Receiver Hitch Mounted Canopy

Abstract

A receiver hitch mounted canopy structure (20). The receiver hitch mounted canopy structure (20) remains attached to a receiver hitch (70) of a vehicle (24) while it is stowed, during an opening process, while it is fully open in a deployed state, and while it is collapsed back to the storage state. The receiver hitch mounted canopy structure (20) includes a mounting structure (22) that extends upward from a rear portion of one side of the vehicle. The receiver hitch mounted canopy structure extends over and centers an area directly behind the vehicle.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/679,857, filed May 11, 2005 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/715,462, filed Sep. 9, 2005, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to canopies, and more particularly to a receiver hitch mounted canopy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Tailgating is a popular activity, usually enjoyed before, during, or after sporting events. In general, tailgating involves a picnic in a parking lot or another place where cars are parked. Tailgaters use grills, smokers, coolers, portable tables, portable chairs, and other accoutrements to make the tailgating experience a comfortable and fun outdoor activity.

[0004] Often, weather may make tailgating difficult or less enjoyable. Many tailgaters carry canopies to avoid rain or intense sun. While these canopies work well for their intended purpose, often they take much space within a vehicle when they are not being used, and the canopies may be difficult to erect. In addition, if a canopy is used during the rain, putting a wet canopy into a vehicle can cause a mess.

[0005] Prior art canopies often needed guy lines and stakes to prevent the canopies from being turned over by the wind. However, the canopies cannot be staked in an asphalt parking lot, so people often carry heavy weights such as concrete blocks to prevent the shelters from blowing away.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] In accordance with an embodiment, a receiver hitch mounted canopy structure is provided. In an embodiment, the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure remains attached to a receiver hitch of a vehicle while it is stowed in a storage state, during an opening process, while it is fully open in a deployed state, and while it is collapsed back to the storage state.

[0008] In accordance with an embodiment, the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure includes a support structure that extends upward from a rear portion of one side of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the canopy for the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure extends over and centers an area directly behind the vehicle. Having the supporting structure extend upward from one side permits a tailgate, trunk, or rear door for the vehicle to be accessible and opened while the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure is in the deployed state. In addition, having the supporting structure extend upward from one side permits tailgaters to picnic directly behind the vehicle to which the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure is attached with limited interference from the supporting structure.

[0009] In an alternate embodiment, the supporting structure extends upward from one side, but the canopy is rotatable to different positions behind the vehicle.

[0010] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a receiver hitch mounted canopy structure in accordance with an embodiment, with a canopy extended;

[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure;

[0013] FIG. 3 is side view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure with the canopy in a storage position and stored within a storage sack;

[0014] FIG. 4 is side view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure with the canopy in a storage position and the storage sack removed;

[0015] FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views showing steps of erecting the canopy;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure of FIG. 1, with the canopy removed for detail;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure, similar to FIG. 9, but with the structure further extended;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view showing another step for erecting the canopy;

[0019] FIGS. 10 and 11 are side views showing further steps of erecting the canopy;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a side view showing still a further step for erecting the canopy;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a receiver hitch mounted canopy structure;

[0022] FIG. 14 is an exploded, side perspective view of a guide structure for the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure of FIG. 13;

[0023] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the guide structure of FIG. 14, with the guide structure assembled;

[0024] FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure of FIG. 13, showing the structure moved more toward extension of the canopy;

[0025] FIG. 17 is a side view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure of FIG. 13, showing a lifting structure for the canopy; and

[0026] FIG. 18 is a side view of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure of FIG. 13, showing the canopy fully extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 in accordance with an embodiment. Briefly described, the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 includes a mounting structure 22 that attaches to a vehicle 24 and supports a canopy 26. The mounting structure 22 is reconfigurable so that the mounting structure may remain attached to the vehicle 24 while the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 moves from a deployed state shown in FIG. 1 to a storage state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0029] The mounting structure 22 includes a column 30 attached at a pivot pin 32 to a horizontal extension 34. The horizontal extension 34 is attached at a right angle to a receiver post 36 (FIG. 2). As can be seen by the arrow A in FIG. 4, the column 30 may be rotated about the pivot pin 32 so that the column 30 may extend in a vertical position in the deployed state of FIG. 1 or in a horizontal position in the storage state of FIG. 3. In the vertical position, a locking pin 38 may be extended through a right angle extension 39 of the column 30 to lock the column 30 in place.

