GB2555134A

GB2555134A - Retractable cover

Info

Publication number: GB2555134A
Application number: GB1617788.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jan Van Heijst Willem
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2016-10-20
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Also published as: GB201617788D0

Abstract

A retractable, self-supporting cover assembly is provided for use in motor vehicles to cover a luggage compartment in an extended configuration and, when retracted, to provide ready access to the luggage compartment. The retractable cover assembly has a retractable cover 1, a retractable supporting body 2, 2, motive means (8, figure 2), such as a motor powered by the vehicle battery, to move the retractable supporting body and/or cover between an extended position and a retracted position and a housing 3 adapted to receive and store the retractable cover and the retractable supporting body. The cover is supported by the retractable supporting body so that it is self-supporting without any need for support rails or engagement lugs. The retractable cover may be remotely controlled, in which remote activation may be as a result of the opening/closing of a luggage door, a control member located on a key or key fob, or by means of an app on a mobile telephone.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Willem Jan Van Heijst

Rue du Zier 10, Crans, 3963, Switzerland (72) Inventor(s):

Willem Jan Van Heijst (56) Documents Cited:

DE 004239427 A1 FR 003035041 A1

DE 102014010471 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B60R Other: WPI, EPODOC (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Bawden & Associates

The Gatehouse, 2 High Street, HARPENDEN, Hertfordshire, AL5 2TH, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Retractable cover

Abstract Title: A retractable self-supporting load cover (57) A retractable, self-supporting cover assembly is provided for use in motor vehicles to cover a luggage compartment in an extended configuration and, when retracted, to provide ready access to the luggage compartment. The retractable cover assembly has a retractable cover 1, a retractable supporting body 2, 2’, motive means (8, figure 2), such as a motor powered by the vehicle battery, to move the retractable supporting body and/or cover between an extended position and a retracted position and a housing 3 adapted to receive and store the retractable cover and the retractable supporting body. The cover is supported by the retractable supporting body so that it is selfsupporting without any need for support rails or engagement lugs. The retractable cover may be remotely controlled, in which remote activation may be as a result of the opening/closing of a luggage door, a control member located on a key or key fob, or by means of an ‘app’ on a mobile telephone.

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RETRACTABLE COVER

This invention relates to a retractable cover particularly to a self-supporting, retractable cover suitable for use in a vehicle to cover a luggage compartment and to a vehicle having a retractable cover.

Retractable covers are employed in a wide-range of applications to provide screening, for example a vehicle luggage compartment, window blinds, a container or bin for storage or periodic display of food products, especially refrigerated food products and the like. The retractable covers are widely used to provide screening for a void or compartment in which goods may be located and, the retractable function allows the compartment to be readily accessed or to be covered. Typically retractable covers are constructed of a flexible sheet material which is extendable from a housing and engagable with a fixed point whereby the cover may be retained in an extended or deployed configuration. Conventionally, the cover may be drawn into the housing and stored in a rolled state upon release from the fixed point with a spring providing a motive force both to retract the cover into the housing and also to ensure that the cover is held in a state of tension in its extended configuration so presenting a generally planar surface.

Most motor vehicles for private or passenger usage will comprise a luggage compartment and retractable luggage covers have been employed for many years as a standard fitting on vehicles such as estates (station wagons) and SUVs, i.e. ‘5 door’ passenger cars. Known retractable covers for use in motor vehicle applications are typically manually operated and comprise a flexible cover which is storable in a housing which typically extends transversely across the vehicle and stores the cover in a rolled configuration. The cover may then be moved by the user into an extended configuration and engaged with the body or interior trim of the vehicle and typically comprises engagement means which may be for example a bar, lugs or a rigid formed insert such as a handle formed in the cover, located at or near the leading edge of the cover and which is adapted for engagement with the body of the vehicle in the extended configuration. The flexible cover extends between the housing at one end of the cover and the engagement means at the other end of the cover and is typically not otherwise engaged with the body of the vehicle.

The housing will usually have a retraction assembly, for example a roller onto which the cover is rolled which is spring-loaded to urge the roller to rotate in a direction to retract the extended cover. The housing is typically releasably connectable to the body or interior trim of the vehicle to facilitate removal of the assembly from the vehicle. The engagement means may also act as a stopper to ensure the leading edge of the cover remains outside the housing when the cover is in the retracted configuration or a separate stopper may be provided.

