Abstract:
A collapsible canopy structure comprising, in an erected configuration, a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangement permitting a vehicle to be positioned at least partly docked entered into the interior of the canopy. The docking arrangement includes a magnetic securing system for securing the canopy to the vehicle and/or a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/009,826, filed Dec. 5, 2013, which is the US National Stage of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application Serial No. PCT/GB2012/050755, filed on Apr. 4, 2012, which claims priority from UK Application Serial No. GB 1105665.2, filed on Apr. 4, 2011, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a collapsible canopy structure, and in particular to such a structure shaped and dimensioned to partially enclose a large vehicle in order to enable a portion of a vehicle to be sheltered. 
         [0004]    2. State of the Art 
         [0005]    GB2383351 discloses a collapsible canopy structure which can be mounted to the roof of a vehicle and moved to a location where it can be demounted end erected from a stowed configuration. 
         [0006]    The canopy of GB2383351 is designed to completely enclose a vehicle and provide a controlled environment for conducting work on a vehicle. A fume extraction system is provided for the canopy. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An improved arrangement has now been devised which enables work to be conducted on large vehicles such as trucks large vans, busses and the like. 
         [0008]    According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a collapsible canopy structure comprising, in an erected configuration, a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangement permitting a vehicle to be positioned at least partly docked entered into the interior of the canopy; wherein the docking arrangement includes:
       i) magnetic securing means for securing the canopy to the vehicle; and/or,   ii) a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle.       
 
         [0011]    It is preferred that the structure is re-configurable from the erected configuration to a stowed configuration. 
         [0012]    In the stowed configuration, it is preferred that the structure is configured to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle for transportation. 
         [0013]    Beneficially, the roof area structure includes a storage section arrange to store the fold- over section of the roof area structure in the stowed configuration. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment it may be preferred that the storage section comprises opposed end portions to which one or more frame members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted. The opposed end portions may be connected by a connecting portion. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, it is preferred that the opposed end portions are arranged to connect to support frame legs to support the canopy arrangement above the ground when in the erected configuration. 
         [0016]    Beneficially, the storage section is arranged to be de-mountably secured to the roof of a transportation vehicle. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, it is preferred that one or more frame members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted to be movable from a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erected configuration. 
         [0018]    Beneficially, a plurality of frame members can comprise the fold-over section of the roof area structure being pivotably mounted to be movable from a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erected configuration. 
         [0019]    In the erect configuration, it is preferred that at least one frame member of the fold-over section of the roof area structure is extends upwardly above its stowed position. This gives the erected structure increased height enabling use with high sided commercial vehicles. 
         [0020]    It is preferred that the magnetic securing means comprise magnetic strips for securing the canopy to the vehicle sides and/or roof. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment the magnetic strips may be separate from the canopy and for example used to sandwich the canopy between the magnetic strip and the vehicle sidewall or roof. 
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic strips may be secured to the canopy for example by being sewn into a hem or margin of the canopy. 
         [0023]    By providing an elongate line of securing using magnetic strips an effective sealed or controlled environment can be provided in the interior of the controlled canopy zone. 
         [0024]    According to an alternative aspect, the invention provides a method of working on a vehicle in which a canopy structure is erected to have a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, a vehicle is docked with a docking arrangement permitting the vehicle to be positioned docked at least partly entered into the interior of the canopy; and wherein the canopy is secured along the roof and the sidewalls of the vehicle to provide a controlled working environment cut off from ambient external conditions. 
         [0025]    It is preferred that magnetic securing means is used to secure the canopy to the vehicle. 
         [0026]    It is preferred that a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy is folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle. 
         [0027]    The canopy structure is beneficially carried to the erection location mounted in a stowed configuration (preferably on top of the roof of a transportation vehicle). 
         [0028]    Beneficially, fume extraction apparatus is operated to extract fumes from the interior of the canopy structure. 
         [0029]    The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary canopy structure in accordance with the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a view corresponding to the view of  FIG. 1  with the canopy shown as removed from the underlying frame; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the roof area structure in the stowed configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a collapsible canopy structure  1  in an erected configuration. The canopy structure has a supporting framework comprising upright support frame legs  2  and longitudinally extending support frame members  3  covered with a fabric cover having a roof section  4  and side curtains  5  (only the one side curtain is shown in  FIG. 1  for clarity of explanation). 
         [0034]    The roof cover  4  forms part of the roof area structure  5  which is provided with three u- shaped frame members  6 , 7 , 8  which are pivotally mounted to a storage section  12  of the structure  1 . The leg supports  2  are also supported from the storage section  12 . 
