Vent stay for a canopy or tent

Abstract

A vent is provided on the lower portion of a tent. The lower portion is formed of a water-repellent material, and mesh material is provided at an upper portion of the tent. The vent may or may not use the stay described above. A flexible stay is also provided for a tent or canopy. The flexible stay is connected to upper and lower sections of a vent, and is formed of a construction that is resilient enough to support the vent during use, but is flexible enough so that the vent may be collapsed during storage.

1 . A tent, comprising: 
 a lower portion formed of a water-repellent material;    an upper portion formed of a mesh material; and    a vent in the lower portion.    
   
   
       2 . The tent of  claim 1 , wherein an open side of the vent faces downward when the tent is set up.  
   
   
       3 . The tent of  claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises an upper flap, a lower flap, and a flexible stay extending between the upper and lower flaps.  
   
   
       4 . The tent of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible stay comprises a plurality of segments.  
   
   
       5 . The tent of  claim 4 , wherein the segments each comprise adjacent flat edges.  
   
   
       6 . The tent of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible stay further comprises an elastic cord extending through the segments and tensioning the segments together.  
   
   
       7 . The tent of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible stay further comprises means for biasing the segments into a position to maintain the vent open.  
   
   
       8 . The tent of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible stay is configured and arranged such that the flexible stay is resilient enough to support the vent during use, but is flexible enough so that the vent may be collapsed during storage.  
   
   
       9 . The tent of  claim 1 , further comprising a rain fly positioned above at least a portion of the upper portion.  
   
   
       10 . The tent of  claim 9 , wherein the rain fly comprises an apex and a vent adjacent the apex.  
   
   
       11 . A vent for a fabric structure, comprising: 
 an upper flap;    a lower flap; and    a flexible stay extending between the upper and lower flaps.    
   
   
       12 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible stay comprises a plurality of segments.  
   
   
       13 . The vent of  claim 12 , wherein the segments each comprise adjacent flat edges.  
   
   
       14 . The vent of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible stay further comprises an elastic cord extending through the segments and tensioning the segments together.  
   
   
       15 . The vent of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible stay further comprises an elastic cord extending through the segments and tensioning the segments together.  
   
   
       16 . The vent of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible stay further comprises means for biasing the segments into a position to maintain the vent open.  
   
   
       17 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible stay is configured and arranged such that the flexible stay is resilient enough to support the vent during use, but is flexible enough so that the vent may be collapsed during storage.  
   
   
       18 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric structure is a tent.  
   
   
       19 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric structure is a rain fly for a tent.  
   
   
       20 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric structure is a canopy.  
   
   
       21 . A canopy comprising the vent of  claim 11 .  
   
   
       22 . A tent comprising a rain fly including the vent of  claim 11.