WO2022085803A2

WO2022085803A2 - A portable car awning

Info

Publication number: WO2022085803A2
Application number: PCT/KE2021/050002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sheryl MBOYA
Original assignee: Mboya Sheryl
Priority date: 2020-09-14
Filing date: 2021-07-12
Publication date: 2022-04-28
Also published as: WO2022085803A3

Abstract

A portable automated car awning that is accustomed for all types of vehicles. Its members are made of sustainable, affordable, versatile, lightweight and commonly found materials such as wood, steel, aluminum and copper. The canopy is made of weatherproof, durable and affordable materials. Four detachable clips are fixed at the end of each stretcher to be attached onto the front and rear fenders of the vehicle. When the awning is assembled, two elastic straps provided at each side of the canopy safely secures the awning by being placed onto the two side mirrors of the vehicle.

Description

TITLE: A PORTABLE CAR AWNING

This invention consists of an automated portable car awning that uses a simple structure that enables the carrying, assembly and disassembly of the car awning. The awning is foldable in accordion style along a plurality of fold lines that run through a rectangular configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable shelters such as umbrellas, canopies and tents are very popular due to the detrimental effects of the sun. The sun due to global warming contains harmful Ultra Violet (UV) rays.

The harmful rays are not only harmful to the car's interior but also to its exterior. This means that it is not just the dashboard and seats that can get the most damage but the car's finish as well as the engine is at a great risk too. Vehicle owners hence opt to park their vehicles under a shade be it under a tree shade or an inbuilt sunshade to avoid having the vehicles' interior and exterior exposed to the harmful effects of the sun.

Sadly, very few parking slots offer inbuilt sunshades not to mention the scarcity of trees in cities and towns to provide shades for these vehicles. The reason behind the very few sunshades available in offices and residential buildings is due to the outrageous cost of building one.

Although some inventions have addressed this problem, a need exists for a car awning that is lightweight, conveniently affordable, portable, easy to assemble and disassemble, provides an adequate area of shade for the vehicle, offers additional security for the vehicle and most importantly one that significantly contributes to the conservation of the environment by the use of sustainable and biodegradable materials. Finally, the use of Artificial Intelligence in the innovation is of significant importance as it enable the awning be disability-user friendly and to ease its operations by all its users.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to portable shade structures and more particularly to automated portable awnings accustomed for all types of vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of simple and cost-effective structures that addresses the challenges faced by motorists and motor vehicle owners in terms of vehicle maintenance. Therefore, in accordance with the preferred embodiments, four stretchers that entail clips at the end to clip onto the fenders are provided to support the canopy over the vehicle. In this particular embodiment, provision and emphasis is placed to ensure the stretchers are adjustable to fit the length and width of the vehicle, deployment of selected springs and coating of the canopy material to ensure it is water resistant, ultra-violet resistant and weatherproof.

Consequently, the preferred embodiments include a portable awning comprising of a shade canopy, the canopy having a tracker as well as several buttons that facilitate its assembly and disassembly. The canopy being attached to the stretchers by the ribs which are adjustable depending on the size of the vehicle. At least 4 stretchers equally- spaced and adjustable to align with the front and rear fenders on both sides of the vehicle. Clips placed at the end of the stretchers to provide firm anchorage and support of the canopy to the vehicle. An alarm system installed onto the clips to provide security to both the awning and the vehicle.

The preferred embodiment further includes the manipulation of Artificial Intelligence (Al) in the canopy to make it disability-user friendly. These involves the use of computer mechanics to ease its assembly and disassembly. Artificial Intelligence is also incorporated into the application.

This invention further discloses a separate remote in the form of a bracelet. The remote uses Artificial Intelligence to accustom the awning to the owner as well as to engage and disengage the alarm system.

Finally, this embodiment discloses a portable car shade system where the members comprise of an application that enables the user to manage and ensure the functioning of the car awning through the owner's remote bracelet, phone, tablet, iPad, digitized watches or a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 is a perspective drawing depicting a vehicle on which an awning has been mounted and deployed according to the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an aerial top view of the canopy when mounted and deployed in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective underside view of the canopy showing the supporting structure of the ribs as they appear when the awning has been deployed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the canopy exhibiting the canopy and the supporting structure as they appear when slightly (about 90%) open.

Fig. 5 is a perspective drawing of the canopy showing the canopy and its supporting structures as they appear when the awning is slightly (about 75%) open.

