WO2007059540A2

WO2007059540A2 - Viewing platform

Info

Publication number: WO2007059540A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2006/000132
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Alexander Nicholas Warsop; John Brian Carlton Warsop
Original assignee: Warsop James Alexander Nichola
Priority date: 2005-11-19
Filing date: 2006-11-20
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: WO2007059540A3; AU2006315129A1; ZA200804463B

Abstract

A viewing platform (16) which is mountable on a roof of a motor vehicle which includes a base (14A) , a framework (18) attached to the base (14A) , an opening in the base which provides access to manipulate the framework (18) between a collapsed condition and an erected condition, and a roof (22) which is supported by the framework at least when the framework is in the erected condition.

Description

VIEWING PLATFORM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a viewing platform which, inter alia, is suitable for use on a vehicle.

[0002] A person who is viewing game, in a game park, should be positioned fairly high.

A typical motor vehicle has seats which are low and, for this reason, it is known to make use of specially equipped vehicles which are fitted with elevated seats to provide better views.

[0003] If a viewing platform is used to improve the capability of viewing game then a further difficulty may arise. This lies in the task of assembling the viewing platform, often from a number of components which must be precisely linked to one another. Moreover, if the platform is to be mounted on a roof of a vehicle, the assembly thereof may require a user to exit the vehicle, an act which is prohibited in most game parks.

[0004] An object of the invention is to provide a viewing platform which at least partly addresses the aforementioned requirements. The invention is described hereinafter in the context of game viewing but it is to be understood that this is only by way of a non- limiting example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides a viewing platform which is mountable on a roof of a motor vehicle which includes a base, a framework attached to the base, an opening in the base which provides access to manipulate the framework between a collapsed condition and an erected condition, and a roof which is supported by the framework at least when the framework is in the erected condition.

[0006] The opening thus provides access to an upper side of the base, for example through a sun-roof of the motor vehicle.

[0007] The base may be or form part of a roof rack of the motor vehicle. Preferably a conventional roof rack is used to secure the viewing platform to the vehicle and the base, of any suitable sheet material, is directly fixed to the roof rack.

[0008] The framework may be made from durable lightweight material, e.g. aluminium.

[0009] The framework may include an articulated arrangement operable to raise the roof relatively to the base to a first position at which a first edge of the roof is higher than a second edge of the roof, a first restraining member which restricts movement of the roof in a first lateral direction relatively to the base, and a lever mechanism which is actuable to raise the second edge of the roof relatively to the base so that the roof is elevated and spaced from the base.

[0010] The articulated arrangement may be extended and folded about at least one hinge joint.

[0011] The articulated arrangement may include a locking device which spans the hinge joint and which locks the articulated arrangement in full extension.

[0012] The locking device may include a clip and a complementary catch formation. [0013] The restraining member may be a flexible elongate element e.g. a rope, wire or cable which is attached to one end of the base and at an opposing end to the roof.

[0014] The lever mechanism may include an arm and a lever which is independently rotatable, relatively to the arm, about a pivot point and which is operable to extend the arm and raise the second edge of the roof relatively to the base.

[0015] A cable may link the lever to the arm.

[0016] The framework may include a second restraining member which restricts movement of the roof in a second lateral direction relatively to the base, so as to stabilise the position of the roof relatively to the base.

[0017] The viewing platform may include a plurality of sidewalls and viewing portals which are formed between upper edges of the sidewalls and the roof when the framework is in the erected condition.

[0018] The sidewalls may be movable between a folded configuration wherein the sidewalls lie adjacent the base and a raised configuration wherein the sidewalls are raised relatively to the base. The sidewalls may be configured to be moved to the raised configuration simultaneously with the unfolding of the framework to the erected condition. Alternatively the sidewalls may be movable to the raised configuration independently of the framework.

[0019] Each of the sidewalls may include a respective sidewall frame pivotally attached to the member. [0020] Each sidewall frame may be made from a durable lightweight material such as aluminium.

[0021] Each sidewall frame may be at least partly overlaid with a flexible sheet material e.g. canvas or any other suitable water resistant material.

[0022] The roof may be made out of a flexible sheet material e.g. canvas or any other suitable water resistant material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a side view of a viewing platform according to the invention, in a collapsed condition and mounted on a roof of a motor vehicle;

Figure 2 shows the viewing platform of Figure 1 in an erected condition;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the viewing platform in the erected condition; and

Figures 4 to 8 are diagrammatic views of a framework, in the viewing platform, in different stages of extension or collapse.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Figures 1 to 3 show a commercially available roof rack 10 mounted to a motor vehicle 12 which is equipped with a sun-roof, not shown.

