Patent Publication Number: US-8118045-B2

Title: Outdoor canopy

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application having an application Ser. No. 12/800,133 and a filing date of May 7, 2010, which is a continuation application that claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to a non-provisional application, application Ser. No. 11/636,793, filed Dec. 8, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,022, which is a continuation-in-part of a non-provisional application, application Ser. No. 11/583,247, filed Oct. 18, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,132. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a canopy, and more particularly to a canopy for a vehicle which comprises a ventilation arrangement which is capable of providing effective ventilation within the canopy, and is easy to install for convenient outdoor use. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     A canopy for a vehicle provides users with a specific place to avoid direct exposure from strong sunshine, such as in villas, beaches, hotels, apartments etc. Although more and more functions and shapes are designed by inventor on canopies, there exist several disadvantages for conventional canopies. First, the function of the wind-proof, arrangement in conventional canopies is not good. Especially when we use the canopy in windy days, the fabric could easily be rolled up. Second, because the height of the canopy can not be adjusted, it is not convenient for people to use. Third, most conventional canopies do not have an independent lighting system so that people may not conduct social activities in the canopies during night time or in a dark environment. 
     There are other problems. As a matter of fact, most conventional canopies are difficult to assemble and disassemble. This may due to the fact that most conventional canopies are designed for use in outdoor environment, where strong wind and adverse weather condition may be prevalent. Thus, the physical structure of most conventional canopies may be designed in such a manner that it could resist strong wind and adverse weather condition. Very often, this means that an inflexible mounting mechanism is employed. In other words, give the nature of outdoor canopies, one may wish to have an outdoor which is easy to assemble and disassemble (i.e. easy to transport and install). On the other hand, however, since the canopies are to be used in outdoor environment, one also wishes them to possess adequate ability to resist strong wind and other adverse weather conditions. 
     Furthermore, for most conventional canopies, they may have certain windows formed thereon for ventilation. For example, a conventional canopy may comprise a supporting frame, a shading fabric supported by the supporting frame to define a front fabric panel, a rear fabric panel, and two inclined side fabric panels, wherein the windows are formed on the two side fabric panels for communicating the area on which the shading fabric is covered, and an exterior of the canopy. The problem with this feature is that while windows may provide ventilation for the canopy, they do so by sacrificing the privacy of the people staying within the canopy. More specifically, conventional canopies do not usually have some sorts shading for allowing the users to selectively cover up the window so that they will find that the provision of windows may actually bring inconvenience to them. 
     Moreover, for conventional car canopies, there exists a problem that there are inadequate canopy doors for users. For example, a typical car canopy usually has a main door opening formed on a front side thereof for a vehicle to pass therethrough. Very often, however, the users will find that it is very difficult for them to reach the door of the vehicle through the main door opening because when a vehicle has parked within the canopy, there may have very little space left for the users. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor canopy for a vehicle which comprises a ventilation arrangement which is capable of providing effective ventilation within the canopy, and is easy to install for convenient outdoor use. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor canopy comprising a ventilation arrangement which is capable of selectively providing effective ventilation while ensuring that the users&#39; privacy is not thereby compromised. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor canopy which comprises a plurality of adjustable supporting legs for optimally standing on an uneven ground surface. In other words, the present invention is optimal for use in outdoor environment where the ground on which the outdoor canopy stands is usually uneven. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor canopy which mainly utilizes detachable connection between a canopy frame and the canopy fabric so as to minimize the time of assembling and disassembling of the present invention. Since the mechanical components of the outdoor canopy cam be easily attached and detached, the outdoor canopy can therefore be easily transported and carried. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor canopy which does not involve complicated or expensive mechanical components so as to minimize the manufacturing of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an outdoor canopy, comprising: 
     a canopy frame which comprises a roof frame and a legs frame downwardly extended from the roof frame to form a canopy area within the roof frame and the legs frame, wherein the legs frame comprises a plurality of length-adjustable supporting legs spacedly and downwardly extended from the roof frame to self-adjust a height of the roof frame with respect to an uneven ground surface; 
     a canopy shelter, which is made of waterproof fabric, detachably fastening at the canopy frame to define a ceiling wall, a front wall, a rear wall and two sidewalls for enclosing the canopy area therewithin, wherein the canopy shelter has a front entrance formed at the front wall for communicating with the canopy, and 
     a ventilation arrangement comprising at least a side window for enhance an air ventilation of the canopy shelter, wherein the side window comprises a window screen formed at one of the sidewalls of the canopy fabric for allowing air circulation within the canopy area and a window blind overlappingly mounted on the respective sidewall in a foldable manner to selectively enclose the window screen, such that window blind is folded to enclose the window screen for preventing dust and rain entering into the canopy area and is folded to expose the window screen for allowing air circulating within the canopy area. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a canopy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a front side of the canopy. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the skylight on the ceiling of the canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the joints between base frame and panel with a door. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the joints on the base frame. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the joints of the base frame 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an outdoor canopy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the ventilating skylight of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  are schematic diagrams of the detachable connector of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of the detachable fastening arrangements according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of a supporting leg according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of a side entrance of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view of the side window retention arrangement according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a first alternative mode of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B  are schematic diagrams of the ventilating arrangement according to the first alternative mode of the outdoor canopy. 
