Robert E. Gillis papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains materials related to Robert (Bob) E. Gillis and his work, including materials related to the Oval Intention, the Grip Clip™ tarp, and Grip Clip™ tent fasteners. It includes the original patent documents associated with Bob’s inventions and copies of patents by other inventors for tent-related products. Related to the patents are records he created for the patent application to The United States Patent and Trademark Office. Located under “Patent Application Records,” these documents mostly contain copies of Bob’s patents and patents from inventions with similar designs, as well as copies of Bob’s tent designs and other tent-related gear advertised in catalogs and magazines. These documents, originally held in a bound binder, were kept together in one folder or, if necessary due to size, separated into two folders. “Supporting Documentation for Patent Applications” are also related to the patents, but do not appear to have been submitted with the patent application. These folders include correspondence from Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, billing information, papers and correspondence from The United States Patent and Trademark Office, drafts of patent applications, copies of patents, copies of sketches, and other records relating to patent applications. The collection also consists of original sketches and notes of Bob’s inventions, including ten journals which document his design process. Other materials include Shelter Systems catalogs, records, and magazine clippings as well as records of McGillis Products. Finally, the collection houses license agreements from The North Face and Sierra Designs, who partnered with Bob to sell his tent products.
Dates
- 1975-2010
Language of Materials
Material in English
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Robert E. Gillis papers must be obtained from the Outdoor Recreation Archive Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Historical Note
Robert (Bob) E. Gillis is the owner of Shelter Systems and is known for his innovative designs in the tent industry. In the 1970s, Bob contributed to the development of the Oval Intention, the first geodesic backpacking tent using tensegrity design principles, an innovation that transformed the tent industry. Bob is also the inventor of the Grip Clip™ tarp and Grip Clip™ tent fasteners, which are two rings that hold the tent fabric together to prevent any condensation or rain from seeping in. He came up with this design after realizing the holes from the sewn tent’s fabric panels were letting water into the tent. Bob invented other distinctive techniques for the tent industry and has been granted 18 U.S. patents for his designs. Bob also started his own business, Shelter Systems in 1978 which sell his tent products, including Greenhouse tents. In 1994, Bob Gillis partnered with Mitchell W. McCoy and created McGillis Products. This partnership functioned to conduct general business for Bob’s fasteners and other associated products.
Extent
10 boxes (5 linear feet)
Abstract
This collection contains patent documents related to Robert (Bob) E. Gillis and his inventions, including the Oval Intention, the Grip Clip™ tarp and Grip Clip™ tent fasteners.
Arrangement
The Robert E. Gillis papers are arranged by subjects in relation to his patents. All the patent documents and Bob’s personal journals are arranged chronologically. Other records are arranged alphabetically by invention name or business.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Judith Rocchio in 2020 and 2021.
Processing Information
Processed in December of 2020
- Title
- Guide to the Robert E. Gillis papers 1975-2010
- Author
- Finding aid/Register created by Monique Davila and Clint Pumphrey
- Date
- ©2020
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid encoded in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu