Modular tent system

Abstract

A modular tent system may utilize a multiple-sided central room, such as a four wall or five-sided central room, to which several different components may be attached. Included among these components are an awning, a screened room, a closet, and a three or four person tent. Each of the components is preferably configured so that it may fit against one of the walls of either the four-sided central room or the five-sided central room, and so that rain hitting the central room or a component is not directed into either the component or into the central room.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shelter, comprising: 
 a canopy comprising a high side and a low side; and    at least one pole supporting the canopy and extending from the high side to the low side, the pole being bent at a position so as to define a first angle of decline of the canopy along a first length from the high side to the position, and a second angle of decline of the canopy along a second length from the position to the low side, the second angle being greater relative to horizontal than the first angle.    
     
     
         2 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy comprises at least four poles extending from the high side to the low side, each having a bend at a position so as to define a first angle of decline of the canopy along a first length from the high side to the position, and a second angle of decline of the canopy along a second length from the position to the low side, the second angle being greater relative to horizontal than the first angle.  
     
     
         3 . The shelter of  claim 2 , wherein the canopy comprises four corners, and wherein the number of poles is four, and the four poles extend outward toward the four corners.  
     
     
         4 . The shelter of  claim 2 , wherein the first length is greater than the second length for each of the poles.  
     
     
         5 . The shelter of  claim 2 , wherein the second length is approximately 31 percent of the entire length of the respective pole for each of the poles.  
     
     
         6 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy comprises at least five poles extending from the high side to the low side, each having a bend at a position so as to define a first angle of decline of the canopy along a first length from the high side to the position, and a second angle of decline of the canopy along a second length from the position to the low side, the second angle being greater relative to horizontal than the first angle.  
     
     
         7 . The shelter of  claim 6 , wherein the canopy comprises five corners, and wherein the number of poles is five, and the five poles extend outward toward the five corners.  
     
     
         8 . The shelter of  claim 6 , wherein the first length is greater than the second length for each of the poles.  
     
     
         9 . The shelter of  claim 6 , wherein the second length is approximately 26 percent of the entire length of the respective pole for each of the poles.  
     
     
         10 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the first length is greater than the second length.  
     
     
         11 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the second length is approximately 31 percent of the entire length of the pole.  
     
     
         12 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a central hub with at least two poles extending outwardly therefrom, each pole supporting the canopy and extending from the hub to the low side, each pole being bent at a position so as to define a first angle of decline of the canopy along a first length from the hub to the position, and a second angle of decline of the canopy along a second length from the position to the low side, the second angle being greater relative to horizontal than the first angle.  
     
     
         13 . The shelter of  claim 12 , wherein the canopy is shaped as a rectangle, the number of poles is four, and the four poles extend to corners of the canopy.  
     
     
         14 . The shelter of  claim 12 , wherein the canopy is shaped as a pentagon, the number of poles is five, and the five poles extend to corners of the canopy.  
     
     
         15 . A shelter, comprising: 
 a canopy having an outer portion; and    means for supporting the canopy so that the canopy is bent at an outer portion and so that water runs off the canopy without substantial pooling on the canopy.    
     
     
         16 . A shelter, comprising: 
 a canopy; and    at least one bent pole for supporting the canopy, said at least one bent pole being arranged and configured so that an outer portion of the canopy comprises a greater angle relative to horizontal than an inner portion of the canopy.    
     
     
         17 . The shelter of  claim 16 , wherein the canopy comprises four corners, and wherein the number of poles is four, and the four poles extend outward toward the four corners.  
     
     
         18 . The shelter of  claim 17 ,  7 wherein the canopy comprises five corners, and wherein the number of poles is five, and the five poles extend outward toward the five corners.