Patent Publication Number: US-6910492-B1

Title: ATV supported shelter

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a portable shelter which is movably mounted on a support surface and, more particularly, pertains to a collapsible and expandable shelter pivotally mounted to a support surface of an all terrain vehicle, truck or the like. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   All terrain vehicles (ATVs) have become increasingly popular in recent years as recreational vehicles, and are now also being recognized as utility vehicles. These ATVs are able to traverse all terrains including roadways, countryside hills and even mountain pathways. All terrain vehicles generally include two front and rear wheels with transmission and drive components connected to a centrally mounted motor to at least drive the rear wheels, and in some cases, all four wheels. A body shell covers a subframe of the vehicle and has a seat area straddling the motor. The body shell spreads laterally to define front and rear fenders at least partially covering the front and rear wheels. Typically, front and rear equipment carrying racks are disposed over front and rear portions of the body shell. 
   Sportsmen have quickly become aware of the utility of such ATVs to access woods, various bodies of water and other off road areas. Hunters, for example, use the ATV to travel into remote and roadless areas to increase the likelihood of locating game. Fishermen rely on the ATV to reach a desired site on a lake or stream, and often find it useful in ice fishing to pull an ice fishing shanty onto a frozen body of water. 
   Attempts have been made to equip ATVs with various removable enclosures. Examples of this are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,622 issued Dec. 29, 1992 to Gutta and U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,844 issued Mar. 29, 1994 to Haustein. The &#39;844 patent discloses a rigid cab structure and folding hunting stand covered by a camouflaged material. 
   It is also known that ATV users and other sportsmen like to use a portable shelter in connection with their gaming activities. Such a shelter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,615 issued Jul. 6, 1999 to Matthew A. Stuck, Sr. 
   The known prior art patents do not disclose a portable, collapsible and expandable shelter which is swingably connected to a support surface, for example, of the ATV such that, when expanded, the shelter lies fully erected adjacent the support surface. The known prior art patents also do not teach a mounting structure for movably connecting a portable foldable shelter to a support surface. The known prior art patents further do not disclose an ATV mounted portable shelter including a cover for enclosing the ATV when the shelter is fully erected adjacent the ATV. 
   Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a portable, foldable shelter movably adaptable to a variety of support surfaces, such as on an ATV, having the aforedescribed features absent from the known prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a general object of the present invention to provide a portable shelter which may be quickly pivoted from a mounting arrangement into an erect position next to an ATV or truck. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a support mounted portable shelter useful as a hunting blind or fishing shelter. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable shelter having a collapsible framework assembly which is slidably mounted upon a support surface so that the framework assembly may be pivoted from a storage position to an operating position. 
   In one aspect of the invention, a portable shelter includes a support surface, and a tubular framework assembly having a fabric covering attached thereto. The tubular framework assembly is pivotally connected to the support surface between a collapsed, storage position and an extended, erect position adjacent the support surface. The tubular framework assembly is pivotally connected to the support surface by a mounting structure comprised of at least one mounting plate attached to the support surface, and an attachment bracket slidably mounted on the mounting plate. The tubular framework assembly includes a series of C-or U-shaped, telescopic tubes having right hand sides and left hand sides spaced from each other. The tubes on each side have ends pivotally mounted on bolts between a pair of circular mounting plates. The attachment bracket includes a pair of upstanding bars lying on the outside surfaces of the connecting plates, a flat portion overlying a top surface of the mounting plate and a pair of curled ends which wrap around outside edges of the mounting plate. One of the bolts is passed through the upstanding bars, the connecting plates and the end of one of the tubes to allow pivoting of the connecting plates and tubes relative to the attachment bracket. The attachment bracket is held on the mounting plate by means of a removable retainer pin. In its collapsed storage position, the tubular framework is carried in a zippered travel pouch. A spacing bracket may be interposed between the mounting plate and the attachment bracket. In the preferred embodiment, the support surface is located on an all terrain vehicle (ATV) or on a truck. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a portable shelter includes at least one mounting plate fixedly secured to a support surface on opposite sides thereof. A wrap around attachment bracket is slidably connected on each of the mounting plates. A tubular framework assembly has a fabric cover attached thereto. The tubular framework assembly is swingably mounted on each attachment bracket between a collapsed, storage position and an extended, erect position adjacent the support surface. The support surface is preferably located on front and rear carrying racks of an all terrain vehicle (ATV). The tubular framework assembly with its fabric covering are storable in a travel pouch carried by the ATV. An optional throw cover for the ATV is further storable in the travel pouch. The tubular framework assembly includes a series of telescopic tubes having ends pivotally mounted on bolts between a pair of circular connecting plates mounted on each mounting plate. Each pair of connecting plates is swingably mounted on one of the bolts about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ATV. A pair of support straps extend between a rear panel of the fabric covering and the front and rear carrying racks. The rear panel of the fabric covering has vertical edges provided with zippers and hook and loop fasteners to enable opening and closing of the rear panel relative to the remainder of the fabric cover. The support surface may also be located on a tailgate of a truck. A support plate is interposed between the tailgate and a mounting plate at opposed ends of the tailgate. 
   Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an all terrain vehicle (ATV) mounted collapsible shelter embodying the present invention with the shelter being shown in a storage position; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the collapsible shelter of  FIG. 1  shown in an erected position supported by the ATV; 
       FIG. 3  is an end view showing the framework assembly of the collapsible shelter in the storage position within a travel pouch; 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing the unfolding of the framework assembly of the collapsible shelter; 
       FIG. 5  is a view like  FIG. 4  showing the framework assembly unfolded to the erect position; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged, fragmentary detail view, partially in cross section, showing an arrangement for removably and pivotally mounting the collapsed framework assembly to a carrying rack of the ATV; 
       FIG. 7  is a view like  FIG. 6  showing the collapsed framework assembly rotated 90 degrees upwardly; 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken on line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the separation of the mounting and the collapsed framework assembly relative to the ATV carrying rack; 
       FIG. 10  is a view like  FIG. 6 , but showing the use of a spacer bracket between the mounting for the collapsed framework assembly and the ATV carrying rack; 
       FIG. 11  is a view like  FIG. 10 , but showing the collapsible framework assembly being rotated 90 degrees upwardly; 
       FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of an ATV supported collapsible framework assembly in the erect position; 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged sectional view taken on line  13 — 13  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the collapsible shelter in the erect position showing a back panel of the shelter provided with zipper and hook and loop structure; 
       FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the collapsible shelter in the erect position showing the shelter adapted for hunting and provided with an ATV cover; 
       FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the collapsible shelter in the erect position showing the shelter adapted for ice fishing and provided with an ATV cover; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the collapsible shelter mounted on the tailgate of a truck and unfolded to the erect position; and 
       FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  showing the mounting for the shelter illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an all terrain vehicle (ATV)  10  equipped with a portable, collapsible and expandable shelter  12  (see also  FIG. 2 ) mounted in accordance with the present invention. The ATV  10  shown is of the conventional four-wheeled type and represents either a two-wheel or four-wheel drive version. The ATV  10  includes a pair of front wheels  14  and a pair of rear wheels (one being seen at  16 ) between which are a motor (not shown) and a seat  18 . The body of the ATV  10  flares out from respective front and rear decks to form front and rear fenders  20 ,  22 , respectively, over which are mounted respective front and rear carrying racks  24 ,  26 . A handle bar assembly  28  is located forwardly of the seat  18  and includes the normal steering, throttle, brake and other control means normal to that particular type of vehicle. A headlamp  30  is also typically mounted on the handle bar assembly to illuminate the driving path of the ATV  10  during darkness conditions. Front and rear carrying racks  24 ,  26  respectively, are a normal part of the ATV  10  and provide attachment points for the portable shelter  12 . 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the portable shelter  12  in a collapsed or folded, generally C- or U-shaped storage position encased within a travel pouch  32  having a zipper  34  running along the top side thereof. The positioning of the travel pouch  32  with its portable shelter within still allows the partial use of the carrying racks  24 ,  26  for guns, bows, storage boxes and the like. Although not shown, the travel pouch  32  can be held down on the ATV by bungee cords or the like.  FIG. 2  shows a fully unfolded, extended or erected portable shelter mounted adjacent to and supported by the ATV  10 , with the latter being enclosed by an optional throw cover  36  normally storable in the travel pouch  32 . The shelter is erected to the side of the ATV  10  to keep dangerous gasoline fumes out of the shelter  12 . The optional cover  36  helps to further conceal the smell of the gasoline fumes. In addition, because some ATVs  10  are brightly colored, the cover  36  cloaks the ATV  10  so that when the shelter  12  is used as a hunting blind, game animals will not be scared away by the colored ATV  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the portable shelter  12  encased within its travel pouch includes a collapsible framework assembly  38 . When the travel pouch  32  is unzippered, the collapsible framework assembly  38  is unfolded and pivoted first to an initial position shown in  FIG. 4  and then, without tools or fasteners, moved to a fully erect position shown in  FIG. 5  to the side of the ATV  10 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 6  through  8 , a pair of generally rectangular upper and lower mounting plates  40 ,  41 , respectively, are secured above and below the tubes  42  of both the front and rear carrying racks  24 ,  26  by bolts  44  and nuts  46 . The collapsible framework assembly  38  is generally comprised of a series of five telescopic C- or U-shaped tubes  48   a–e . The framework assembly  38  has one group of right hand ends pivotally mounted on respective bolts  50   a–e  between a pair of parallel connecting plates  52 . The bolts  50   a–e  pass through the pair of connecting plates  52  and are held in place by respective nuts  54 . As seen best in  FIG. 8 , the bolt  50   a  passes through a pair of upstanding bars  55  of an attachment bracket  56 , the connecting plates  52  and the bottom end of tube  48   a . It should be appreciated that the bolt holes in the connecting plates  52  are strategically positioned to allow the framework assembly  38  to unfold properly as will be described below. With this structure, tubular framework assembly  38  is pivotable about the axis of the bolt  50   a  which axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ATV  10 . 
