc. or combinations thereof The mount can be made to accommodate items other than an air conditioner. The top screw plate's (with appendage) length could be longer. The plate's ends could be formed at ninety degree downward angles. These ends could have holes to facilitate securing an item. These descending ends could extend a few inches or down to the bottom of an item. At the items bottom they could be formed inward again towards an items center, at right angles. Flexible plumber strap or other types of strapping material metal, fabric etc. could be used to “encircle” an item. Such a strapping or “encircling” arrangement would be connected to an appendage and or a screw plate or other similar engagement feature. The mount could have a single screw plate or length of extrusion etc. This feature would be under the item. Lengths of bolt stock or connective type rods would straddle the item on its sides, course through the plate or extrusion and extend upward. These lengths of stock would be connected directly to the brace and drawn tight with bolts or other types of gripping, engaging etc. hardware to secure the item.
The mount, which is detachable from the brace, can be made to attach differently to the brace. The mounts appendage, or lengths of bolt stock could have eye bolt(s) attached.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

The brace could have hook(s). Other types of hardware/materials to facilitate/effect attachment of the mount to the brace could be used. The mount could be attached either to the brace or to another type of structure's frame member(s) directly. The mount could be made to accommodate a plurality of items.
The opening's taped (hook-loop tape) border and sub sections' could be sewn on to the tent and pieces. Tape could be hot ironed onto the tent. The tape could be ultra sonically welded to the tent and pieces. Continuous lengths of zipper type of material could be used instead of hook and loop tape. Snaps, caps, buttons, grommets etc. could also be used.
The size of the opening could be made larger or smaller. It could be square, round etc. and be located on different sections of the tent. There could be a plurality of openings. The opening(s) could be used to pass items into or out from the tent. The openings could have screen panels inserted into them for additional ventilation. Opaque panels could be inserted for increased illumination of the tents interior. Illuminating-generating/emitting panels could be inserted to enhance tents interior visibility. Projection screen type material could be inserted. The opening could be used as a vantage point for observing the exterior natural surroundings and wildlife. A piece of weather resistant fabric cloth or tarp used in conjunction with the opening and be detachable from the tent and an item, could serve as a cover to shade and protect an item from the elements.
The collars that are used to reinforce the opening and contribute to forming a seal between the opening and an item could be eliminated. They could also have different sizes, shapes and engagement features and be directly attached to an item rather than to the opening. The collars can be made from other materials such as but not limiting to: Plexiglas® acrylic, Lucite®, plastics, metals ferrous or non ferrous, alloys, composites, fiberglass, fiber board etc.
The following claims or their legal equivalents should be used in determining the invention's scope.

Claims

1. A device for tents comprising a brace of predetermined length and predetermined cross sectional shape and a plurality of engagement features providing a:

a. first means for attaching said brace to frame or members and

b. a second means for locking said brace and a mount into position and

c. a third means for attaching said mount to said brace:

a curl pin as a means for locking said brace and said mount into position:

said mount is detachable from said brace and is an engagement feature providing a:

a. first means for engaging an item and a

b. second means for attaching said item to said brace,

whereby the device positions an item that is used by a human and the item is secured to the mount and the mount is incorporated into the brace and the brace is attached to tent frame members and curl pins lock the brace and the mount into place.

2. The brace of claim 1 wherein said brace further including sections and said sections are of a predetermined length and a predetermined shape and are interlocking-able.

3. The brace of claim 1 wherein said brace further including slide-able sections.

4. The mount of claim 1 wherein said mount is comprised of a plurality of parts.

5. The mount of claim 1 wherein said mount is disassemble-able.

6. An apparatus comprising of a cross strut and an adapter, and a plurality of curl pins:

a. said cross strut is of predetermined length and predetermined shape and has a plurality of voids at predetermined locations and said voids are of predetermined shapes and predetermined sizes and

b. said adapter is detachable from said cross strut and said adapter is composed of a plurality of predetermined parts of predetermined sizes and of predetermined shapes and said parts have voids at predetermined locations and of predetermined shapes and predetermined sizes, and

c. said curl pins are of predetermined size and predetermined shape.

7. The cross strut of claim 7 wherein said strut fuLrther including is comprised of interlocking-able sections.

8. The cross strut of claim 7 wherein said strut further including is comprised of extending-able sections.

9. The adapter of claim 7 wherein said adapter is comprised of a plurality of parts and hardware.

10. The plurality of parts of said adapter of claim 7 wherein said parts are disassemble-able.

11. A contrivance for tents comprising a beam of a plurality of sections of predetermined length and predetermined shape and predetermined sizes and a plurality of engagement features:

a. said sections providing a first means for assembling the beam and said sections providing a second means for said beam achieving various lengths, and

b. said plurality of engagement features providing a first means for engaging said beam to frame(s), and as a second means for engaging a carrier to said beam, and a third means for said carrier to engage an item and

c. a plurality of curl pins as a means for locking said beam and said carrier in position.

Whereby the contrivance securely positions an item to a tent with flexible non-rigid walls and that item is used and enjoyed by a human.

12. The beam's sections of claim 13 wherein said sections are disassemble-able.

13. The carrier of claim 13 wherein said carrier is detachable from said beam.

14. The carrier of claim 13 wherein said carrier is composed of a plurality of parts.

15. The carrier of claim 13 wherein said carrier is disassemble-able.

16. The curl pins of claim 13 wherein said curl pins are colligated and or attached to said beam.

17. A method for making an opening in flexible non rigid fabric walls thereby providing a means for protruding an item that is used by a human into a tent:

a. said opening comprising a predetermined size and predetermined shape and predetermined location, and

b. said opening having an engagement feature as a first means for reinforcing said opening and as a second means for contributing to form a seal between said item and said opening and as a third means providing for re-closure of said opening, and

c. a plurality of collars having an engagement feature providing a first means for additionally reinforcing said opening and as a second means for contributing to form said seal.

Whereby the opening permits the protrusion of an item or part thereof into a tent and the collars reinforce and form a seal between an object and the opening and, whereby the collars permit the tent's non rigid wall to flex as weather conditions may dictate thereby increasing functionality and increasing longevity of the tent and fuirther the opening is re-closeable so that the tent can be restored to its like original non-modified condition.

18. The opening of claim 17 wherein said opening further includes subsections.

19. The subsections of claim 17 wherein said sections are of predetermined shape and of predetermined sizes.

20. The subsections of claim 17 wherein said subsections are individually re-closeable.

21. The opening of claiml7 wherein said opening's engagement feature is comprised of hook and loop type tape or legal equivalent.

22. The subsections of claim 17 wherein said subsections are delineated with hook and loop type tape or legal equivalent.

23. The opening of claim 17 wherein said tent has a multiplicity of said openings.