[0025] The roof rack 10 has a slatted structure (not shown) and tough sheet material 14 is fixed to the rack. [0026] A viewing platform 16 is fixed to the roof rack 10 which overlies the sun-roof. The viewing platform 16 includes a tubular framework 18 (see Figure 3) which is movable between a collapsed condition (shown in Figure 1) to an erected condition (shown in Figures 2 and 3).

[0027] With the framework in the erected condition, the viewing platform has four sidewalls 20, which are preferably made of a flexible waterproof sheet material e.g. canvas, and a roof 22, which is preferably also made of the same material.

[0028] Upper edges of the sidewalls 20 terminate substantially below the roof 22 so as to provide viewing portals 24 through which persons within the structure can have sight of events taking place outside of the vehicle 12.

[0029] The sheet material 14 forms an integral base 14A of the viewing platform and acts to fix the platform to the rack which, in turn, is used to secure the platform to the vehicle.

[0030] Access to an interior of the viewing platform, either to make use of the platform when in the erected condition or to unfold the viewing platform to the erected condition, is obtained through an opening 26 in the base 14A which is in register with a similar opening (not shown) in the roof rack, and with the sun-roof of the vehicle.

[0031] The viewing platform 16 is folded into its collapsed condition for travelling purposes. It is locked in this position using any suitable arrangement which can be manipulated via the opening 20. For example locking catches can be used to prevent the framework from inadvertently extending due, say, to forces exerted by air pressure when the vehicle travels. Another possibility is to use a flexible cover or shroud which overlies the roof and which is tensioned by pulling on draw-strings, positioned adjacent the opening 26 below the roof rack, to draw the shroud inwardly so as to enclose tightly the roof and edges of the base or roof rack.

[0032] The viewing platform can be unfolded into the erected condition or folded into the collapsed condition, as required, without a user having to leave the confines of the vehicle 12. This feature makes the viewing platform useful and advantageous in the context of providing a sheltered, safe and practical environment from which to view events.

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates a first stage in the erection of the platform wherein a leading edge 28 of the roof is raised relatively to the base 14A, to a point higher than a trailing edge 30 of the roof.

[0034] The leading edge 28 of the roof is raised through the action of a person (not shown) who gains access to an underside of the viewing platform through the opening 26 and the opened sun roof, and who then pushes the leading edge 28 of the roof upwardly from the floor surface. During this stage of the assembly process the roof pivots about a pivot point 32 near the trailing edge 30.

[0035] Articulated members 34 (only one pair of articulated members is shown), are pivotally fixed between the leading edge 28 of the roof and a forward end 36 of the base, on opposing sides of the base and roof respectively. As the leading edge 28 of the roof is pushed upwardly, the articulated members 34 are raised, due to their attachment to the roof, from a folded state to an extended state (see Figure 5). [0036] The articulated members 34 can pivot about respective hinge joints 38. When the articulated members 34 are raised to their extended states, the hinge joints 38 are closed.

[0037] Each hinge joint 38 has a clip 40 and a complementary catch formation 42 which is engaged with the clip 40. A respective lever lock 44 (see insert to Figure 5), which functions with an over-centre type locking action is then activated to retain the articulated members 34 in the extended state i.e. with the members in a straight, rigid configuration.

[0038] Two sets of articulated arms 46 (only one set is shown) are pivotally fixed between a point near the trailing edge 30 of the roof and a point near a rear end 50 of the base 14A, on opposing sides of the base and roof respectively.

[0039] In this first stage of the assembly process, the articulated arms 46 remain substantially bent about respective articulated joints 52.

[0040] Figure 5 illustrates a second stage in the assembly process, which follows the first stage. The articulated members 34, locked in the extended state, are rigidified.

The roof is now pushed in a first lateral direction 54, away from the forward end 36, towards the rear end 50. The trailing edge of the roof can now move away from the base 14A.

[0041] As the roof moves in the first direction 54, the articulated arms 46 are only partially extended. Associated with each articulated arm 46 is a restraining cable 56 which, whilst limiting and restraining the extent to which the roof can be pushed in the first lateral direction 54, limits full extension of the respective articulated arm 46. Whilst the restraining cables 56 tension during this stage, opposing tension cables 58 remain slack.

