WO1996013645A1

WO1996013645A1 - A portable vehicle shelter and support post therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1996013645A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roderick Allan Maund
Original assignee: Roderick Allan Maund
Priority date: 1994-10-28
Filing date: 1995-10-30
Publication date: 1996-05-09

Abstract

A suppot post (1) comprising a foot (3) which is placed under the wheel (11) of a vehicle (12) and the vehicle (12) moved, such that the full weight of the vehicle (12) secures the foot (3) in place, with the post (1) extending upwardly. The post (1) can have telescopically connected extensions (5 and 8) which are adjustable in height. The posts (1) secured under the wheels of the vehicle (12) are connected to each other by elongated members (10), to form a framework, and a canopy (26) is secured over the framework to protect the vehicle (12).

Description

A PORTABLE VEHICLE SHELTER AND SUPPORT POST THEREFOR

The present invention relates to a vehicle cover or shelter, and more particular to a portable vehicle cover or shelter, for use where it is not possible to house a car

or vehicle in a garage.

Many premises do not have garages, and motorists are often forced to leave their vehicles uncovered in the street or car park . Often motorists have had their cars severely damaged by hail because of the lack of suitable shelter. Attempts have been made to provide car covers, but they still are not wholly suitable.

Australian patent application no. 38,12978 discloses a non-portable structure, having one end fixed to the ground with the other end movable along the ground and having a foldable canopy therebetween, such that the free end of the cover moves between an outer position, where the canopy is extended, and an inner

position, where the canopy is retracted.

Another prior art cover or shelter is disclosed in Australian patent application no. 25909/77 which comprises two fixed frames with other frames pivotable therefrom stretching a canopy there across. This cover while being portable, lacks means to secure the cover from being readily removed by the elements or

thieves. Australian patent application no. 46748/79 discloses a non-portable cover which has a canopy, which is held in a hoisted position above the vehicle and is lowered to cover the vehicle.

A portable cover or shelter means is disclosed in Australian patent application no. 37,002/78, which comprises resilient rod members which are bent into a u- shaped configuration, the free ends of which are embedded into the ground and has a canopy stretched across the rod members. Whilst this cover can be portable, it is still not adequately secured against removal by the elements and thieves. On the other hand, if the free ends of the rods are deeply embedded into the ground to secure the cover against removal, it is not readily portable.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate the disadvantages of the above prior art by providing a portable car cover or shelter comprising: four posts; a foot extending from the base of each post; elongated members adapted to link adjacent or opposed posts; and a canopy adapted to be secured over the elongated posts and members,

whereby, in use, each foot is positioned under a respective tyre, and the vehicle moved to place the weight of the vehicle through its tyres onto the foot to secure the foot in position with the respective posts in a substantially upright position.

In another form the invention comprises a support post, having a base; a top, and

a foot extending from the base of the post; whereby, in use, the foot is positioned under a respective tyre of a vehicle and the vehicle moved to place the weight of the vehicle through its tyre onto the foot to secure the foot in position with the respective post in a substantially upright position.

In yet another form the invention comprises a rope or cable holder comprising an elongated member having: a central holding section in the shape of a spiral, for attachment to a support; and two free ends extending from the central holding section in the same direction, each terminating in a short open spiral, which is adapted to hold a cable or rope which is slid into the short open spiral .

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the

accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a post of one embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3A & 3B illustrate a rope hold down means shown in figure 1 , according to the present invention;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 show schematically a portable car cover according to one embodiment of the present invention in use;

Figure 7 illustrates a post according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a sign support in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 illustrates schematically a scaffolding frame work or shelter made in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate schematically a portable spray booth, made in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

A support post (1 ) of one embodiment is shown in figure 1. The post (1 ) comprises three sections; the lower section (2) is L-shaped, having a foot (3) which is flat in profile, with a ramped elastomeric or plastics sheath (4), to assist the wheel rolling onto the foot (3). A middle section (5) engages telescopically with the other end of the lower section (2) and is releasably secured in place by means of a spring loaded pin (6) located on the middle section (5) which engages in the hole (7). An upper section (8) similarly telescopically engages and secures with the other end of the middle section (5). This construction allows for an adjustment to suit any normal required height of vehicle.