         FIG. 17  is a second alternative mode of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a second alternative mode of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that an alternative mode of the side entrance arrangement. 
         FIG. 19  is a third alternative mode of the outdoor canopy according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a canopy, such as an outdoor canopy, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the canopy comprises a first fabric panel  1  and a second fabric panel  1 , a top canopy  2 , a roof frame  3 , a side wall  4 , a horizontal bar  5 , a legs frame  6 , a side fabric panel  7 , and a mounted plate  8 . 
     A first fabric panel  1  means the front side fabric panel of the canopy, and a second fabric panel  1  means the back side fabric panel of the canopy. 
     A roof frame  3  provided on top of the legs frame, wherein the roof frame  3  comprises a horizontal bar  305  and a plurality of inclined bars  302  spacedly, inclinedly and downwardly extended from the horizontal bar to connect with the legs frame  6 . 
     A legs frame  6  which comprises a plurality of adjustable supporting legs  61  spacedly and upwardly extended from a ground surface to define a canopy area within the supporting legs  61 , wherein a height of each of the supporting legs  61  is optimally adjustable for allowing the legs frame to securely rest on an uneven ground surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, a roof frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the roof frame comprises a three-way connector  301 , a incline bar  302 , a three-way connector  303 , a four-way post connector  304 , a horizontal bar  305 , a four-way a post connector  306 , and a three-way connector  307 . When fabricating the frame, a user is required to put the incline bar  302 , the horizontal bar  305  into the three-way connector or the four-way connector correspondingly. Similarly, a horizontal bar  5  and a base frame  6  is also put into the three-way connector or the four-way connectors correspondingly to form the frame as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     A canopy fabric structure comprises a top canopy  2  supported by the roof frame  3  to shade an area thereunder, and a leg fabric supported by the legs frame to surround the canopy area within the supporting legs  61 , wherein the leg fabric has a front fabric panel, a back fabric panel, and two side fabric panels supported by the legs frame for encircling thereof so as to normally conceal the canopy area within the legs frame. 
     A ventilation arrangement is provided on the canopy fabric structure for allowing ventilation in the canopy area, wherein the ventilation arrangement comprises at least a ventilating skylight formed on the canopy fabric structure in such a manner that the ventilating skylight is arranged to selectively allow air passing therethough for effectively ventilating the canopy area via the ventilating skylight  9 . 
     A front fabric panel  1 , a back fabric panel  1 , a top canopy  2 , and a long side panel with door  7  can combine together through sewing, zipper, or Velcro to interlink and incorporate with the frame. 
     A top canopy  2  comprises the ceiling skylight, which is easy for people to assembling and disassembling comprises a supporting members  901 , a canvas fabric  902 , and a sheer curtain  903  as shown in  FIG. 3  for making the indoor area quite airy. 
     The opening of the top canopy  2  is sewed by the sheer curtain  903  for airy the indoor area, preventing mosquito form going into the canvas, and increasing the intensity of the canvas. The supporting members  901  are used for adapting the size of the window. 
     The mounted plate  8  mounted under the base frame, and there is a gauge hole. There are a screw bolt  10 , and a screw nut  11 , which can pass through three oval position holes  601 , 602 ,  603  on the base frame  6  respectively wherein the four base points could be adjusted for different ground levels. 
     A side fabric panel  7  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which a side fabric panel  7  comprises a side door  4  and a window  14  which is sewed on the side fabric panel  7 . 
