Abstract:
A cover supporting shelter structure comprising front and rear sections arranged in back-to-back contraposition each side of a common central junction of which the respective left and right sides of each section comprise identical component parts. In one embodiment the front and rear sections are identical mirror images of each other each side of the common junction and in another embodiment, the respective front and rear sides are pivotally interconnected by rotatable arms on each side for movement of the front section between extended and rear positions relative to the rear section. The respective sections in each of the embodiments utilize identical ground support legs arranged to extend vertically in the respective left and right sides of the sections from the upper ends of which sets of pairs of side frame members are supported to extend horizontally along the respective opposite section sides with the side frame members of each pair having one end connected to a ground support leg to extend outwardly of the ground support leg in opposite directions. Cover supporting ribs extend transversely of the sections above the side frame members to which opposite end portions of the ribs are attached.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates broadly to erectable structures for supporting a fabric or plastic sheet cover forming a shelter. 
     Although the present invention described herein could have as its principal utility an erectable structure for sheltering automobiles of various sizes, it should be understood that the structure is well adapted for providing a protective shelter for boats, tractors, gardening accessories and a temporary shelter for picnicking, outdoor cooking, sleeping and recreational activities of various types. 
     A number of erectable cover supporting shelter structures providing temporary shelter for automobiles and the like are known in the art as exemplified by those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,598,940; 2,798,501; 3,465,765; 4,150,682; 4,886,083 and 4,944,321. However, the component parts of these prior known structures in general comprise relatively large parts, such as transversely extending bow members, which are bulky and not readily portable. Further, side structural members of most known erectable cover supporting structures interfere with side access to the shelter interior, such as access to the centrally located doors and interior of automobiles and vans. The height and dimensions of the known structures cannot be easily varied to provide access to vehicles of various sizes, such as trucks, pick-up trucks, vans and recreational vehicles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide a cover supporting erectable shelter structure of changeable height and length. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a cover supporting erectable shelter structure comprising small components which can be easily erected and disassembled. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a cover supporting erectable shelter structure providing maximum access to its interior from both sides. 
     Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a cover supporting erectable shelter structure in which the component parts of various parts of the structure are identical. 
     These objects have been achieved by a structure comprising front and rear sections, each having identical component parts forming the respective left and right sides of the respective front and rear sections. In one embodiment, identical front and rear sections are arranged to extend oppositely outwardly each side of a common central junction. In another embodiment, respective front and rear sections are pivotally interconnected for movement of the front section between extended and retracted positions relative to the rear section. One section of each of the two embodiments includes vertically extending ground support legs disposed in the respective left and right sides of the section from the upper ends of which a set of pairs of side frame members are supported to extend horizontally along the respective opposite section sides with the side frame members of each pair having one end connected to a ground support leg with the respective frame members of the pair extending horizontally outwardly of the ground support leg in opposite directions. Cover support ribs extend transversely of the front and rear sections between and at spaced intervals along the side frame members lying along respective left and right sides of the sections and cover retaining rods extend transversely across the respective ends of the front and rear sections. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cover supporting erectable shelter structure of my invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation of structural component parts forming one side of the structure of FIG. 1 with the respective parts partially unlocked and in folded positions. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cover supporting erectable shelter structure of my invention in an extended position. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 3 in a retracted position. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ground support leg component contained in the structures of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, illustrating one embodiment of the shelter structure of my invention, the structure comprises a front section 10a and a rear section 10b having identical structural components each arranged to extend oppositely from a common central junction 11. The front and rear sections 10a and 10b each have a left side 12 and a right side 13 of which the structural components are identical as is evident from the following description. Ground support legs 14a, 14b are each arranged to extend vertically in the respective left and right sides 12 and 13 of the front section 10a with the respective support legs 14a, 14b having lower ends 15a, 15b configured for ground engagement and upper ends on which side frame supporting plates 16a, 16b are mounted. A pair of elongated side frame members 17a, 18a each have one end connected to the left side ground support leg upper end plate 16a and are arranged with the respective side frame members 17a, 18a