Whilst the post (1 ) is shown as comprising three sections , so as to make it easily demountable and adjustable, the post could be a one piece construction, or have any suitable number or type of sections, including Y- shaped sections or elbows and have the telescopic connections reversed.

In use the foot (3) is jammed under the wheel (11) and this operation is repeated for each wheel (8) and the car (not shown) is driven onto the ramped sheaths (4) such that the weight of the car is on the four feet (3) of the posts (1 ) as shown in figure 5, securely supporting the posts (1 ) in a substantially vertically position. The height of the posts (1 ) are adjusted to suit the car. A suitable flexible or pivotable joint (9) connects the post (1) to an elongated member (10) which could be telescopic. The elongated member (10) connects to the either of the adjacent post (1 ) , but preferably, as shown in figures 4 to 6 to the opposite post, where it is connected by means of a flexible or pivotable joint (9) thereto. With the elongated member (10) connected across the car (12) and the weight of the wheels on the feet (3) of the posts (1 ), a very stable frame structure is formed . The joint could be a one piece construction having a flexible section intermediate the two ends which are adapted to be inserted into the open ends of the post and the elongated member, forming an interference fit, or the joint could be made by injection moulding as two components which are pinned to form a hinge, with its two ends, adapted to be inserted into the open ends of the post and the elongated member, forming an interference fit.

As shown in figures 4 to 6, a canopy (26) is fitted over the frame and the car (12), and is secured to the posts (1 ) by any suitable means and the canopy (26) tensioned. The canopy (11) can be made of any suitable material such as canvas, woven or non-woven plastics or plastics impregnated or coated cloth or the like. A rope (13) or the like could run around the periphery of the canopy (26) and be accessible through pockets around the periphery, or as shown in figure 5 the rope (13) is connected only to the front and rear edges of the canopy (26) and is held and tensioned by the rope connector (14), located on the post (1 ).

A suitable rope connector (14) is shown in figures 1, 2 & 3A & 3B and is made from a single length of thin bar which is bent to form a circular central holding section (15), with the two free ends (16) extending in the same direction, and each terminating in a short open spiral (17). To move the rope connector (14) along the post (1 ), the free ends (16) are pressed towards each other, loosening the central holding section (15); and the rope connector moved to its new position, where the free ends (16) are then released, tightening the central holding section (15) around the post (1).

To secure the rope (13) to the rope connector (14), the rope (13) is pulled over the outer arms (18) of the spiral (17) but under the inner arms (19) of the spiral around the free ends (16) as shown in figure 3A, where the rope (13) is then held in the spiral loops (17) of each arm of the rope connector (14) as shown in figure 3B. The rope connector (14) is then released and slide along the post (1 ) to tension the canopy (26) and the rope connector (14) is then locked into position.

A further embodiment is shown in figure 7 in which a second post lower section (20) is connected to a first post lower section (2) by an adjustable connector means (21 ). The two post lower sections are close together and the second post lower section (20) is able to be pivoted with respect to the first post lower section (2), whereby the angled member is rotated to tension the canopy across

the thus formed framework.

As shown in figure 8 stronger materials for the posts (1 ) and the elongated members (10) can be used to provide a scaffolding type support, directly above the vehicle . The elongated members could be connected to the posts (1 ) by any suitable manner, and the posts could be telescopic or of unitary construction to provide adequate clearance above the car (12).

As shown in figure 9, only two posts (1 ) can be used to form a stable frame

structure, and a sign (23) can be hung between the posts and the elongated top member (10). It is not necessary to use an elongated member (10), as the sign

could be rigid or flexible with tubular elements that slide over the posts (1 ).

Further a single post could be of sufficient height to be used as a flag post.

A further embodiment provides a portable spray booth (24) as shown in figures

10 &11 , where the posts (1 ) have an extended foot (25), which is held under the wheels (11 ) of the car, as described in the beforementioned embodiment. The

extended foot (25) is of sufficient length so as to allow an adequate work area

between the posts (1 ) and the car (12). The posts could be telescopic or of unitary construction to provide adequate clearance above the car (12).

