CA2311060A1 - Canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles - Google Patents

Canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2311060A1
CA2311060A1 CA 2311060 CA2311060A CA2311060A1 CA 2311060 A1 CA2311060 A1 CA 2311060A1 CA 2311060 CA2311060 CA 2311060 CA 2311060 A CA2311060 A CA 2311060A CA 2311060 A1 CA2311060 A1 CA 2311060A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
vertical frame
frame
canopy structure
canopy
front vertical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2311060
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Philippe Turenne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2311060A1 publication Critical patent/CA2311060A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)

Abstract

A canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles which has a front vertical frame structure, a rear vertical frame structure, and a horizontal frame extending between and connected to the front and rear vertical frames, the horizontal frame having a protective panel extending there across, and including a height adjustment on the front vertical frame such that the canopy structure can be adjusted for use with different types of two wheeled vehicles.

Description

CANOPY STRUCTURE FOR TWO WHEELED VEHICLES
The present invention relates to the field of accessories for vehicles and more particularly, is concerned with a canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known in the art, two wheeled vehicles enjoy a substantial popularity. The two wheeled vehicles include bicycles which are ridden for pleasure and motorized vehicles such as scooters and motor bikes.
The weather is an important factor in the use of such vehicles. Rain, for example, can make the use of such two wheeled vehicles somewhat unpleasant.
Even the sun, under certain conditions, can be unpleasant for certain users due to the health risks involved due to excess UV exposure.
The users of the vehicles have resorted to either attempting to dress for the climatic conditions of the particular occasion or alternatively, forgoing riding their vehicles.
The prior art is replete with various assemblies which have been developed to circumvent the above mentioned disadvantages when riding two wheeled vehicles.
Most of the known structures have rigid frames or attachments to the vehicle along with a cover panel which is attached to the frame structure for covering the users of the vehicle.
Such prior art cover assemblies have not met with any commercial success, which is believed to be due to the difficulty in assembling of the structures and their interference with operation of the vehicle.

