AU2011204868A1 - Shelter and frame assembly therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame assembly for a shelter which acts as an awning for use with a motor vehicle is 5 disclosed. The frame assembly 10 for a shelter comprising a support bracket 11 and a pivot means 15 mounted to said support bracket 11, and a plurality of support arms 26 pivotally connected to said pivot means 15 for movement in a common plane about respective pivot axes between a folded position in which said support arms 26 are juxtaposed with each other and an erected position in which said support arms 26 extend outwardly from said support .0 bracket 11 and in which said support arms 26 can support a cover means 31. Figure 1 to accompany the abstract. Ii' I Ii I \%%%%4%% j~ I d 'I ~ Ii j~ I i~' Ii I

Description

1 SHELTER AND FRAME ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Technical Field 5 This invention relates to a shelter. In one aspect the present invention relates to a shelter which acts as an awning for use with a motor vehicle. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a shelter which provides accommodation in the nature of a tent. Background Art .0 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. .5 Awnings or shelters of many different designs are currently available for use in providing shade in many different situations and generally comprise a support frame and a cover material of canvas or similar weatherproof fabric which can be supported by the frame. Commonly awnings or shelters are used in connection with buildings to shade particular parts of a building or prevent sun entering windows. Awnings or shelters may also be used with .0 building to increase the usability of an outdoor area for example to provide protection from the sun or from adverse weather conditions. The support frames are either of a fixed construction or can be erected from a folded position to an erected or expanded position in which the support frame is either self-supporting or supported by additional frame elements such as upright posts. 25 Shelters or awnings are also commonly used with caravans to extend the living area of a caravan. Shelters or awnings of this type usually include a collapsible support frame which is mounted to the side of the caravan and which can be extended to one side of the caravan. The cover fabric in this type of awning is often wound about a spring loaded roller and is withdrawn from the roller as the frame is extended. In the erected positions, it is usually necessary to 30 provide upright poles to support the frame. Awnings or shelters of this type may also be used on recreational vehicles being mounted directly to the vehicle or via brackets to roof racks for the 2 vehicle. Shelters in another form are in the configuration of a tent which may be erected on the ground or at other location to provide accommodation for persons. Many different designs of 5 tent or shelter of this type are known however often shelters or tent are either difficult or time consuming to erect It would be desirable however to have a shelter which may serve as an awning for a vehicle. It would be further desirable to have a shelter for a vehicle or for other purposes which .0 may be erected rapidly and which at least provides an alternative to the prior art. It would be further desirable to have a frame assembly for a shelter of the above type. Summary of the Invention .5 The present invention provides in a preferred aspect although not necessarily the broadest aspect a frame assembly for a shelter comprising a support bracket, pivot means mounted to said bracket, and a plurality of support arms pivotally connected to said pivot means for movement in a common plane about respective pivot axes between a folded position in which said support arms are juxtaposed with each other and an erected position in .0 which said arms extend outwardly from said support bracket and in which said arms can support cover means. Preferably the pivot means comprise at least one pivot member or link which is mounted to the support bracket for pivotal movement relative thereto. Preferably the pivot 25 means comprises at least a pair of pivot members or links which are arranged in substantially parallel planes. Preferably common ends of the support arms are located between the pair of pivot members or links and pivotally connected thereto. In one form, the pivot bracket is mountable to an underlying surface such as a 30 platform or floor and the support arms are pivotally movable in a substantially vertical plane. In this form a pair of brackets and associated pivot means and support arms are provided at 3 spaced apart locations and the free ends of the support arms are interconnected by means of transversely extending arms. Preferably cover means such as a cover fabric is supported by the arms including the transversely extending arms such that when erected, a tent-like shelter is formed. 5 In another form, the support bracket is formed with or mounted to a main elongated support member and the pivot means permit the support arms supported thereby to be moved between their folded juxtaposed position and a fully erected position in which at least one of the support arms supported by the pivot means can be at a non-included angle of .0 approximately 270 degrees to the main support member. This permits the main support member of the frame to be mounted to a vehicle to extend along one side thereof and at least one support arm to extend along the rear of the vehicle. The pivot means however is also capable of allowing the support arms to adopt alternative attitudes to each other for example such that they radiate outwardly from one end of the main support member and to one side of .5 the vehicle only. Preferably the pivot means includes a main pivot member or link pivotally mounted to the support bracket and at least one additional pivot member or link which is capable of being pivoted to a position extending at a non-included angle of approximately 270 degrees to the .0 main support member when the main pivot member is pivoted to an erected position. Preferably the at least one additional pivot member or link is pivotally mounted to the main pivot member or link and the pivot axis of the additional pivot member is moved by pivotal movement of the main pivot member to a position in which it can extend at the aforesaid non included angle. Preferably at least some of the support arms are pivotally connected at one 25 end to the main pivot member or link at respective pivot connections spaced apart longitudinally of the at least one pivot member or link. Preferably the main pivot member or link comprises a pair of spaced apart pivot members or links between which the corresponding ends of the first support arms are located. Preferably the pivot connections comprise pivot pins or axles extending between the pairs of pivot members or links and 30 through the corresponding ends of the first support arms.