         [0035]    The arrangement is similar in many respects to the arrangement shown in GB2383351. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the storage section  12  is connected to a corresponding section  13  extending parallel to one-another and spaced apart. An interconnecting frame member  14  is provided at one side of the arrangement. The frame section comprising the elements  12 ,  13 ,  14  is fabricated as a unitary item which is arranged to be demountably secured to the roof of a transportation vehicle. Storage section  13  is provided toward the forward end of the roof of the transportation vehicle. Storage section  12  is provided to the rear end of the roof of the transportation vehicle and the interconnecting frame member  14  extends along the roof of the transportation vehicle between the storage sections  12 ,  13 . The storage sections are provided on their respective undersides with means for clamping to roof bars or racks provided on the transportation vehicle. 
         [0036]    The u-shaped frame elements  6 , 7 , 8  are stored as shown in  FIG. 3  pivoted to lay flat nested one within another within the boundary defined by the storage sections  12 , 13 , and frame member  14 . The support frame legs  2  are pivotally mounted by extensions  27  to the respective storage sections  12  and  13  and pivot from the erected supporting configuration shown in the drawings, to be stored extending horizontally between the opposed storage sections  12 ,  13 . The extensions  27  slide into the respective storage sections  12 ,  13 , and lock for transportation in the stowed position. In the supporting position stays  25  hold the support frame legs  2  in their upright position. The longitudinally extending frame members  3  are demountable to be stored either internally of the vehicle or underslung below the support section  12 ,  13 ,  14  positioned on the roof of the vehicle. 
         [0037]    In a similar manner to the arrangement of GB2383351 the support frame legs  2  are provided on rollers  15  and the support legs  2  are connected to the respective frame sections  12 , 13  enabling the whole arrangement to be lifted clear of the roof of the transportation vehicle. 
         [0038]    From the position shown in  FIG. 3 , the roof area section is erected by pivoting the u-shaped frame members  6 ,  7 ,  8  about their pivotable connection to the respective sections  12 ,  13  such that they reach the configuration shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . By drawing the front frame member  6  from the stowed position, the connected canopy causes the adjacent frame members  7  and  8  also to be successively drawn from the stowed position. 
         [0039]    The configuration shown in  FIG. 2  corresponds to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 , however, in  FIG. 2  the fabric canopy is not shown in the drawings. 
         [0040]    As can be seen clearly from  FIG. 1 , the distal end  17  of the structure is closed by means of the fabric canopy attached to the frame elements  20  and  21 . The proximal end  18  of the structure is rendered open and provides a docking opening enabling the front or rear end of a vehicle to be driven into the canopy arrangement. Because the roof area structure  5  is pivoted to extend upwardly from the stowed position shown in  FIG. 3  to the erected position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vehicles of height significantly greater than the height of the transportation vehicle can be accommodated for docking with the structure. In particular, because the front, middle and rear u-shaped pivotable support members  6 , 7 , 8  can be positionally adjusted, significantly different height vehicles can be accommodated in the docking area. 
         [0041]    It is important to ensure that an effectively isolated environment is provided in the interior of the canopy to enable adequate repair conditions to exist and also fume extraction apparatus to be operated to effectively filter any particulates and harmful gases without allowing these to escape to the exterior of the canopy. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the docking end of the canopy within which the vehicle is positioned, is secured along the roof and side walls of the vehicle to a degree sufficient to provide a controlled working environment cut off from ambient external conditions. An absolute airtight seal is not required but the loose curtains of the canopy need to be held in some way against the side of the vehicle and the magnetic securing means achieves this well. 
         [0042]    This is therefore conveniently achieved by means of the magnetic securing strips  22  which are used to secure the flexible material of the canopy to the sides and roof of the vehicle. 
         [0043]    The magnetic securing strips may be provided free of the material of the canopy and simply positioned to sandwich the canopy material between the respective strips  22  and the vehicle. Flexible elongate magnetic strips are conveniently used. 
         [0044]    Alternatively, it is possible that the strips  22  may be provided incorporated with the canopy material (for example, by stitching into a hem or fold of the material). 
         [0045]    The invention provides a convenient and quickly erectable structure which can be transported conveniently to a location for use and readily erected into position. The arrangement enables vehicles of significant height to be partially enclosed and docked in a secure and sealed manner to enable an adequate environment for vehicle repair to be created around the respective end of side of vehicle that needs to be repaired. A working zone is provided about the end or side of the docked vehicle. 
         [0046]    The canopy material of the roof area  5  frame members  6 ,  7 ,  8  remains attached to those frame members when the roof area structure is in the stowed or erected position. The remaining frame elements  2 ,  3 ,  20 ,  21  are removed from loops or sheaths provided on the canopy material and stowed otherwise. The canopy material is folded and stowed on top of the frame members  6 , 7 , 8  laying flat in their stowed position. 
         [0047]    There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of a safety harness system and corresponding method of operation. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.