FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to a modular canopy, particularly to a canopy supported on telescopic means and more particularly to a canopy supported on telescopic columns .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION :

A number of Petrol Stations have come up in the past & new ones have been coming up with canopies to be installed. These were required to protect the Customers, the attendants and the Vehicles from Sun & Rains. The canopies at these petrol stations required the workmen to work at above 6 m height using scaffoldings & other required personal protection equipment as helmets, safely belts etc. However high risk of falling of objects as well as workmen from heights remained along with the stresses of climbing & coming down in a repeated manner. The accidents did happen with injuries to workmen & workers below, and at times have been fatal.

While developments have been made in the designs & usage of scaffoldings, PPE'S, HSSE guidelines, training of workmen, but this risk of working at heights could not be contained. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

It is therefore an object of the invention is to obviate the drawbacks in the prior art.

Another object is to work at low height & lift the Canopy to required height.

Yet another object is to provide a canopy which is modular due to telescopic nature of the column, which can be raised by hydraulic jacks and locked at a particular height by locking arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

In order to achieve the above objectives and others, the present invention provides a modular canopy comprising a structure capable for providing shade supported on telescopic supporting means.

In the most preferred embodiment the supporting means is at least a telescopic column.

Each column is made of plurality of parts each assembled one into another like a telescope.

Hydraulic jacks and locking arrangements are provided in each column for raising the height of the telescopic column and fixing it at a particular height respectively.

In one of the embodiment the telescopic column consists of three parts which are assembled one into other like a telescope.

The structure providing shade can b ^~ "ubstantially planar or curved one. Gear pumps are provided to the jacks for lifting of the jack.

In one of the most preferred embodiment each column is made of 3 parts and the height of each part is 3 m.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with respect to the non-limiting figures in the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 and Ia. show the prospective view of the canopy in prior art;

FIG. 2 shows the modular canopy of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the telescopic columns of the modular canopy of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the telescopic columns;

like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figs.l to 3 of the accompanying drawings there is provided a modular canopy (10) comprising a structure (1) capable for providing shade supported on telescopic supporting means(2).

In the most preferred embodiment the supporting means is at least a telescopic column.

Each column is made of plurality of parts (2a,2b,2c) each assembled one into another like a telescope.

Hydraulic jacks (not shown in fig.) and locking arrangements (not shown in fig.) are provided in each column for raising the height of the telescopic column and fixing it at a particular height respectively.

In one of the embodiment the telescopic column consists of three parts which are assembled one into other like a telescope.

The structure providing shade can be substantially planar or curved one.

Gear pumps are provided to the jacks for lifting of the jack.

In one of the most preferred embodiment each column is made of 3 parts and the height of each part is 2 m.

Bridging the gap between architecture & product designs, the design process was influenced by several factors, each imposing requirement for varying degree of adaptability.

In view of the above the undersigned came up with the concept of construction of the total structure at a height of 2.5 m say 8 ft max & then lift it to the desired height. This concept was made possible by having telescopic columns to be lifted by hydraulic Jacks & locked in place.

This was first tested with a single column in our own premises on 25.02.08 & with 2 columns on 10 ^th April 08. We understand nobody across the globe has even thought of it or tried it as on date.

The conventional single column of say 20 ft or 6 m is now made into 3 parts of 2 m each which are assembled one into the other like a telescope. A hydraulic jack is installed in each column and the total canopy is assembled from a maximum working height of 1.5 m i;e 5 ft. Once the assembly is completed in all respect i;e the Structure, Roofing, Ceiling, Lights, display etc, all the columns are lifted together with a gear pump connected to these jacks. The top column is locked to the second column & the Second column to the third. A set of detail drawings enclosed.

Based on the consideration for adaptability of components as Columns, Trusses, Gutters, Purlins etc. ,the requirements for transportability over multiple means, the design was explored and developed for interchangeability in all locations and conditions.

The assembly of the complete canopy can be undertaken by workers working on platforms between 1 to 1.5 m high and thus eliminate all risks of working at heights, which until now has been between 6 to 7 m. ^• >

The adaptability of the system shall reduce the time of completion, of Petrol station Canopies; eliminate the risk of working at heights and accidents, thus reduction in costs and adaptability at various other situations as Railway stations etc.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein for purposes of illustration, the protection afforded by any patent which may issue upon this application is not strictly limited to the disclosed embodiments; but rather extends to all structures and arrangements which fall fairly within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.