Telescopic end and side members (27) are provided top and bottom and a support cover (28) is connected to the thus formed frame in any suitable way so

as to enclose the car (12). A fan (29) and vent (30) are located in the ends of the

booth (31 ). The corners of the booth are fixed to the ground or are weighted . The cover could be transparent or translucent or have transparent or translucent

panels (32). It should be obvious to people skilled in the art that alterations and modifications could be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A portable vehicle cover or shelter comprising:

four posts; a foot extending from the base of each post; elongated members adapted to link adjacent or opposed posts; and a canopy adapted to be secured over the elongated posts and members,

2. A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to claim 1 , wherein each post comprises a base potion; an extension portion, telescopically engageable with the base portion; and securing means adapted to releaseably secure said base and extension portions together in the desired position.

3. A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to claim 2 wherein said post further comprises an upper portion , telescopically engageable with the extension portion; and securing means adapted to releaseably secure said upper and extension portions, together, in the desired position.

4 A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said securing means comprises a spring loaded pin located in one of said portions and at least one hole located in another of said portions, said pin engaging in said at least one hole to secure the respective portions together.

5. A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a flexible or pivotable joint, adapted to extend from the base, extension or upper portions of the post and to secure to one of the

elongated members.

6. A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to claim 5, wherein the flexible or pivotable joint engages in the ends of the respective portion of the post and the elongated member.

7. A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the foot of each post is substantially flat in profile and is covered

by a ramped elastomeric or plastics sheath.

8. A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the canopy has, at intervals around its periphery, flexible loops, and wherein connector means are located on the posts and adapted to be secured to said loops, said connector means comprising an elongated member having:

a central holding section in the shape of a spiral, for releasable attachment around one of said posts; and two free ends extending from the central holding section in the same direction, each terminating in a short open spiral, which is adapted to hold one of the said loops, of the canopy, which is slid into the short open spirals .

9. A portable vehicle cover or shelter according to claim 8 wherein the post and the central holding section of the connector means are so dimensioned that the central holding section of the connector means securely affixes around the post , yet when the two free ends of the connector means are urged towards each other, the spiral of the central holding section of the connector means releases the post and the connector means can be slide along the post.

10. a support post, having a base; a top, and a foot extending from the base of the post; whereby, in use, the foot is positioned under a respective tyre of a vehicle and the vehicle moved to place the weight of the vehicle through its tyre onto the foot to secure the foot in position with the respective post in a substantially upright position.

11. A support post according to claim 10, wherein said post comprises a base potion; an extension portion, telescopically engageable with the base portion; and securing means adapted to releaseably secure said base and extension portions together in the desired position.

12. A support post according to claim 11 , wherein said post further comprises an upper portion , telescopically engageable with the extension portion; and securing means adapted to releaseably secure said upper and extension portions together in the desired position.

13 A support post according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said securing means comprises a spring loaded pin located in one of said portions and at least one hole located in another of said portions, said pin engaging in said at least one

hole to secure the respective portions together.

14. A support post according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the foot of each post is substantially flat in profile and is covered by a ramped elastomeric or plastics sheath.

15. A rope or cable holder comprising an elongated member having: a central holding section in the shape of a spiral, for releasable attachment to a support; and two free ends extending from the central holding section in the same direction, each terminating in a short open spiral, which is adapted to hold a cable or rope which is slid into the respective short open spiral .

16. A rope or cable holder according to claim 15, wherein the central holding section is so dimensioned that the central holding section of the connector means is adapted to securely affix around the support , yet when the two free ends of the connector means are urged towards each other, the spiral of the central holding section of the connector means releases the support and the connector means can be slide along the support.

17. A portable vehicle cover or shelter substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1 to 8 and 10 &11 of the accompanying

drawings.

18 . A support post substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

19 . A rope or cable holder substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 2, 3A and 3B of the accompanying drawings.