     The PVC fabric  12  or a sheer curtain  13  is stitched on the side fabric panel with the window  7 , and the window  14  which could be rolled up is outside the PVC fabric  12  or a sheer curtain  13 . 
     You can fold the fabric to the right and velcro it, fold the fabric towards the top and velcro to attach, or roll the fabric to the side. 
     The side door  4  which could be rolled up is mounted on the side fabric panel  7  by zipper. In the same way, the door  15  is mounted on the front and back panel  1  by zipper, too. 
     To describe the present invention in a more specific manner, referring to  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, an outdoor canopy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the outdoor canopy comprises a canopy frame  10 , a canopy shelter  20 , and a ventilation arrangement  30 . 
     The canopy frame  10  comprises the roof frame  3  and a legs frame  6  downwardly extended from the roof frame  3  to form a canopy area within the roof frame  3  and the legs frame  6 , wherein the legs frame  6  comprises a plurality of length-adjustable supporting legs  61  spacedly and downwardly extended from the roof frame  3  to self-adjust a height of the roof frame  3  with respect to an uneven ground surface. 
     The canopy shelter  20 , which is made of waterproof fabric, detachably fastening at the canopy frame  10  to define a ceiling wall  21 , a front wall  22 , a rear wall  23  and two sidewalls  24  for enclosing the canopy area therewithin, wherein the canopy shelter  20  has a front entrance  25  formed at the front wall  22  for communicating with the canopy. 
     The ventilation arrangement  30  comprises at least a side window  14  for enhancing an air ventilation of the canopy shelter  20 , wherein the side window  14  comprises a window screen  141  formed at one of the sidewalls  24  of the canopy shelter  20  for allowing air circulation within the canopy area, and a window blind  142  overlappingly mounted on the respective sidewall  24  in a foldable manner to selectively enclose the window screen  141 , such that window blind  142  is folded to enclose the window screen  141  for preventing dust and rain entering into the canopy area and is folded to expose the window screen  141  for allowing air circulating within the canopy area. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roof frame  3  comprises a roof supporting member  301  such as the above-mentioned horizontal bar, a roof reinforcing frame  303 , and a plurality of shelter supporting members  302 , such as the above mentioned inclined bars, downwardly and spacedly extended from the roof supporting member  301  to connect with the roof reinforcing frame  303  to form the canopy area within the roof frame  3  and the legs frame  6 . Accordingly, the roof reinforcing frame  303  comprises a plurality of reinforcing members  3031  each of which is suspendedly mounted with two adjacent reinforcing members  3031  in an end-to-end manner for forming a roof boundary of the roof frame  3 , wherein legs frame  6  is extended underneath the roof boundary for standing on a ground surface, possibly on an uneven ground surface. 
     Referring to  8  and  FIG. 10A  of the drawings, the roof frame  3  further comprises a plurality of connectors  304  connecting each reinforcing members  3031  with the corresponding adjacent reinforcing members  3031 , the legs frame  6 , and/or with the corresponding shelter supporting member  302 . More specifically, each of the connectors  304  has a tubular cross section, and has a main connector portion  3041  and a plurality of mounting portions  3042  extended from the main connector portion  3041  for connecting with the corresponding reinforcing members  3031  and/or the shelter supporting member  302 . Accordingly, each of the connectors  304  may be embodied as the above-mentioned three-way connector or the four-way connector, in which an upper portion of each of the self-adjustable supporting legs  61  is arranged to be mounted at the corresponding connector  304  for erecting the roof frame  3  above the legs frame  6 , and standing on an uneven ground. 
     The canopy shelter  20  comprises a roof shelter  26  attached on the roof frame  3  for substantially shading the canopy area from the top of the outdoor canopy to define the ceiling wall  21  of the canopy shelter  20 , and a body shelter  27  encirclingly attached around the legs frame  3  to define the front wall  22 , the rear wall  23 , and the two sidewalls  24  as a front panel, a rear panel, and two side panels of the body shelter  27 , wherein the front entrance  25  is formed on the front wall  22  for allowing a desire object, such as a vehicle, passing through the front entrance  25 . As mentioned earlier, both the roof shelter  26  and the body shelter  27  are made of waterproof materials for ensuring substantial protection of the canopy area from adverse weather conditions. 
