Patent ID: 8171947
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A car cover apparatus, comprising: a frame having side rails; a plurality of ribs having at least a front end rib and a back end rib, wherein the plurality of ribs are attached to the side rails, wherein the front end rib is immobile and the back end rib is movably attached to the side rails; a flexible cover, wherein the cover is attached to each of the plurality of ribs so that the cover extends from the front end rib to the back end rib; and wherein movement of at least the back end rib along the length of the side rails causes the cover to more between a deployed configuration and an undeployed configuration; wherein each rib that moves from an undeployed position pulls the adjacent rib by stretching the cover; wherein the apparatus is of a size suitable to cover an automobile in a deployed position, wherein the side rails each comprise a central channel; wherein the ends of the plurality of ribs includes sliders, wherein the sliders are positioned within the central channels of the side rails; wherein the sliders each comprise a central bore, wherein threaded drive screws are positioned within the bores of the sliders within the central channels of the side rails; wherein the sliders attached to the back end rib have threaded central bores that mate with the threaded drive screws; and wherein rotation of the threaded drive screws controls the movement of the back end rib.