Vehicular-mounted, retractable canopy system and related systems and methods

A vehicular-mounted retractable canopy system and related systems and methods are provided. The system includes a vehicle and a first member mounted to the vehicle. A second member is retractably movable from the first member, wherein a first end of the second member is extendable beyond a footprint of the vehicle. A deployable canopy is mounted to the second member at substantially the first end of the second member.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to shade devices and more particularly is related to a vehicular-mounted, retractable canopy system and related systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Recreational vehicles, such as Off-Road vehicles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs), are primarily used in outdoor settings with sun exposure. These settings commonly include trails, tracks, parks, or wilderness settings, among others. While the vehicles are often equipped with a roof which provides some shade from the sun, the roof is primarily designed for protecting the driver and passenger of the vehicle from rain and other precipitation, and thus, is usually only large enough to shade the users when the sun is directly overhead. When the sun is not positioned directly overhead but is angular to the vehicle, the roof of the vehicle does little to provide shade to the users.

While users of these vehicles have learned to tolerate sun exposure while operating the vehicles, they are often left no choice but to sit in the direct sunlight during breaks and downtime, since these breaks and periods of downtime often take place along the trail where no other shelter is available. This situation leads to users being susceptible to the medical hazards of sitting in direct sunlight, including sunburns, dehydration, and heatstroke. In certain environments, namely in hot, arid, desert settings, medical issues from sun exposure can occur very rapidly. For example, in the arid deserts of the American Southwest and Mexico, UTVs are often used for driving on sandy dunes and trails where it is common for temperatures to exceed 100° F. and the intense sun to reach a UV index level at or exceeding 11. In these conditions, sunburns can occur with as little as 10 minutes of exposure time. Accordingly, when users of the vehicles take even brief mid-route breaks from driving, they're left no choice but to sit in the vehicle and endure the sun exposure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vehicular-mounted retractable canopy system and related systems and methods. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. A first member is mounted to a vehicle. A second member is retractably movable from the first member, wherein a first end of the second member is extendable beyond a footprint of the vehicle. A deployable canopy is mounted to the second member at substantially the first end of the second member.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods of using a deployable canopy from a vehicle. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: mounting a first member to the vehicle; mounting a second member within the first member, wherein the second member is retractably movable from within the first member; extending a first end of the second member out from within the first member to a point beyond a footprint of the vehicle; and deploying a canopy mounted to the second member at a location substantially at the first end of the second member.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a system for a vehicular-mounted rider shade. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. A vehicular-mounted rider shade system includes a vehicle, a first member mounted to the vehicle, and a second member retractably movable from the first member. A first end of the second member is extendable beyond a footprint of the vehicle. The first end includes an L-shaped arm, and an end of the L-shaped arm is oriented substantially vertical. A pivotal joint is connected to the end of the L-shaped rotational arm. A keyway system is interfaced between the first and second members. The keyway system includes an elongated slot extending along at least a portion of the second member and a protrusion positioned through a sidewall of the first member and into the elongated slot. The protrusion prohibits rotational movement of the second member within the first member. A deployable canopy includes a shaft and a shade. The shaft is mounted to the second member at the substantially vertical end of the L-shaped rotational arm with the pivotal joint. The pivotal joint allows rotation of the canopy between deployed and non-deployed positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional illustration of a vehicular-mounted retractable canopy system10, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIGS. 2-4are photographs of the system10ofFIG. 1in various positions, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference toFIGS. 1-5, the vehicular-mounted retractable canopy system10, which may be referred to simply as ‘system10’ includes a vehicle20. InFIG. 1, the portion of the vehicle20depicted is part of the roll cage structure22which is mounted to a frame of the vehicle20, as is known in the art. A first member30is mounted to the vehicle20through the roll cage structure22. A second member40is retractably movable from the first member30, wherein a first end42of the second member40is extendable beyond a footprint of the vehicle20. A deployable canopy50is mounted to the second member40at substantially the first end42thereof.