of the pair each extending horizontally in opposite directions from the upper end of the ground support leg 14a along the front section left side 12. In a similar manner, each of a pair of side frame members 17b, 18b have one end connected to the right side ground support leg upper plate 16b and extend horizontally in opposite directions from the ground support leg along the front section right side 13. A pair of bracing members 19a, 20a each have their lower ends connected to a cruciform plate 21a mounted on the left side ground support leg 14a below the upper end plate 16a and extend diagonally oppositely upwardly with their upper ends connected respectively to a forward attaching plate 22a located medially of the length of the left side frame member 17a and a rear attaching plate 23a located medially of the left side frame member 18a. In a similar manner, each of a pair of bracing members 19b, 20b extend diagonally oppositely upwardly between a cruciform plate 21b mounted on the right side ground support leg 14b and attaching plates 22b and 23b affixed respectively to the right side frame members 17b, 18b. A cover retaining rod 24 extends transversely across the forward end of the front section 10a with opposite ends contained in extension plates 25a, 25b extending forwardly of the respective side frame members 17a, 17b between which is affixed an end cross member 26, the midpoint of the rod protruding through an end portion of an auxiliary support 27 of which the other end fits around the cross member 26. A cover supporting rib 28 extending transversely of the front section 10a above the left and right side frame members 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b has opposite ends affixed to the upper ends of vertically extending support arms 29a, 29b of which the lower ends are connected respectively to the left and right side ground support leg upper plates 16a, 16b. The supporting rib 28 is further supported by a pair of truss members 30a, 30b extending transversely diagonally of the front section 10a with lower ends each connected respectively to the cruciform plates 21a, 21b mounted on the respective left and right side ground support legs 14a, 14b and upper ends each connected respectively to attaching connections 31a, 31b spaced apart midway of the cover supporting rib 28. Another transversely extending cover support rib 32 is supported adjacent the central junction 11 similar to rib 28 with opposite ends connected respectively to the upper ends of left and right vertically extending support arms 33a, 33b of which the lower ends are connected respectively to the left and right side rear brace member attaching plates 23a, 23b and by truss members 34a, 34b extending transversely diagonally of the front section 10a with lower ends each connected respectively to left and right side rear brace member attaching plates 23a, 23b and upper ends connected to the cover support rib 32 at locations medially of its length. A lower level transversely extending cover supporting rib 35 is supported forwardly of the ground support legs 14a, 14b with opposite sides affixed respectively to the left and right side forward brace member attaching plates 22a, 22b. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, the rear section 10b is a mirror image of the front section 10a with the component parts forming the respective side and transversely extending structural portions being identical to those of the previously described front section 10a. Accordingly, to simplify the description of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the structural components of the rear section 10b are designated by the same reference designations used to designate the corresponding components of the front section 10a by adding an additional digit, e.g., the ground support legs in the respective left and right sides of the rear section 10b are designated 114a and 114b, the pair of side frame members connected to the left side ground support leg 114a and extending in opposite directions along the left side of the rear section are designated 117a and 118a, the cover supporting rib extending transversely of the rear section 10b between upper ends of the ground support legs 114a and 114b is designated 128, etc. For bridging the respective front and rear sections 10a, 10b into a composite structure, a connecting bar 36a spanning the respective left side frame members 18a and 118a of the front and rear sections at the junction 11 has its ends connected respectively to the side members 18a and 118a. A corresponding connecting bar 36b is similarly connected across the respective right side frame members 18b and 118b of the front and rear sections. A central cover supporting rib 37 extending transversely of the respective front and rear sections at the central junction 11 has opposite ends connected to upper ends of a pair of vertically extending rib support arms 38a, 38b of which the lower ends are connected respectively to the left and right side connecting bars 36a and 36b. A truss bar 39 extends transversely of the front and rear sections at the central junction 11 with opposite ends connected respectively to the left and right side connecting bars 36a, 36b, with a reinforcing member 40 extending vertically between midpoints of the truss bar 39 and supporting rib 37. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3 illustrating another embodiment of the invention, the structure comprises a rear section 210b identical to rear section 110b of the first embodiment of my invention and a movable front section 50 with each of the front and rear sections having a left side 12 and a right side 13 as in the previously described embodiment. Inasmuch as the component parts of the rear section 210b are identical to those of the rear section 110b of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the respective structural components of the rear section 210b are designated in FIG. 3 by the same reference designations used to designate the corresponding components of the rear section 110b of the first embodiment by replacing the added first digit &#34;1&#34; with an added first digit &#34;2&#34;, e.g., the ground support legs in the respective left and right sides of rear section 210b are designated 214a, 214b, etc. 
