Vehicle enclosure apparatus

A vehicle-mountable structure is disclosed. Said structure is adapted to substantially conceal a vehicle and operator in an enclosure and provide in a visually attractive appearance. The enclosure is supported by a hierarchy of beams capable of attaching to a vehicle frame in a manner that does not interfere with vehicle operations.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to vehicle-mountable structures.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to vehicle-mountable structures and enclosures adapted to substantially conceal a vehicle. Concealing a substantial portion of the vehicle and operator in the enclosure creates a striking visual appearance. Messages may be written on the enclosure to take advantage of this attention.

Creating such a structure presents several challenges. For example, when mounted on a vehicle, the structure should not substantially interfere with the operation of the vehicle. The structure should not substantially interfere with an operator's ability to mount or dismount the vehicle. The structure should be adjustable to fit vehicles of different sizes. The structure should be collapsible for shipping, sales, and storage. The structure should be able to cover substantially all of a vehicle upon which it is mounted, while allowing the vehicle's wheels to maintain contact with the road and the vehicle's driver to safely view the road and other traffic.

SUMMARY

A visually attractive appearance is created through a lightweight, collapsible, framework adjustably mountable upon vehicles of varying size, and an enclosure capable of substantially concealing a vehicle. The framework and enclosure does not substantially interfere with vehicle operations. The structure may include a plurality of clamping mechanisms, rigid frame elements, flexible pole elements and an “Enclosure Skin.”

In a preferred embodiment, the structure is mountable upon a bicycle. Other embodiments may be mountable upon motorcycles, tricycles, scooters, dirt bikes, or similar narrow vehicles.

In one embodiment, the structure includes a plurality of clamping mechanisms, “Primary Frame” elements, “Secondary Frame” elements, flexible “Tertiary Frame” elements, and an inelastic Enclosure Skin. In a preferred embodiment, rigid Primary Frame elements are adapted to clamp to a vehicle; one substantially “H” shaped Secondary Frame element is removably secured to each ends of the Primary Frame, a plurality of notches along the outer edges are adapted to accept Tertiary Frame elements; and an Enclosure Skin is removably secured to the Tertiary Frame through a plurality of sleeves, pockets or clips.

The structure includes a Primary Frame element mountable upon a vehicle frame. The Primary Frame provides a rigid structure to securely clamp a vehicle frame. In a preferred embodiment, the Primary Frame runs parallel to the length of the vehicle, attaching to the vehicle frame below the vehicle's steering mechanism (the “Headtube”) and below the vehicle's seat (the “Seattube”).

The Primary Frame may extend beyond the front and rear of the bicycle frame as necessary to support Secondary Frame elements and/or the Enclosure Skin. In another embodiment, the Primary Frame element extends beyond the Headtube and Seatube by 0 to 30% of the “toptube length” (the “toptube length” being the distance between the steering mechanism and seat). In a third embodiment, Primary Frame element clamps are unconnected by a direct structural beam.

In a preferred embodiment, a rigid Secondary Frame is removably mountable to the Primary Frame. Secondary Frame elements extend away from the Primary Frame, providing an armature adapted to receive Tertiary Frame elements.

The Secondary Frame may take a variety of different shapes, including an “H” shape or an “X” shape. One or more secondary frames may be secured to the Primary Frame, or the Primary and Secondary Frame may be fused as one element. In a preferred embodiment, one substantially “H” shaped Secondary Frame element is attached to a forward portion of the Primary Frame, and one substantially “H” shaped Secondary frame element is attached to a rear portion of the Primary Frame.

A plurality of “Tertiary Frame” elements are removably mountable to the Secondary Frame. Tertiary Frame elements provide a lightweight, flexible structure to shape the Enclosure Skin.

The Enclosure Skin, when mounted to a vehicle, conceals a substantial portion of the vehicle and vehicle-operator, resulting in a striking visual appearance.

Decorative elements may be attached to the Enclosure Skin. In a “Fish Bike” embodiment, the decorative elements include fins, lips, eyes and colorful scales. In addition, a “dorsal fin” may be attached to a rider's helmet to further replicate a fishy appearance. The Enclosure Skin may also provide a surface to attach lighting (such as LEDs); exterior graphics, information or advertisements; or may itself be fabricated with pre-printed signage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1depicts the external appearance of the preferred embodiment: a fish costume for a bicycle. When mounted to a bicycle, the bicycle is substantially concealed by the Enclosure Skin110. Decorative elements such as eyes150, lips160, and tail fins140may be added to complete the fish disguise. The external appearance is shaped by a series of Secondary Frame elements220and Tertiary Frame elements230shown as broken lines inFIG. 1. Portions of the vehicle120may be visible beneath the structure, but are shown in broken lines to indicate they are not part of the invention.

FIG. 2depicts the internal structure of the preferred embodiment. The structure includes a Primary Frame element210, a plurality of Secondary Frame elements220, and a plurality of Tertiary Frame elements230.

The Primary Frame element210is adapted to securely mount to a vehicle120at a forward point below the vehicle's steering mechanism230, and a rear point below the vehicle's seat235.

FIG. 3depicts a Primary Frame. In a preferred embodiment, the Primary Frame element is made of two beams340,345. The beams are mountable to a vehicle120such that they are approximately parallel to the ground and their length runs in the direction of straight vehicle travel. A vehicle frame120may be pinched between the two beams340,345to securely join the structure and vehicle.