     The ventilation arrangement  30  preferably comprises four side windows  14  formed at the two sidewalls  24  of the canopy shelter  20  for allowing air circulating between the canopy area and an exterior thereof. Accordingly, each of the side windows  14  further contains a window opening  143  formed on a predetermined position of the sidewalls  24  of the canopy shelter  20 , wherein the window screen  141  is mounted at the corresponding window opening  143  for blocking unwanted objects, such as dirt and insects, from entering into the canopy area through the corresponding side window  14 . 
     The ventilation arrangement  30  further comprises a plurality of ventilating skylights  31  formed at the ceiling wall  21  of the canopy fabric  20  for allowing air circulating within the canopy area, wherein each of the ventilating skylights  31  has a skylight opening  311  for forming a roof window at the ceiling wall  21 , and comprises a fabric made skylight panel  312  extended from the ceiling wall  21  to foldably cover at the roof window such that when the skylight panel  312  is upwardly lifted to expose the roof window, the skylight panel  312  is adapted for allowing the air ventilating from the canopy area through the roof window and for preventing dust and rain from entering into the canopy area. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  of the drawings, according the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roof shelter  26  comprises a first and a second roof fabric panel  261 ,  262  attached on the roof frame  3 , wherein the first roof fabric panel  261  is attached on the roof supporting member  301  and downwardly extended therefrom to partially and overlappedly cover the second roof fabric panel  262  as forming the skylight panel  312 , wherein the second roof fabric panel  262  is detachably attached on the shelter supporting members  302  of the roof frame  3 . Thus, it is worth mentioning that for each of the ventilating skylight  31 , the skylight opening  311  is formed as the opening between the first and the second roof fabric panel  261 ,  262  for communicating the canopy area with an exterior thereof. 
     Moreover, each of the ventilating skylights  31  further comprises a skylight screen  313  provided at the skylight opening  311  on the roof shelter  26  for normally allowing air passing through the skylight opening  311  while blocking unwanted objects, such as dirt or insects, from entering into the canopy area through the skylight opening  311 . It is worth mentioning that each of the skylight screens  313  is preferably embodied as a mesh having a plurality of elongated fabric elements extended at the corresponding skylight opening  311  in a cross manner for forming a net structure of the skylight screen  313 . 
     In order to ensure that the ventilating skylights  31  have sound ventilation effect, each of the ventilating skylights  31  further comprises an elongated retention member  314  flexibly attached on the second roof fabric panel  262  and arranged to detachably attached on the first roof fabric panel  261 , preferably via a Velcro, for preventing the first roof fabric panel  261  from overlapping on the second roof fabric panel  262  so as to prevent the skylight opening  311  from being blocked by the first and the second roof fabric panel  261 ,  262 . In other words, the retention member  314  is arranged to ensure adequate exposure of the canopy area to an exterior of the outdoor canopy so as to ensure effective ventilation of the canopy area (i.e. prevent the ventilating skylights  31  from collapsing). 
     In order to mount the canopy shelter  20  onto the canopy frame  10 , the outdoor canopy of the present invention further comprises a plurality of detachable fastening arrangements  40  detachably connecting the canopy shelter  20  with the canopy frame  10  so as to detachably mount the canopy shelter  20  onto the canopy frame  10  and thereby facilitate easy assembling and disassembling of the present invention. More specifically, referring to  FIG. 11  of the drawings, each of the detachable fastening arrangements  40  comprises a resilient fastening member  41  integrally formed as an endless fastening loop, and a locking member  42  operatively mounted on the resilient fastening member  41  in such a manner that when the fastening member  41  has fastened the canopy shelter  20  to the canopy frame  10 , the locking member  42  is utilized to ensure secure fastening of the resilient fastening member  41 . Thus, the canopy shelter  20  further has a plurality of fastening holes  28  formed on the roof shelter  26  and/or the body shelter  27  wherein the corresponding detachable fastening arrangement  40  is adapted to pass through the fastening hole  28  and to fasten on the canopy frame  10  so as to detachably attach the canopy shelter  20  to the canopy frame  10 . 