The system10may be used with vehicles to provide shading from the sun for the users of the vehicles. Commonly, the system10may be used with off-highway vehicles, such as off-road vehicles, UTVs, ATVs, or other recreational vehicles. The system10may also be used with other types of vehicles20, such as boats and watercraft, RVs, or campers. As will be described herein in further detail, the system10may provide benefits to the users of the vehicles, including the driver and passengers, by allowing for the canopy50of the system10to be stowed in a convenient location when sun shading is not needed, such that the system10does not interfere with normal operation and use of the vehicle20. Then, when sun shading is needed, such as during breaks or periods of downtime of the vehicle, and especially when shelters from the sun are not otherwise available to the users of the vehicle20, the deployable canopy50can be deployed from the vehicle20.

The system10may be particularly beneficial when used with UTVs in remote places in arid climates, where shade from the sun is especially important but not readily accessible. While the system10is described herein relative to use with a UTV, use with other vehicles is within the scope of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, the first member30may be mounted to the roll cage22of the vehicle20or to another structure on the vehicle, such as the frame or a body panel thereof. The attachment of the first member30to the vehicle20may be achieved by any known devices or techniques, including welding, threaded fasteners, friction fasteners, zip-ties, or removable fasteners. It may be preferable for the first member30to be connected to the vehicle20through at least two attachment points on the vehicle20to ensure proper stability of the system10. In one example, the first member30may be mounted laterally across the vehicle20, which may generally be along the direction from a left side of the vehicle20to a right side of the vehicle20, or from the driver's seat to the passenger's seat. Lateral mounting may allow the deployable canopy50to be positioned near enough to a rider, driver, or other user to provide shade from the sun. In another example, the first member30may be mounted longitudinally along the vehicle20, i.e., along the direction from the front of the vehicle20to the back. This may depend on the shape and orientation of the vehicle20. In either lateral or longitudinal positions, the first member30may have a substantially horizontal orientation to a ground surface on which the vehicle20is positioned.

The first member30may generally include an elongated, rigid member, such as a cylinder, bar, or pipe of metal construction, which has a substantially hollow interior32. The first member30may be attached to the vehicle20without obstructing the hollow interior32. At least one end34of the first member30may be open to allow access to the hollow interior32, in particular, to allow for positioning the second member40at least partially within the hollow interior32of the first member30. In this configuration, the second member40may be retractable from the first member30, whereby at least a portion of the second member40is telescopable from the hollow interior32of the first member30. Accordingly, this design allows the first end42of the second member40to be moveable from a position proximate to the end34of the first member (when the second member40is in a retracted position, as shown inFIG. 2) to a position where the first end42of the second member40is extended from the end34of the first member30(when the second member40is in an extended position, as is shown inFIG. 3). When the second member40is in the retracted position, it may generally be in a stowed position on the vehicle20, whereas the second member40in the extended position may generally be understood as the deployed position of the second member40.

When in the extended position, the first end42of the second member40may be positioned outside the general footprint of the vehicle20, such that the first end42is substantially positioned to the side of the vehicle20. This position can be seen in at leastFIGS. 3-5where the first end42is positioned laterally to the side of the vehicle20. The other end, i.e., second end44of the second member40may remain within the first member30, thereby maintaining physical contact between the members30,40, and to allow the second member40to remain supported by the first member30. The deployable canopy50may be mounted to the first end42of the second member40, which allows it to be deployed or opened from a supported position on the first end42, such that the position of the deployable canopy50can be determined, at least in part, by the location of the first end42. It is noted that the deployable canopy50may include many different types of sunshades, including an umbrella or other covering which is capable of being deployed to create a covering. In the extended position, the second member40may be extended outside the footprint of the vehicle far enough to allow the canopy50to be pivoted or rotated to a substantially vertical position without a top portion of the canopy50contacting a roof, roll-bars, or other structures of the vehicle.

It is noted that the canopy50may include various structures. In one example, the canopy50may include a shade having solar panels on a side of the shade facing the sun. The solar panels may be used to power and recharge electronic devices such as GPS, phones, air circulators, and the like. In another example, the canopy50may include components such as a shaft and a shade, similar to an umbrella. The shaft may enable the canopy50to be mounted to the second member40or the rotational arm member46. The shade may be the part of the canopy50that blocks the sun.