4 Preferably, a further support arm is pivotally connected to the at least one additional pivot member or link. Preferably the at least one additional pivot member or link comprises a pair of spaced additional pivot members or links and one end of the further support arm is located between the pair of additional pivot members or links and pivotally connected thereto 5 by means of a pivot pin or the like. The further support arm can be pivoted to a non-included angle of approximately 270 degrees to the main support member. In one form the main pivot member or links are of a triangular configuration. In another form the main pivot member or links may be substantially linear. .0 The pivot means may also include an additional pivot member or link to which a support arm is pivotally connected. The additional pivot member or link may also be pivotally mounted to the support bracket suitably at the pivot connection of the main pivot member or link to the support bracket. .5 Preferably the support arms are of similar length and of similar length to the housing member. Preferably in the unfolded or erected position of the frame assembly, the support arms 0 are adapted to be supported at their free end by upright posts which may be guyed. The support arms for this purpose suitably include an end fitting adapted to cooperate with an upright post. Suitably the end fitting has an aperture to receive a pointed end or pin at the upper end of an upright post. 25 In another aspect, the present invention provides an awning or shade comprising a frame assembly as described above and cover means attachable to the frame assembly. Preferably the cover means comprises a shade or weather-proof cover material or fabric and is attachable to respective arms of the frame assembly and preferably also to the elongated member. 30 Preferably the main elongated member has on its operative upper and/or lower edges 5 a channel or track into which an edge portion of the cover means is adapted to be received. Suitably the channel or track is a re-entrant track adapted to capture and edge portion of the cover means. 5 Preferably attachment or fastening means are provided to attach the cover material to the respective arms. Such attachment means may comprise sleeves on the underside of the cover material for receipt of respective arms. Preferably the sleeves are located at the position of the arms in the erected position of the frame assembly. Alternatively the arms may be attached to the cover material by other attachment or fastening means such as Velcro .0 type hook and loop or touch and grip material or material loops which may receive the arms. When designed for use with a vehicle, the main elongated support member is suitably adapted to be mounted to the roof racks of a vehicle through suitably mounting brackets so as to extend longitudinally of the vehicle and to one side of the vehicle. The channel or track on .5 the other side of the elongated member permits the awning or shade to be used on one side or the other side of the vehicle. Preferably the main elongated support member includes means to capture one or more mounting bolts for engagement with the mounting brackets. The capturing means may comprise an elongated slot on the rear side of the main support member which is adapted to capture the heads of the mounting bolts. 0 When applied to a vehicle the further support arm can be pivoted to a position to extend across the rear of the vehicle in which position it is at substantially 270 degrees to the main elongated support member. 25 Brief Description of the Drawings Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates a frame assembly for a shelter according to an embodiment of the 30 present invention in a folded or collapsed attitude; Fig. 2 is an end view of the frame assembly; 6 Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate part of the frame assembly in a part erected and fully erected position; Fig. 5 illustrates an erected awning including the frame assembly of Figs. 1 to 4; Fig. 6 illustrates a frame assembly for a shelter according to a second embodiment of the 5 present invention in a folded or collapsed position; Fig. 7 illustrates part of the frame assembly of Fig. 6 adjacent the pivot in a fully erected position; Fig. 8 illustrates the frame assembly of Fig. 6 in a fully erected position; Fig. 9 illustrates an erected shelter including the frame assembly of Figs. 6 to 8. .0 Fig. 10 is a side view of part of a frame assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention in a folded or collapsed attitude; Fig. 11 is an end view of the frame assembly of Fig. 11; Figs. 12 to 14 illustrated the frame assembly being moved from the collapsed position of Fig. 10 to the erected position; .5 Fig. 15 illustrates an erected shelter including the frame assembly of Figs. 11 to 14; Fig. 16 illustrates an erected frame assembly of Fig. 5 attached to a vehicle; Figs. 17 and 18 are detailed views of the regions A and B of Fig. 16; Fig. 19 illustrates a modified frame assembly similar to that of Figs. 10 to 14 for forming a shelter similar to that of Fig. 9; and .0 Fig. 20 illustrates an end view of a frame assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment 25 Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated in a folded attitude a frame assembly 10 for an awning or shelter according to an embodiment of the invention, the frame assembly 10 comprises an elongated member 11 which has upper and lower tracks 12 and 13, the tracks being in the nature of reentrant sail tracks for a purpose which will become apparent further below. The member 11 also includes on its outer side a 30 longitudinally extending T-sectioned slots 14 in which the heads of mounting bolts or the mounting nuts can be captured and slid therealong, the mounting bolts enabling mounting of 7 the member 11 to the roof racks of a vehicle through suitable angle brackets. The member 11 typically comprises an extruded member of aluminium. Mounted at one end of the elongated member 11 a pivot assembly 15 comprises a pair 5 of spaced apart substantially parallel pivot members 16 of a triangular configuration which are mounted to lugs 17 of a mounting bracket 18, the mounting bracket 18 being bolted to the elongated member 11 using bolts not shown which may be inserted in either direction. A pivot pin 19 extends through the respective pivot members 16 and lugs 17 to pivotally connect the pivot members 16 to the bracket 18 and thus member 11. A pair of parallel links .0 20 are also pivotally connected through pivot pin 21 to the respective members 16. The pivot pins 19 and 21 are substantially parallel to each other. A plurality of first elongated support arms 22, in this case three support arms 22, are pivotally connected at one end to the members 16, the support arms 22 comprising tubular .5 members 23 having end pivot brackets 24 at one end which are located between the members 16 and are pivotally connected thereto by pivot pins 25. The pivot pin 21 also connects the outermost arm 22 to the members 16. The pivot axes of the respective support arms 22 are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart along a straight line. Further the pivot axes of the support arms 22 are offset laterally from the pivot pin 19. -O A further support arm 26 similar to the arms 22 is pivotally connected to the links 20 in a similar manner to the connection of the arms 22 to the members 16. Each of the support arms 22 and 26 includes at its free end an end cap 27 which is apertured at 28 for engagement by an upright support post as described further below. 25 In the folded position, the arms 22 and 26 are juxtaposed with each other and extend substantially parallel to the member 11. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the pivot members 16 can be pivoted approximately 90 30 degrees anticlockwise to move the pivot connection of the links 20 to the members 16 beyond the end of the bracket 18 and in this position, the links 21 may then be pivoted anticlockwise 8 to a position as shown in Fig. 4 in which the links 20 extend at a non-included angle of substantially 270 degrees to the elongated member 11. The support arms 22 may also be pivoted anticlockwise relative to the pivot members 5 16 to the position shown in Figs. 4 to radiate outwardly from the pivot assembly 15 end of the member 11. In addition, the support arm 26 is pivoted to the position of Fig. 4 in which it also extends substantially at a non-included angel of 270 degrees to the member 11. This is the position of the arms 22 and 26 in the erected position. .0 The frame assembly 10 is typically mounted to a vehicle having a pair of roof racks and on the passenger side thereof to extend longitudinally of the vehicle and via angle brackets and bolts as referred to above which are captured in the slots 14. For forming an awning 30 as shown in Fig. 5, the frame assembly 10 is used with a .5 cover material 31 which may be provided on its underside with a number of sleeves or loops which are adapted to receive respective supports arms 22 and 26 of the frame assembly 10 with the sleeves or loops being positioned to define the required final orientation of the arms 22 and 26. On its inner margin or periphery, the cover material 31 may be provided with a rope, cord or the like which may be threaded or slid endwise into a track 12 or 13 to connect .0 the inner edge of the cover material 31 to the frame member 11. The cover material 31 may be any fabric which is waterproof or water resistant such as a light canvas or synthetic material such as a poly fabric. Alternatively the cover material 31 may be formed of a shade cloth 25 Where the awing 30 is to be erected, the vehicle is positioned usually on a relatively flat area of ground. The outermost support arm 26 may then be released and the respective arms 22 and 26 pivoted anticlockwise and similarly the pivot members 16 and links 20 are pivoted anticlockwise such that the link 20 extend in the direction across the rear of the vehicle. The arm 26 can also extend across the rear of the vehicle in which position the arm 30 26 is at a non-included angle of substantially 270 degrees to the member 11.