[0030] An alternate embodiment of a mounting structure 122 is shown in FIG. 13. The mounting structure 122 is similar to the mounting structure 22, in that it includes a vertical column 130, and that it attaches to a receiver hitch H on a vehicle, such as the vehicle 24. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a horizontal mount 134 is arranged such that it extends into a receiver hitch H and upward to receive the bottom of the vertical column 130. To this end, the horizontal mount 134 includes a single bar that is bent to forms a receiver post 136 at one end, turns at ninety degrees (90.degree.) to extend parallel to a bumper of a vehicle, such as the vehicle 24, and then is bent at another ninety degree angle upward so that it extends collinear with the vertical column 130.

[0031] The vertical column 130 may be, for example, pivotably attached to this upward-extending portion of the horizontal mount 134, and may be locked in the upright position, for example by a locking pin 138. This locking pin 138, like the locking pin 38, may be threaded into place for secure anchoring of the vertical column 130 to the horizontal mount 134.

[0032] A column extension 40 is received within the column 30 (or the vertical column 130) and is slidable therein. A top brace 42 extends from a middle of one side of the canopy 26 (e.g., from a middle of a frame member 50, FIGS. 1 and 2) to the top of the column extension 40. The top brace 42 is rotatably connected to the column extension 40 between a pair of top spaced apart sidewalls 44, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Each of the sidewalls 44 may be, for example, a flange. A pivot pin 46 extends through the sidewalls 44 and into the end of the top brace 42 and permits rotary movement of the top brace relative to the spaced apart sidewalls 44. The end of the top brace 42 is received within the spaced apart sidewalls 44, which confine and stabilize rotational movement of the top brace 42.

[0033] A pair of lower spaced apart sidewalls 48 is positioned further down the column extension 40. As with the upper sidewalls 44, the lower sidewalls 48 may each be flanges. As can be seen in FIG. 4, in the storage state, the top brace 42 is received within and supported by the lower spaced apart sidewalls 48. However, as can be seen in FIG. 6, the top brace 42 is removed from between the lower spaced apart sidewalls 48 at a beginning of deployment of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20, after the column 30 is moved to the vertical position.

[0034] When the canopy 26 is moved outward, the frame member 50 (FIGS. 1 and 8) that is part of the supporting structure for the canopy 26 (i.e., one of the ribs for the canopy 26) is rotated relative to the top brace 42 and an end of the frame member 50 is attached to the lower spaced apart sidewalls 48, for example by a pin 53. As with the attachment of the top brace 42 to the top spaced apart sidewalls 44, the lower spaced apart sidewalls 48 capture and provide firm support for the frame member 50.

[0035] The top brace 42 is attached to the frame member 50, approximately half way along the length of the frame member. When the frame member 50 is attached to the sidewalls 48, the top brace 42, the frame 50, and the column extension 40 forms a triangle, with the frame member in one embodiment extending upward at an angle which is equal to an angle that the frame member would extend if the canopy 26 were fully deployed and the canopy extended horizontally.

[0036] As can be seen in FIGS. 13-15, the frame member 50 may include a guide structure 150 for aiding in alignment of the frame number 50 with the flanges 48. In the embodiment shown, the guide structure 150 includes a top plate 152 extending outward from the top of the frame member 50. A pair of side plates 154 (only one of which is shown) are connected to the sides of the frame member 50. The side plates 154 and the top plate 152 are positioned so that they engage the outer and top edges of the flanges 48 when the end of the frame member 50 is extended between the flanges 48. In this manner, holes 156 on the flange are properly aligned with a hole 165 on the frame member 50 when the frame member 50 is extended into position and the top plate 152 and side plate 154 engage the ends and top of the flanges 48. This feature permits a single user to easily align the frame member 50 and flanges 148, to release the frame member, and then to place a pin or other structure through the holes 156, 165 so as to hold the two pieces together. If a guide structure 150 such as is shown in the drawings or another suitable guide structure is not provided, then a user may have to align the frame member 50 with the flanges 48, and maintain that alignment while supporting the frame member 50 and the canopy until the pin is inserted. This operation may be difficult while supporting the weight of the canopy 26.