     In order to further enhance the security of which the roof shelter  26  is fastened onto the canopy frame  10 , referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 12  of the drawings, the detachable fastening arrangement  40  further comprises a plurality of elongated adjustable fasteners  43 , each having a fastening hook  431  formed at a bottom edge portion of the respective elongated adjustable fasteners  43 , extended from four corner portions of the second roof fabric panel  262  of the roof shelter  26  for adjustably coupling with the corresponding supporting legs  61  of the canopy frame  10  so as to further enhance a security to which the roof shelter  26  is detachably fastened onto the canopy frame  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  of the drawings, the canopy frame  10  of the outdoor canopy further comprises a resilient mounting arrangement  16  provided thereon for detachably mounting the reinforcing members  3031  of the roof reinforcing frame  303  with the connectors  304  (i.e. the three-way connectors or the four-way connectors). The resilient mounting arrangement  16  comprises a plurality of detachable mounting devices  161  provided on the canopy frame  10 , wherein each of the detachable mounting devices  161  comprises a plurality of mounting holes  162  formed on the reinforcing members  3031  and the mounting portions  3042  of the connectors  304 , a resilient element  163  received in the corresponding reinforcing member  3031  for aligning with the corresponding mounting holes  162 , and an actuator  164  mounted at the corresponding mounting hole  162  to operatively connect with the corresponding resilient element  163 . It is worth mentioning that each of the resilient elements  163  has a first resilient portion  1631  and a second resilient portions  1632  integrally extended from the first resilient portion  1631  at a predetermined inclination to form a substantially resilient V-shape cross section of the resilient element  163  for normally exerting an outward pushing force towards the sidewall of the respective reinforcing member  3031 . The resilient element  163  further has a locker end  1633  transversely extended from the second resilient portion  1632  to pass through the corresponding mounting hole  162  formed on the respective reinforcing member  3031 , wherein the actuator  164  is connected with the locker end  1633  at the mounting hole  161 , in such a manner that the actuator  164  is normally protruded out of the reinforcing member  3031 , and is adapted to be pushed back into the reinforcing member  3031  from an exterior thereof. 
     The operation of the resilient mounting arrangement  16  is as follows: the detachable mounting device  161  is first mounted within a reinforcing member  3031  with the actuator  164  protruding from the corresponding mounting hole  161 . Suppose that this reinforcing member  3031  is to be detachably connected with one of the mounting portions  3042  of one of the connectors  304 . It is essential that a diameter of the mounting portion  3042  is slightly larger than a diameter of that corresponding reinforcing member  3031 . When the actuator  164  is pressed into the reinforcing member  3031 , a corresponding end portion of the reinforcing member  3031  is adapted to be inserted into the mounting portion  3042  of the connector  304 . When the corresponding mounting holes  162  of the connector  304  and the reinforcing member  3031  coincide, the actuator  164  will be pressed outwardly by the resilient element  163  to pass through the two mounting holes  162  and constitute as a blockage for locking up a further longitudinal movement of the reinforcing member  3031 . When it is desired that the reinforcing member  3031  to be detached from the connector  304 , the user needs only to inwardly press the actuator  164  so as to clear the blockage thereof. Ultimately, the reinforcing member  3031  is free to be detached from the connector  304  by sliding out therefrom. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12  of the drawings, each of the supporting legs  61  comprises a main leg body  611  and a leg supporting base  612  mounted underneath a bottom portion of the corresponding main leg body  611  for adjusting a height of the supporting leg  61  with respective to a ground surface, especially an uneven ground surface. Specifically, each of the supporting legs  61  has a plurality of adjustment holes  613  spacedly formed on the main leg body  611  and the leg supporting base  612 , wherein leg supporting base  612  is mounted to the main leg body  611  at predetermined adjustment holes  613  so as to adjust an overall height of the respective supporting leg  61 . As a result, the height of the supporting legs  61  is adjustable for securely standing on an uneven ground surface. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the fastening hooks  431  is adapted to couple with the corresponding adjustment hole  613  of the leg frame  6  for further tightening up the roof shelter  26  to the canopy frame  10  in a tension manner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 13  of the drawings, the outdoor canopy further comprises a side entrance arrangement  50  formed on at least one of the sidewalls  24  of the canopy shelter  20  for a user to pass gain entry to and exit the canopy area through the side entrance arrangement  50 . According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side entrance arrangement  50  contains a side entrance opening  51  formed on one of the sidewalls  24  of the canopy shelter  20 , and comprise two entrance fabric panels  52  operatively mounted on the corresponding sidewalls  24  of the canopy shelter  20  in such a manner that the side entrance arrangement  50  is adapted to operate between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position, the entrance fabric panels  52  are folded and securely held in the vicinity of the side entrance opening  51  for exposing the canopy area to an exterior thereof, wherein in the closed position, the entrance fabric panels  52  are released to cover the side entrance opening  51  so as to form the above mentioned side door  4  of the canopy shelter  20 . It is worth mentioning that with the help of the side entrance arrangement  50 , a user is able to exit the canopy area through the side entrance opening  51 . Thus when the user has park his or her vehicle in the canopy area, he or she is able to leave the outdoor canopy directly through the side entrance opening  51  without going to the front entrance  25 . 
