Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Barrier or major section mounted for in situ repositioning;... – Roof movable as entity relative to its substructure
Patent
1998-07-06
2000-11-28
Friedman, Carl D.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Barrier or major section mounted for in situ repositioning;...
Roof movable as entity relative to its substructure
52 3, 52DIG14, 52 72, 135 87, 135157, E04B 716
Patent
active
061518395
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a cover suitable for use in providing a covered storage area for a motor car, motorcycle, boat or the like (hereinafter referred to for convenience as `vehicles`).
Vehicles stored outside without a cover are susceptible to dirt including bird droppings, to theft, to accidental impact damage and vandalism, and are exposed to ambient weather conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to provide protection for cars stored outside it is known to provide a flexible fabric cover carried by a plurality of rigid `U` shaped frame members the free ends of the arms of which are pivotally interconnected. The frame members can be pivoted to a position in which they substantially align with one another usually lying on the ground, so that the vehicle is exposed and the arrangement does not occupy much space. By pivoting the frame members away from one another, the covering is spread out to form a tent-like structure which, if erected over a car, forms a temporary covering for the car. In order to use the car, the cover must be folded up which, if the cover is wet, may be an unpleasant task. Moreover such covers are not aesthetically pleasing and provide little protection against impact damage and virtually no security.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle cover comprising a rigid cover member movable between a lowered position in which the cover member defines a storage area, and a raised position in which access to the storage area is permitted, and means for supporting the cover member when the cover member is in its raised position. Conveniently the cover member is shaped externally to resemble a vehicle.
Preferably there is provided at least one, and desirably a plurality of legs connected to the cover member for supporting the cover member in its raised position.
Each leg may be defined by or may incorporate a generally vertically extensible ram.
Alternatively said legs are pivotally connected at one end to the cover member and pivotally connected at their other ends to an anchorage.
Desirably said legs define with the cover member a parallelogram linkage whereby the orientation of the cover is the same in the raised and lowered positions.
Preferably there is provided resilient means, conveniently in the form of one or more gas-struts or other air-springs, urging the cover member to its raised position.
Desirably said legs are generally L-shaped.
Preferably the cover includes means for varying the effective weight of the cover member/leg assembly above and below the counterbalancing effect of said resilient means so as to cause the cover member to move to its lowered position or to permit the resilient means to raise the cover member. Conveniently said means includes an arrangement for transferring, on demand, weight to and from the cover member and/or the legs.
Desirably said means includes a pump for transferring a liquid to a tank carried by the cover member/leg assembly to increase the weight thereof.
The cover member may be shaped such that the interior thereof substantially conforms with the exterior shape of an article intended to be stored in the storage area. It will be recognized that such shaping of the interior of the cover member permits the air gap between the cover member and the article to be reduced. The cover may be provided with air heating/cooling means. By minimizing the air gap between the article and cover member, the power requirement of the heater/cooler may be relatively low.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the cover with the cover member thereof in a part-raised position;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view with the cover member in a closed position;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a modification;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the modification of FIG. 4
REFERENCES:
patent: 2847720 (1958-08-01), Hamm
patent: 2853745 (1958-09-01), Gipslis
patent: 3060520 (1962-10-01), Schutmaat
patent: 3258886 (1966-07-01), Button
patent: 3367073 (1968-02-01), Seeger et al.
patent: 3438158 (1969-04-01), Kane
patent: 3945159 (1976-03-01), Girnus, Sr.
patent: 3949528 (1976-04-01), Hartger et al.
patent: 4296575 (1981-10-01), Verable et al.
patent: 5044132 (1991-09-01), Harman
patent: 5414966 (1995-05-01), Montoya
Dorsey Dennis L.
Friedman Carl D.
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