Exemplary of the teachings of the prior art is U.S. Patent 4,778,214 which discloses a vehicle shield including a front strut, a rear strut, a top cover and two bracket plates. The shield is mounted on the front handle members and on the rear portion of the vehicle such that the top cover thereof can function to minimize the effects of wind and adverse weather conditions during use of the vehicle.
A further structure known in the prior art is seen in U.S. Patent 4,681,362 to Taylor issued July 21, 1987 and which shows a canopy removably mounted on a vehicle and includes a pair of tubes that are fastened to the body of the vehicle onto the windshield thereof. The rear flap of the canopy includes a plurality of air vents to provide aerodynamic stability to the vehicle at high speed.
A still further structure is known from U.S. Patent 5,072,987 to Marshall Allen issued December 19, 1991, and which teaches a retractable roof for two wheeled vehicles including a flexible water proof canopy removably supported by a tubular frame. The frame includes a stationary base portion and an overhead portion including a front bow, a central bow and a rear bow all of which can be pivoted from an upright position to a lower position parallel to the base portion and behind the seat.
The central bow includes telescopic elements which allow it to be shortened when in the lowered position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a improved canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles.
-2-It is a further object of the present invention to provide a canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, motorcycles and the like which will provide protection from the weather elements and which canopy structure can be customized depending on the specific needs.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles and which canopy structure is convertible and collapsible and includes both top and side protection.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a canopy structure for a vehicle having two wheels, the canopy structure comprising a front vertical frame having a front vertical frame upper end and a front vertical frame lower end, a rear vertical frame having a rear vertical frame upper end and a rear vertical frame lower end, a horizontal frame extending between and connected to an upper end of each of the front vertical frame and the rear vertical frame, front vertical frame mounting means connected to a lower end of the front vertical frame, rear vertical frame mounting means connected to a lower end of the rear vertical frame, a protective panel extending across the horizontal frame, and means for adjusting the height of the front vertical frame mounting means.
Preferably, the canopy structure includes means for adjusting the height and which means may conveniently comprise a spacing member and a cooperating sleeve for receiving the spacing member.
-3-BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle canopy according to one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle canopy being shown mounted on a motor scooter;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle canopy of Figure 1 including the mounting of transparent protective side and end panels thereon;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the vehicle canopy of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a front elevational view thereof;
Figure 5 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 6 is a bottom plan view thereof;
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a further embodiment of a vehicle canopy used in conjunction with a bicycle;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the vehicle canopy of Figure 8 including the mounting of transparent panels thereon;
Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the vehicle canopy for the bicycle;
Figure 11 is a view of the front wall thereof; and Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the front wall portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a vehicle canopy according to one embodiment of the
-4-present invention and which is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
Vehicle canopy 10 is designed to be mounted on a motor bike which is shown in phantom outline and which is generally designated by reference character M.
Vehicle canopy 10 includes an upper horizontal frame structure generally designated by reference numeral 14. For ease of description, the structure will employ the terms horizontal and vertical to mean those components which are normally in that position when on the vehicle, but which terms are not intended to be limiting of the invention.
Horizontal frame structure 18 is comprised of a first side longitudinally extending frame member 18 and a second side longitudinally extending frame member 20. Frame members 18 and 20 are parallel and there is also provided a parallel intermediate frame member 22. The outer extremities of horizontal frame structure 14 are defined by a first end frame member 24 extending between side frame members 18 and 20 and a second end frame member 26 likewise extending between side frame members 18 and 20. A pair of transverse frame members 28 and 30 likewise extend between side frame members 18 and 20 and are parallel to end frame members 24 and 26.
Mounted on horizontal frame 14 is a horizontal panel 32 which may be formed of any suitable material and preferably, is formed of a water resistant or water repellant material. However, other materials may be utilized - i.e. a mesh type of material to reduce the amount of light transmitted therethrough may be desirable under certain conditions.
-5-As may be seen in Figure 7, horizontal panel 32 may be secured about the various frame members by means of an adhesive strip having a hook and eye arrangement - a plurality of hooks 34 are designed to engage eyes 36 in the type of attachment marketed under the Trademark VELCRO.
Vehicle canopy 10 also includes a rear vertical structure generally designated by reference numeral 40. Rear vertical frame structure 40 includes a pair of spaced apart vertical struts 42 and 44 and which are joined together at their bottom edges by a transverse strut 46.
For purposes of attaching rear vertical frame 40 to the motor bike M, there are provided a pair of legs 48 each having an attachment pad 50 thereon. Bolts 52 may then be used to secure pads 50 to an appropriate substrate surface of the motor bike M.
The vehicle canopy also includes a front vertical frame generally designated by reference numeral 58. Front vertical frame 58 includes first and second vertical struts 60 and 62 with a lower transverse strut 64 connecting the lower ends of vertical struts 60 and 62.
A spacing strut 66 is connected to transverse strut 64 and is designed to fit within a vertical sleeve 68. A series of apertures 70 are formed in both spacing strut 66 and vertical sleeve 68 such that the height or vertical length may be adjusted depending on the particular vehicle by locking spacing strut 66 and vertical sleeve 68 in a desired position by a pin.
-6-Vertical frame 58 is mounted by means of an inverted U-shaped mounting member generally designated by reference numeral 72. Pads 74 are provided on the bottom surface of inverted U-shaped mounting member 72 with apertures 76 being formed therein to receive fastening members 78.
As will seen in Figure 2, when in use, the canopy structure may include a transparent front panel 80, a transparent rear panel 82, and transparent side panels 84.
Preferably, all of the panels are secured by means of a hook and loop fastener of the type previously discussed.
Turning to Figures 8 to 12, there is illustrated a modified embodiment of the canopy structure which is suitable for use with a conventional bicycle, shown in phantom outlines, and generally designated by reference character B.
In this embodiment, similar reference numerals with a prime are employed for similar components compared to the version illustrated in Figures 1 to 7.
The vehicle canopy 10' includes a horizontal frame 14' having a horizontal panel 32' secured thereto. Similarly, there is provided a rear vertical frame 40' and a front vertical frame 58' with strut 62'.
In this embodiment, there is provided a front reinforcing strut 88 and rear reinforcing struts 90 and 92. These reinforcing struts may be provided due to the lighter weight structural material employed.
At the front, there is provided a connecting assembly 94 which is comprised of vertical sleeve portion 96, horizontal strut 98 and vertical strut 100. The arrangement is such that strut 62' will fit within sleeve 96 while vertical strut 100 will fit within sleeve 68'. In this respect, it will noted that the sleeve 68' has a pivot point 6T such that it may be moved out of the way as shown in phantom outline in Figure 10 when the roof structure is removed.
Also, in this embodiment, there may be provided a front panel 102 which is pivotably connected at 104 to the strut 62 and horizontal frame 14'. As shown in Figure 12, a spacing member 106 may be used to interconnect the bottom of front panel 102 to connecting assembly 94 to maintain a distance therebetween and provide for ventilation.
In addition to front panel 102, there may be provided a rear panel 110. When desired, a side panel 108 may be provided and which will extend over both the rear panel 110 and a front panel.
In different embodiments, various arrangements may be employed for storage of the device. Thus, for example, horizontal frame 14 and horizontal panel 32 may be designed to be readily knocked down for compact storage. To do so, a sliding tube arrangement may be utilized. Similarly, if desired, adjustability of the rear vertical frame may be provided in a manner similar to that employed for the front vertical frame.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and changes or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
_g_

