Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Canopy supported by vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-30
2001-06-26
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Canopy supported by vehicle
C135S088070, C135S088050, C160S022000, C160S024000, C160S073000, C160S370220, C296S163000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250321
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of apparatus for automobiles and more particularly to an awning apparatus for automobiles, which protects the back of a pickup truck, van or sports utility vehicle from sun, rain or snow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art related to awnings for vehicles includes the following US Patents.
U.S. Pat. No.4,198,998 to Donald D. Duffy shows a retractable awning for the side of a vehicle which has a plurality of main bracing arms and stabilizer arms. Both the main bracing arms and the stabilizer arms fold into a lead bar which can be wrapped within the awning. The lengths of the bracing arms and the stabilizer arms are adjusted to provide an adjustable angle to the awning.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,409 to Roger D. Kinney et al. shows an awning adapted to be attached to the bumper of an automobile in which a vertical cantilever support is clamped onto the bumper and adjustable straps are attached to the wheel wells for stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,195 to Mary M. Gunn shows a rear cover for a pickup truck having a rigid camper enclosure in which the cover extends over the rear and the sides of the rear panel and includes attachments to the side and rear edge portions of the camper enclosure. The cover includes a window opening an insect screen.
Despite the various developments in the prior art there remains a need for an awning apparatus for automobiles which can be easily attached to the rear of a sport utility vehicle and which can be easily opened to provide effective protection against inclement weather.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an awning apparatus for automobiles which can be mounted on the rear of a sport utility vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an awning apparatus for automobiles which can be easily stored when not in use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an awning apparatus for automobiles which provides protection for a person standing at the rear of a sport utility vehicle when the rear door of the sport utility vehicle is opened.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an awning apparatus for automobiles which can be mounted completely inside a vehicle when in the storage mode.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an awning apparatus for automobiles which does not interfere with the streamline characteristics of the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an awning apparatus for automobiles which comprises a relatively small number of component parts which can be manufactured economically in volume resulting in a relatively low overall cost.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly hereinafter.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an awning apparatus for automobiles which includes a housing which is mounted on the lower portion of the inside of a rear window of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle. The housing extends across the width of the rear window.
A pair of support arms are pivotally mounted, one each, on the sides of the housing. During storage, the support arms are generally parallel to and are attached to the front wall of the housing by a clip. The support arms can swing outwardly to provide support for an awning which is rolled onto a roller mounted inside the housing.
During use, when the rear window has been opened, the support arms are swung in an outward direction and are locked in place by a pair of thumb screws. The awning is pulled outwardly and the end of the awning is hooked onto the outer ends of the support arms. The awning, which is made of a waterproof material, includes a support rod which extends between the outer ends of the support arms. When the awning is rolled back into the housing, the housing catches and collect moisture from the awning and prevents water damage to merchandise stored in the vehicle. The collected moisture is discharged through a tube which is connected to the housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1426793 (1922-08-01), Vineberg et al.
patent: 2788791 (1957-04-01), Pospisil et al.
patent: 3923074 (1975-12-01), McKee
patent: 4020888 (1977-05-01), Upton et al.
patent: 4544195 (1985-10-01), Gunn
patent: 5170811 (1992-12-01), Kirk et al.
patent: 5365989 (1994-11-01), Eger et al.
patent: 5653278 (1997-08-01), Cheng
patent: 6056350 (2000-05-01), Brutsaert
Canfield Robert
Degenholtz Arthur I.
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