Other forms of retractable covers are known in which the cover is motorised and movable automatically. Such arrangements typically comprise runners, engagable with a rail and two rails located along the two side body frames of the back-door. The holding points of the cover at the door side will move upwards via the rails allowing full excess to the luggage area, when the back-door is opened. When the luggage door is closed the cover end lowers back in position automatically.

There are also luggage covers that are operated in a perpendicular direction, thus from the right side of the luggage area to the left side or in the opposite direction. The reason for this alternative is to reduce the distance to the handle for the operator, since for less tall people the distance to the handle to pull out the cover may be uncomfortable and also to allow the cover to remain in its housing but fitted condition, whilst lowering the rear seats of the vehicle to provide extended luggage space.

Known motorised covers are typically employed in the higher value or luxury markets. Whilst motorised covers may be advantageous for the user for example as regards convenience, the need to provide runners and rails disadvantageously increases costs and may constrain design freedom in designing the vehicle in the locality of the rails.

A need exists to provide a motorised retractable cover, which is convenient to use, robust, reduces or avoids impinging on the design freedom of the designer of a vehicle and which is economic. The recent increase in size of the average “SUV” and station wagon vehicles increases the attractiveness of such automatic motorised luggage covers for convenience of the user.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a retractable, self-supporting cover assembly.

Suitably, the retractable cover assembly is adapted for use in motor vehicles to cover a luggage compartment in an extended configuration and, when retracted, to provide ready access to the luggage compartment.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a retractable cover assembly comprising a retractable cover, a retractable supporting body motive means configured to move the retractable supporting body and/or cover between an extended position and a retracted position, a housing adapted to receive and store the retractable cover and the retractable supporting body wherein the retractable supporting body is configured to support the cover when in its extended position.

Advantageously, the retractable cover is self-supporting with structural support being provided by the retractable supporting body. This obviates the need for the cover to have runners and for rails to be affixed to the body of the vehicle with the attendant costs and possible restriction on design freedom. Furthermore, whilst the cover may be supported by trim, the present invention allows the cover to be supported without reliance on support by surrounding trim. In one embodiment, support for the cover need not be provided by surrounding trim , although in one embodiment the cover becomes supported when extended by a suitable receiving feature in the trim of car interior advantageously thus providing an anti-vibration and noise feature during vehicle operation. The self-supporting structure allows the cover to be extended and retracted in an orderly manner reducing the risk of fouling as compared to manually operable non-self-supporting conventional luggage covers.

Suitably, the cover is automatically retractable. In one embodiment, when the luggage compartment door is opened, the cover suitably will retract in the housing and returns to the extended position so as to cover the compartment when the door is closed. Other solutions may be envisaged such as remote controlled via the car key, key fob, controls mounted in the passenger compartment or luggage compartment, or similar.

The cover is suitably constructed of a robust, resilient material which is rollable and materials known for use as retractable covers may be employed as desired according to the particular application. Covers for vehicle luggage compartments may typically be made of leather, leather imitation material, plastics, for example PVC, and the like. The cover when extended suitably presents a generally planar surface. The edge of the cover which is furthest from and generally parallel to the housing is referred to herein as the “leading edge”. The leading edge may comprise an end piece extending between the two sides of the retractable cover which is suitably made of a rigid material, for example a rigid plastics material. This end piece provides a non-deformable leading edge providing an aesthetically desirable finish to the leading edge of the retractable. Suitably, the vehicle trim comprises one or more recesses located so as to receive at least part of the leading edge of the retractable cover.

The one or more recesses may be located in the luggage compartment door but are preferably located in the vehicle trim to the left and right of the door.

The shape of the cover may be tailored to the particular application and the design of the compartment or body for which it is to provide a covering function.

The assembly suitably comprises detection means to detect the presence of an obstruction for example a user or an item within the compartment. Preferably, the power level of the motive means will increase if the cover is hindered when extending into the closed closing position and this phenomenon is detected, for example electronically measured and the cover suitably retracts automatically, in a similar manner to the retraction of an electrically driven vehicle window. Other means to detect an obstacle may be used such as detection means located on the cover, where the detection means may comprise a pressure sensitive sensor which is operably connected to the motive means to stop further extension should an obstruction be encountered.

