×

Extensible and retractable canopy structure for vehicles and the like

  • US 5,839,462 A
  • Filed: 05/19/1997
  • Issued: 11/24/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
0
Associated Cases
0
Associated Defendants
0
Product Citations
0
Petitions
54
Forward Citations
0
Assignments
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An extensible and retractable canopy structure for vehicles and the like;

  • the canopy structure having a longitudinal centerline and being extensible and retractable in the direction of the longitudinal centerline comprising;

    a canopy support frame (22) comprising a plurality of extensible and retractable canopy support sections (24A-24E) including first and second end canopy support sections (24A and 24E);

    each of the canopy support sections including a pair of upper transverse support members (34A-34E and 36A-36E) extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the canopy structure;

    each of the canopy support sections (24A-24) having first and second pairs of side support members (38A-38E, 40A-40E and 42A-42E, 44A-44E which extend in generally vertical planes along each side of the canopy structure;

    the side members of each of the pairs of side support members having lower portions pivotally secured to each other and upper portions rigidly secured to ends of the upper transverse support members of (34A-34E and 36A-36E of the canopy support section whereby in a retracted position the side support members of each canopy support section extend substantially vertical and in an extended position the side support members of each canopy support section extend at an acute angle to each other with the upper portions of the side support members spaced apart;

    the canopy support frame (22) including first and second canopy end frames (58) and (60), each including an upper transverse support member (62) and (64) and first and second generally vertically extending side support members;

    (68,

         70) and (72,

         74);

    means (56,

         60) securing one of the upper transverse support members (34A and 36E) of each of the end canopy support sections (24A and 24E) to the adjacent transverse support member (62 and

         64) of one of canopy end frames (58 and

         60);

    means (76) for retaining the side support members of the canopy end frames (68, 70 and 72,

         74) and adjacent side support members (38A, 42A and 40E and 44E) of the end canopy support sections (24A and 24E) in a fixed, spaced relationship when the canopy structure is extended to maintain the canopy structure in an extended mode;

    a canopy cover (26) secured to the canopy support sections (24A-24E) and the canopy end frames (58 and

         60);

    the canopy cover including a roof portion (28) and side portions (30 and

         32) enclosing sides of the canopy structure; and

    the upper transverse support members of each of the canopy support sections being secured closed to the upper transverse support members of adjacent canopy support sections by the canopy cover; and

    the canopy structure having an entrance at a first end of the canopy structure with a height and a width adapted to the greater than a vehicle to be housed within the canopy structure; and

    canopy end cover means (92) for providing an end covering for the entrance to the canopy structure and permitting ingress or egress through the entrance of the canopy structure by passing through the canopy end cover means; and

    the canopy structure having an inside height, an inside width and an inside length adapted to be greater than that of a vehicle to be housed within the canopy structure whereby the vehicle can be housed within the canopy structure and a vehicle door of the vehicle housed within the canopy structure can be opened within the canopy structure to permit the vehicle to be entered or exited through the vehicle door.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×