     In other words, the side entrance arrangement  50  is for a driver accessing the canopy area without having to pass through the front entrance  25 , wherein the side entrance arrangement  50  contains a first side entrance opening  51  formed on the first sidewall of the canopy shelter  20  for aligning with a vehicle door of the vehicle, and comprises at least a fabric made first side door as one of the entrance fabric panels  52  foldably mounted on the first sidewall  24  to selectively enclose the first side entrance opening  51  such that the side entrance arrangement  50  is adapted to fold between the opened position and the closed position, wherein at the opened position, the first side door is folded to expose the first side entrance opening  51  for the driver accessing the canopy area, and at the closed position, the first side door covers the first side entrance opening  51  to form a side entrance of the canopy shelter. 
     Moreover, where the canopy is adapted to shelter two vehicles, the side entrance arrangement  50  further contains a second side entrance opening  51  formed on the second sidewall  24  of the canopy shelter  20  for aligning with another vehicle door of the vehicle, and comprises at least a fabric made second side door as another of the entrance fabric panels  52  foldably mounted on the second sidewall  24  to selectively enclose the second side entrance opening  51  such that when the second side door  54  is folded to exposed the second side entrance opening  51 , the second side entrance opening  51  forms another side entrance for a passenger accessing the canopy area without having to pass through the front entrance  25 . 
     Accordingly, the side entrance arrangement  50  further comprises two fabric retention arrangements  53  provided in the vicinity of the side entrance openings  51  respectively for retaining the respective entrance fabric panels  52  at either the opened position or the closed position. More specifically, each of the fabric retention arrangements  53  comprises a hook fastener  531  and a plurality of loop fasteners  532  attached on a top side edge of the side entrance opening  51 , and the corresponding side edges of each of the entrance fabric panels  52  respectively, wherein when the entrance fabric panels  52  are at the closed position, the loop fastener  532  formed on an outer top side edge of each of the entrance fabric panels  52  is attached on the hook fastener  531  while the entrance fabric panels  52  are unfolded to block the side entrance opening  51  so as to close it. When the entrance fabric panels  52  are at the opened position, the entrance fabric panels  52  are sidewardly folded in such a manner that the loop fasteners  532  formed on an inner top side edge of each of the entrance fabric panels  52  is attached on the hook fastener  531  so as to retain the entrance fabric panels  52  at the opened position for exposing the canopy area to an exterior thereof. Thus, the user of the present invention is able to exit the canopy area through the opened side entrance opening  51 . 
     In order to further conceal the canopy area when the entrance fabric panels  52  are at the closed position, the fabric retention arrangement  53  further comprises two side entrance zippers  534  having a first and a second zipper elements  5341 ,  5342  attached on two inner side edges of the corresponding entrance fabric panels  52  respectively in such a manner that when the entrance fabric panels  52  are at the closed position, the first and the second zipper elements  5341 ,  5342  are adapted to be detachably zipped together for closing the side entrance opening  51 . 