The assembly preferably comprises a mechanism to determine whether the luggage compartment door or tailgate is open or closed. Where the vehicle has a sensor to indicate whether the door or tailgate is open, the sensor suitably also provides a signal to activate the assembly. Thus, when the door or tailgate is opened, the assembly is suitably activated to retract the cover into its stowed configuration and when the door or tailgate is closed, the mechanism is suitably activated to extend the cover to its extended configuration. In another embodiment, the mechanism for activation may comprise a laser or other line of sight detection means having a source and detector located in a manner such that upon opening or closing of the door or tailgate the assembly is activated to extend or retract the cover as appropriate.. For example, the source may be located in the housing of the assembly and the detector located in the trim of the luggage compartment or door or the source and detector may be located vice-versa.

The assembly may comprise means to determine the extent to which the cover has been extended upon which the motive means may be deactivated, for example when the cover is fully extended.

The cover itself is typically not self-supporting as described above. In this invention, support is provided to the cover by one or a plurality of retractable supporting bodies. Preferably the retractable supporting body extends from and retracts into the housing in concert with the cover. Suitably, the cover and the retractable supporting body remain generally in register during operation and storage.

The cover may comprise an elastic fabric sheet and the supporting body may be interwoven with the elastic fabric sheet. In the interwoven arrangement, the supporting body and cover may advantageously be rolled in the same direction onto the same roller upon retraction of the cover. This arrangement may enable the size of the housing to be reduced which provides for improved aesthetic appearance and affords further design freedom.

The retractable supporting body may be attached to the cover at one or more points, for example at or near the leading edge, and the supporting body may overlie or preferably underlies the cover. In another embodiment the supporting body and the cover may be interwoven partly or wholly along the length of the cover so as to provide a composite cover and supporting body arrangement. The supporting body is rigid upon extension in order to support the weight of the cover and to provide the self-supporting property of the cover whilst being windable into a rolled configuration during retraction and storage within the housing. In one embodiment, the supporting body comprises an elongate strip which has a curved crosssection which imparts strength to the body in a direction perpendicular to the length and width of the strip so as to allow a load to be supported by the strip.

The curved cross-section provides a concave profile on the inner side of the curve of the strip and a convex profile on the outer side of the curve. The strip is able to bear a greater force being applied to it in a direction from the concave side of the strip rather than from the convex side of the strip. This structural resilience is provided by the cross-sectional profile of the strip and allows the strip to be load-bearing.

The strip is mounted such that as it is retracted into the housing, the strip is wound onto a support body roller. Suitably, as the strip passes into the housing, it is rolled onto a roller located below the point of entry into the housing such that the upper face of the strip faces outwardly as it is wound onto the roller. Preferably, the cross-sectional profile of the strip changes to a straight or linear cross section ie both the upper and lower side of the strip are flat upon entering the housing to facilitate rolling of the strip. Suitably, the concave face faces outwardly of the center of the roller. In order to facilitate winding the strip onto the support body roller, a plurality of guide rollers may be spaced radially around the support body roller for engagement with the concave face of the strip. The guide rollers are preferably resiliently mounted and urged towards the support body roller so as to engage with the strip and reduce the risk of uneven winding of the strip on the support roller or of fouling. Suitably there is preferably at least 1, preferably at least 2 and desirably 3 to 6, for example 6 guide rollers. The guide roller(s) suitably reduce the friction between the strip and the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the supporting body comprises an elongate strip having a curved cross section in a transverse direction and arranged such that on extension, the strip is generally in a horizontal plane with the upper face of the strip having a concave profile and the lower face of the strip having a convex profile. The weight of the cover provides a load on the concave face of the strip or strips upon which the cover is mounted, which are able to bear the weight of the cover without buckling or other failure.

Preferably the concave supporting strip is constructed so as to be resistant to permanent deformation should an excessive load be applied to it will not deform permanently and, whilst temporary deformation may arise, the supporting strip suitably always returns to its nondeformed state upon removal of the excessive load. The stiffness of these support member(s) can be increased by employing a strip with a more pronounced curvature, that is where the curvature of the strip is tighter or of shorter radius of curvature. Alternatively or additionally, the strip may have a greater width and thickness, all within the fatigue boundaries of the selected material.

The supporting body may be constructed from metal, plastics, a composite or the like. In an especially preferred embodiment, the supporting body comprises hi-tension metal for example spring steel and has the profile of known retractable metal tape measures which are retractable into a housing.

The supporting body is suitably connected to the cover at one or more locations including at or near the leading edge.