[0037] The canopy 26 includes additional frame members 52, as can be seen in FIG. 2, for example. In addition, the canopy 26 includes a supporting/raising structure 54 (e.g., FIG. 2) as is typical of umbrella-type canopies. These raising structures are well known, and will not be described in detail here. However, briefly, the raising structures include an internal cylinder 55 (FIG. 2) that moves up and inserts into and slides within an external cylinder 56. Full movement of these two cylinders 55, 56 away from one another causes collapse of an umbrella-type canopy such as the canopy 26. Movement of the internal cylinder 55 toward and into the external cylinder 56 causes the canopy to be fully extended, such as is shown in FIG. 1. This movement back and forth may be done manually by a user.

[0038] In accordance with an alternate embodiment, a lifting structure may be provided for allowing ease of deployment of the canopy 26. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, such a lifting structure is incorporated with the supporting/raising structure 54 of the canopy. For example, in the canopy 26 shown in FIGS. 13-18, an internal cylinder 155 extends downward from a central hub 157 of the canopy frame. An external cylinder 158 extends upward from a lower hub 159. A cable 160 attaches to the lower hub 159, in an embodiment in a central, internal portion of the external cylinder 158. The cable 160 extends upward into the internal cylinder 155 and over a pulley 161 (FIG. 13) at the top of the central hub 157. The cable 160 extends around the pulley 161 and down the frame member 50. The cable extends down the frame member 50 to the attachment of the top brace 42 to the frame member 50. The cable 160 then extends around another pulley 162, and along or within the top brace 42 to the top of the column extension 40. There the cable 160 extends over yet another pulley 163, and a free end hangs adjacent to the column extension 40.

[0039] To deploy the canopy 26 using the cable 160, a user first attaches the frame member 50 to the flanges 48, as described above. After the frame member 50 is attached to the flanges 48, a user may pull down on the end of the cable 160 that extends over the pulley 162 at the top of the column extension 40, such as in shown by the arrows in FIG. 13. When the user pulls down in this fashion, the cable rotates around the pulleys 161, 162, and 163 and draws the external cylinder 158 towards the internal cylinder 155. This process continues until the external cylinder 158 fits around the internal cylinder 155. The positioning of the cable 160 within the internal and external cylinders 155, 158 directs this movement.

[0040] If desired, a lock may be provided for locking the internal cylinder 155 relative to the external cylinder 158. In the embodiment shown, a spring biased detent 170 (FIG. 13) is provided on the internal cylinder and pops out of a hole 172 on the external cylinder 158 when the two are attached. In accordance with an embodiment, the upper inside edges (not shown) of the external cylinder 158 are tapered so as to receive and depress the detent 170 as the internal cylinder 155 inserts into the external cylinder 158. In this manner, the detent is automatically depressed as the internal cylinder slides into the external cylinder, and remains depressed until it reaches the hole 172 where it may spring outward and lock the internal and external cylinders relative to one another. The internal cylinder 155 is shown fully inserted into the external cylinder 158 in FIG. 16.

[0041] When the user has fully deployed the canopy 26, the free end of the cable 160 may be wrapped around a suitable structure, such as a cleat 178 (FIG. 16). This tying of the cable 160 provides additional safety against inadvertent retraction of the canopy 26.

[0042] After the canopy 26 is deployed, the canopy 26 may be raised to a desired height. In an embodiment, this action is provided by the column extension 40 sliding relative to the column 30. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, as can be seen in FIG. 2, openings 58 are provided along the length of the column 30 and are positioned to receive a spring latch 60 that locks into the opening when aligned with an opening. In addition, for additional support, a latching pin 62 may be provided that fits into an opening 64. Another mechanism may be provided to allow for sliding and selective locking of the column extension 40 relative to the column 30. Additionally, other structures may be used, such as crank structures, pulley structures, or other suitable arrangements for raising the canopy 26.

[0043] In an embodiment, the receiver post 36 may utilize a spacer cylinder 68 (FIG. 2) to appropriately fit within a receiver hitch 70 on a vehicle, such as the vehicle 24. As can be seen in FIG. 7, when the spacer cylinder 68 is fully inserted into the receiver hitch 70, the receiver post 36 fits tightly within the receiving hitch 70.

[0044] To mount the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 on a vehicle, such as the vehicle 24, a user slides the receiver post 36 into a receiving hitch such as the receiver hitch 70 of the vehicle 24. If needed, the spacer cylinder 68 may be utilized to ensure solid mounting of the mounting structure 22 for the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20. Once the receiver post 36 is inserted into the receiver hitch 70, the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 is in the storage state shown in FIG. 2. In this state, the canopy 26 may be tied with ties or may otherwise be suitably stored. A bag or other storage container 200 (FIG. 3) may be provided for keeping dirt and other road debris off of the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20. In addition, to secure the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 in the storage state, an extra pin (not shown) may be provided that extends through the lower spaced apart sidewalls 48 and the top brace 42. Additional ties, fasteners, or connectors may be used to secure the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 while the vehicle 24 is being driven.