     In other words, each of the side entrance zippers  534  is transversely formed at each of the first and second side doors to define two door panels at each of the first and second side doors  54  as the entrance fabric panels  52  respectively, wherein each of the side entrance zippers  534  has the first and second zipper elements  5341 ,  5342  which are attached to two inner side edges of the two door panels respectively and are detachably fastened with each other to enclose the respective first and second side entrance openings  51 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14  of the drawings, the ventilation arrangement  30  further comprises a side window retention arrangement  32  formed at the side window  14  for retaining the window blind  142  as folded to expose the window screen  141  and the canopy area to an exterior thereof. Thus, the side window retention arrangement  32  comprises a plurality of hook fasteners  321  formed at least one (preferably all) of the four inner and outer side edges of the window screen  141 , and a plurality of loop fasteners  322  formed the corresponding inner side edges of the window blind  142  and the outer side edges of the window blind  142 , wherein the hook fasteners  321  are arranged to normally detachably attached with the corresponding loop fasteners  322  so as to close the side window  14 , and in such a manner that when the window blind  142  is folded to expose the window screen  141 , the window blind  142  is arranged to be sidewardly or upwardly flipped along the hook fastener  321  formed at the top side edge of the window screen  141  so as to open the side window  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15  of the drawings, a first alternative mode of the outdoor canopy according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The first alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment, except the ventilation arrangement  30 ′ and the side entrance arrangement  50 ′. According to the first alternative mode, the window blind  142 ′ of each of the side windows  14 ′ comprises two blind members  1421 ′,  1422 ′, wherein the loop fasteners  322 ′ are attached on the side edges of the blind members  1421 ′,  1422 ′ respectively in such a manner that when the window blind  142 ′ is folded to expose the window screen  141 ′, each of the blind members  1421 ′,  1422 ′ is arranged to be sidewardly rolled along the hook fastener  321 ′ formed at the top side edge of the window screen  141 ′. Thus, the window tightening members  323 ′ are adapted for tightening up the blind members  1421 ′  1422 ′ when they have been sidewardly rolled to expose the window screen  141 ′. A zipper may be provided between the inner side edges of each of the blind members  1421 ′,  1422 ′ so that when the window blind  142 ′ is closed to cover the window screen  141 ′, the zipper may connect the two blind members  1421 ′,  1422 ′ for completely covering the window screen  141 ′. 
     Moreover, referring to  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B  of the drawings, each of the retention member  314 ′ of the of the ventilating skylights  31 ′ is embodied as a retention wire which is bent to form a semi-circular cross section, wherein the retention member  314 ′ is provided onto the second roof fabric panel  262 ′ at the inner side edge of the corresponding skylight opening  311 ′ for selectively opening the corresponding ventilating skylight  31 ′. More specifically, each of the retention members  314 ′ has two pivot end portions  3141 ′ and a central curved portion extending between the two pivot end portions  3141 ′, wherein the two pivot end portions  3141 ′ are pivotally connected with the shelter supporting member  302 ′ in such a manner that when the retention member  314 ′ is driven to rotate, the central curved portion thereof is arranged to move the first roof fabric panel  261 ′ away from the second roof fabric panel  262 ′ so as to open the corresponding ventilating skylight  31 ′ for ventilation. 
     Each of the ventilating skylights  31 ′ further comprises a skylight controller  315 ′ attached to the retention member  314 ′ for controlling an operation thereof so as to selectively open and close the corresponding ventilating skylight  31 ′. More specifically, the skylight controller  315 ′ comprises a pivot supporter  3152 ′ mounted at the roof shelter  26 , and an actuating wire  3153 ′, wherein the actuating wire  3153 ′ has a pivot guiding portion  3154 ′ slidably engage with the pivot supporter  3152 ′, a skylight opening portion  3155 ′ downwardly extended from an inner end of the pivot guiding portion  3152 ′ within the canopy area, and a skylight closing portion  3156 ′ extended from an outer end of the pivot guiding portion  3154 ′ to an outside of the canopy shelter  20 ′, in such a manner that when the skylight opening portion  3155 ′ is pulled by a user of the present invention, the retention member  314 ′ is outwardly and pivotally moved to drive the first roof fabric panel  261 ′ moving away from the second roof fabric panel  262 ′ so as to open the ventilating skylight  31 ′, and when the skylight closing portion  3156 ′ is pulled by the user from within the canopy area, the retention member  314 ′ is pivotally and inwardly move to allow overlapping of the second roof fabric panel  262 ′ by the first roof fabric panel  261 ′ so as to close the ventilating skylight  31 ′. Thus, a user is able to conveniently open and close the ventilating skylight  31 ′ according to the circumstances in which the outdoor canopy of the present invention is utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17  to  FIG. 18  of the drawings, a second alternative mode of the outdoor canopy according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The second alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the ventilating arrangement  30 ″ and the side entrance arrangement  50 ″. According to the second alternative mode, each of the side window has a plurality of zippers  144 ″ spacedly provided on the window blind  142 ″ to form a main blind portion  1421 ′ of the window blind  142 ″, wherein when the zippers  144 ″ are both opened, the main blind portion  1421 ″ of the window blind  142 ″ is arranged to be rolled up for exposing the window screen  141 ″ to an exterior of the canopy area. Conversely, the zippers  144 ″ are closed, the main blind portion  1421 ″ is allowed to be released for substantially shading the window screen  141 ″ so as to close side window  14 ″. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18  of the drawings, the side entrance arrangement  50 ″ contains an entrance opening  51 ″, an entrance fabric panels  52 ″, and a fabric retention arrangement  53 ″. The fabric retention arrangement  53 ″ comprises a plurality of side entrance zipper  533 ″ formed on two side edge portions of the entrance fabric panels  52 ″ to form a main fabric portion  521 ″ of the entrance fabric panels  52 ″, wherein when the side entrance zippers  533 ″ are both opened, the main fabric portion  521 ″ is arranged to be rolled up for exposing the side entrance  51 ″ to an exterior of the canopy area. Conversely, when the side entrance zippers  533 ″ are closed, the main fabric portion  521 ″ is allowed to be released for substantially shading the side entrance  51 ″ so as to block access to the canopy area via the side entrance  51 ″. 