9 In this position the arms 22 and 26 tension the cover material 31 which is connected to the arms 22 and 26. The outer ends of the support arms 22 are then supported at their free ends by means of side upstanding posts which may extend into the apertures 28 in the end caps 27 of the arms 22. In their erected position, the respective posts may be supported in 5 their upstanding attitude by means of suitable guy ropes or wires or in low wind conditions, they may be freestanding. Tension may also be maintained or provided to the cover material 31 by a cord (for example an elastic cord) or guy line or the like which may be connected between the rear roof .0 rack and outer end of the adjacent support arm 26 of the awning 30. The erected awning 30 may be folded using a reverse procedure to that described above. The cover material attached to the frame arms 22 and 26 in the non-erected position of the frame assembly 10 may be folded or rolled up and held within an elongated cover or .5 bag (not shown) which covers or encloses the cover material 31. In this position, the vehicle may be driven with the folded awning 30 and frame assembly 10 attached to the roof racks 3. Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate an alternative frame assembly 32 according to the invention in which like components have been given like numerals. The frame assembly 32 has a pivot '0 assembly 15 as in Fig. 1 however in this case the pivot assembly 15 does not include the additional links 20 or arm 26. The pivot members 15 may be pivoted between the folded position of Fig. 6 where the arms 22 are substantially juxtaposed and the erected position of Figs. 7 and 8 where the arms 22 radiate from the bracket assembly 15. 25 A pair of frame assemblies 32 may be arranged in a laterally spaced apart attitude as shown in Fig. 9 where the brackets 13 may be mounted or secured to a suitable underlying surface such as a platform on a vehicle or trailer. Transverse arms 33 interconnect corresponding arms 22 of the frame assemblies 32 being connected to the arms 22 though suitable right angle brackets 34. A cover material 35 (shown in outline) is connected to the 30 arms 33 in a similar manner of the connection of the cover material 31 to the arms 22. It will be noted that in the position of Fig. 9, the cover material 35 defines a shelter 36 which may 10 be used in a similar manner to a tent. If desired the cover material may include windows or transparent panels. The connected frame assemblies 32 carrying the cover material may be collapsed to 5 the position of Fig. 6 after use. Figs. 10 to 14 illustrate a frame assembly 40 for an awning or shelter according to another embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4 and in which like components have been given like numerals. The frame assembly 40 thus .0 includes an elongated member 11 having a mounting bracket 18 secured at one end. A pivot assembly 41 is mounted to the bracket 18 and comprises a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel pivot links 42 which are mounted to the lugs 17 of the mounting bracket 18 via a pivot pin 43. The pivot assembly 41 also includes a first pair of smaller parallel links 44 pivotally connected to the mounting bracket 18 by the pin 43. A further pair of similar links .5 45 is pivotally connected to the outer ends of the links 42 via pivot pin 46. The pivot pins 43 and 46 are substantially parallel to each other. A plurality of first elongated support arms 47, 48, 49 and 50 similar to the arms 22 are connected to the pivot assembly 40. The arm 47 is connected to the link 45 via pivot pin 51, o0 the arm 48 is connected to the links 42 and 45 via pivot pin 46, the arm 49 is pivotally connected to the link 42 via pivot pin 52 between the pins 43 and 46 and the arm 50 is pivotally connected by pivot pin 53 to the free ends of the links 44. The pivot axes of the respective support arms 47, 48, 49 and 50 are substantially parallel to each other. Each of the support arms 47 to 50 is similar to the arm 22 and includes at its free end an end cap which is 25 apertured for engagement by an upright support post as described further below. In the folded position of Fig. 10 and 11, the arms 47 to 50 are juxtaposed with each other and extend substantially parallel to the member 11. Further in this position, the link 44 extends substantially parallel to the member 11 and the link 45 is substantially longitudinally 30 aligned with the links 42.