Claims (7)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A canopy structure for a vehicle having two wheels, said canopy structure comprising:
a front vertical frame having a front vertical frame upper end and a front vertical frame lower end;
a rear vertical frame having a rear vertical frame upper end and a rear vertical frame lower end;
a horizontal frame extending between and connected to an upper end of each of said front vertical frame and said rear vertical frame;
front vertical frame mounting means connected to a lower end of said front vertical frame;
rear vertical frame mounting means connected to a lower end of said rear vertical frame;
a protective panel extending across said horizontal frame; and means for adjusting the height of said front vertical frame mounting means.
2. The canopy structure of Claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting said height comprise a spacing member and a cooperating sleeve for receiving said spacing member, each of said spacing member and cooperating sleeve having apertures formed therein and pin means to selectively lock said spacing member and cooperating sleeve together.
3. The canopy structure of Claim 1 wherein said front vertical frame comprises a pair of vertical struts extending downwardly from said horizontal frame, said canopy structure further including a transparent front panel extending between said vertical struts.
4. The canopy structure of Claim 1 further including a front panel extending downwardly from said horizontal frame member, said panel being pivotably connected adjacent said horizontal frame and said front vertical frame.
5. The canopy structure of Claim 4 further including a transparent side panel extending between said front vertical frame and said rear vertical frame.
6. The canopy structure of Claim 2 wherein said cooperating sleeve includes a pivotable section.
7. The canopy structure of Claim 1 wherein said protective panel extending across said horizontal frame is secured thereto by hook and loop fasteners.
CA 2311060 1999-06-09 2000-06-08 Canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles Abandoned CA2311060A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9913280.5 1999-06-09
GBGB9913280.5A GB9913280D0 (en) 1999-06-09 1999-06-09 Shield for two wheeled vehicles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2311060A1 true CA2311060A1 (en) 2000-12-09

Family

ID=10854933

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2311060 Abandoned CA2311060A1 (en) 1999-06-09 2000-06-08 Canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2311060A1 (en)
GB (1) GB9913280D0 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2381245A (en) * 2001-10-27 2003-04-30 Medicare Technology Ltd Canopy for an invalid carriage
CN103318334A (en) * 2013-05-23 2013-09-25 王光敏 Detachable tricycle driving shed

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2381245A (en) * 2001-10-27 2003-04-30 Medicare Technology Ltd Canopy for an invalid carriage
CN103318334A (en) * 2013-05-23 2013-09-25 王光敏 Detachable tricycle driving shed

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9913280D0 (en) 1999-08-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5072987A (en) Retractable cycle roof
CA2093153C (en) Soft top
US4560196A (en) Motorcycle convertible top
US4336964A (en) Lightweight canopy for three-wheeled vehicle with low center of gravity
US5785333A (en) Collapsible bicycle trailer for a toddler
US4950017A (en) Kit which provides a removable top assembly for all-terrain vehicles and the like, and the assembled top thereof
US5174622A (en) Combination roll cage and cover for all-terrain vehicles
US4440436A (en) Convertible top for motorcycles and snowmobiles
JP2008506575A (en) Bicycle structure
US6416108B1 (en) Cover for all terrain vehicles
US4346725A (en) Tricycle canopy
US6530617B2 (en) Frame with canvas cover for all-terrain vehicle
US5110174A (en) Portable windshield assembly for a recreational vehicle
US7438345B2 (en) Convertible top device and method
US4681362A (en) Top for motorcycles and snowmobiles
US9821873B1 (en) Recumbent cycle
US20130334789A1 (en) Bicycle Having Hammock-Style Seat
CA2311060A1 (en) Canopy structure for two wheeled vehicles
US5653248A (en) Protective cover for a children's bicycle seat
US5297808A (en) Sidecar for bicycles
EP4003826A1 (en) A weather protection device
US5248158A (en) Sidecar for bicycles
JPS5843879A (en) Structure of floor skirt
CN2347859Y (en) Foldable weather covering for vehicle
BE1027362B1 (en) Cover for open vehicles such as a bicycle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Dead