Fig. 6 is a perspective drawing of the canopy displaying the canopy as well as its supporting structures as they appear when the awning is somewhat (about 55%) open. Fig. 7 is a perspective drawing of the canopy showing the canopy and its bearing structures as they appear when the awning is partially (about 40%) open.

Fig. 8 s a perspective drawing of the canopy depicting the canopy as well as its supporting structures as they appear when the awning is slightly (about 25% open).

Fig.9 is a perspective drawing of the canopy exhibiting the canopy together with its supporting structures as they appear when the car awning is somewhat (about 10%) open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now descriptively to the drawing Figure. 1 as earlier on mentioned, depicts a vehicle in particular a four-door sedan on which an awning has been mounted and deployed according to the principles of the invention. However, this invention is applicable to all types of vehicles.

Over the top of vehicle 11, there is a deployed canopy 12 in its rectangular structure 13 with a plurality of supporting structures 14. On the side, there is a stretcher 15 that is attached to the front fender 16 and stretcher 17 attached to the rear fender 18. A strip of elastic 19 is secured onto the side mirror 20.

As observed the awning extends to cover the bonnet which houses the engine and other parts and the hood at the back. It also extends over the vehicle's doors to cover the vehicle's width. This in turn shields both the vehicle's interior as well as the exterior.

To provide support to the awning in its deployed state, there are at least four stretchers that are extendable depending on the size of the vehicle. The stretchers stem from the ribs and hold the canopy over the vehicle.

Moving on to Figure. 2, this shows an aerial top perspective view of the awning in its deployed state. The canopy 21 is held in its rectangular state 22 by four shafts 23 that are placed in a rectangular position. The shafts then extend to the ribs 24 which add to the support of the canopy. The tip of the ribs is held and covered by small caps 25.

Further reference to Figure. 3 shows an aerial bottom view of the canopy when it has been deployed and is open for use. The canopy 26 is in its rectangular- shaped structure 27 and is supported by at least two ribs 28 that crisscross and four shafts 29 that support the awning and connect to several ribs 30. Several small caps 31 secure and cover the point of the ribs over the canopy. The canopy is further attached to at least four stretchers that anchor the awning to the vehicle's fenders.

Further reference to Figure. 4 shows a perspective view of the canopy as well as its supporting structure when the awning is slightly at about 90% open. In its description, the canopy 32 is supported by the two ribs 33 that crisscross and four shafts 34 that aid in support of the canopy. The shafts are then connected to a multiple of ribs 35. At the tip of the ribs, where the ribs reach past the canopy, small caps 36 are attached to secure the tips over the awning. A ferrule 37 can be attached at the tip of the canopy.

Descriptively, Figure. 5 shows a canopy together with its supporting structures when the awning is slightly at about 75% open. The canopy 38 is in it rectangular structure supported by two ribs that crisscross 39 and are attached to four shafts 40 that are connected to form a rectangular structure. The shafts contain several catch springs that enable the awning to stretch and withdraw depending on the size of the vehicle. The shafts are then connected to a plurality of ribs 41 which aid in supporting the canopy.

The ribs are expandable to ensure that the awning entirely covers the vehicle. A ferrule 42 may be attached at the outer middle part of the canopy and several small caps 43 are then pressed over the canopy where the tips of the ribs meet the canopy.

Figure. 6 shows a perspective view of the canopy and its supporting structures when the awning is about 55% open. The canopy 44 is supported by two ribs that crisscross 45 and are then supported by four shafts 46 that are connected in a rectangular structure. The shafts then connect to several ribs 47 that can expand depending on the size of the vehicle.

Several small caps 48 are used to enclosed and hold the end tips of the ribs over the canopy. A ferrule 49 is attached at the top middle part of the canopy.

Moving on to Figure. 7, this shows a perspective view of the canopy together with its supporting structures when the awning is about 40% open. The canopy 50 is supported by two adjustable ribs that crisscross 51 which are then supported by four shafts 52 that are connected to form a rectangular structure. A multiple of ribs 53 stem from the shafts. The ribs bend as the canopy is being closed to allow the canopy to be foldable in accordion style.

A ferrule 54 is attached to the top middle part of the canopy and several small caps 55 is attached to the end of the ribs over the edge of the canopy.

Figure. 8 depicts a canopy as well as its supporting structures when the awning is slightly at about 25% open. The canopy 56 is seen to be smaller than its previous size when the awning is open for use and deployed. Several supporting structures such as the ribs that crisscross 57 as well as those that stem from the shaft 59 are also bending in their adjustable nature and the shaft 58 containing several catch sprigs fold therefore enabling it to be expandable. The supporting structures fold to enable the awning to be folded closed in accordion style.

