Ground tent with external frame and improved subframe therefor

In a tenting structure:

• a sidewall and roof assembly comprising a pair of inclined pliant erectile skin members each having external and internal surfaces and at least one common straight edge;
• means interconnecting the skin members along their common straight edges wherein the erected skin members are adapted to be positioned so that the line defining their interconnection describes the vertex of the angle formed by the planes of the inclined skin members;
• at least one frame means for supporting the skin members, each of which frame means includes;
• a plurality of flexible struts;
• and
• hub means carrying the proximal ends of the struts, including
• a plurality of pivotal sockets carried by the hub to receive the proximal ends of the struts;
• releasable stop means engaging the said sockets to arrest the movement thereof at the extremes of approximately 100.degree. of rotation about the pivotal axis of the sockets;
• a base member having a plurality of cavities, each having opposing side chambers defining bearing means at the forward end thereof;
• journal means integral with the pivotal sockets and disposed for rotation in the bearing means;
• and
• curvilinearly faced seats, one each disposed in the bottom of each cavity and engaging the pivotal sockets on the side thereof opposite the surface thereof engaging the bearing means;
• a plurality of pocket means integral with the skin members and disposed along the perimeter of the surface thereof to receive the distal ends of the struts, the straightline distance between opposing pocket means being less than the diameter defined by the hub means and a pair of diametrically opposed flexible rods so as to place the said pair of rods in compression, creating an outwardly distended bow in the said rods.