WO2022249080A1

WO2022249080A1 - Canopy for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2022249080A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/054879
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Frederik Thomas VAN DER MERWE
Original assignee: Van Der Merwe George Frederik Thomas
Priority date: 2021-05-28
Filing date: 2022-05-25
Publication date: 2022-12-01

Abstract

The invention provides a canopy (10) for a vehicle. The canopy has a canopy frame (12) defining openings (22,1, 22,2, 22,3) in the frame (12). The canopy (10) further includes a covering panel/s (24,1, 24,2, 24,3, 18) configured to operatively cover the canopy opening/s (22,1, 22,2, 22,3) and which is releasably attached to the canopy frame (12) via releasable attachment means (26) such that the covering panels (24,1, 24,2, 24,3, 18) can be detached from the canopy frame (12) allowing a user to remove and/or interchange different panels (24,1, 24,2, 24,3, 18) with the canopy (10).

Description

CANOPY FOR A VEHICLE

INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a canopy for a vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a canopy for a vehicle where at least one covering panel of the canopy is detachable while the canopy remains installed on the vehicle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A considerable number of pickup-type trucks or vehicles are used by individuals for many types of business activities or just as personal vehicles for recreational and other purposes. These pickup trucks have an open rear bed or cargo area which is exposed to the outside. Various types of enclosures are used to protect this cargo area from outside elements, such as the weather, and to secure cargo, tools, etc. stored in the rear area from loss or theft. These enclosures are referred to as a shell, canopy, topper, bed cap, box cap, etc., and come in numerous configurations and sizes. Many of these enclosures are made of fiberglass or aluminium. These enclosures are usually attached to and supported by the side rails or frame of the vehicle body which form two or three sides of the open cargo area.

Current canopies usually comprise a canopy frame that is secured to the vehicle body with the canopy frame having a front and rear canopy panel with a rear door panel secured to the rear panel via a plurality of hinges, allowing a user to gain access to the cargo area via the rear door. The canopy further comprises a top panel / roof that extends between the front and the rear panels. Two side panels are secured to the canopy frame via a plurality of fasteners with each side panel often having a door which is either in the form of a glass window or a solid aluminium door allowing a user to gain access to the cargo area from the side perspectives. The doors are usually attached to the side panels with hinges allowing the doors to pivotally open and close and which doors are secured with a plurality of fasteners to lock the doors in place.

The glass window and solid doors are designed to be used in different scenarios. The solid doors are mainly used where the security of the cargo in the cargo area is of more importance and for example where a rooftop tent is secured on the top panel. The glass windows, on the other hand are often considered more aesthetically appealing while also resulting in a smaller blind spot compared to the solid doors. As most pickup-type trucks/vehicles are used in different scenarios, there is a need to replace or interchange the doors between solid doors and doors having windows based on the current scenarios. Despite this need, the aforementioned is currently not provided for on any known canopy.

A further disadvantage of the doors that are fixed to the canopy frame is that certain objects which are transported in the cargo area often exceed the volume of the canopy. As such, in this scenario, a user is required to keep one of the doors open resulting in the object extending out of the door while driving. This is however problematic as the open door increases the height and/or width of the vehicle which may result in collisions on and off the road. In addition, the necessitated open doors are often not fixed in place and may result in damaging the object which protrude from the canopy.

A yet further disadvantage of the know canopies is that damage may often occur to one or more of the doors only, for example resulting from a collision, whilst the canopy frame and other panels remains undamaged. This usually renders the canopy useless in providing a secure closing to the contents of the canopy or is aesthetically displeasing. In such instance, the user is often required to remove the entire canopy from the vehicle to repair or replace the damaged door. Even where the door can be removed from the canopy, this is a difficult and time-consuming process which is usually required to be undertaken at a remote location where access to appropriate tools and artisans are required. The aforementioned consequently results in unwanted down-time of the vehicle and/or canopy. In some instances, the entire canopy needs to be replaced despite the damage only occurring in one of the doors.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle canopy which the applicant believes the aforementioned limitations and disadvantages may at least partially be alleviated, and/or which would provide a useful alternative for known vehicle canopies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a canopy for a vehicle, which comprises:

- a canopy frame which is operatively secured to a vehicle, the canopy frame comprising; o front and rear frame sections, o a roof panel which is secured to an operatively upper portion of the front and rear frame sections and which extends between the front and rear frame sections; o at least one side support or side panel extending between the frame sections; and o at least one canopy opening defined in the canopy frame;

- at least one covering panel which is configured to operatively cover the at least one canopy opening, and wherein the at least one covering panel is releasably attached to the canopy frame via releasable attachment means, the canopy frame remaining structurally stable when the at least one covering panel is operatively detached from the canopy frame. The releasable attachment means may comprise a first member and a corresponding member which is configured to releasably engage one another. In a first embodiment, the first member is secured to the at least one covering panel and the corresponding member is secured to the canopy frame. Alternatively, the first member may be secured to the canopy frame and the corresponding member secured to the at least one covering panel.

The first member and corresponding member is further configured to operatively displace the covering panel between a closed position, wherein the covering panel covers the canopy opening, and an open position which provides access to a cargo area through the canopy opening. The releasable attachment means is further configured to operatively disengage the first member and corresponding member from each other and detach the at least one covering panel from the canopy frame.

The releasable attachment means may further comprise a locking member which is configured to releasably lock the first member and corresponding member in place when the first member and corresponding member is in engagement.

The first member may comprise of a substantially cylindrical member with the corresponding member having a receiving formation into which the substantially cylindrical member is received when the first member and corresponding member is in engagement. The locking member may be located on the corresponding member and be displaceable between a locked position wherein the locking member obstructs at least a portion of the receiving formation and the cylindrical member is restricted from being removed from the receiving formation, and an unlocked condition, wherein the locking member is displaced away from the receiving formation such that it is unobstructed allowing the cylindrical member to be removed from the receiving formation and be disengaged from the corresponding member. The front and rear frame sections of the canopy frame may be substantially inverted U-shaped.

In one embodiment the at least one canopy opening may be located proximate any one of the side supports or side panels. In an alternative embodiment the at least one opening may be defined by openings formed in the canopy frame. The openings in the canopy frame may include operatively right and left canopy openings defined between the front and rear frame sections and operatively rear and front canopy openings defined between or within the front and rear frame sections.

In a first embodiment, the canopy frame includes a pair of side supports each of which extends between operatively lower portions of the front and rear frame such that the canopy opening is defined between the side supports and the roof panel. The canopy may comprise operatively right and left side covering panels each of which are shaped and dimensioned to operatively cover the canopy openings between the side supports and the roof panel. In this embodiment, the first member may be secured to the roof panel above the canopy opening while the corresponding member is secured to the covering panel.

The roof panel of the canopy frame may include a channel which runs longitudinally along the roof panel proximate to the upper portion of the canopy opening. A cross-section of the channel may be substantially U-shaped. The first member of the releasable attachment means may be disposed within the channel with a sealing member positioned on a lower portion of the channel. When the covering panel is moved to the closed position the sealing member may be disposed between the lower portion of the channel and the covering panel such that a watertight seal is created between the lower portion of the channel and the covering panel. The sealing member may be in the form of a rubber seal which fits over the lower portion of the channel. The channel may furthermore extend towards and downwardly along the front and/or rear frame sections allowing water to flow out of the channel at the operatively lower portions of the canopy frame.

In a second embodiment of the invention the canopy frame includes a pair of side panels located on the operative right and left side of the canopy frame with each side panel having an opening therein. The canopy may comprise operatively right and left side covering panels each of which are shaped and dimensioned to operatively cover the opening in the side panel. In this embodiment the first member is attached to the side panel adjacent the opening.