Several caps 60 are attached to the end tips of the ribs over the edge of the canopy to secure the two tips. A ferule 61 is also seen to be attached in the outer middle of the canopy.

Lastly, Figure. 9 is a perspective view of the canopy showing the canopy and all its supporting structures when the awning is about 10% open. The awning as it appears is just about to be opened. The canopy 62 together with its supporting structures 63, 64 and 65 have adjusted their sizes and are folding to enable the awning to fold in accordion structure thus enabling its portability. Several small caps 66 are attached to hold and secure the end tips of the ribs and the edge of the canopy. Finally, a ferrule 67 is attached to the middle outer part of the awning.

Claims

CLAIMS. What is claimed is:

1. A portable car awning for a vehicle, the said vehicle comprising: a) a rectangular sheet of material supported by two ribs that crisscross b) the two ribs connect to four shafts that are placed in a rectangular structure c) a plurality of ribs extends from the shaft d) the tips of the ribs are held and covered by a small cap over the canopy e) at least four stretchers stem from the ribs and have a clip at the end f) two straps of elastic that are attached to the canopy on each side is anchored onto the two side mirrors of the vehicle g) a button on the awning to enable the assembly and disassembly of the awning h) a separate remote used to engage the alarm system on the awning i) a user-friendly application used to manage the functioning of the awning.

2. A portable car shade system where the members comprise a separate remote in the form of a bracelet, such that the remote uses Artificial Intelligence to accustom the awning to the owner as well as to engage and disengage the alarm system.

3. A portable car shade system where the members comprising an application used to manage the functioning of the car awning through the user's bracelet remote, phone, tablet, iPad, digitized watch or a computer.

4. The portable car shade system according to claim 1 where the said canopy extends entirely to cover the vehicle's length from the bonnet to the trunk as well as the vehicle's width such that the awning is Artificial Intelligence-powered to assemble and disassemble the awning automatically by a click of a button.

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5. The portable car shade system according to claim 1 where the said ribs are adjustable depending on the size of the vehicle such that the awning automatically adjusts itself to the type of the vehicle customized in the user's or owner's application.

6. The portable car shade system according to claim 1 whereby the said shafts contain several catch springs that aid in stretching and shortening the canopy according to the type of vehicle registered in the application.

7. The portable car shade system according to claim 1 where the said stretchers include clips at the end to securely anchor the canopy to the front and rear fenders on both sides of the vehicle.

8. The portable car shade system according to claim 2 where the bracelet remote is used to engage and disengage the alarm system.

9. The portable car shade system according to claim 8 where the alarm system is powered by Artificial Intelligence.

10. The portable car shade system according to claim 3 where the application is characterized by a) a password created by the user to ensure that the application is only used by the owner of the awning b) the owner customizes the application by inserting the type of his or her vehicle to enable the awning automatically identify the vehicle's measurement during its assembly. c) a tracking system that allows the user identify the location of the car awning d) a notification alert to when the awning's alarm goes off when someone tries to open the car door or remove the car awning's clip from the door handle before unlocking the clip e) a system that enables the user to track the energy left in the awning as well as in the remote and a notification on when to recharge. f) a notification alert on the functioning of the car awning.

11. The portable car shade system according to claim 4 where a ferrule is placed at the middle outer tip of the canopy.

6 The portable car shade system according to claim 4 whereby several buttons that enable its assembly and disassembly are incorporated into the awning. The portable car shade system according to claim 4 where a tracker is installed onto the bottom of the canopy to enable the owner of the awning track the location of the awning in case it is misplaced or stolen. The portable car shade system according to claim 7 where an alarm system is installed on the clips anchoring the canopy onto the front and rear fenders to ensure security of both the car awning as well as that of the vehicle. A method of deploying a portable car shade system assembly on any vehicle comprising the steps of: a) the owner customizing the application to his or her vehicle with regard to the type as well as to the measurement which is done only once after purchase of the awning and redone when need arises b) powering on the awning and pressing a button to pair the awning to the owner or to the user c) pressing a button on the bracelet remote to automatically assemble the awning and securing the awning by placing the elastic straps over the vehicle's side mirrors d) locking the clips and engaging the alarm through the bracelet remote. A method of disassembly of the awning which involves the steps of: a) pressing a button on the remote bracelet to automatically disassemble the awning and b) placing the awning in its bag.

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