The deployable canopy50may further be mounted to the first end42of the second member40through use of an articulated joint60, such as an elbow joint, which allows the deployable canopy50to be moved angularly or otherwise about the first end42. The articulated joint60may allow movement of 180° of the deployable canopy50relative to the second member40. Thus, as can be understood fromFIG. 1, the deployable canopy50can be positioned substantially parallel with the first and second members30,40when not in use, such as shown inFIGS. 2-3, and then moved to a substantially perpendicular position to the first and second members30,40when the second member40is extended, such as shown inFIG. 4The first end42may also include an extension or arm member46which is connected to the terminating end of the second member40, which may be used to allow for rotational movement of the articulated joint60relative to the first end42of the second member40. The articulated joint60may axially rotate or pivot within the rotational arm member46when the canopy50is deployed. The resulting available positions that can be achieved with the deployable canopy50are numerous, as its translational position, angular position, and rotational position can be adjusted or determined by the user, which effectively allows it to be positioned in any desired position to shade the sun.

When the deployable canopy50has been positioned in the desired position by the user, it may be retained in that position with various fasteners. For example, the articulated joint60may be locked into a particular position with a threaded fastener, or in some cases, the articulated joint60may be movable with sufficient force but static enough to withstand inadvertent movements. The second member40may be locked in place relative to the first member30through use of a locking threaded fastener62which may be positioned through a sidewall of the first member30. The locking threaded fastener62may include a thumb screw or threaded knob which can be rotated to make contact with the exterior surface of the second member40, thereby frictionally holding the second member40in place. Rotational movement and unwanted translational movement of the second member40relative to the first member30may also be prevented with a keyway system70using a threaded fastener, as is discussed in detail relative toFIGS. 6-7.

FIG. 5depicts the system10with the deployable canopy50in the fully deployed state, where the deployed canopy50is opened to provide shade from the sun and the second member40is extended from the first member30. When the system10is in this position, even with the vehicle20stationary, the weight of the components of the system10and the wind forces on the deployable canopy50may place stress and strain on the components. Accordingly, it is desirable for the system10to be formed from durable components that allow it to withstand use in all conditions. The materials of construction may include those which are strong, durable, lightweight and not susceptible to rust. In one example, the first and second members30,40may be formed from steel and aluminum tubing, respectively, while the articulated joint60and deployable canopy50can include aluminum structural components.

The advantages of the present disclosure can be seen relative toFIGS. 1-5in that the present disclosure provides a canopy system that can be mounted to a vehicle, stored within the footprint of the vehicle while not in use, deployed outside the footprint of the vehicle while in use, and manipulated to provide shade at numerous angles and positions. It is important that the system10be stored within the footprint of the vehicle20in order to maintain the vehicle's relative size, weight distribution, and ability. For example, off-road vehicles that crawl over rocky terrain and in tight spaces may do so because the vehicles are balanced and sized appropriately. An exterior canopy structure may change this design, limiting the vehicle's use. Alternatively, an exterior structure may subject the canopy to excessive wear and tear. It is also important that the canopy50be deployable outside the general footprint of the vehicle20. As discussed above, the vehicle20's roof may provide only limited shade to riders. An extendable canopy50provides additional shade area, especially when the sun is not directly overhead. Additionally, it is important that the position of the canopy50can be manipulated, as this allows users to accurately place the canopy50between the user and the sun without regard for orientation of the vehicle. Likewise, the canopy50may be adjusted as the sun moves across the sky.

FIG. 6is a photograph of the junction of the first and second member30,40of the system10ofFIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional diagram of the keyway system70, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference toFIGS. 6-7, the keyway system70may be integrated between the first and second members30,40to prevent rotational movement of the second member40relative to the first member30and to prevent the second member40from being fully removed from the first member30, e.g., where the two members30,40become disconnected. The keyway system70may include a keyway72cut into the outer surface of the second member40which runs along a substantial length of the second member40. A protrusion or threaded fastener74may be positioned through a sidewall of the first member30such that it protrudes past the inner diameter surface of the first member30and into the keyway72in the second member40. In this position, the threaded fastener74may prevent the second member40from rotating within the first member30, which may act to prevent the deployable canopy50from tipping sideways when deployed. This may allow the keyway system70to maintain the orientation of the second member40within the first member30.