11 As shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the pivot members 52 can be pivoted clockwise from the position of Fig. 10 to move the pivot connection 46 of the links 45 to the members 52 beyond the end of the bracket 18 and in this position, the links 45 may then be pivoted to a position as shown in Fig. 14 in which the links 20 extend at a non-included angle of substantially 270 5 degrees to the elongated member 11. The support arms 48 and 49 connected to the links 42 may also be pivoted to the position shown in Figs. 14 to radiate outwardly from the pivot assembly 41 end of the member 11. In addition, the support arm 47 is pivoted to the position of Fig. 14 in which it also extends substantially at a non-included angel of 270 degrees to the member 11. This is the position of the arms 47 to 50 in the erected position. .0 As with the embodiment of Figs. 1, the frame assembly 40 is mounted to the end of roof racks of a vehicle and a cover material 51 is attached to the respective arms 47 to 50 by for example sleeves or loops provided on the underside of the material to form an awning 51. The cover material 51 may be any fabric which is waterproof or water resistant such as a light .5 canvas or synthetic material such as a poly fabric. Alternatively the cover material 51 may be formed of a shade cloth. For erection of the awning 52 to the position of Figs. 14 and 15, the arms 47 to 50 and links of the pivot assembly 41 are pivoted as described with reference to Figs. 10 to 14 above. o The arm 47 is pivoted to a position to extend across the rear of the vehicle in which position the arm 47 is at a non-included angle of substantially 270 degrees to the member 11. In this position the arms 47 to 50 tension the cover material 51. The outer ends of the support arms 47 to 50 are then supported at their free ends by means of upstanding posts 53 25 which may extend into apertures 54 in the end caps 55 of the arms 47 to 50. The upper ends of the posts 53 have upstanding pins 56 which are passed through the apertures 54 and eyelets in the cover material 22 (see Fig. 17). The ends of the pins 56 are bent or angled over as at 57. This will prevent or restrict the cover material 51 from lifting upwardly in high wind conditions and consequently becoming detached from the posts 53. In their erected position, 30 the respective posts may be supported in their upstanding attitude by means of suitable guy ropes or wires or in low wind conditions, they may be freestanding.

