Introduction

The present invention relates to a deployable shelter structure, and particularly to such a structure which is vehicle mountable or mounted.

In certain pastimes and occupations it is desirable to have a vehicle roof mounted shelter structure that is deployable from a stowed condition to cover a sheltered zone adjacent the vehicle.

Deployable shelter structures for vehicle mounted applications are disclosed in, for example EP08811172, US3730196.

An improved arrangement has now been devised.

Summary

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle mounted shelter structure arranged to be deployed from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, the shelter structure comprising:

a first stage mounted adjacent the vehicle roof and being arranged to be deployed to provide a first sheltered zone adjacent the vehicle; and

a second stage carried by the first stage and being movable relative to the first stage to provide a second sheltered zone adjacent to the first sheltered zone. An advantage of the present invention over other known vehicle mounted shelter structures is that it provides two sheltered zones, the second zone adjacent the first zone. The term 'sheltered' should be interpreted to mean protected at least from precipitation.

For example, it is increasingly common for vehicle windscreens to be replaced outside, such as in a car park, rather than in a garage as this is more convenient for vehicle owners. Thus, technicians carry out this work out of the back of a van (or other vehicle). While replacing the windscreen, the technician and the front portion of the vehicle being worked on need to be sheltered to keep the work area dry. Currently, it is known to mount a shelter structure, such as an awning, to the roof of the van which can be deployed to provide a sheltered repair zone which is sufficient to protect the vehicle being worked on. However, the sheltered repair zone is not usually large enough to allow the new windscreen glass to be prepared therein as well as shield the vehicle. This therefore has to be done outside of the sheltered zone, which is inconvenient and can lead to a less efficient repair job.

In the present invention, the shelter structure can be used to provide a sheltered zone that can be used as an additional sheltered workstation, (typically, directly to the rear of the vehicle, adjacent a rear door opening of the vehicle), where for example, a new windscreen can be prepared.

It will be appreciated that this is just one example of a possible use for the shelter structure of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to use with repair vehicles.

Optionally, the first stage may be arranged to slide adjacent to the vehicle roof during deployment.

The second stage may be carried by the first stage and arranged to slide relative to the first stage from a stowed position adjacent to the first stage to a deployed position extending from the first stage.

Optionally, in the stowed position the second stage may be disposed in a recess provided by the first stage.

The first stage may be arranged to slide adjacent to the vehicle roof during deployment and the second stage is arranged to slide relative to the first stage in a direction which is transverse to the sliding direction of the first stage. For example, the first stage may be arranged to slide parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle away from the rear of the vehicle, and the second stage may be operable to slide away from the first stage in a direction parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle. Optionally, the shelter structure comprises a support structure attached to the first stage, wherein the support structure is configured to support the first stage relative to the ground in the deployed configuration. This may make the shelter structure more stable when deployed.

The support structure may be pivotable relative to the first stage. Following deployment of the first stage, the support structure may be arranged to be pivoted from a stowed position to a deployed position in which the support structure contacts the ground.

In the stowed position the support structure may be disposed adjacent an underside of the first stage.

In some embodiments, the support structure comprises one or more legs, wherein in the stowed position the leg(s) is/are disposed substantially parallel to the first stage and in the deployed position the leg(s) is/are disposed substantially perpendicular to the first stage.

A securing member may be disposed on an underside of the first stage, wherein the securing member is configured to secure the support structure (for example, the one or more legs) to the first stage in the stowed position.

The support structure may comprise a cross member extending between two legs. This may reinforce the support structure and/or further improve the stability of the support structure. Optionally, the first stage comprises a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being disposed nearest the vehicle after deployment, wherein the support structure is mounted at the distal end of the first stage.

The shelter structure may comprise an elongate stowage container configured to be mounted to the vehicle roof and to receive the first stage and the second stage therein in the stowed configuration. Optionally, the structure includes a pair of runners configured to be mounted on the vehicle roof, wherein the first stage is configured to slide along the runners during deployment.

Optionally, the shelter structure comprises a fastener configured to lock the first stage in the stowed configuration. For example, the fastener may lock the first stage in the stowed configuration relative to the elongate stowage container or to the runners.

