Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Canopy supported by vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-24
2001-07-10
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Canopy supported by vehicle
C135S096000, C296S163000, C004S516000, C004S518000, C004S527000, C004S597000, C004S616000, C224S309000, C224S321000, C224S328000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257259
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to accessory equipment for vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to mountable carrying frames. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a multipurpose mountable carrying frame for vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
For years, vacationers and adventurers have taken their vehicles and traveled on road-trips. These trips may include some camping, sightseeing and offroading, as well as a host of other activities. Oftentimes the vacationers may find themselves away from the conveniences of a hotel or bathroom, such as when camping.
As is well known in these instances, tents or the vehicle itself are generally employed to provide protection from the sun and weather. During the day, a tent or the interior of the vehicle may afford the only escape from the rays of the sun or inclement weather. The inside of a tent may be uncomfortable due to it's size and restricted environment. The vehicle may have substantially the same drawbacks.
Additionally, and especially when away for an extended period of time, campers may need to shower and to do so may hang a plastic bag filled with water from a tree as a water source for taking a shower. This can be a difficult task as the water bag is flimsy and may be punctured if dropped. Additionally, it can be difficult to hang the bag from a tree depending upon the height of the branches. It may also be the case that there are no trees available to hang the bag from and as such, this method is not available.
There have heretofore been provided canopies that attach to the side of a vehicle to provide shade and protection from the elements. One such canopy is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,814. In this patent there is disclosed a canopy that rolls up inside a container that is attached atop a vehicle. Although this canopy may provide protection from the elements, it does not have a sturdy frame and as such may be damaged or destroyed in a windy environment. Additionally, the disclosed canopy is not designed to provide any functionality other than that of a canopy and is configured to mount to the top of a long vehicle such as a minivan or utility vehicle, but is not designed to mount atop of a smaller car such as a midsize or compact auto.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is a multifunctional frame that may attach to the top of various sized vehicles. The frame should be configurable and removable so that it can mount to the top of a long vehicle, such as a minivan, or to a smaller vehicle such as a subcompact car.
It is to the solutions of these problems to which the present invention is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a laterally entesible frame for attachment to a vehicle roof-top rack having a pair of hollow cross-bars, said frame comprising:
a pair of spaced apart mounting bars, each of said pair of spaced apart mounting bars telescopingly seated within a corresponding one of the pair of cross-bars, each mounting bar having an outside end.
The present invention provides a multipurpose frame for use with a top mounted vehicle rack wherein the frame telescopingly attaches to the rack. As such, the frame is laterally extensible from the side of the vehicle and may be used to support a canopy, shower or serve as a clothes line or rain catch.
A canopy may be attached at the outside ends of a plurality of extensions which are mounted to the frame. The extensions may be removably attachable at the mounting portions of the frame of the present invention. In this fashion the canopy is sturdily supported by the extensions and can provide shade and protection from the elements to one who remains beneath it.
The frame is adjustable with respect to length and width and as such, the frame will fit on vehicles and will provide clearance such that one may sit beneath the canopy or stand beneath a shower supported therefrom. Additionally, the canopy in accordance with the present invention may be used to collect rain water.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1368237 (1921-02-01), Brockman
patent: 2204432 (1940-06-01), Morgadanes
patent: 3018783 (1962-01-01), Tyson
patent: 3143123 (1964-08-01), Boor
patent: 3174536 (1965-03-01), Francis
patent: 3186420 (1965-06-01), Magee
patent: 3952758 (1976-04-01), Addison et al.
patent: 3957301 (1976-05-01), Huber
patent: 4081095 (1978-03-01), Wilburn et al.
patent: 4364133 (1982-12-01), Gunter
patent: 5381814 (1995-01-01), Brandon
Canfield Robert
Stein Kenneth L.
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