The length of the keyway72within the second member40may be chosen based on the desired extension length of the second member40from the first member30. As is shown inFIG. 1in broken lines, the keyway system70may include a cutout (keyway72inFIGS. 6-7) which ends prior to the second end44of the second member40. When the second member40is pulled out from the first member30, when the threaded fastener74contacts the terminating end of the keyway72at the second end44of the second member40, any further movement of the second member40is prevented. Accordingly, the keyway system70may prevent the second member40from being inadvertently entirely pulled out of the first member30. It is noted that the threaded fastener74may be removable, such that the second member40can be entirely removed from the first member30when the user desires, such as to maintenance the system10. It is further noted that the contact between the threaded fastener74and the keyway72may be a low friction, movable contact, such that the second member40can be slid out from the first member30with ease. When the second member40is in the desired position, the user may then actuate the locking threaded fastener62to frictionally retain the second member40in a stationary position relative to the first member30.

FIG. 8shows the rotational arm member46and articulated joint60of the system10ofFIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 8shows the system10in a stored or non-deployed state. The first arm30of the system10may be mounted to the vehicle20, as described relative toFIG. 1, above. The second arm40may be stored within the first arm30. The rotational arm member46attached to the second arm40may be an L-shaped member. The L-shaped member may be a unitary piece having two arms oriented substantially perpendicular to one another. In one example, one arm may be longer than the other. For instance, a long arm of the L-shaped member may be located along or a part of the second member40, while the other arm is oriented perpendicular to the second member. In one example, one end of the rotational arm member46may be oriented substantially vertical. The vertical end of the rotational arm member46may hold a portion of the canopy50having the articulated joint60. The articulated joint60may rotate similar to a knee, rotating the canopy50from a horizontal position to a substantially vertical position in use, as shown relative toFIGS. 4-5, above. Put another way, the articulated joint60may allow the canopy50to move between an initial position substantially parallel with the first and second members30,40to a position substantially perpendicular with the first and second members30,40. In another example, the articulated joint60may allow the canopy to be placed at several orientations less than or greater than perpendicular to the first and second members30,40. The canopy50may rotate axially within the rotational arm member46. The combination of the rotational arm member46and the articulated joint60may allow the canopy50to be placed at a number of angles relative to the position of the sun in the sky and riders in the vehicle20. This, along with the ability to extend the system10beyond the footprint of the vehicle, may allow riders in the vehicle20to obtain shade regardless of the vehicle20's orientation to the sun.

In one example, the rotational joint60may be a pivotal joint that allows rotation of the canopy50between deployed and non-deployed positions by pivoting the canopy50at the joint.

FIG. 9shows an exemplary locking pin76of the system10ofFIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The second member40may be extended out from within the first member30until it has reached a satisfactory distance beyond the footprint of the vehicle. Once the second member40has been extended, the user may lock the first and second members30,40by inserting a locking pin76through holes in the first and second members30,40. The holes may be aligned at one or more points along the second member40, such that the second member40can be locked at one or more extension lengths. The locking pin76may be any suitable pin for maintaining the relative positions of the first and second members30,40. In one example, the locking pin76may be a round wire locking pin, and may include a wire that maintains the position of the pin within the first and second members30,40.

FIG. 10is a flow chart1000showing a method of using a deployable canopy from a vehicle, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Step1010includes mounting a first member to the vehicle. In one example, the first member may be mounted so as to prevent movement, rotation, or excessive force to any mounting points. This may include mounting the first member at more than one different point on the vehicle to securely fasten it. As discussed above relative toFIG. 1, in one example, the first member may be mounted to a secure structural element of the vehicle, such as a roll cage. Step1020includes mounting a second member within the first member, wherein the second member is retractably movable from within the first member. The second member may be slidable from within the first member, such as with a telescoping arm that can extend and retract using a series of graduated members nested within each other. Step1030includes extending a first end of the second member out from within the first member to a point beyond a footprint of the vehicle. A portion of the second member may be extended out from the first member to reach this point, depending on the size of the vehicle, the length and location of the first member, and the length of the second member. In one example, the second member may be substantially completely extended from the first member. There may only be a small portion of the second member remaining within the first member. This may be enough to allow the second member to remain statically fixed within the first member, i.e., to not fall out of the first member. Step1040includes deploying a canopy mounted to the second member at a location substantially at the first end of the second member. The canopy may be mounted directly to the second member, or it may be mounted within a rotational arm member, such as an L-shaped arm. The rotational arm member may allow the canopy to rotate axially relative to a shaft of the canopy, which may allow the position of the canopy relative to the sun to be changed by a user as necessary.