The fastener may comprise a clip mounted the first stage, the clip arranged to be secured around a portion of the elongate stowage container or one of the runners.

The fastener may comprise a clip mounted the elongate stowage container or one of the runners, the clip arranged to be secured around a portion of the first stage.

Optionally, the first stage and the second stage are made of metal and/or rigid plastic material. This may ensure that the structure is durable and waterproof.

The structure may comprise a handle or projection attached to the first stage, wherein the handle or projection is configured to be pulled by a user to slide the first stage adjacent to the vehicle roof.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising the shelter structure according to embodiments of first aspect of the invention and a strut, the strut configured to be removeably secured between the support structure and the vehicle following deployment of the support structure.

Optionally, the strut is configured to be secured, in use, to a rear portion of the vehicle and to the support structure.

The kit of parts may also comprise a plastic sheet configured to be attached to the shelter structure to at least partially enclose the sheltered zone. For example, the plastic sheet may be configured to extend around at least a portion of the periphery of the first stage and/or the second stage. Optionally, multiple plastic sheets may be provided. In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the shelter structure of any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention mounted thereto.

Optionally, the shelter structure is mounted to the vehicle roof such that the first stage is deployed from the rear of the vehicle. For example, the first stage is arranged such that the first sheltered zone is disposed directly to the rear of the vehicle, adjacent a rear door opening of the vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure la - shows a plan view of a shelter structure according to the present invention mounted on the roof of a vehicle in the stowed configuration;

Figure lb - shows the shelter structure of Figure la with the first stage in the deployed configuration;

Figure lc- shows the shelter structure of Figure lb with the second stage also in the deployed configuration;

Figure 2a- shows a side view of a vehicle having a shelter structure according to the present invention mounted on the roof in the stowed configuration;

Figure 2b- shows Figure 2ba with the first stage deployed;

Figure 2c- shows Figure 2b with the support structure deployed and a strut in place;

Figure 3- shows an illustration of the underside of the first stage with a support structure in a stowed configuration; and

Figure 4- shows a side perspective view of a first stage of the shelter structure.

It should be noted that none of the figures are drawn to scale. Figure la shows a plan view of an example of a shelter structure 10 according to the present invention mounted on the roof 1 of a vehicle, wherein the shelter structure 10 is in the stowed configuration. An awning 5 which does not form part of the claimed invention is shown in Figure la. It is known for an awning 5 to be deployed from the side of the roof 1 of a vehicle to provide a shelter, for example a repair zone for sheltering a vehicle. Typically, the awning 5 is made of canvas or flexible plastic sheeting. The shelter structure 10 of the present invention comprises a pair of runners 12 mounted to the vehicle roof 1 and a first stage 13 which is slidably mounted on the runners 12. A second stage 14 (see Figure lc) is slidably mounted to the first stage 13.

The first and second stages 13, 14 are made of metal (such as steel or aluminium) and/or rigid plastic material. This makes the structure 10 waterproof as well as more durable and sturdy than typical awnings.

In the stowed configuration the first stage 13 is does not project beyond the vehicle roof 1. A fastening means may be provided to lock the first stage relative to the runners 12 (not shown).

To deploy the shelter structure 10, the first step is to slide the first stage 13 along the runners 13 as shown in Figure 2b such that it projects from, and is disposed adjacent to, the vehicle roof 1. This provides a first sheltered zone underneath the first stage 13. The second stage 14 moves with the first stage 13 as it slides along the runners 12.

The second stage 14 can then be slid in away from the first stage 13 in a transverse direction to the sliding direction of the first stage 13. The second stage 14 therefore provides a second sheltered zone adjacent to the first sheltered zone, as shown in Figure lc. It is advantageous to provide the first and second sheltered zones adjacent the rear of the vehicle, as the user (e.g. workman) can exit the rear of the vehicle directly into the sheltered zones. In addition, as tools and equipment etc. are often accessed from the rear of a vehicle, the first and second sheltered zones of the present invention shield a user when such items are being obtained.