[0042] Figure 6 illustrates a ^Jthird stage in the assembly process which follows the second stage. Associated with each articulated arm 46 is a lever mechanism 58 which is operable to lift the articulated arm 46 from a partially extended state, in which the articulated arm 46 lies close to a rear end 50 of the floor, to a fully extended state in which the articulated arm 46 is substantially upright. As the articulated arm 46 is lifted to the fully extended state, it functions to lever the trailing edge 30 of the roof to a raised position relatively to the base until finally the roof is fully raised, spaced from and substantially parallel to the base (see Figure 7).

[0043] The lever mechanism 58 includes a lever handle 60, which shares a pivotal attachment point 62 on the base with the articulated arm 46, and a pull cable 64. The lever handle pivots about the attachment point independently of any movement of the articulated arm 46.

[0044] One end of the pull cable 64 is attached to a cap 66 (see insert to Figure 6) and an opposing end of the pull cable 64 is attached, preferably centrally, to the respective articulated arm 46, in the vicinity of the articulated joint 52. The cap 66 can be inserted into an upper end 68 of the lever handle 60 to removably attach the pull cable 64 to the lever handle 60, thus linking the articulated arm 46 to the respective lever handle 60.

[0045] Each of the articulated arms 46 is thus linked to respective lever handles 60 and, by pulling on these handles, the pull cables 64 are tensioned and the articulated arms 46 are lifted to the fully extended state. [0046] In a final stage (Figure 7) the roof is stabilised with reference to the base. The restraining cables 56 and the tension cables 58 which are fully tensioned, restrain movement of the roof in the first lateral direction 54 and in a second opposing direction 70, and keep the articulated arms 46 under compression. The restraining cables 56 and the tension cables 58 optionally include a cable tensioning device to adjust the degree of tension the respective cables exert on the roof.

[0047] Each lever handle 60, can be fixed to the base (Figure 8). The pull cable 64 is thereby kept taut, the articulated joint 52 is kept compressed and the articulated arm 46 is kept fully extended.

[0048] The sidewalls 20, which during the assembly process remained folded, can be raised as required.

[0049] It is also within the scope of the invention to configure the viewing platform to seat a number of people on chairs located within the viewing platform. The chairs can be integral components of the viewing platform, adapted to fold away substantially flush with the base when not in use, and easily unfolded when required.

Claims

1. A viewing platform which is mountable on a roof of a motor vehicle and which includes a base, a framework attached to the base, an opening in the base which provides access to manipulate the base between a collapsed condition and an erected condition, and a roof which is supported by the framework at least when the framework is in the erected condition.

2. A viewing platform according to claim 1 wherein the opening provides access to an upper side of the base.

3. A viewing platform according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the base is formed at least partly by a roof rack.

4. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the framework is made from aluminium.

5. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the framework includes an articulated arrangement operable to raise the roof relatively to the base to a first position at which a first edge of the roof is higher than a second edge of the roof, at least one first restraining member which restricts movement of the roof in a first lateral direction relatively to the base and a lever mechanism which is actuable to raise the second edge of the roof relatively to the base.

6. A viewing platform according to claim 5 wherein the articulated arrangement includes at least one hinge joint.

7. A viewing platform according to claim 6 wherein the articulated arrangement includes a locking device which spans the hinge joint.

8. A viewing platform according to claim 7 wherein the locking device includes a clip and a complementary catch formation.

9. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the first restraining member is a flexible elongate element attached at one end to the base and at an opposing end to the roof.

10. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein the lever mechanism includes an arm and a lever which is operable to extend the arm and raise the second edge of the roof relatively to the base.

11. A viewing platform according to claim 10 which includes a pull cable which links the arm to the lever.

12. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 5 to 11 wherein the framework includes at least one second restraining member which restricts movement of the roof in a second lateral direction relatively to the base.

13. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 1 to 12 which includes a plurality of sidewalls which extend between the roof and the base.

14. A viewing platform according to claim 13 which includes viewing portals which are formed between upper edges of the sidewalls and the roof when the framework is in the erected condition.

15. A viewing platform according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the sidewalls are movable between a folded configuration at which the sidewalls lie adjacent the base and a raised configuration at which the sidewalls are raised relatively to the base.

16. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein each sidewall includes a sidewall frame which is pivotally attached to the base.

17. A viewing platform according to claim 16 wherein the sidewall frame is overlaid with a flexible sheet material.

18. A viewing platform according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the roof is made from a flexible sheet material.