12 At their lower ends the posts 53 are provided with folding foot members 58 which are pivotally mounted to the posts 53 through pivot pins 59. The foot members 58 have flanges 60 which can sit on the ground surface. The flanges 60 have apertures 61 therein which 5 allow pegs 62 to be driven therethrough into the ground at opposite angles to firmly secure the foot members 58 to the ground. The erected awning 52 may be folded using a reverse procedure to that described above and held within an elongated cover or bag (not shown) which covers or encloses the .0 cover material 51. The pivot assembly 41 of Figs. 10 to 14 can be modified as shown in Fig. 19 by removing the links 45 and arm 47 to form the pivot assembly 63 which supports three arms 48 to 50. This pivot assembly 63 may be used in the same manner as described with .5 reference to Fig. 9 to form a shelter. The pivot assembly 63 may be moved to a folded position similar to that of Fig. 10 where the arms 48 to 50 are juxtaposed and lie substantially parallel to the frame member 11. In accordance with a further embodiment Fig. 20 shows a frame assembly 70 with the .0 elongated housing member 71 which is partly of a generally channel shaped cross section and which has a pair of opposite side flanges 72, 73 with both flanges being provided with inner and outer tracks 74, 75 and 76, 77, the tracks being in the nature of reentrant sail tracks. The elongated housing member 71 also includes an end wall 78 from which the side flanges 72 and 73 extend, the end wall 78 being provided with longitudinally extending T-sectioned 25 slots 79 in which the heads 80 of mounting bolts 81 can be captured and slid therealong. The housing 71 typically comprises an extruded member of aluminium. The mounting bolts 81 can be bolted to angle brackets 82 which enable the housing member 71 to be mounted in this case to one end of the roof racks of a vehicle. 30 Arranged at one end of the elongated housing member 71 is a pivot assembly 83 comprising a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel pivot links 84 which are mounted to 13 the elongated member 71 via a pair of pivot support members 85 for pivotal movement relative to the elongated member 71. The pivot support members 85 are of stepped configuration having inner flanges 86 which extend into the channel of the housing member 74 to lie adjacent the inner side of the respective flanges 72, 73 with a spacer 87 spacing the 5 flanges 72, 73 apart. A pivot pin 88 extends through the respective flanges 72 and 73 of the elongated member 71, the flanges 86 of the pivot support members 85 and spacer 87 to pivotally connect the pivot support members 85 to the elongated housing member 71. The stepped pivot support members 85 also include outwardly stepped flanges 89 to which the parallel pivot links 84 are pivotally connected, the links 84 which are of planar .0 strip- or flange-like form being located on the inner sides of and adjacent to the respective flanges 89 and connected thereto by a pivot pin 90 which extends through the respective flanges 89 and links 84. The pivot axes defined by the pivot pins 90 and 88 are substantially parallel to each other. The pivot support members 85 through their pivotal connection by pivot pin 88 to the elongated housing member 71 permits the pivot axis of the pivot links 84 .5 defined by the pivot pin 90 to be moved from a position in which it is to one side of the member 71 to a position longitudinally aligned with the support member 71 and in this position, the pivot links 84 can be pivoted to a position extending at substantially 270 degrees to the support member 71 which is the normal erected position of the frame assembly 70. .0 A plurality of first elongated support arms 91, in this case four support arms 91, are pivotally connected to the links 84. The support arms 91 comprising tubular members 92 having end pivot brackets 93 at one end which are located between the links 84 and are pivotally connected thereto. The innermost support arm 91 has its end pivot bracket 93 located between the links 84 at the pivot connection of the links 84 to the flanges 89 and the 25 pivot pin 90 extends through that end bracket 93. The other end brackets 93 space the links 84 apart and are connected to the links 84 by further pivot pins 94 which extend through the links 84 and brackets 93. The pivot axes of the respective support arms 91 are thus spaced apart longitudinally of the pivot links 84 and are substantially parallel to each other and the axis defined by the pivot pin 88. The support arms 91 are thus capable of pivoting in a 30 common plane which in the operative position, is normally horizontal.