     It is worth mentioning that the fabric retention arrangement  53 ″ further comprises a plurality of string fasteners  534 ″ fastening the entrance fabric panels  52 ″ when the main fabric portion  521 ″ is rolled up for exposing canopy area. Thus, the main fabric portion  521 ″ is accordingly retained at the upper portion of the side entrance  51 ″. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a third alternative mode of the outdoor canopy according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The third alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the side entrance arrangement  50 A. According to the third alternative mode, the side entrance arrangement  50 A is also formed on at least one of the sidewalls  24 A of the canopy shelter  20 A for a user to pass gain entry to and exit the canopy area through the side entrance arrangement  50 A. The side entrance arrangement  50 A contains a side entrance opening  51 A formed on one of the sidewalls  24 A of the canopy shelter  20 A, and comprise two entrance fabric panels  52 A operatively mounted on the corresponding sidewalls  24 A of the canopy shelter  20 A in such a manner that the side entrance arrangement  50 A is adapted to operate between an opened position and a closed position, wherein in the opened position, the entrance fabric panels  52 A are rolled and securely held in the vicinity of the side entrance opening  51 A for exposing the canopy area to an exterior thereof, wherein in the closed position, the entrance fabric panels  52 A are released to cover the side entrance opening  51 A so as to form the above mentioned side door  4  of the canopy shelter  20 A. 
     Moreover, the side entrance arrangement  50 A further comprises two fabric retention arrangements  53 A provided in the vicinity of the side entrance openings  51  respectively for retaining the respective entrance fabric panels  52 A at either the opened position or the closed position. More specifically, each of the fabric retention arrangements  53 A comprises a hook fastener  531 A and a plurality of loop fasteners  532 A attached on a top side edge of the side entrance opening  51 A, and the corresponding side edges of each of the entrance fabric panels  52 A respectively, wherein when the entrance fabric panels  52 A are at the closed position, the loop fastener  532 A formed on an outer top side edge of each of the entrance fabric panels  52 A is attached on the hook fastener  531 A while the entrance fabric panels  52 A are unfolded to block the side entrance opening  51 A so as to close it. When the entrance fabric panels  52 A are at the opened position, the entrance fabric panels  52 A are sidewardly rolled in such a manner that the loop fasteners  532 A formed on an inner top side edge of each of the entrance fabric panels  52 A is attached on the hook fastener  531 A so as to retain the entrance fabric panels  52 A at the opened position for exposing the canopy area to an exterior thereof. Thus, the user of the present invention is able to exit the canopy area through the opened side entrance opening  51 A. 
     In order to further conceal the canopy area when the entrance fabric panels  52 A are at the closed position, the fabric retention arrangement  53 A still comprises the side entrance zippers  534  having a first and a second zipper elements  5341 ,  5342  attached on two inner side edges of the corresponding entrance fabric panels  52 A respectively in such a manner that when the entrance fabric panels  52 A are at the closed position, the first and the second zipper elements  5341 ,  5342  are adapted to be detachably zipped together for closing the side entrance opening  51 A. 
     The fabric retention arrangement  53 A can further comprises a plurality of string fasteners  534 A fastening the entrance fabric panels  52 A″ when it is rolled up for exposing canopy area. 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.