   The attachment bracket  56  is integrally formed with a flat portion  60  having curled around ends  62  ( FIG. 8 ) which are adapted to slide over the top surface and outer edges, respectively, of the upper mounting plate  40  on the front carrying rack  24 . The upper mounting plate  40  is sufficiently spaced from the lower mounting plate  41  so that the attachment bracket  56  can be unobstructedly slidably mounted on the upper mounting plate  40 . The upper mounting plate  40  and the attachment bracket  56  are formed with aligned holes  64  ( FIG. 9 ) to receive a retaining pin  66 . A keeper strap  68  is connected to the top of the retaining pin  66  so that when the retainer pin  66  is dropped through the aligned holes  64 , the attachment bracket  56  is secured relative to the upper mounting plate  40  with the bottom of the strap  68  being connected to the bottom of the retainer pin  66  ( FIG. 8 ). Together, the mounting plate  40  and the attachment bracket  56  define a mounting structure for the shelter  12 . 
   Duplicate mounting structure is supplied for the left hand ends of the telescopic tubes  48   a–e  secured to the upper mounting plate  40  on the rear carrying rack  26 . 
   It should be understood that the attachment brackets  56  are slidably mounted onto the upper mounting plates  40  attached to the front and rear carrying racks  24 ,  26  which serve as support surfaces. Once these connections are made, the front and rear connecting plates  52  may be pivoted about the bolts  50   a  so that the tubular framework assembly  38  is moved from horizontal position ( FIG. 6 ) to a vertical position ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) at which point, contact is made between the connecting plates  52  and the top of the attachment bracket  56  at  69  ( FIG. 7 ). Such contact enables the framework assembly  38  to be self-supporting. The first four tubes  48   b–e  may then be unfolded or pivoted about their bolts  50   b–e  as shown in  FIG. 5  so as to erect the shelter  12  adjacent to the side of the ATV  10 . Alternatively, all tubes  48   a–e  may be pivoted about their bolts  50   a–e  in a counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 4  in order to erect the shelter  12 . The fifth tube  48   a  remains in an upright position when the shelter  12  is erected through the use of support straps to be described below. 
   As seen in  FIG. 12 , each C- or U-shaped tube  48   a–e  in the framework assembly  38  has a right hand section  70 , a left hand section  72  and an intermediate section  74  which is telescopically mounted relative to the right hand and left hand sections  70 ,  72 . The arrows  76  depict the unfolding motion of the tubes  48   a–e  while the arrows  78  represent the telescopic extension of the intermediate section  74  made possible by pushing a button on conventional release collars  80  ( FIG. 5 ) supplied between ends of the intermediate section  74  and ends of the right and left hand section  70 ,  72  once the tubes  48   a–e  have been unfolded into its erect condition. A flexible fabric covering  82 , such as canvas in a camouflage pattern, is attached to the tubes  48   a–e  along the top and sides thereof such as by hook and loop fasteners  84  which are sewn to the fabric covering  82  and attached to sections such as the intermediate sections  74  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 13 . Once the shelter  12  is in the erect position, a pair of stabilizing support straps  86  ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ) extend from the vertical tubes  48   a  and pass through the travel pouch  32  for attachment to the front and rear carrying racks  24 ,  26 . As the covering  82  does not provide a floor for the shelter  12 , the bottom is open for convenience such as for ice fishing. 