14 Whilst the awnings and shelters described above are designed primarily for use with vehicles or trailers, they may be used with caravans or mobile homes or may also be used in fixed locations for example on the side of a house or other building. 5 The frame assemblies described above may have any number of support arms however practically a frame assembly with three to five support arms is sufficient to support cover material of an awning or shelter. Further the posts 53 having the "bent" pins or spigots 56 may be used with any awning or shelter to restrain the cover material of the awning or shelter. Further the foot 0 members 58 may also be applied to any upright post for securing a post to the ground. The reference to prior art herein is not to be taken as an admission that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art. .5 The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof. '0 Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined herein.

Claims (24)

1. A frame assembly for a shelter comprising: a support bracket; 5 pivot means mounted to said support bracket; and a plurality of support arms pivotally connected to said pivot means for movement in a common plane about respective pivot axes between a folded position in which said support arms are juxtaposed with each other and an erected position in which said support arms extend outwardly from said support bracket and in which said support arms can support a .0 cover means.

2. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivot means comprises at least one pivot member or link which is mounted to the support bracket for pivotal movement relative thereto. .5

3. A frame assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pivot means comprises at least a pair of pivot members or links which are arranged in substantially parallel planes, wherein common ends of the support arms are located between the pair of pivot members or links and pivotally connected thereto. '0

4. A frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support bracket is mountable to an underlying surface such as a platform or floor and the support arms are pivotally movable in a substantially vertical plane. 25

5. A frame assembly according to claim 4, wherein a pair of support brackets and associated pivot means and support arms are provided at spaced apart locations and the free ends of the support arms are interconnected by means of transversely extending arms.

