COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER SUITABLE FOR A VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a collapsible shelter that is particularly suitable for use in respect of a vehicle in order to protect it against the elements of the weather, particularly against the ill effects of the sun, rain, wind and dirt. The scope of the invention is, however, in no way limited in application to a collapsible shelter for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are numerous instances in which garage facilities are not available for a motor vehicle whilst it is desired to provide protection for the vehicle against the ill effects of the sun, rain, wind and dirt. A convenient way of providing such a shelter, in the event that an outside wall is available, is to construct a so-called lean-to, or alternatively to construct a permanent carport. However, such constructions may contravene local regulations and may be undesirable, in any event, for aesthetic or even structural reasons.

Accordingly, numerous different collapsible shelters have been proposed in the past. One general category of collapsible shelters that has attracted much attention is that consisting of inverted U-shaped frames that are rotatable about the free ends of the arms of the U so as to be movable between a generally horizontal collapsed position and an upwardly extending arched position in which they support a flexible cover.

The difficulty with this arrangement is that vehicles generally require a shelter of the order of about six metres long whilst a height of only about two metres is all that is required. Accordingly, the typical radial concertina structure in

which the free ends of the U-shaped frames are ail pivotally attached at a central position would lead to an unduly high structure, typically three metres, being the radius required for a six metre long structure. The additional height of an extra metre would mean not only that the structure must be made much stronger to withstand winds for example, and therefore much more expensive, but it would also create an unnecessarily large structure that would generally be undesirable from the aesthetic point of view.

Prior attempts to overcome this difficulty generally resulted in some of the U- shaped frames having their lower ends mounted on slides or runners so that the composite framework can be extended horizontally as it is moved from the collapsed horizontal condition to the erected condition. US patents

4,886,083 and 5,740,826 are examples of such constructions. Both of these constructions are, in applicant's view, unnecessarily complex with accompanying costs of construction and maintenance as well as resulting in the fact that the shelter is more difficult to erect and collapse.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible shelter of the general type based on U-shaped frames wherein any sliding movement of pivotal points is obviated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a collapsible shelter having a composite frame comprising base means and a plurality of operatively inverted U-shaped frames pivotally mounted, in each instance, at the free ends of the arms thereof for movement between an inoperative and an erected condition and together forming, in the erected condition, a composite frame supporting a cover of flexible sheet material and wherein the height of the erected composite frame in at least the centre of the length

thereof is less than one half of the total length of the composite frame, the collapsible shelter being characterised in that the composite frame includes two main U-shaped frames whereof the arms have a length equal to approximately one half of the length of the composite frame in the erected condition with the free ends of the main U-shaped frames being pivotally attached approximately centrally of the length of the erected composite frame at approximately ground level and wherein, in the erected condition, the main U-shaped frames extend in opposite directions at an inclination of from 30 to 45 degrees to the horizontal and wherein each main U-shaped frame has pivotally attached thereto the ends of a subsidiary roof supporting U-shaped frame that is attached to a main U-shaped frame intermediate its ends such that the two roof supporting U-shaped frames extend upwardly and towards each other in the erected condition to support the cover between the two main U-shaped frames.

Further features of the invention provide for the main U-shaped frames to extend at an angle of less than about 43 and preferably less than 40 degrees to the horizontal in the erected condition, and more particularly, at an angle of from 30 to 38 degrees to horizontal; for each main U-shaped frame to have pivotally attached to it the ends of a subsidiary end supporting U-shaped frame that operatively supports the cover in the end regions of the composite frame; for the roof supporting U-shaped frames to have arms with a length of the same order as the distance between their pivotal attachment to the associated main U-shaped frame and the transverse element of the main U- shaped frame; for the end supporting U-shaped frames to have arms of a length of the same order as the distance between their pivotal attachment to the associated main U-shaped frame and the transverse element of the main U-shaped frame such distance optionally being greater than one half the length of the arms of the main U-shaped frame; and for the cover to include flexible sidewalls to the collapsible shelter in the erected condition.

