EP2694760B1

EP2694760B1 - Canopy structure

Info

Publication number: EP2694760B1
Application number: EP12717817.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Melvin ROLLING
Original assignee: Belron International Ltd
Current assignee: Belron International Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-04
Filing date: 2012-04-04
Publication date: 2019-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-04
Also published as: GB2536162B; US20160138294A1; WO2012136995A1; EP2694760A1; GB201105665D0; GB201610561D0; GB2489698A; US20140090679A1; GB2536162A

Description

The present invention relates to a collapsible canopy structure, and in particular to such a structure shaped and dimensioned to partially enclose a large vehicle in order to enable a portion of a vehicle to be sheltered.
GB2383351 discloses a collapsible canopy structure which can be mounted to the roof of a vehicle and moved to a location where it can be demounted end erected from a stowed configuration.
The canopy of GB2383351 is designed to completely enclose a vehicle and provide a controlled environment for conducting work on a vehicle. A fume extraction system is provided for the canopy.
An improved arrangement has now been devised which enables work to be conducted on large vehicles such as trucks large vans, busses and the like.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a collapsible canopy structure comprising, in an erected configuration, a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangement permitting a vehicle to be positioned at least partly docked entered into the interior of the canopy; wherein the docking arrangement includes:

i) magnetic securing means for securing the canopy to the vehicle; and
ii) a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy, wherein the fold over section is arranged to be folded over into an erected configuration from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle, wherein the fold-over section comprises a plurality of frame members each pivotally mounted to a storage section to be movable between a stowed configuration and an erected configuration to enable the fold-over section to be drawn from the stowed configuration to the erected configuration;

It is preferred that the structure is re-configurable from the erected configuration to a stowed configuration.
In the stowed configuration, it is preferred that the structure is configured to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle for transportation.
Beneficially, the roof area structure includes a storage section arrange to store the fold-over section of the roof area structure in the stowed configuration.
In one embodiment it may be preferred that the storage section comprises opposed end portions to which one or more frame members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted. The opposed end portions may be connected by a connecting portion.
In certain embodiments, it is preferred that the opposed end portions are arranged to connect to support frame legs to support the canopy arrangement above the ground when in the erected configuration.
Beneficially, the storage section is arranged to be de-mountably secured to the roof of a transportation vehicle.
In an embodiment, it is preferred that one or more frame members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted to be movable from a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erected configuration.
Beneficially, a plurality of frame members can comprise the fold-over section of the roof area structure being pivotably mounted to be movable from a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erected configuration.
In the erect configuration, it is preferred that at least one frame member of the fold-over section of the roof area structure is extends upwardly above its stowed position. This gives the erected structure increased height enabling use with high sided commercial vehicles.
It is preferred that the magnetic securing means comprise magnetic strips for securing the canopy to the vehicle sides and/or roof.
In one embodiment the magnetic strips may be separate from the canopy and for example used to sandwich the canopy between the magnetic strip and the vehicle sidewall or roof. In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic strips may be secured to the canopy for example by being sewn into a hem or margin of the canopy.
By providing an elongate line of securing using magnetic strips an effective sealed or controlled environment can be provided in the interior of the controlled canopy zone.
The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary canopy structure in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a view corresponding to the view of Figure 1 with the canopy shown as removed from the underlying frame;
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the roof area structure in the stowed configuration.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, there is shown a collapsible canopy structure 1 in an erected configuration. The canopy structure has a supporting framework comprising upright support frame legs 2 and longitudinally extending support frame members 3 covered with a fabric cover having a roof section 4 and side curtains 5 (only the one side curtain is shown in Figure 1 for clarity of explanation).
The roof cover 4 forms part of the roof area structure 5 which is provided with three u-shaped frame members 6,7,8 which are pivotally mounted to a storage section 12 of the structure 1. The leg supports 2 are also supported from the storage section 12.
The arrangement is similar in many respects to the arrangement shown in GB2383351 . As shown in Figure 3, the storage section 12 is connected to a corresponding section 13 extending parallel to one-another and spaced apart. An interconnecting frame member 14 is provided at one side of the arrangement. The frame section comprising the elements 12, 13, 14 is fabricated as a unitary item which is arranged to be demountably secured to the roof of a transportation vehicle. Storage section 13 is provided toward the forward end of the roof of the transportation vehicle. Storage section 12 is provided to the rear end of the roof of the transportation vehicle and the interconnecting frame member 14 extends along the roof of the transportation vehicle between the storage sections 12, 13. The storage sections are provided on their respective undersides with means for clamping to roof bars or racks provided on the transportation vehicle.
The u-shaped frame elements 6,7,8 are stored as shown in Figure 3 pivoted to lay flat nested one within another within the boundary defined by the storage sections 12,13, and frame member 14. The support frame legs 2 are pivotally mounted by extensions 27 to the respective storage sections 12 and 13 and pivot from the erected supporting configuration shown in the drawings, to be stored extending horizontally between the opposed storage sections 12, 13. The extensions 27 slide into the respective storage sections 12, 13, and lock for transportation in the stowed position. In the supporting position stays 25 hold the support frame legs 2 in their upright position. The longitudinally extending frame members 3 are demountable to be stored either internally of the vehicle or underslung below the support section 12, 13, 14 positioned on the roof of the vehicle.
In a similar manner to the arrangement of GB2383351 the support frame legs 2 are provided on rollers 15 and the support legs 2 are connected to the respective frame sections 12,13 enabling the whole arrangement to be lifted clear of the roof of the transportation vehicle.
From the position shown in Figure 3, the roof area section is erected by pivoting the u-shaped frame members 6, 7, 8 about their pivotable connection to the respective sections 12, 13 such that they reach the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3. By drawing the front frame member 6 from the stowed position, the connected canopy causes the adjacent frame members 7 and 8 also to be successively drawn from the stowed position.
The configuration shown in Figure 2 corresponds to the arrangement shown in Figure 1, however, in Figure 2 the fabric canopy is not shown in the drawings.
As can be seen clearly from Figure 1, the distal end 17 of the structure is closed by means of the fabric canopy attached to the frame elements 20 and 21. The proximal end 18 of the structure is rendered open and provides a docking opening enabling the front or rear end of a vehicle to be driven into the canopy arrangement. Because the roof area structure 5 is pivoted to extend upwardly from the stowed position shown in figure 3 to the erected position shown in Figures land 2, vehicles of height significantly greater than the height of the transportation vehicle can be accommodated for docking with the structure. In particular, because the front, middle and rear u-shaped pivotable support members 6,7,8 can be positionally adjusted, significantly different height vehicles can be accommodated in the docking area.
It is important to ensure that an effectively isolated environment is provided in the interior of the canopy to enable adequate repair conditions to exist and also fume extraction apparatus to be operated to effectively filter any particulates and harmful gases without allowing these to escape to the exterior of the canopy. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the docking end of the canopy within which the vehicle is positioned, is secured along the roof and side walls of the vehicle to a degree sufficient to provide a controlled working environment cut off from ambient external conditions. An absolute airtight seal is not required but the loose curtains of the canopy need to be held in some way against the side of the vehicle and the magnetic securing means achieves this well.
This is therefore conveniently achieved by means of the magnetic securing strips 22 which are used to secure the flexible material of the canopy to the sides and roof of the vehicle.
The magnetic securing strips may be provided free of the material of the canopy and simply positioned to sandwich the canopy material between the respective strips 22 and the vehicle. Flexible elongate magnetic strips are conveniently used.
Alternatively, it is possible that the strips 22 may be provided incorporated with the canopy material (for example, by stitching into a hem or fold of the material).
The invention provides a convenient and quickly erectable structure which can be transported conveniently to a location for use and readily erected into position. The arrangement enables vehicles of significant height to be partially enclosed and docked in a secure and sealed manner to enable an adequate environment for vehicle repair to be created around the respective end of side of vehicle that needs to be repaired. A working zone is provided about the end or side of the docked vehicle.
The canopy material of the roof area 5 frame members 6, 7, 8 remains attached to those frame members when the roof area structure is in the stowed or erected position. The remaining frame elements 2, 3, 20, 21 are removed from loops or sheaths provided on the canopy material and stowed otherwise. The canopy material is folded and stowed on top of the frame members 6,7,8 laying flat in their stowed position.

