Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Tent supported by vehicle
Patent
1990-02-09
1992-12-15
Scherbel, David A.
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Tent supported by vehicle
160 56, 135 96, E04H 1508
Patent
active
051708116
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to improved annexes.
An annexe made in accordance with the present invention can be affixed to a caravan or a four wheel drive or other vehicle to provide additional accommodation or it can be mounted on a permanent structure to provide, for example, a temporary car port or additional living space. For illustrative purposes however, this invention will be described hereinafter with reference to its application to caravans.
Most caravans are fitted with an annexe which can be assembled at a journey's destination to provide additional living space beside the caravan. Generally the annexe is formed from fabric stretched about a metal frame or simply stretched between the caravan and supporting posts remote from the caravan. Frequently however, a metal frame is utilized to support the fabric. The frame may include roof stretchers adapted to maintain tension in the roof fabric and rails, particularly along the junction between the roof and the outermost wall of the annexe, and supporting posts. While such annexes are effective in use, they are difficult to stow and the task of erecting, dismantling and stowing the annexe is often time consuming.
The present invention aims to alleviate the abovementioned disadvantages and to provide an annexe assembly which will be reliable and efficient in operation. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in an annexe assembly including: a support assembly attachable to a mounting; a retractable flexible covering within said support assembly whereby it may be selectively extended from or retracted into said support assembly, and an annexe frame pivotally attached to said support assembly whereby it may be selectively moved between a stowed attitude substantially within or adjacent said support assembly and an erected attitude for supporting the extended said flexible covering.
The flexible covering may be a fabric covering, which description is to be understood in the specification and claims as covering flexible plastics film or sheeting or the like, and it may be supported on a spool inside a housing in the support assembly whereby it may be rolled from or onto said spool to its operative or stowed positions. The spool may be manually rotatable for retracting the covering or alternatively it may be spring loaded to automatically retract the covering when the latter is released from the supporting frame.
The supporting frame may be universally connected to the housing so that it may be pivoted between a stowed attitude and an operative attitude at which the frame members extend outwardly therefrom and whereby the frame members may be pivotally raised or lowered during the assembly or disassembly process.
Suitably, the annexe frame assembly includes a transverse roof frame member having or being associated with a longitudinal roof frame member which may be pivoted to a position alongside the roof frame member for movement to and from the stowed position. The transverse and longitudinal roof frame members may be maintained in their supporting positions by bracing means connected thereto and spaced from their pivotal connection to one another, or by floor frame members which may be pivotally connected to the lower ends of the wall frame members and be adapted to extend inwardly to engage a lower part of said mounting.
It is also preferred the roof frame members include a corner frame for supporting the fabric along the edges of the roof which is distant from the support assembly. The corner frame may be pivotally attached to the outer end of a roof frame member so that they may be pivoted to a position alongside the roof frame member for movement to and from their stowed position. Alternatively, the corner frame members may be detachably connected to respective adjacent transverse or longitudinal roof frame members and carried, when not in use, in a compartment provided within the housing.
The housing may be provided with quic
REFERENCES:
patent: 1562355 (1925-11-01), Manassa
patent: 1744563 (1930-01-01), Martin
patent: 1842598 (1932-01-01), Fogh
patent: 2583824 (1952-01-01), Dwinell et al.
patent: 4495977 (1985-01-01), Delluc
patent: 4615371 (1986-10-01), Clauss
patent: 4719954 (1988-01-01), Curtis et al.
patent: 4754774 (1988-07-01), Leader
patent: 4848386 (1989-07-01), Cooper
patent: 4898224 (1990-02-01), Woodworth
patent: 4979775 (1990-12-01), Klose
patent: 4997021 (1991-03-01), Brutsaert
Bradnam William F.
Kirk Jude C.
Aussie Traveller Pty. Ltd.
Mai Lan
Scherbel David A.
Schindler Edwin D.
LandOfFree
Annexe does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Annexe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Annexe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2086544