The supporting body may be located above or beneath the cover but is preferably located beneath the cover such that it is not generally visible to an observer when the cover is in the extended position.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a plurality of retractable supporting bodies, depending on the size of the cover and the supporting strength of the particular supporting body. The supporting bodies are preferably equally spaced across the width of the cover.

Where a plurality of supporting bodies is employed, the rate of extension and retraction of the supporting bodies is the same to avoid distortion or fouling of the cover as it is retracted and extended. Preferably, the plurality of supporting bodies are each mounted on their own spool and the spools are driven in concert by the motive means. In a preferred embodiment, the spools are operably linked to the motive means by a drive shaft having an angular, for example triangular or square, cross section. The drive shaft is suitably rotated about is longitudinal axis by the motive means. The spools are suitably mounted on the drive shaft such that the spools rotate in an identical manner as the drive shaft rotates thereby enabling each supporting means to extend and retract in concert with the other supporting means to avoid distortion or creasing of the cover.

The housing suitably engages with the body containing the compartment which is to be covered by the retractable cover, or to the interior trim of the vehicle. The housing may be releasably securable to the body or trim, or may be integral to it. When used in a motor vehicle luggage compartment application, the housing is preferably releasably securable to the body of the vehicle, for example using a manually operable mechanism. Manually operable mechanisms, for example involving a push-fit mechanical engagement, well known in the field may be employed to affix the assembly to the vehicle.

The housing suitably further comprising power engagement means to allow power to pass from the vehicle to the retractable cover assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the power engagement means comprises a docking mechanism for example as commonly used to provide electrical connection to opening doors in automotive applications or as commonly employed in engaging a lap top computer with a docking station. Power may if desired be provided to the motive means by utilizing a power socket contained in or near the luggage compartment using, for example a conventional plug with a cable or other known power supply means known in the art.

The housing is suitably configured to receive the cover in a conventional manner and suitably comprises a rotatable roller onto which the cover is rolled upon retraction.

The cover may be rolled onto a cover roller and the supporting body may be rolled onto a separate supporting body roller upon retraction of the cover.

In an alternative one embodiment, the housing comprises a roller and the supporting body and the cover are windable onto the same roller upon retraction of the cover.

The supporting body may underlie the cover or may be interwoven with the cover and the cover and interwoven supporting body will be wound onto the same roller.

Preferably, the housing comprises at least one aperture through which the supporting body passes upon extension and retraction of the cover and wherein the aperture is shaped so as to provide a snug sliding fit with the supporting body. The aperture is preferably curved in cross-section and adapted to receive the supporting body in a snug fit to ensure smooth operation without fouling.

The housing suitably comprises resilient means, preferably a spring for example a torsion spring, configured to urge the roller to rotate in a direction so as to retract the cover, in a conventional manner to ensure the cover is rolled onto the roller without fouling and also to allow the cover to remain in a state of tension when in its extended configuration or between full extension and retraction so the cover presents a planar surface without wrinkles or other deviation. Preferably the self-supporting cover assembly of the invention is adapted for engagement with conventional fixing points in the vehicle body or interior trim as presently employed with known retractable luggage covers. The housing suitably comprises engagement means, adapted to releasably engage with luggage cover fixing points in a vehicle.

The housing may be constructed of any material conventionally employed in known luggage cover housings, for example metal, plastics and composites materials.

The motive means is suitably electrically powered and preferably comprises a motor. More than one motive means may be provided as desired depending on the configuration of the retractable cover and the number of retractable supporting bodies. Suitably the motive means is located within the housing or underneath the housing. Control electronics for example to activate or deactivate the motive means are suitably located within or underneath the housing.

Where a plurality of retractable supporting bodies are used, each retractable supporting body may be powered by its own motor or, more preferably, a plurality and preferably all the supporting bodies are powered by one motor in order to reduce noise, costs and the number of electronically operable or moving parts within the overall assembly and to provide synchronic movement of the support strips.

The motor may be linked to the supporting body through gearing to allow as physically as small a motor as possible to be employed to provide flexibility in design of the interior of the housing and to reduce spatial demands. The invention provides in a further aspect a remotely controllable, self-supporting, retractable luggage cover comprising a retractable cover, a retractable supporting body secured to the cover, motive means configured to move the retractable supporting body between an extended position and a retracted position, a housing adapted to receive and store the retractable cover and the retractable supporting body wherein the retractable supporting body is configured to support the cover when in its extended position and the motive means is adapted for activation remotely.