In this embodiment the side panels of the canopy frame may include a channel which runs longitudinally along the side panel proximate the upper portion of the opening. The first member may be disposed within the channel with a sealing member positioned on a lower portion of the channel. When the covering panel is moved to the closed position, the sealing member may be compressed between the channel and the covering panel such that a watertight seal is created between the channel and the covering panel. The sealing member may be in the form of a rubber seal which fits over the lower portion of the channel.

The canopy frame may further include an opening in the operatively rear side of the canopy frame.

In a further embodiment of the invention the canopy frame includes an opening which is defined in the rear frame section. The canopy may comprise a rear side covering panel which is shaped and dimensioned to cover the opening. In this embodiment the corresponding member may be secured to the rear frame section.

The rear frame section of the canopy frame may include a channel which runs longitudinally along the rear frame section proximate the upper portion of the opening. The corresponding member may be disposed within the channel with a sealing member positioned on a lower portion of the channel. When the covering panel is moved to the closed position the sealing member may be disposed between the channel and the covering panel such that a watertight seal is created between the channel and the covering panel.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention the canopy frame includes a rear side panel having an opening therein. The covering panel is shaped and dimensioned to cover the opening in the rear side panel. In this embodiment the corresponding member is attached to the rear side panel adjacent to the opening.

The invention further provides for a cover plate, preferably provided in the form of an extruded plastic component installed proximate the corresponding member which operatively substantially covers the first member and the corresponding member in the closed position.

The canopy may further include a plurality of supports which are connected to the canopy frame and each covering panel to operatively support each covering panel in the open position. The plurality of supports may be detachably secured to the covering panel and/or the canopy frame. In a preferred embodiment the plurality of supports may be in the form of gas struts which are detachably secured to the covering panel such that the gas struts are detachable from the covering panel when dethatching the covering panel from the canopy frame.

The covering panel may be in the form of a solid covering panel manufactured from aluminium or an aluminium covering panel having a transparent portion manufactured from glass, acrylic or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a canopy, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a canopy frame section of the canopy of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a rear frame section of the canopy of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4A is a schematic side-end view of the canopy of Figure 1 with covering panels shown in an open position;

Figure 4B is a schematic front-end view of the canopy of Figure 1 with the covering panels in the open position;

Figure 5A is a schematic side-end view of the canopy of Figure 1 with a covering panel detached from the canopy frame;

Figure 5B is a schematic rear-end view of the canopy of Figure 1 with the covering panels detached from the canopy frame;

Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI’ as shown in Figure 4B and a portion of the canopy showing releasable attachment means of a rear covering panel with a first member and a corresponding member of the releasable attachment means engaged;

Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 with the first member and the corresponding member disengaged;

Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VI l-VI G as shown in Figure 4A and a portion of the canopy showing releasable attachment means of a side covering panel with a first member and a corresponding member of the releasable attachment means engaged;

Figure 9 is similar to Figure 8 with the first member and the corresponding member disengaged;

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a canopy with the covering panels in the open position; and

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a canopy showing an alternative rear side covering panels.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the Figures, in which like numerals refer to like features, a canopy in accordance with a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in Figures 1 ,4-10.

The canopy 10 is secured to a cargo area of the vehicle (not shown) in order to enclose the cargo area and protect cargo in the cargo area from outside elements such as the weather and from loss or theft. The canopy 10 includes a canopy frame 12 which comprises a front frame section 14 and a rear frame section 16. The front and rear frame sections 14, 16 are substantially inverted U-shaped. When installed onto the vehicle, front frame section 14 substantially abuts the cab (not shown) of the vehicle. The canopy frame 12 further comprises a roof panel 18 which is secured to and extends between operatively upper portions of the front and rear frame sections 14, 16. The canopy frame 12 also includes side supports 20 on the operatively lower ends of the canopy which is configured to engage with the vehicle body to secure the canopy 10 on the vehicle. In this example the canopy frame includes a right side support 20.1 and a left side support 20.2. It will be understood that the side supports 20 may also be considered or act as side panels of the canopy frame 12 to form the enclosure of the canopy 10.

