GB2274472A

GB2274472A - Collapsible protective awning for vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2274472A
Application number: GB9319741A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Arthur Sherman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-24
Filing date: 1993-09-24
Publication date: 1994-07-27
Also published as: GB9220200D0; GB9319741D0

Abstract

An awning is farmed from a waterproof material 1 stretched over a support framework 2 comprising hoops 3, 4, whose legs 5, 6 are mounted into runners 7 which, at one end, each support a ground plate 8. The front wheels of a vehicle 9 which is to be serviced are run onto the pair of plates 8, thus using the weight of the car 9 to hold the awning down. Once the height of the awning has been adjusted as necessary thumbscrews 10 are tightened to lack each leg 5, 6 onto the associated runner 7. By this means a protective tunnel/work area is created to the engine compartment of the vehicle 9 to be serviced. This gives the service engineer protection from the weather. The awning can be collapsed for easy storage by removing the flexible cover and dismantling the support framework. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements relating to Protective Awnings When a vehicle breaks down on the road and requires to be serviced at that point the service engineer will be exposed to the elements whilst he works on the vehicle. It is an object of this invention to provide a protective cover which is readily transportable for use in such situations in order to provide some protection for persons working on vehicles.

Accordingly, this invention provides an awning for providing a temporary cover over an end of a vehicle and comprising a flexible cover mounted over a collapsible support framework having support legs at the four corners of the framework, the pair of legs at one end each having inwardly extending ground plates onto which the wheels of the vehicle will be driven to anchor the framework, there being an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering each of said pair of legs with respect to its associated ground plate.

Such an awning arrangement can be mounted adjacent to the rear of a servicing vehicle at the point where servicing is to be carried out and the vehicle to be serviced can then be moved forward so that its wheels rest upon the ground plates, thus anchoring the rear end of the awning. Since the ground may not necessarily be level the adjustment mechanism enables irregularities in the ground to be taken care of. The adjustment mechanism ideally comprises a telescopic. arrangement within the support leg, and fixing means for locking the telescopic parts in a desired relationship. Desirably, the ground plates are detachable from the support legs so that they can be stowed in the van for transportation.

The awning itself may be formed from a flexible material which can be extended from a collapsed storage condition. A zipped opening could be provided in the side wall of the cover to allow for access to the interior space of the awning. Ideally, the support legs will be interconnected at the sides by connecting struts to give the structure added stability. The respective pairs of support legs should ideally join together at their upper ends as a hoop-like formation to provide good support for the cover.

One end of the awning could be provided with fittings enabling it to be attached to the servicing vehicle.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle awning of the invention in an extended position and shown in use; Figure 2 is an end view of a support structure of the awning; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the base portion of the support structure.

In the drawings there is shown an awning formed from a waterproof material 1 stretched over a support framework 2 which defines hoops 3,4 for supporting the covering material 1. The cover 1 is pulled out into the extended condition shown over the framework 2. The legs 5,6 of the hoops 3,4 are each mounted into runners 7 which, at one end, each support a ground plate 8. The front wheels of a vehicle 9 which is to be serviced are run onto the pair of plates 8, thus using the weight of the car 9 to create a firm base for the awning. Once the height of the awning has been adjusted as necessary thumbscrews 10 are tightened to lock each leg 5,6 onto the associated runner 7.

By this means a protective tunnel/work area is created to the engine compartment of the vehicle 9 to be serviced.

This gives the service engineer protection from the weather.

The material of the awning 1 will be bright in colour and carry reflective bands 11 down each side so that the awning is readily visible, for safety purposes. A zipped opening 12 is provided at one side of the awning to provide easy access when the vehicle 9 is in place.

The awning is collapsible for easy storage first by removing the flexible cover 1 and folding this up. The support framework is then dismantled by removing the runners 7. Each hoop 3, 4 can be disconnected at the top into two halves and strengthening struts 13 are also removed.

It will be noted from Figure 3 that the plates 8 extend inwardly of the runners 7 to a significant extent thus providing a location for the wheels of vehicles of different widths. The plates 8 could also have through holes enabling the structure to be bolted to the ground.

Claims

1. An awning for providing a temporary cover over an end of a vehicle and comprising a flexible cover mounted over a collapsible support framework having support legs at the four corners of the framework, the pair of legs at one end each having inwardly extending ground plates onto which the wheels of the vehicle will be driven to anchor the framework, there being an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering each of said pair of legs with respect to its associated ground plate.

2. An awning according to Claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a telescopic arrangement within the support leg, and fixing means for locking the telescopic parts in a desired relationship.

3. An awning according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the ground plates are detachable from the support legs.

4. An awning according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible cover can be extended from a collapsed storage condition.

5. An awning according to Claim 4, wherein the support legs are interconnected at the sides by connecting struts.

6. An awning according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the respective pairs of support legs are joined together at their upper ends as a hoop-like formation.

8. An awning substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.