The remote activation may be provided by means of an electronic switch activated by the opening of the luggage door directly or by sensors. Means for remote activation may be provided within the passenger compartment, for example a manually operable control member located within reach of the driving position in the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, remote activation may be provided by a control member located on a key or key fob to allow activation of the retractable cover assembly outside the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, remote activation may be provided by means of an “app” operable from a mobile telephone or other remote device with a user interface.

The invention, in a further aspect, provides a motor vehicle having a power source and a luggage compartment comprising a retractable luggage cover according to the invention wherein the motive means derives power from the power source of the motor vehicle and the housing of the retractable cover assembly comprises power engagement means to operably connect the power source and the motive means of the retractable cover assembly.

The power source suitably provides electrical energy and is preferably a motor vehicle battery.

Suitably, the retractable self-supporting cover assembly may be retrofitted to existing vehicles suitably upon provision of a power connection to provide the motive force.

The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a retractable cover assembly according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side section of a retractable cover assembly according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the retractable supporting body used in the invention;

Figure 4 shows a transverse part-section of the cover and retractable supporting body;

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a retractable cover assembly according to the invention.

In figure 1, a retractable cover is provided which is supported in an extended position as shown by two retractable supporting bodies 2, 2’ which are affixed to the cover 1 towards the leading edge 20 of the cover 1 by fixing means 11, 11’. The cover 1 and supporting bodies 2, 2’ are retractable into the housing 3 through aperture 22. The housing 3 is mountable in a vehicle via lugs 4, 4’ or similar and may be retrofitted to existing vehicles.

Upon retraction, the cover 1 and supporting bodies 2, 2’ pass through aperture 22 and are wound respectively onto rollers or spools 5 and 6. The retractable bodies 2, 2’ may be wound onto a single spool 6 extending across the length of the housing or onto to separate spools 6, 6’. The spools are urged to rotate in a direction such that the cover 1 and supporting bodies 2, 2’ are drawn into the housing by torsion springs (not shown) acting on the roller 5 and supporting body roller 6.

The supporting bodies 2, 2’ are engaged by .a plurality of guide rollers 7 circumferentially spaced around supporting body rollers 6, 6’. The rollers 7 may be mounted in such a manner as to impart force to the supporting bodies 2, 2’, and for example may be mounted with resilient means urging the rollers 7 towards supporting body roller 6 , 6’ such that the rollers 7 engage with the concave face of the wound supporting bodies 2, 2’ and move radially to accommodate the wound body.

The housing further comprises a motor 8 which is operably linked to the roller 6 and optionally roller 5 so as cause its rotation to enable extension or retraction of the cover 1 and supporting bodies 2, 2’. The motor 8 is powered by the battery from the vehicle in which the assembly is mounted via contacts or docking ports 9. The motor 8 has sufficient power to overcome the torsion springs and frictional forces when extending the cover 1.

The supporting bodies 2, 2’ are affixed to the cover 2 by fixing means 11, 1T.

io

Figures 3 and 4 show the supporting body with the concave face 2b upwardly facing and upon which the cover 1 is mounted and a force is applied to the supporting means 2, 2’ in the direction shown by arrow F. The concave face imparts strength to the supporting body 2, 2’ which acts to support the weight of the cover 1 without buckling. The underside convex face

2a faces inwardly as the supporting body 2 is wound onto roller 6.

Figure 5 shows the motor 8 operably linked by means 10 and optionally with gearing to provide power to rollers 6, 6’ whereby the supporting bodies 2, 2’ may be extended and retracted in concert. The supporting bodies 2, 2’ are maintained in a fixed spacing by bracing strut 22.

Claims

1. A retractable, self-supporting cover assembly.

2. A retractable cover assembly comprising a retractable cover, a retractable supporting body secured to the cover, motive means configured to move the retractable supporting body and /or cover between an extended position and a retracted position, a housing adapted to receive and store the retractable cover and the retractable supporting body wherein the retractable supporting body is configured to support the cover when in its extended position.

3. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 2 in which the housing comprises at least one aperture through which the supporting body passes upon extension and retraction of the cover and wherein the aperture is shaped so as to provide a snug sliding fit with the supporting body.

4. A retractable cover according to any one of the preceding claims which is automatically retractable and extendable and which does not include guide runners.

5. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of retractable supporting bodies.

6. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the supporting body is windable into a rolled configuration upon retraction and storage within the housing.

7. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 6 in which the housing comprises a roller for receiving the cover and a supporting body roller for receiving the supporting body upon retraction of the cover.

8. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 6 in which the housing comprises a roller and the supporting body and the cover are windable onto the same roller upon retraction of the cover.

9. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the supporting body comprises an elongate strip which has a curved cross-section.

10. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 9 in which the cover is mounted above the supporting body and the concave face of the strip faces upwardly towards the cover.

11. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10 in which the housing comprises a support body roller adapted to receive the elongate strip and which further comprises a plurality of guide rollers circumferentially spaced around the support body roller for engagement with the concave face of the strip.

12. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the supporting body is constructed from metal, plastics or a composite.

13. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the supporting body is connected to the cover at one or more locations at or near the leading edge of the cover.

14. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12 of the preceding claims in which the supporting body and the cover are interwoven.

15. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of retractable supporting bodies

16. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 15 in which the plurality of supporting bodies are connected by a bracing strut.

17. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims comprising detection means to detect the presence of an obstruction.

18. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 17 in which the detection means comprises a pressure sensitive sensor which is operably connected to the motive means to stop further extension should an obstruction be encountered during use.

19. A remotely controllable, self-supporting, retractable luggage cover comprising a retractable cover, a retractable supporting body secured to the cover, motive means configured to move the retractable supporting body between an extended position and a retracted position, a housing adapted to receive and store the retractable cover and the retractable supporting body wherein the retractable supporting body is configured to support the cover when in its extended position and the motive means is adapted for activation remotely.

20. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 19 in which remote activation in use is

5 provided by control means activatable by the opening and closing of a luggage door or from within the passenger compartment, a control member located on a key or key fob or by means of an “app” operable from a mobile telephone or other remote device with a user interface.

10

21. A motor vehicle having a power source and a luggage compartment comprising a retractable luggage cover according to the invention wherein the motive means derives power from the power source of the motor vehicle and the housing of the retractable cover assembly comprises power engagement means to operably connect the power source and the motive means of the retractable cover assembly.

22. A retractable cover substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A retractable vehicle luggage compartment cover assembly comprising a retractable cover, a retractable supporting body secured to the cover, motive means configured

5 to move the retractable supporting body and cover between an extended position and a retracted position, a housing adapted to receive and store the retractable cover and the retractable supporting body wherein the retractable supporting body is configured to support the cover when in its extended position, the housing comprises at least one aperture through which the retractable supporting

10 body passes upon extension and retraction of the cover, the retractable supporting body comprises an elongate strip which has a curved cross-section wherein the cover is mounted above the retractable supporting body and the concave face of the strip faces upwardly towards the cover.

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2. A retractable cover according to claim 1 wherein the aperture is shaped so as to provide a snug sliding fit with the supporting body.

3. A retractable cover according to any one of the preceding claims which is automatically retractable and extendable.

4. A retractable cover according to any one of the preceding claims which does not include guide runners.

5. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 25 comprising a plurality of retractable supporting bodies.

6. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the housing comprises a roller for receiving the cover and a retractable support body roller for receiving the retractable support body upon retraction of the cover.

7. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the housing comprises a support body roller and the support body and the retractable cover are windable onto the same roller upon retraction of the cover.

8. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7which further comprises a plurality of guide rollers circumferentially spaced around the support body roller for engagement with the concave face of the strip.

9. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the supporting body is constructed from metal, plastics or a composite.

10. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which

5 the supporting body is connected to the cover at one or more locations at or near the leading edge of the cover.

11. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of retractable supporting bodies io

12. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 11 in which the plurality of supporting bodies are connected by a bracing strut.

13. A retractable cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims

15. A remotely controllable, self-supporting, retractable luggage cover comprising a retractable cover, a retractable supporting body secured to the cover, motive means configured to move the retractable supporting body between an extended position and a retracted position, a housing adapted to receive and store the retractable cover

25 and the retractable supporting body wherein the retractable supporting body is configured to support the cover when in its extended position and the motive means is adapted for activation remotely.

20 10 17

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1617788.3 Examiner: Peter Gardiner

15 comprising detection means to detect the presence of an obstruction.

14. A retractable cover assembly according to claim 13 in which the detection means comprises a pressure sensitive sensor which is operably connected to the motive means to stop further extension should an obstruction be encountered during use.