[0045] When a user wishes to deploy the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20, the user releases the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 (if needed) and rotates the column 30 upward, as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4. The rotation continues until the column 30 is in the upright position shown in FIG. 5. At this point, the user locks the column 30 in the upright position, in the embodiment shown by inserting the locking pin 38.

[0046] The user then pulls outward on the canopy 26 and rotates the canopy so that the end of the frame member 50 is aligned between the lower spaced apart sidewalls 48. The pin 53 is then inserted and the canopy 26 is supported in the position shown in FIG. 7. The user may then release or untie the canopy 26 and fully extend the canopy as previously described. The user may then raise the canopy 26, for example by raising the column extension 40 relative to the column 30. The canopy 26 may then be locked at this heightened level.

[0047] In accordance with an embodiment, the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 provides an advantage in that the canopy 26 remains attached to the vehicle 24 from the deployed state of FIG. 1 to the storage state of FIG. 2, and remains attached when returning to the deployed state of FIG. 1. Thus, a user may drive to a location, deploy the canopy 26, and then collapse and store the canopy 26 without ever detaching the receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 from the vehicle 24.

[0048] The receiver hitch mounted canopy structure 20 provides another benefit in that it extends along one side of a rear portion of the vehicle 24, yet cantilevers the canopy 26 outward so that it is centered directly behind the vehicle 24. This arrangement moves the mounting structure 22 out of the way of picnickers that are located behind the vehicle 24, and also provides access to a tailgate, trunk, or door for the back of the vehicle 24. In an alternate embodiment, the supporting structure also extends upward from one side, but the canopy is rotatable to different positions behind the vehicle.

[0049] Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0050] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0051] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0052] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A canopy structure, comprising: a canopy; and a mounting structure for supporting the canopy, the mounting structure being configured to remain attached to a vehicle from a stored configuration where the canopy is collapsed and extends along the vehicle to a deployed configuration where the canopy is extended.

2. The canopy structure of claim 1, wherein, in the deployed configuration, the canopy extends over an area directly behind the vehicle.

3. The canopy structure of claim 2, wherein the area is substantially centered behind the vehicle.

4. The canopy structure of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure comprises a receiver hitch post.

5. The canopy structure of claim 1, further comprising a lifting structure for raising the canopy.

6. The canopy structure of claim 5, further comprising a frame for the canopy, and wherein the lifting structure is configured to extend the frame.

7. The canopy structure of claim 6, wherein the lifting structure comprising a cable that is pulled by a user.

8. The canopy structure of claim 1, wherein, in the stored configuration, the canopy is collapsed and extends along a rear of the vehicle.

9. The canopy structure of claim 8, wherein the mounting structure comprises: a receiver hitch post; a frame section attached to the receiver hitch post; and a column hinged to the frame section and movable to a position where the column extends substantially horizontally when the receiver hitch post is inserted into a receiver hitch on a vehicle to a position where the column extends substantially vertically.

10. The canopy structure of claim 9, wherein the mounting structure further comprises a column extension connected to the column and providing an adjustable extension of the length of the column, and wherein the canopy is attached to the column extension.

11. The canopy structure of claim 10, further comprising: a frame for the canopy; and a brace extending from the column extension to the frame, the brace being hinged to the frame and the column extension.

12. The canopy structure of claim 11, wherein the frame is removably attachable to the column extension so that when the frame is attached to the column extension, the brace, the frame, and the column extension form a triangle.

13. The canopy structure of claim 12, further comprising a lifting structure for raising the canopy.

14. The canopy structure of claim 13, wherein the lifting structure comprising a cable that is pulled by a user.

15. The canopy structure of claim 14, wherein the cable extends along the brace.

16. A receiver hitch mounted canopy structure, comprising: a canopy; and a mounting structure for supporting the canopy, the mounting structure being attachable to a receiver hitch of a vehicle, and when attached to a vehicle, extending from the receiver hitch of the vehicle to one side of a rear portion of the vehicle and upward to support the canopy at a position substantially centered behind the vehicle.