US20030015232A1

US20030015232A1 - Portable car port

Info

Publication number: US20030015232A1
Application number: US09/910,770
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Nguyen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-23
Filing date: 2001-07-23
Publication date: 2003-01-23

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, the portable carport 10 comprises small diameter longitudinal members 14, large diameter longitudinal members 15, fixed lateral members 20, small diameter vertical legs 25, large diameter vertical legs 26, waterproof covering material 27, anchoring members 31, t-joints 40, and flexible removable rods 50. All components are assembled so as to shelter a typical vehicle 12.

Description

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable shelter, or carport for a vehicle.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,236 discloses a portable carport which attaches to a vehicle and depends upon a vehicle to maintain its size and shape. It cannot act as a standalone shelter; the carport must be disassembled prior to moving the vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,300 discloses a portable carport which also attaches directly to a vehicle or object to be sheltered. It cannot act as a standalone shelter; the carport must be disassembled prior to moving the vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,477 discloses a portable carport which also attaches directly to a vehicle or object to be sheltered. It cannot act as a standalone shelter; the carport must be disassembled prior to moving the vehicle.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A. Objects of the Invention

One object of the present invention is to provide a means to shelter a vehicle or other equipment from sun, dust, or bad weather.

Another object of the present invention is to be portable, meaning that it can be used in virtually any location.

Another object of the present invention is to be adjustable in both length and height, enabling it to fit into a variety of locations.

Another object of the present invention is to allow it to be anchored by either driving stakes into the ground, or by allowing the weight of the vehicle to bear upon the anchoring members.

Another object of the present invention is to be easily storable in a relatively small space.

B. Summary

This invention comprises a portable shelter, or carport for a vehicle.

The invention enables someone to erect an adjustable, semi-permanent shelter virtually anywhere to cover a vehicle or other equipment.

In accordance with the present invention, the

portable carport

10 comprises small diameter longitudinal members 14, large diameter longitudinal members 15, fixed lateral members 20, small diameter vertical legs 25, large diameter vertical legs 26, waterproof covering material 27, anchoring members 31, t-joints 40, and flexible removable rods 50. All components are assembled so as to shelter a typical vehicle 12.

When not in use, the shelter may be disassembled and stored in a relatively small space.

IV. THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing it in use with a typical vehicle, and the usage of anchoring members. [0016]
FIG. 2 is a top and front view of a segment of the longitudinal members, showing the sockets for the flexible removable rods. [0017]
FIG. 3 shows details of several components of the present invention. [0018]
FIG. 4 shows detail of adjustable telescoping members (longitudinal and vertical).[0019]

V. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, the [0020] portable carport 10 comprises small diameter longitudinal members 14, large diameter longitudinal members 15, fixed lateral members 20, small diameter vertical legs 25, large diameter vertical legs 26, waterproof covering material 27, anchoring members 31, t-joints 40, and flexible removable rods 50. All components are assembled so as to shelter a typical vehicle 12.
Small diameter [0021] longitudinal members 14 are made of hollow metal, plastic, or other suitable material, and are sized to slide variably inside of large diameter longitudinal members 15, which are also made of hollow metal, plastic, or other suitable material. The position of the small diameter longitudinal members 14 relative to the large diameter longitudinal members 15 is fixed by means of locking pins 17 being placed in holes 16, securing the member segments to one another.
Small diameter [0022] vertical legs 25 are made of hollow metal, plastic, or other suitable material, and are sized to slide variably inside of large diameter vertical legs 26, which are also made of hollow metal, sturdy plastic, or other suitable material. The position of the small diameter vertical legs 25 relative to the large diameter vertical legs 26 is fixed by means of locking pins 17 being placed in holes 23, securing the leg segments to one another.
[0023] Locking pins 17 are commercially available and are made of metal or other suitable material. Anchoring members 31 are made of metal, plastic, or other suitable material. T-joint 40 is made of metal, plastic, or other suitable material, and has the purpose of attaching the vertical legs, lateral, and longitudinal members to one another. Holes in the t-joint 40 accept locking pins 17 to keep all members firmly attached.
Anchoring [0024] members 31 comprise body portion 36 and socket portion 37, which is welded to body portion 36. Body portion 36 contains a hole 39 to permit the anchoring member 31 to be affixed to the ground by stake 45. Body portion 36 is long enough to permit the wheel of a vehicle 12 to rest upon it, anchoring the carport to the ground. Socket portion 37 is sized to accept the lower end of one of the small diameter vertical legs 25, which is secured to the socket portion 37 with a locking pin 17 through holes 38.
Waterproof covering [0025] material 27 is made of plastic, canvas, nylon, or any other material which allows compact storage, but is capable of resisting rain, sun, wind, etc. Flexible removable rods 50 are made of plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other suitable material rigid enough to give a firm shape to the waterproof covering material 27, but flexible enough to allow easy assembly. Flexible removable rods 50 are inserted in pockets 30 under waterproof covering material 27. The ends of the flexible removable rods 50 are then inserted into sockets 55 in the longitudinal members, keeping the waterproof covering material 27 above and attached to the lateral and longitudinal members. The length of the flexible removable rods impart a slight upward bow to the waterproof covering material 27. Sockets 55 are made of metal, plastic, or other material suitable of retaining the flexible removable rods 50. Sockets 55 are affixed to the longitudinal members by various means depending upon the material used.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable carport comprising:

A foldable, storable waterproof cover;

a frame for the portable carport; and

means for attaching said waterproof cover to said frame for the portable carport.

2. A portable carport according to claim 1 wherein said means of attaching said waterproof cover comprises a plurality of flexible rods.

3. A portable carport waterproof cover according to claim 1 which includes comprises a plurality of sewn pockets on its underside for the purpose of accepting the flexible rods.

4. A portable carport according to claim 3 including a flexible rod and waterproof cover assembly which is secured to longitudinal adjustable members by a plurality of sockets.

5. A portable carport according to claim 4 including longitudinal members which comprise a small diameter member which slides adjustably inside a large diameter member, each having a plurality of holes.

6. A portable carport according to claim 5 including longitudinal members whose relative position to one another is secured by a locking pin passing through a set of holes in each member.

7. A portable carport according to claim 5 including longitudinal members that are connected to non-adjustable lateral members and vertical members by means of t-joints secured by locking pins.

8. A portable carport according to claim 7 including vertical members which comprise a small diameter member which slides adjustably inside a large diameter member, each having a plurality of holes.

9. A portable carport according to claim 8 including vertical members whose relative position to one another is secured by a locking pin passing through a set of holes in each member.

10. A portable carport according to claim 8 including vertical members whose lower members are inserted into and affixed to anchoring members by means of locking pins.

11. A. portable carport according to claim 10 including anchoring members which can be variably anchored to the ground by means of stakes or by having the weight of a vehicle bearing upon them.