Still further features of the invention provide for the main U-shaped frames to be resiliently biased in order to counterbalance, at least to some extent, the weight thereof to be moved between inoperative and erected conditions, the resilient bias conveniently being provided by a spring cooperating with each arm of the main U-shaped frame that rotates the greater angular distance between the inoperative and erected conditions; for elastic ties to connect selected U-shaped frames or order to urge them towards each other during erection and collapsing of the composite frame; and for locking means to be provided for locking the collapsible shelter in either the erected or the collapsed condition, or both.

In one variation of the invention the collapsible shelter is adapted for more permanent installation at a particular site in that it is not particularly adapted for ease of transportation. In this variation the main U-shaped frames may be pivotally attached to the base means that conveniently assumes the form of a generally U-shaped base frame that is optionally provided with means for permanently securing it to a generally horizontal supporting paved surface or the like. Such a base frame may have a transverse anchor plate secured between the arms thereof in a position preferably selected such that the front wheels of a vehicle to be sheltered within the erected shelter are located on the transverse anchor plate in the parked condition. In this variation the main U-shaped frames may have motorised drive assemblies for effecting rotation thereof between the erected operative and collapsed inoperative conditions.

In another variation of the invention the collapsible shelter may be more adapted for easy transportation and erection. In such an instance the U- shaped frames are generally composed of a plurality of straight tubular frame members operatively interconnected by quick release couplings that may be permanently associated with one of the frame members and corners having quick release couplings that may also be permanently attached to one of the frame members. In this variation, the base means may include a pair of brackets that are laterally spaced midway along the length of the collapsible

shelter with one end of each of the main U-shaped frames and both of a front and rear terminal U-shaped frame attached thereto, in all appropriate cases by means of a common pivot. Appropriate frame members are preferably formed into subassemblies including, in one case, a subassembly of a bracket and four frame members pivotally attached thereto in the above case, and subassemblies of three frame members pivotally connected so as the form part of each of a main U-shaped frame, a roof supporting U-shaped frame and a subsidiary end supporting U-shaped frame.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood two embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of one generally more permanently located embodiment of collapsible shelter according to the invention with the shelter in the erected condition;

Figure 2 is the same as Figure 1 showing the shelter in a partly collapsed condition;

Figure 3 is the same as Figure 2 showing the shelter in a more advanced stage of collapse thereof;

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the shelter in a collapsed condition;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the shelter frame in the erected condition thereof;

Figure 6 is a schematic side view similar to Figure 1 of a second embodiment of collapsible frame according to the invention, being a more portable variation;

Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the frame thereof in the erected condition;

Figure 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating some of the components of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a schematic rear view of a rear wheel anchor element of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 8; and,

Figure 10 is a schematic rear view of a front wheel anchor element of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a collapsible shelter of a variety that is particularly adapted for more permanent installation, and is therefore not particularly easily portable, has a generally U-shaped base frame (1) that is optionally provided with means for permanently securing or locking it to a generally horizontal supporting paved surface (2). Also with a view to preventing theft, as well as simply anchoring the frame securely in position, the base frame has a transverse anchor plate (3) secured between the arms (4) of the base frame in a position selected such that the front wheels (5a) of a vehicle (5) to be sheltered within the erected shelter are located on the transverse anchor plate. There may also be provided locking means for releasably locking the collapsible shelter in both the erected and the collapsed conditions.

The U-shaped base frame has, in this embodiment of the invention, a length equal to about one half of the length of the erected structure, typically about 3 metres (about 10 feet), and a width that is typically about 2.2 to 2.5 metres (about 8 to about 9 feet).

Pivotally attached to the free end regions of the arms of the base frame are the free ends of a pair of main U-shaped frame members (6) whereof the arms have a length equal to approximately one half of the length of the composite frame (that is about 3 metres (about 10 feet) in the present instance) with the free ends of the main U-shaped frames being pivotally attached approximately centrally of the length of the erected composite frame at approximately ground level to the base frame.

