GB2280876A - Demountable foldaway canopy for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The canopy 2 is releasably secured to the vehicle by non destructive fixings 1, such as suction, magnetic, friction grip fixings, webbing with cleats, gutter fixings. A foldable frame for the canopy includes joints 10 which have flexible sections 11, locking studs 12 and locks 13. The canopy may be fitted in a variety of different positions on the vehicle by adjustment of the fixings and the frame parts. <IMAGE>

Description

DEMOUNTABLE FOLDAWAY CANOPY This invention relates to a demountable foldaway canopy Fixed canopies or canopies with fixed locator mountings. usually with roller blind systems. are well known on larger recreational vehicles and trailers and used on built structures but there is no canopy available for saloon/hatchiestate and smaller Rv s The current systems are too bulky, cumbersome and long in length in the closed position for carrying outside. on. or inside in. a normal saloon/hatch/R\'/estate car or similar vehicle as a fixed or demountable feature.

Such systems require permanent bodywork fittings or plugged. drilled holes. Owners are loathe to blemish or drill holes in bodywork for the required fixtures. whether partly removable or permanent in order to hold the blind and carrier in place and to restrain the carrier whilst the blind is pulled out.

No alternative canopies to the larger pull blind systems are commercially available because thex would use clip together frame structures and tent systems which have consumer resistance or alternatively the structures would have currently available joints without the required new and simple multidirectional facility and so would strain. twist. foul. scissor.

snag and break when folding/unfolding.

According to the present invention there is a system providing a demountable foldawav canopy, with or without attached valance. comprising a non destructive secured releasable body'work fixing and an adaptor for roof rack or roof rack fittings. otherwise acheived by physically changing, piercing or gluing systems. Also providing a canopy support by tension or frame. and sidewall enclosure support, that has a combination of flexible multidirectional locking and non locking joints or folds to facilitate storage and erection and variety of canopy shape and use and has a weather protecting covering and support legs and fittings.

The system fixes to or derives support from-the saloon/hatch,RV/estate roof. boot. hatch or other car body surface of any height and angle and allows the canopy lateral adjustment and to rotate up or down from this point to accommodate variable or fixed leg support length, vehicle fixing height and ground level.

The system can form alternative configurations when tl6t utilised as a canopy and the demountable canopy system folds or collapses to be convenientlv stored/carried inside. in, or outside. on, a small vehicle A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described bv way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates diagramatical front and side elevations of a vehicle without exterior canopy fixings. Canopy system easily stored within, inside, the vehicle.

Figure 2 illustrates diagramatically the flexibility of positioning of the fixing locations I.

Dotted lines indicate an open position of boot. hatch or door and arrows irdicate examples of choice of lateral movement and alternative positioning.

Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically. a canopv 2 positioned alternatively on the side or re rlfronr of a vehicle and the abilitv to open doors under cover. The arrows indicate rotation and height choices.

Figure 4 illustrates diagramatically examples of transit container 5 with end cap 6 and frame clip 7 witll wind resistors which also acts as transit carrier for rafter bar 8, the pinnacle posts 9 fit inside the cap 6 for transit, and also examples of cross sections of transit containers 5 to show relative positions of canopy support arms 4.

Figure 5 illustrates diagrammatically the stages of folding which uses multidirectional joints 10 and avoids scissor, plier and nipping actions.

Figure 6 illustrates diagrammatically. multidirectional joints 10 with flexible sections 11.

which slide or are fixed inside or outside of the arms 4, and with locking stud 12 used singularly lOA with free slide of 11 or with corresponding arms 4 and no free slide of 11 at lOAl and slide or clip lock 13 to 10A & lOAl and arms 1 which can also be used in conjunction with textile joints and securements.

Figure 7 illustrares diagramatical examples of alternative configurations and uses of canopy and frame and functioning of joints. ie, 'A' frame tent 14. 'A' frame tent/ridge 15, sun shadeibeach shade/bivouac 16 & 17. modesty screen 18. ball return bouncer 19 with elasticated net. free standing frame canopy 20 with additional legs/support fitted to the rear positions. fitting to wall or trailer 21. base/ground sheet 22.