A plurality of sockets350are distributed along the length of the Primary Frame elements340,345. The clamping force may be supplied by inserting and tightening bolts at sockets350near the mounting points330,335. Since vehicle frames come in a variety of sizes, sockets at appropriate positions may be selected to secure a particular vehicle. Spacers354may be inserted between the Primary Frame elements340,345to ensure the Primary Frame clamps to the vehicle securely, but without damaging the vehicle.

In an embodiment where the structure is attached to a bicycle, the Primary Frame elements340,345may mount at approximately the same height as the vehicle's top tube360.

In the preferred embodiment, the Primary Frame extend only as far beyond the ends of the vehicle mounting points to provide an anchor point for the Secondary Frame elements. Brackets370may be added to the junction between Primary and Secondary Frame elements to stiffen the connection.

FIG. 4depicts another embodiment, where the Primary Frame elements210are not directly connected by a structural beam running between the vehicle mount points330,335. Instead, the Primary Frame elements210are individual clamping mechanisms with adjustable-angle armatures410adapted to secure Secondary Frame elements210.

FIG. 9depicts a third primary frame embodiment where the Primary Frame210extends beyond the front910and rear920of the vehicle frame to reach Enclosure Skin110.

A plurality of Secondary Frame elements extend away from the Primary Frame providing an armature to support Tertiary Frame elements. The Secondary Frame elements extend far enough from the vehicle frame to support the Enclosure Skin (either directly or through Tertiary Frame elements) without substantially interfering with vehicle operation. Secondary Frame elements may be made from wood, fiberglass, aluminum, carbon fiber, or similar lightweight material of sufficient stiffness to support the remaining frame members and enclosure.

FIGS. 10 through 13depict various embodiments of the Secondary Frame.FIG. 10depicts a preferred embodiment where a forward and a rear Secondary Frame are each made of three beam elements1010,1020,1030secured to form a shape approximating the capital letter “H.” The forward Secondary Frame is removably secured to a front end of the Primary Frame element at a point near the center of the horizontal Secondary Element beam1032. Likewise, the rear Secondary Frame is removably secured to a rear end of the Primary Frame element at a point near the center of the horizontal Secondary Element beam.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of notches1040adapted to accept Tertiary Frame elements are located along the outer edges of vertical Secondary Frame beam elements1010,1020. In other embodiments, Tertiary Frame230elements may be secured by a plurality of hoods, snaps, Velcro or loops.

FIG. 11depicts an embodiment of the Secondary Frame where a forward and a rear Secondary Frame element1110each form a hybrid shape between an “H” and an “asterisk.”

FIG. 12depicts an embodiment of the Secondary Frame220where a forward and a rear Secondary Frame are each made of three beam elements1210,1220,1230secured to form a shape approximating an asterisk.

FIG. 13depicts a substantially “H” shaped Secondary Frame with added stiffening element1300secured across the top. Such an element may decrease Secondary Frame flex and reduce problems with vehicle operations.

A plurality of Tertiary Frame elements230are removably mountable to the Primary or Secondary Frame. Tertiary Frame elements are lightweight, flexible poles. In a preferred embodiment, Tertiary Frame elements are collapsible shock-corded poles of aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or similar alloy or composite.

FIG. 14illustrates a preferred Tertiary Frame embodiment where 6 Tertiary Frame elements230run from the front to rear of the Enclosure Skin110, nearly meeting each other at the end points, and expanding away from each other at the midpoint to create room for a vehicle operator. In this embodiment, the 6 Tertiary Frame elements230run the length of the Primary Frame element: two on either side give shape to the bottom of the Enclosure Skin, two to the middle, and two to the top.

FIG. 14illustrates a Tertiary Frame embodiment with 8 Tertiary Frame elements supporting the Enclosure Skin.FIG. 15illustrates a Tertiary Frame embodiment where the asymmetrically arranged Tertiary Frame elements.

FIG. 5depicts a top intersection between Secondary Frame220, Tertiary Frame230and Enclosure Skin110. In this embodiment, a Secondary Frame notch1040secures the Tertiary Frame element230. In this embodiment, the Tertiary Frame element runs through a loop sewn into the edge of the Enclosure Skin500. In other embodiments, Tertiary Frame elements may be secured to the enclosure skin through a plurality of hooks, loops, Velcro, snaps or similar fasteners. Likewise,FIG. 6depicts a middle intersection between Secondary Frame220, Tertiary Frame230and Enclosure Skin110; andFIG. 7depicts a lower intersection between Secondary Frame220, Tertiary Frame230and Enclosure Skin110.

The Tertiary Frame elements are removably mountable to a plurality of locations on the vertical members of the Secondary Frame. Tertiary Frame elements may be snapped into a series of notches along the outer surface of Secondary Frame elements1040, or otherwise attached through a series of hooks, snaps, loops, Velcro or similar fasteners. In one embodiment, the Tertiary Frame elements are removably mountable to the ends of the Primary Frame element.

Enclosure Skin. The Enclosure Skin110, when mounted upon a vehicle, gives the vehicle and operator a striking visual appearance. The Enclosure Skin is removably securable to the Tertiary Frame elements230.

In a preferred embodiment, the Enclosure Skin is removably secured to the Tertiary Frame elements by a plurality of sleeves, pockets or clips. Webbing elements may be added to the nose and tail of Enclosure Skin to increase strength and distribute tension more evenly across the fabric.

In a preferred embodiment the Enclosure Skin covers most of the vehicle, while allowing only the wheels to protrude and contact the ground; and most of the rider, allowing only the head to protrude. In another embodiment, the Enclosure Skin is made out of an open woven fabric, or material similarly permeable to air, to reduce the forces applied to the frame by crosswinds.