The arrangement is such that, in the erected condition, the main U-shaped frames extend in opposite directions at an inclination indicated in Figure 1 as angle "α" of between 30 and 45 degrees to the horizontal, depending on the height required of the shelter. As a general indication, with a length of the structure of about 6 metres (about 20 feet), that is a half length of about three metres (about 10 feet), an angle "α" of 30 degrees gives a height of the main U-shaped frames of about 1.5 metres (about 5 feet); 37 degrees gives a height of about 1.8 metres (about 6 feet); and 42 degrees gives a height of about 2.0 meters (about 6 ¹ λ feet). The selection of the height will depend on requirements and the shape of the vehicle to be sheltered therein with an angle of 37 degrees giving what applicant considers to be an all purpose type of height of 1.8 metres (about 6 feet).

Each main U-shaped frame (6) has pivotally attached thereto the ends of a subsidiary roof supporting U-shaped frame (7) that is attached to a main U- shaped supporting frame intermediate its ends such that the two roof supporting U-shaped frames extend upwardly and towards each other in the erected condition, as shown in Figure 1. The main U-shaped frames and the

two roof supporting U-shaped frames thus form the main support structure for a cover (8) that is attached to the frame members in any convenient manner, many of which are well-known to those skilled in the art.

In this embodiment of the invention the length of the arms of the roof supporting U-shaped frames is somewhat less than half of the length of the arms of the main U-shaped frames with such length being of the same order as the distance between their pivotal attachment (9) to the associated main U-shaped frame and the transverse element (10) of the main U-shaped frame. In the specific example given, the length of the arms of the roof supporting U-shaped frames is about 1.25 metres (about 4 feet) and the pivotal attachment (9) is about 1.25 metres (about 4 feet) from the transverse element (10) of the main U-shaped frame.

Each main U-shaped frame also has pivotally attached to it the ends of a subsidiary end supporting U-shaped frame (11) that operatively supports the cover in the end regions of the composite frame at the positions where the cover extends generally vertically downwards. These end supporting U- shaped frames have arms of a length of the same order as the distance between the pivotal attachment (12) thereof to the associated main U-shaped frame and the transverse element (10) of the main U-shaped frame and such distance is, in this embodiment of the invention, greater than half the length of the arms of the main U-shaped frame. In this instance the length of the arms of the end supporting U-shaped frames is about 1.75 metres (about 5Vz feet) as is the distance of the pivotal attachment (12) thereof from the transverse element (10) of the associated main U-shaped frame. The result is that the end supporting U-shaped frames, in the erected condition, extend generally horizontally.

In order to form a complete enclosure, one half (13) of the peripheral edge of the cover is secured to the base frame whilst the other half (14) of the peripheral edge is attached to a terminal U-shaped frame (15) having the

same general dimensions as the main U-shaped frames. The terminal U- shaped frame is pivotally attached to the base frame generally coaxially with the main U-shaped frames and it is thus movable between an inoperative position in which it is superimposed on the base frame and an operative position in which it holds the one half of the peripheral edge of the cover in association with the supporting paved surface, as shown in Figure 1.

It will be understood that the transverse members of the various U-shaped frames are attached to the cover that therefore acts to hold them in their operative spaced positions. However, in order to avoid undue strain being placed on the fabric from which the cover is made, a tension element (16), in this instance in the form of an over-centre locking type of hinged stay, used to interlink the main U-shaped frames with each other in order to hold them at their required inclination to each other.

Of course, the cover itself will generally be provided with air vents (17) of generally known type, typically towards the top of the cover in its operative position.

It will be understood that it will be a simple matter to move the terminal U- shaped frame between its operative and inoperative terminal positions corresponding to the operative and inoperative conditions of the collapsible shelter. If required, one or more suitable pull cords may be provided to assist in this function.

Alternatively, the terminal U-shaped frame may be driven by means of a pair of electric motors (18), one of which may be located at each side of the composite frame, as shown in Figure 5.

In any event, in order to facilitate the movement of the various U-shaped frames between their inoperative an operative positions, the main U-shaped frame that operatively extends rearwards is resiliently biased by means of, in

this instance, a helical tension spring (19), having one end connected to the main U-shaped frame at a suitable spacing from the pivot and an extension (4a) of the arms (4) of the base frame (1) that extend rearwards.