Figure 2a shows a side view of a vehicle having a shelter structure according to the present invention mounted on the vehicle roof 1 in the stowed configuration. The shelter structure comprises a pair of runners 12 mounted to a roof rack 2 on the vehicle roof 1, as in Figures la-lc. It should be appreciated that the runners 12 could form part of an elongate stowage container for receiving the first stage (not shown).

To deploy the shelter structure, the first stage 13 slides in a first direction on the runners 12, as shown in Figure 2b. A distal end of the first stage 14, disposed furthest from the vehicle when deployed, comprises a projection 15. The projection 15 is configured to be gripped by a user to slide the first stage 13 into the deployed position.

A fastener (e.g. a clip) may be provided to lock the first stage 13 in the stowed configuration (not shown). The fastener may secure the first stage 13 in a fixed position on the runners 12.

The first stage 13 is shown as transparent so that the second stage 14 is visible in Figure 2b. After deployment of the first stage 13, the second stage 14 can be slid in a second direction transverse to the first direction (i.e. into the page).

As shown in Figure 2c, a support structure can be deployed to support the first stage 13 relative to the ground. This improves the stability of the shelter structure. In this example, the support structure comprises a pair of legs 16 which are pivotably mounted to the underside of the first stage 13 at the distal end of the first stage 13. To deploy the support structure the legs 16 are pivoted away from the first stage 13 until they are disposed substantially perpendicular to the first stage 13 and an end of each leg 16 contacts the ground. A strut 20 is then attached between the vehicle and a cross member extending between the legs (see Figure 3). This further improves the stability of the deployed shelter structure.

In addition, a plastic sheet 23 can be attached to a side of the first stage 13 such that the sheet 23 extends from the side of the first stage 13 proximate the ground. This encloses a side of the first sheltered zone, providing additional protection (e.g. from wind). In some embodiments the plastic sheet 23 may also be attached to the support leg(s) 16.

In some embodiments (not shown) additional plastic sheets may be attached to the second stage 14 and/or the distal end of the first stage 13 to further enclose the sheltered zones.

The strut 20 and/or the plastic sheet 23 can be disposed in the vehicle when not in use.

The support structure is shown in more detail in Figure 3, which depicts an example of the support structure in the stowed configuration.

In Figure 3, the support structure comprises a pair of parallel legs 76 attached together by a first cross member 16 and a second cross member 18. The second cross member 18 is mounted to the underside 13a of the first stage by a pivot or hinge attachment 19. In this example, the cross member 18 is pivotably mounted near the distal end of the first stage. In the stowed configuration, as shown in Figure 3, the legs 16 extend parallel and adjacent to the first stage 13. The legs 16 are secured in the stowed configuration by a pair of clips 21 attached to the underside 13a of the first stage which are configured to be fastened around the cross member 17.

It will be appreciated that in other examples of the present invention more or less than two fastening means may be provided, which may or may not be clips. In addition, the fastening means (e.g. clips 21) may be configured to receive the legs 16 rather than cross member 17. To deploy the support structure the clips 21 are unfastened and the support structure is pivoted about attachment 19 such that the legs 1 extend substantially perpendicular to the first stage 13. In other examples, the cross member 18 may not be provided. The end of each leg 16 not configured to contact the ground may be mounted to the first stage 13 by a separate pivot or hinge attachment.

Figure 4 shows a side perspective view of an example of a first stage 13 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the first stage 13 comprises a pair of side walls 13b and an underside 13a. The recess between the side walls 13b and the underside 13a is for receiving the support structure as shown in Figure 3. A recess 22 is also provided in one of the side walls 13b for accommodating the second stage (not shown) when in the stowed configuration. The second stage can then slide out of the recess 22 in the first stage 13 to be deployed.

No fasteners or other securing means may be required to retain the second stage in the recess 22. For example, when the first stage 13 is slid backwards to the stowed configuration on the runners 12 (e.g. as in Figure 2a) the runners 12 may retain the second stage 14 in the recess 22.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, "comprises" means "includes or consists of and "comprising" means "including or consisting of. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.