   The flexible fabric covering  82  may be designed as desired to include side windows  88  and doors  90  depending on the particular use.  FIG. 15 , for example, shows a hunting blind including gun ports  92  in the side and roof panels  94  of the shelter  12 .  FIG. 16 , for example, shows an ice fishing shelter.  FIG. 14  shows a rear panel  96  of an erected shelter  12  which can be selectively opened and closed by means of zippers  98  along the top extent thereof and by means of hook and loop fasteners  100  along the bottom extent thereof. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  show a mounting structure similar to  FIGS. 6 and 7  except for a C-shaped spacing bracket  102  which may be used for varying carrying rack designs of the ATV  10 . In this version, a bottom horizontal section  104  of the spacing bracket  102  is attached by bolts  106  and nuts  107  to the upper mounting plate  40 . A vertical section  108  of the spacing bracket  102  extends the collapsible framework assembly  38  above the carrying rack  24  or  26 . A top horizontal section  110  of the spacing bracket provides a mounting surface for the attachment bracket  56 . Aligned holes  112  are provided in the attachment bracket  56  and the top horizontal section  110  of the spacing bracket  102  for the reception of retainer pin  66 . The collapsible framework assembly  30  is supported by the spacing bracket  102  and operates identically as described previously with respect to the structure of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
   While the portable shelter  12  has been described as being supported on the ATV  10 , it should be fully appreciated that the shelter  12  may also be mounted on other support surfaces such as from the lowered tailgate  114  of a truck  115 . As seen in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , it is preferable to drill holes through the inside surface of the tailgate  114  on the right and left hand sides thereof. Once the holes have been drilled, a spacer plate  116  formed with openings aligned with the holes in the tailgate  114  is placed upon the tailgate  114  on the right and left hand sides thereof. Then, a base or mounting plate  118  formed with apertures in alignment with the drilled holes in the tailgate  114  and the openings in the spacer plate  116  is positioned to overly the spacer plate  116  on both sides of the tailgate  114 . It is to be noted that the base plate  118  has a length which is longer than the spacer plate  116  so that the attachment bracket  56  may be received and secured on its outer end elevated above the inside surface of the tailgate  114 . 
   In use of the preferred embodiment, the upper and lower mounting plates  40 ,  41  are bolted to the respective front and rear carrying racks  24 ,  26  of the ATV  10  making sure that there is a spacing of approximately 60 inches between the mounting plates  40 ,  41 . Next, the travel pouch  32  zippered closed with the C- or U-shaped collapsible framework assembly  38  and the optional throw cover  36  inside is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1  so that it lies about the periphery of the ATV  10 . As mentioned previously, bungee cords (not shown) can be used to hold the travel pouch  32  down against the ATV  10 . In this position, the bottom portion of the ends of the travel pouch  32  are provided with openings  120  ( FIG. 5 ) so that the attachment bracket  56  can protrude therethrough for connection to the upper mounting plates  40  at the front and rear of the ATV  10 . With the travel pouch  32  in place, the driver may access the ATV  10  from the right side thereof. 
   When it is desired to erect the portable shelter  10 , the travel pouch  32  is unzippered and the tubes of the collapsible framework assembly  38  with its attached cover are quickly pivoted counterclockwise to the erect position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12 . Once in the erect position, the user enters the shelter  12  and the intermediate sections  74  of the tubes  48   a–e  are telescoped outwardly by using the release collars  80 . The user then exits the shelter  12  and attaches the support straps  86  to connection points on the vertical tubes  48   a  and the front and rear carrying racks  24 ,  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the lower ends of the straps  86  pass through the travel pouch  32 . Additionally, the user may access the travel pouch  32  to unveil the optional throw cover  36  over the ATV  10 . 
   It should now be understood that the present invention provides a portable, collapsible shelter  12  which is pivotally mounted to a support surface. In the foregoing description, the support surfaces are embodied on an ATV  10  or truck  115 , but it should be realized that the support surface may take other forms cooperable with the mounting structure set forth above. It should also be understood that, even without the support straps  86 , the framework assembly  38  is self-supporting in that the connecting plates  52 , when rotated about bolt  50   a , contact the top of the attachment bracket  56 . The user may alternatively drill holes through the connecting plates  52  and tube  48   a  and pass a retainer through the aligned holes to self-support the framework assembly  38 . Other means are contemplated to make the assembly  38  self-supporting. It should likewise be appreciated that the portable shelter  12  is quickly erected by one person from the collapsed or folded condition to the erect or extended position. The portable shelter  12  is shown for use as a hunting blind or fishing shelter, but can be used as a utility shelter, camping tent or other portable, collapsible enclosure. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth with the following claims.