Claims

A collapsible canopy structure (1) comprising, in an erected configuration, a roof area structure (4) and sidewalls (5) extending downwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangement permitting a vehicle to be positioned at least partly docked entered into the interior of the canopy (1); wherein the docking arrangement includes:
i) magnetic securing means (22) for securing the canopy (1) to the vehicle; and

ii) a fold-over section of the roof area structure (4) of the canopy, wherein the fold over section is arranged to be folded over into an erected configuration from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle, wherein the fold-over section comprises a plurality of frame members (6,7,8) each pivotally mounted to a storage section to be movable between a stowed configuration and an erected configuration to enable the fold-over section to be drawn from the stowed configuration to the erected configuration;
wherein the storage section is arranged to store the fold-over section of the roof area structure in the stowed configuration .
A collapsible canopy according to claim 1, wherein the structure is re-configurable from the erected configuration to a stowed configuration.
A collapsible canopy structure according to claim 2, wherein in the stowed configuration, the structure (4) is configured to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle for transportation.
A collapsible canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage section comprises opposed end portions to which one or more frame members (6,7,8) of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted.
A collapsible canopy according to claim 4, wherein the opposed end portions are connected by a connecting portion.
A collapsible canopy according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the opposed portions are arranged to connect to support frame legs (2) to support the canopy arrangement (1) above the ground when in the erected configuration.
A collapsible canopy according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the storage section is arranged to be de-mountably secured to the roof of a transportation vehicle.
A collapsible canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of frame members (6,7,8) comprise the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted to be movable from a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erected configuration.
A collapsible canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the erect configuration, a frame member (6,7,8) of the fold-over section of the roof area structure is extends upwardly above its stowed position.
A collapsible canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnetic securing means (22) comprise magnetic strips for securing the canopy to the vehicle sides and/or roof.