6. A frame assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cover means such as a cover 30 fabric is supported by the support arms including the transversely extending arms such that when erected, a tent-like shelter is formed. 16

7. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support bracket is formed with or mounted to a main elongated support member and the pivot means permit the support arms supported thereby to be moved between their folded juxtaposed position and a fully erected 5 position in which at least one of the support arms supported by the pivot means can be at a non-included angle of approximately 270 degrees to the main support member.

8. A frame assembly according to claim 7, wherein the elongated support member of the frame assembly is mounted to a vehicle to extend along one side thereof and at least one .0 support arm extends along the rear of the vehicle.

9. A frame assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the pivot means is also capable of allowing the support arms to adopt alternative attitudes to each other such that the support arms radiate outwardly from one end of the elongated support member and to one .5 side of the vehicle only.

10. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivot means includes a main pivot member or link pivotally mounted to the support bracket and at least one additional pivot member or link which is capable of being pivoted to a position extending at a non o0 included angle of approximately 270 degrees to the support bracket when the main pivot member is pivoted to an erected position.

11. A frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the at least one additional pivot member or link is pivotally mounted to the main pivot member or link and the pivot axis of 25 the additional pivot member is moved by pivotal movement of the main pivot member to a position in which it can extend at the at a non-included angle of approximately 270 degrees to the support bracket when the main pivot member is pivoted to an erected position.

12. A frame assembly according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein at least some of the 30 support arms are pivotally connected at one end to the main pivot member or link at respective pivot connections spaced apart longitudinally of the at least one pivot member or link, the main pivot member or link comprises a pair of spaced apart pivot members or links 17 between which the corresponding ends of the first support arms are located and the pivot connections comprise pivot pins or axles extending between the pairs of pivot members or links and through the corresponding ends of the first support arms. 5

13. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a further support arm is pivotally connected to the at least one additional pivot member or link, and the at least one additional pivot member or link comprises a pair of spaced additional pivot members or links and one end of the further support arm is located between the pair of additional pivot members or links and pivotally connected thereto by means of a pivot pin or the like, and .0 wherein the further support arm can be pivoted to a non-included angle of approximately 270 degrees to the main support bracket.

14. A frame assembly according to claim 12, wherein the main pivot member or links are of a triangular configuration, or preferably or optionally the main pivot member or links are .5 substantially linear.

15. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the pivot means includes an additional pivot member or link to which a support arm is pivotally connected, the additional pivot member or link is pivotally mounted to the support bracket suitably at the fl pivot connection of the main pivot member or link to the support bracket.

16. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the support arms are of similar length and of similar length to the main elongated support member. 25

17. A frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the unfolded or erected position of the frame assembly, the support arms are adapted to be supported at their free end by upright posts which may be guyed, wherein the support arms include an end fitting adapted to cooperate with an upright post, and the end fitting has an aperture to receive a pointed end or pin at the upper end of an upright post. 30

18. A frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover means comprises a shade or weather-proof cover material or fabric and is attachable to 18 respective arms of the frame assembly and preferably also to the main elongated support member.

19. A frame assembly according to claim 18, wherein the main elongated support member 5 has on its operative upper and/or lower edges at least one channel or track into which an edge portion of the cover means is adapted to be received, and preferably or optionally the channel or track is a re-entrant track adapted to capture and edge portion of the cover means.

20. A frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising .0 attachment or fastening means provided to attach the cover material to the respective arms, wherein the attachment means comprises sleeves on the underside of the cover material for receipt of respective support arms and the sleeves are located at the position of the support arms in the erected position of the frame assembly. .5

21. A frame assembly according to claim 20, wherein the support arms may be attached to the cover material by other attachment or fastening means such as Velcro-type hook and loop or touch and grip material or material loops which may receive the support arms.

22. A frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the .0 frame assembly is designed for use with a vehicle, the main elongated support member is suitably adapted to be mounted to the roof racks of a vehicle through suitably mounting brackets so as to extend longitudinally of the vehicle and to one side of the vehicle.

23. A frame assembly according to claim 22, wherein the main elongated support member 25 includes means to capture one or more mounting bolts for engagement with the mounting brackets, wherein the capturing means comprises an elongated slot on the rear side of the main elongated support member which is adapted to capture the heads of the mounting bolts.

24. A frame assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 30 accompanying drawings.