Collapsing and erecting of the collapsible shelter may be further facilitated by installing elastic ties (20) between the main U-shaped frame and its associated roof supporting frame, in each instance. The elastic ties are stretched to a suitable extent in the erected condition and function to assist in smoothly raising the shelter from the collapsed inoperative condition to its erected operative condition and in the folding activity to the inoperative condition.

It is to be noted that the security of the structure can be enhanced by bolting the anchor plate (3) to the paved or concrete surface on which the cover is installed by means of bolts (22) and also bolting the U-shaped base frame to the paved or concrete surface by means of bolts (23) in particular located near the pivots at the free ends of the arms (4) of the base frame, as indicated in Figure 4.

Security can be enhanced by providing releasable locks on one or more of the pivotal joints between U-shaped frame members such as the pivotal joints (9) between the main U-shaped frames (6) and the roof supporting U- shaped frame (7) and/or the pivotal joints (12) between the end supporting U- shaped frame (11) and the main U-shaped frames (6) so that the frame members can be locked in either the collapsed for the erected condition, as may be required, or both.

Turning now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, a substantially more portable variation of the collapsible shelter is provided. In this instance the U-shaped base frame is replaced by a front terminal U- shaped frame (30) and this U-shaped frame, as well as the main U-shaped frames (31), the roof supporting U-shaped frames (32), subsidiary end

supporting U-shaped frames (33) and the rear terminal U-shaped frame (34) are all made of lightweight, typically aluminium tubes and are each made up of a plurality of straight tubular frame members generally indicated by numeral (35) in Figure 8. The tubular frame members are operatively interconnected by quick release couplings of a spigot and socket type and corners (36) also having quick release couplings.

In this variation, the base means includes a pair of brackets (37) that are to be laterally spaced midway along the length of the collapsible shelter and to each of which is pivotally attached, by means of a common pivot (38), one end frame member of each of the main U-shaped frames and a front and rear terminal U-shaped frames in the form of a subassembly indicated by numeral (39). The brackets are adapted to be bolted or otherwise anchored to the road surface.

Also formed as a subassembly (40) are three pivotally interconnected frame members that form part of each of a main U-shaped frame, a roof supporting U-shaped frame and an end supporting U-shaped frame. With this end in view, the length of both of the arms of the roof supporting U-shaped frames (32) and the subsidiary end supporting U-shaped frames are same and in this embodiment of the invention are equal to one third of the length of the main U-shaped frame arms. Typically, in the arrangement illustrated, the individual straight tubular frame members are of a length of about one metre so that a three metre length of the main U-shaped frames is achieved using three tubular frame members and the width of about 2, or 2.2 metres (about 6/4 or 7 feet) is achieved using two frame members.

The resultant lightweight shelter is anchored in position in its operative condition by a pair of front wheel anchor elements (41) each of which has a sleeve (42) through which the arms of the front terminal U-shaped frame pass and a pair of rear wheel anchor elements (43) that have an open channel (44) arranged to receive the rear terminal U-shaped frame (34) in the

erected condition. A removable pin (45) holds the rear terminal U-shaped frame captive in the channel and the rear wheel anchor elements are located so that the rear wheels and a vehicle are positioned thereon. The position of the rear wheel anchor elements may be fixed by bolting the elements to the road surface and the positions of the front wheel anchor elements may be fixed by a lock screw (not shown) that fixes the axial position of the sleeve on the front terminal U-shaped frame. In order to assist a driver in properly locating a vehicle on the anchor elements the front will anchor elements have an upstanding flange (46) (see Figure 10) that a driver will sense when positioning a vehicle on the anchor elements.

An embodiment of the invention made as described with reference to Figures 6 to 10, in the event that a 25 millimetre (1 inch) diameter aluminium tube is used, can be accommodated, together with a cover and side walls, in a portable bag measuring 1 , 2 metres long (about 4 feet) by 400 millimetres (about 16 inches) wide and 400 millimetres high (about 16 inches).

It will be understood that numerous variations may be made to the embodiments of the invention described above without departing from scope hereof.