The canopy 10 further includes at least one canopy opening 22 and at least one covering panel 24 which is configured to operatively cover the at least one canopy opening 22 as described below. In this specific example embodiment, the canopy includes right side 24.1 , left side 24.2, and rear side 24.3 covering panels. The covering panels 24 are releasably attached to the canopy frame 12 via releasable attachment means 26, with the canopy frame 12 remaining structurally stable and hence secured to the vehicle when the covering panels 24 are operatively detached/removed from the canopy frame 12 as explained below.

The releasable attachment means 26, as shown more clearly in Figures 6-9, comprises a first member 28 and a corresponding member 30.

In one example embodiment, the first member 28 is attached to the canopy frame 12 and the corresponding member 30 is attached to the right- and left side covering panels 24.1 , 24.2.

As shown on the rear side covering panel 24.3, the first member 28 is attached to the covering panel 24.3 and the corresponding member 30 is attached to the canopy frame 12, proximate the roof panel 18.

The first member 28 and the corresponding member 30 are configured to releasably engage one another which permits the covering panels 24 to be displaced between a closed position (as shown in Figure 1 ), wherein the covering panel 24 covers the canopy opening 22, and an open position (as shown in Figure 10), wherein a user is permitted to access the cargo area through the canopy openings 22. In this instance, the covering panels 24 can be displaced by means of hinging/pivoting between the open and closed positions. The releasable attachment means 26 is further configured to permit the user to operatively disengage the first member 28 and corresponding member 30 from each other and detach/remove the covering panels 24 from the canopy frame 12 (as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 9).

The releasable attachment 26 means further comprises a locking member 32 which is configured to releasably restrict the first member 28 and corresponding member 30 from being disengaged.

In this example embodiment, the first member 28 comprises a substantially cylindrical member 34 with the corresponding member 30 having a receiving formation 36 into which the substantially cylindrical member 34 is received when the first member 28 and corresponding member 30 is in engagement. The locking member 32 is located on the corresponding member 30 and is displaceable between a locked condition (as shown in Figures 6 and 8) wherein the locking member obstructs at least a portion of the receiving formation 36 and the cylindrical member 34 is restricted from being removed from the receiving formation 36, and an unlocked condition (as shown in Figures 7 and 9) wherein the receiving formation 36 is unobstructed allowing the cylindrical member 34 to be removed from the receiving formation 36 and the first member 28 to be disengaged from the corresponding member 30 .

In this example embodiment, a canopy opening 22.1 , 22.2 is defined in the right and left side of the canopy frame between the side supports 20 and the roof panel 18. The openings 22.1 , 22.2 allow a user to gain access to the cargo area of the vehicle when the canopy frame is secured to the vehicle.

As shown in Figures 4A, 8 and 9, the roof panel 18 of the canopy frame includes a pair of gutters or channels 38 each of which runs longitudinally along the roof panel 18 proximate the upper portion of the right and left side canopy openings 22.1 , 22.2. The first member 28 of the releasable attachment means 26 is disposed within the channels 38 with a sealing member 40 positioned on a lower portion of the channels 38. When the covering panels 24.1 , 24.2 are moved to the closed position, the sealing member 40 is compressed between the lower portion of the channel 38 and the covering panel 24 such that a watertight seal is created between the channel 38 and the covering panel 24. The sealing member 40 is in the form of a rubber seal which fits over the lower portion of the channel 38. As shown in Figure 4A, the channel 38 furthermore extends from the roof panel 18 towards and downwards adjacent the front and rear frame sections 14, 16 allowing water to flow out of the channel 38 at the lower portion of the front and rear frame sections.

The canopy 10 further includes an opening 22.3 in the operatively rear side of the canopy frame 12 which is defined in the rear frame section 16. The canopy 10 comprises a rear side covering panel 24.3 which is shaped and dimensioned to cover the opening 22.3.

As shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7, the rear frame section 16 of the canopy frame includes a gutter or channel 42 which runs longitudinally in the rear frame section 16 along the upper portion of the opening 22.3. The corresponding member 30 is disposed within the channel 42 with a sealing member 44 positioned on a lower portion of the channel 42. When the covering panel 24.3 is moved to the closed position, the sealing member 44 is compressed between the channel 42 and the covering panel 24.3 such that a watertight seal is created between the channel 42 and the covering panel 24.3.

A cover plate 45, preferably provided in the form of an extruded plastic component is installed proximate the corresponding member 30 which operatively covers the first member 28 and the corresponding member 30 in the closed position to prevent or at least partially prevent the ingress of water and/or dust into the channels 38, 42 whilst providing a pleasing aesthetic finish to the canopy 10. The canopy 10 further includes a plurality of supports 46 which are connected to the canopy frame 12 and the covering panels 24 to operatively support the covering panels 24 in the open position. The plurality of supports 46 are detachably secured to the covering panel 24 and the canopy frame 12. In this specific example embodiment, the plurality of supports 46 are in the form of gas struts which are detachably secured to the covering panel 24 allowing the user to detach the gas struts 46 from the covering panels 24, when removing the covering panels 24 from the canopy frame 12.

The canopy may be manufactured from any suitable material such as fibreglass, aluminium (preferably) and the like. The covering panel may furthermore be in the form of a solid covering panel manufactured from aluminium and the like which may also have a transparent portion manufactured from a suitable material such as glass, acrylic and the like. As shown in Figure 11 , the rear side covering panel is provided as a full-glass panel having a transparent section 24.3A and an opaque section 24.3B.

It is accordingly asserted that the disadvantages of the known vehicle canopies are overcome or at least alleviated. The current invention provides for canopies which have detachable panels (rear doors/panels, side doors/panels irrespective of relative size) from the canopy frame which allows the user to remove from and/or interchange different panels on the canopy. This allows the user more freedom to choose between a particular panel in accordance with requirement or preference or to simply remove the panel from the canopy if required. In addition, the interchangeability of the panels has the advantage of replacing damaged panels in an easy and convenient manner without any downtime of the canopy and/or vehicle. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The description is presented by way of example only in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. The words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.

Claims

1. A canopy for a vehicle comprising:

- a canopy frame which is operatively secured to a vehicle, the canopy frame comprising: o front and rear frame sections, o a roof panel which is secured to an operatively upper portion of the front and rear frame sections and which extends between the front and rear frame sections; o at least one side support or side panel extending between the frame sections; and o at least one canopy opening defined in the canopy frame; and

- at least one covering panel which is configured to operatively cover the at least one canopy opening, and wherein the at least one covering panel is releasably attached to the canopy frame via releasable attachment means, the canopy frame remaining structurally stable when the at least one covering panel is operatively detached from the canopy frame.

2. The canopy as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the releasable attachment means comprises a first member and a corresponding member which is configured to releasably engage one another; and wherein the first member is secured to the canopy frame and the corresponding member secured to the at least one covering panel.

3. The canopy as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the releasable attachment means comprises a first member and a corresponding member which is configured to releasably engage one another; and wherein the first member is secured to the at least one covering panel and the corresponding member is secured to the canopy frame.

4. The canopy as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the first member and corresponding member is configured to operatively displace the covering panel between a closed position, wherein the covering panel covers the canopy opening, and an open position which provides access to a cargo area through the canopy opening.

5. The canopy as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the releasable attachment further comprises a locking member which is configured to releasably lock the first member and corresponding member in place when the first member and corresponding member is in engagement.

6. The canopy as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first member comprises of a substantially cylindrical member with the corresponding member having a receiving formation into which the substantially cylindrical member is received when the first member and corresponding member is in engagement.

7. The canopy as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the locking member is located on the corresponding member and is displaceable between a locked position, wherein the locking member obstructs at least a portion of the receiving formation and the cylindrical member is restricted from being removed from the receiving formation, and an unlocked condition, wherein the locking member is displaced away from the receiving formation such that it is unobstructed allowing the cylindrical member to be removed from the receiving formation and be disengaged from the corresponding member.