Figure S illustrates diagramatically, the use of pinnacle posts 9 and rafter bar 8 and examples of side elevation of canopy roof shape that they produce.

Referring to the drawings, the canopy consists of a non destructive fixing, Fig 2. part l.

eg suction. magnet. friction grip. webbing with cleats and hooks. rain gutter fixings.

gutterless fixings, and not bolts, screws. rivets or similar into the bodywork unless desired. and the fixing. mounting or locator crn also be the carrier or travelling/transit or stowaway container. Fig 4. part 5.

The canopy has seize free joints 10. fig 6 which fold in any direction specified or non specified to avoid obstruction. scissor action. plier and nipping and facilitate self locating support arm spars 4 with rigidity locking mechanisms and safety stops.

The joints 10 allow the foided frame 4 of the canopy 2 to fold flat or compact in a group of any configuration as in the cross section examples fig 4. the length of which is determined by the longest section of support arm 4 or leg 3 and which can be fitted into the carrier or fixing locator fig 2 or a separate bag/container if fig 4 examples are used.

The canopy 2 and frame are formed by opening out the multidirectional joints of the folded/stored canopy and locking the selected joints to prevent bending. The frame forms a square. rectangle. parallelogram or non right angle three. four or multisided configuration.

The correct canopy shape is formed as an automatic feature, the orhers being selected.

Fig 5. Fig 7.

The canopy frame 2. Fig 3 then clips onto the locator fixings 1 to allow up and down rotation of the canopy and it has a wind lift restraint to the canopy frame and fixing. The fixing also allows lateral movement of the frame for positioning,adjusting the canopy to suit requirements. for example. move more to one side of a door than another or nearer the boot than the bonnet.

The front/side positioned leg supports 3 are fixed if unattached for travel/stowage or lowered and locked into position if attached and opened out. by folds or slide action. to the required length for the desired height.

The feet of the legs 3 can be pegged in position or weights attached and guv ropes can be attached to the canopy guy loops if climatic conditions require when weather affects stability. The legs can also be secured to the frame by struts 23. fig 5 for stability.

reduced leg movement and positioning.

Sidewalls or enclosures. with or without windows, ventilators, doors and panels. to provide an inner space or private enclosed environment can be attached as support is provided bv the canopy support arms 4 or canopy valance 9. fig 3.

A folding or sliding/extending rafter bar S can be fitted between the frame sides which can also link to the canopy top to reduce wind lift and can also take one or more fixed or variable length 'pinnacle posts' 9 to change slope of fabric fig S for rain run off. wind and weather resistance or aesthetic shape. The rafter bar S and arms 4 can also support an inner fabric skin or mosquito/insect net.

The same frame and multidirectional joints can also be formed to other configerations as for example, fig 7. an 'A' frame tent 14, 'A' frame/ridge tent 15. sun shade/beach shade/bivouac 16 & 17 or a modesty screen 1S or a ball return bouncer 19 with elasticated net or a free standing frame canopy 20 with additional legs/support fitted to the rear positions or fitting to wall or trailer 21 or base/ground sheet 22.

Claims (8)

1. DEMOUNTABLE FOLDAWAY CANOPY 1. A demountable foldaway canopy and system comprising an integral frame which folds or locks using self locating multidirectional joints and locking mechanism and which is vehicle mounted with non destructive secure releasable body mountings.
2. 2. A demountable foldaway canopy as claimed in 1 where the frame can support a canopy or part canopy or similar and also one or more side panels.
3. 3. A demountable foldaway canopy as claimed in 2 where the covering material can assist in determining joint direction or angle.
4. 4. A demountable foldaway canopy as claimed in 3 where the covering and frame can be supplied together or individually and the integral frame can be fixed or removable for operation or storage.
5. 5. A demountable foldaway canopy as claimed in 4 where the cover shape can be varied by the use of rigid or flexible rafter components.
6. 6. A demountable foldaway canopy as claimed in 5 where the whole or part can be transported within the interior or on the exterior of the vehicle.
7. 7. A demountable foldaway canopy as claimed in 6 which can be used as in fig 7.
8. 8. A demountable foldaway canopy substantially as described herein with reference to figs 1 - 8.