GB2109314A

GB2109314A - Canopy structure for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2109314A
Application number: GB08133902A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen O'brien
Original assignee: BRIEN RITA O; BRIEN STEVEN O
Current assignee: BRIEN RITA O; BRIEN STEVEN O
Priority date: 1981-11-10
Filing date: 1981-11-10
Publication date: 1983-06-02

Abstract

The canopy can be erected at the side or end of the vehicle e.g. horsebox, caravan or public utility service vehicle from a roof panel (10) and preferably end panels (11,12). The panels are hingedly connected to the vehicle side for movement between stowed positions adjacent the vehicle side and operative positions extending for outwardly from the side. Movement of Service the roof panel may be guided by rollers on the panel running in channel members secured to the vehicle side. The roof panel may take the form of a tubular aluminium frame to which is laced a plastics coated fabric sheet. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Canopy structure This invention concerns a canopy structure of the kind (hereinafter termed "of the kind referred to") which may be erected to extend outwardly from a side of a wheeled vehicle or the like and which is particularly, though by no means exclusively, suitable for use in conjunction with a horse-box.

When horses or ponies are taken by horse-box to events such as a show-jumping exhibition, gymkhana or race meeting, they need to be saddled and generally prepared for heir participation. There is seldom adequate room for these preparations to be carried out within the horse-box itself, yet it is generally inconvenient to both horse and rider if they must be carried out in the open in rainy weather.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to provide a canopy structure of the kind referred to which can readily be erected to extend from the side of a horse-box to enable a horse to be saddled outside of the horse-box whilst sheltered under the canopy structure.

According to the present invention, there is provided a canopy structure comprising a roof panel, means enabling the panel to be hingedly connected to a side of a wheeled vehicle or the like for movement between a stowed position, wherein it lies in a substantially vertical plane closely adjacent said side, and an operative position wherein it extends outwardly from said side and means for supporting the panel in its operative position.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the several Figures of the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one form of canopy structure embodying the invention and fitted to the side of a horse-box.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a rear view of the horse-box with the canopy structure in its stowed position; Figures 2 and 3 show rear and side views respectively of the horse-box with the canopy structure in its erected or operative position; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional detail of the means for securing the elements of the canopy structure of the side of the horse-box on an enlarged scale. and Figure 5 shows a side view of the means of Figure 4.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 it will be seen that the canopy structure comprises a roof panel 10 and two end panels 11 and 12, all of which are hingedly connected to a side of the horse-box B for movement between stowed positions wherein they are disposed in vertical planes closely adjacent to the side of the horse-box B so as not to increase materially its width for travelling purposes (Figure 1) and erected operative positions forming a tent-like enclosure at the side of the vehicle (Figure 2 and 3).

Each of the panels 10, 11 and 12 is comprised by a frame structure which is conveniently constructed from aluminium tubular members interconnected as necessary by elbow joints and Joints.

The roof panel 10 is of rectangular shape whilst the end plates 11 and 12 have sloping upper edges to fit beneath the roof panel 10 when in its erected position extending outwardly and sloping downwardly from the side of the vehicle.

The roof panel 10 further comprises a rectangular sheet 13 of water impermeable material such as plastics coated fabric which covers and is secured to the frame as by lacing, for example, and also carries flaps 14 of a similar - or different, such as canvas material which can be folded down and secured over the frames of the end panels 11 and 12 when the canopy structure is erected.

As best seen from Figure 2, two vertically extending channel members 15 are secured to the side of the horse-box B, one at each of opposite ends of the canopy structure. Each member 15 serves, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, to locate rollers 16 captive within the member but movable therealong. The rollers 16 are rotatable on axle 16a which passes through bracket 17 which extends outwardly from the member 15. Intermediate members 15 and associated parts may be provided and preferably so for canopy structures of any substantial length.

The inner longitudinal edge 10a of the roof panel 10 is hingedly connected to the brackets 17. When the panel 10 is in its stowed position the brackets 17 are located at the lower ends of the channel members 15 with the edge 10a beneath the outer edge lOb of the panel 10. When the canopy is erected the rollers 16 are moved upwardly in their respective channel members 15 to raise the edge 1 Oa and the edge lOb is simultaneously swung outwardly and lowered. In this way, the width of the panel 10 (between edges 10a and 10b) may be greater than the height of the edge 1 Oa above the ground when the canopy is erected.

As can be seen from Figure 4, brackets 18 extend inwardly of the channel members 15 and serve to support the end panels 11 and 12, for hinged movement above vertical axes.

It will be understood that when the canopy structure is in its stowed position the end panels 10 and 11 lie inwardly of the channel members 15 and are covered by the roof panel 10.

In use the canopy structure is erected by first extending the roof panel (the brackets 17 being locked at the upper ends of the channel members 15 by pins or other suitable means) and then swinging the end panels 11 and 12 outwardly to support the panel 10. Additional support is had from legs 19 which can be extended downwardly from the end panels and secured in ground-engaging position.

Finally the flaps 14 are folded over the end panels 11 and 12 and secured thereto.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Thus, canopy structures as described may be applied to different kinds of vehicle and used for different purposes. They may, for example, be secured to caravans to provide a sheltered enclosure for sunbathing and the like. Again, for example, they may be fitted to the rear face of public utility service vehicle to provide shelter for operatives carrying out work on underground pipes or cables, thus replacing the tent-like structures frequently erected over such work positions.

CLAIMS (Filed on 15.10.82.) 1. A canopy structure comprising a roof panel, means enabling the panel to be hingedly connected to a side of a wheeled vehicle or the like for movement between a stowed position, wherein it lies in a substantially vertical plane closely adjacent said side and an operative position wherein it extends outwardly from said side, and means for supporting the panel in its operative position.

2. A canopy structure according to any claim 1, wherein said roof panel is formed by a frame carrying a water impermeable sheet.

3. A canopy structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roof panel is hingedly connected to brackets which are slidable along vertical members secured to said slide, whereby the brackets can be located at lowered positions when the roof panel is stowed, and at elevated positions when the roof panel is operative.

4. A canopy structure according to claim 3, wherein said vertical members are in the form of channels which locate rollers mounted on axles connected with said brackets.

5. A canopy structure according to any preceding claim including at least one further panel hingedly connected to said side for swinging movement about a vertical axis for movement between a stowed position wherein it lies in a substantially vertical plane adjacent said side and an operative position wherein it extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly from said side, to form an end wall to the roof panel.

6. A canopy structure according to claim 5, wherein said further panel or panels serve when in operative position as said supporting means for said roof panel.

7. A canopy structure according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each said panel is provided with an extendible ground-engaging leg.

8. A canopy structure according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein each said further panel comprises a frame-like structure, which can be covered by a flap connected to said roof panel and which can be folded downwardly therefrom.

9. A canopy structure substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. for sunbathing and the like. Again, for example, they may be fitted to the rear face of public utility service vehicle to provide shelter for operatives carrying out work on underground pipes or cables, thus replacing the tent-like structures frequently erected over such work positions. CLAIMS (Filed on 15.10.82.)

1. A canopy structure comprising a roof panel, means enabling the panel to be hingedly connected to a side of a wheeled vehicle or the like for movement between a stowed position, wherein it lies in a substantially vertical plane closely adjacent said side and an operative position wherein it extends outwardly from said side, and means for supporting the panel in its operative position.