8. The canopy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one canopy opening defined in the canopy frame includes either or both of: - operatively right and left canopy openings defined between the front and rear frame sections; and

- operatively rear and front canopy openings defined in the front and rear frame sections.

9. The canopy as claimed in claim 2 and 4, wherein the canopy frame includes at least one pair of side supports each of which extends between operatively lower portions of the front and rear frame sections such that the canopy opening is defined between the side supports and the roof panel; and wherein the canopy comprises either or both operatively right and left side covering panels each of which are shaped and dimensioned to operatively cover the canopy openings between the side supports and the roof panel; and wherein the first member is secured to the roof panel above the canopy opening while the corresponding member is secured to the covering panel.

10. The canopy as claimed in claim 9, wherein the roof panel of the canopy frame includes a channel which runs longitudinally along the roof panel proximate to the upper portion of the canopy opening.

11. The canopy as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first member of the releasable attachment means is disposed within the channel with a sealing member positioned on a lower portion of the channel, such that when the covering panel is moved to the closed position, the sealing member is disposed between the lower portion of the channel and the covering panel such that a watertight seal is created between the lower portion of the channel and the covering panel.

12. The canopy as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the sealing member is in the form of a rubber seal which fits over the lower portion of the channel.

13. The canopy as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the channel further extends downwardly along the front and/or rear frame sections allowing water to flow out of the channel at the operatively lower portions of the canopy frame.

14. The canopy as claimed in claim 2 and 4, wherein the canopy frame includes a side panel located on the either or both operative right and left sides of the canopy frame with the side panel having an opening therein; and wherein the canopy comprises either or both operatively right and left side covering panels each of which are shaped and dimensioned to operatively cover the opening in the side panel; and wherein the first member is secured to the side panel adjacent the opening while the corresponding member is secured to the covering panel.

15. The canopy as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one side panel of the canopy frame includes a channel which runs longitudinally along the side panel proximate the upper portion of the opening.

16. The canopy as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first member of the releasable attachment means is disposed within the channel with a sealing member positioned on a lower portion of the channel, such that when the covering panel is moved to the closed position, the sealing member is disposed between the channel and the covering panel such that a watertight seal is created between the channel and the covering panel.

17. The canopy as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sealing member is in the form of a rubber seal which fits over the lower portion of the channel.

18. The canopy as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the channel further extends downwardly along the front and/or rear frame sections allowing water to flow out of the channel at the operatively lower portions of the canopy frame.

19. The canopy as claimed in claim 3 and 4, wherein the canopy opening is defined in the rear frame section; and wherein the corresponding member is secured to the rear frame section and the first member is secured to the covering panel.

20. The canopy as claimed in claim 19, wherein the rear frame section of the canopy frame includes a channel which runs longitudinally along the rear frame section proximate the upper portion of the opening.

21 . The canopy as claimed in claim 20, wherein the corresponding member is disposed within the channel with a sealing member positioned on a lower portion of the channel, such that when the covering panel is moved to the closed position the sealing member is disposed between the channel and the covering panel such that a watertight seal is created between the channel and the covering panel.

22. The canopy as claimed in claim 20, wherein the sealing member is in the form of a rubber seal.

23. The canopy as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 22, which further includes a cover plate installed proximate the corresponding member which operatively substantially covers the first member and the corresponding member in the closed position.

24. The canopy as claimed in claim 23, wherein the cover plate is provided in the form of an extruded plastic component.

25. The canopy as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 24, which further include at least one support which is connected to the canopy frame and covering panel to operatively support the covering panel in the open position.

26. The canopy as claimed in claim 25, wherein the support is detachably secured to the covering panel and/or the canopy frame.

27. The canopy as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein the support is in the form of a gas strut.

28. The canopy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering panel includes a transparent portion manufactured from glass, acrylic or the like.