     Referring now to the structural components of the second embodiment front section 50, a base member extending transversely of the front section comprises end plates 52a, 52b on the respective front section left and right sides connected by a pair of cross members 53 of which the lower edges are configured for ground engagement. A pad 54a adapted for ground engagement and spaced rearwardly of the base member left side end plate 52a and the end plate provide support for a left side coupling 55a spaced vertically above and between the pad 54a and the end plate, the coupling being supported by a first support arm 56a of which the respective ends are connected to the coupling 55a and the left side pad 54a and a second support arm 57a of which the respective ends are connected to the coupling 55a and the base member left side end plate 52a. A right side coupling 55b is similarly supported above and between the right side pad 54b and base member left end plate 52b by a first right side coupling support arm 56b and a second coupling support arm 57b. Provision for retaining a protective cover is provided by a front cover retaining assembly 58 comprising a cover retaining rod 59 extending transversely of the front section 50 of which the respective ends are connected to the top of a pair of vertically extending risers 60a, 60b having lower ends connected respectively to the base member left and right side end plates 52a, 52b and left and right side struts 61a, 61b that extend between the left and right side couplings 55a, 55b and the left and right riser 60a, 60b medially of their length. A front section protective cover supporting rib 62 extending transversely of the front section 50 has opposite ends connected to upper ends of a pair of vertically extending rib support arms 63a, 63b of which the lower ends are connected respectively to the left and right side struts 61a, 61b at fittings 64a, 64b medially of the length of the struts. A pair of vertically oriented truss members 65a, 65b extend diagonally transversely of the front section 50 with lower ends of the respective truss members connected to left and right strut fittings 64a, 64b and upper ends affixed to the cover supporting rib 62 at spaced apart locations medially of its length. 
     As best seen by viewing FIG. 4 along with FIG. 3, the front section 50 is pivotally connected to the rear section 210b for movement of the front section between the extended position of FIG. 3 spaced forwardly of the rear section and the retracted position of FIG. 4 adjacent the rear section by a pair of left and right side yoke members 66a, 66b, each having opposite ends pivotally connected respectively to the front section left and rear side couplings 55a, 55b and the rear section left and right side frame members 218a, 218b. A pivot pin 67a in the upper end of the left side yoke member 66a pivotally connects the left side yoke member upper end to an end plate 68a affixed to the outer end of the rear section left side frame member 218a and a pivot pin 69a at the lower end of the left side yoke member 66a pivotally connects the yoke lower end to the left side coupling 55a. Locking pin holes 70a located in the yoke member 66a above the pivot pin 67a and in the end plate 68a accommodate a locking pin (not illustrated) for locking the front section 50 into an extended position forwardly of the rear section 210b. Similarly, locking pin holes 71a in the lower end of the left yoke member 66a and left side coupling 55a perform the same function. Similarly, pivot pins 67b, 69b in the right side yoke member 66b pivotally connect the ends of the right side yoke member 66b to the rear section right side frame member end plate 68b and front section right side coupling 55b, the right side yoke member 66b upper end and right side frame member end plate 218b similarly containing locking pin holes 70b and the right side yoke member 66b lower end and right side coupling 55b also similarly having similar locking pin holes 71b. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the respective structural members that form the left side of the front and rear sections 10a, 10b of FIG. 1 embodiment with the members supported by the ground support legs rotated to folded positions about pivots in their respective connections. As is evident without detailed description, the various members contain locking pin holes that accommodate locking pins retaining the members in the erect positions illustrated in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates provisions provided in a ground support leg 14 representative of the ground support legs contained in the respective front and rear sections of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the rear section of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 that accommodate raising or lowering the upper end of the leg and supported side frame members to selected different heights. Each ground support leg 14 has an upper segment 72 to which is affixed the upper end plate 16 and is slidably contained between respective forward and after side segments 73a, 73b of the lower portion of the ground support leg terminating at the bottom end 15 configured for ground engagement. A series of locking pin holes 74 spaced apart along the upper segment 72 and a series of locking pin holes 75 along each of the lower segment forward and after sides 73a, 73b accommodate a locking pin 76 to establish the upper leg segment 72 at different fixed vertical positions relative to the lower ground engaging end 15 of the support leg. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates only to several preferred embodiments of my invention, and that numerous modifications or alterations therein are possible without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.