Vehicle awning

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle awning (1) comprising: a sheet (2); first fastening means (26) for fastening the sheet (2) to the vehicle and / or to the ground in a rear configuration; secon

Description

Field The present application relates to a vehicle awning for use in, for example, the camping domain. Background A vehicle awning of a known type comprises a frame, a sheet mounted to the frame, straps for fastening the sheet to the vehicle and / or to the ground in a rear configuration (“tailgate awning”), and a Kador strip for fastening the sheet to the vehicle in a side configuration (“drive away awning”). In the rear configuration, the straps are brought to a roof of the vehicle and fastened to the vehicle by means of hooks at the ends of the straps. Alternatively, the straps are brought to the roof of the vehicle and fastened to the ground by means of pegs received in buckles at the ends of the straps and planted in the ground. In the side configuration, the Kador strip is brought to the roof of the vehicle and fastened to the vehicle by means of a longitudinal rail mounted to the roof of the vehicle. While bringing satisfaction, such a type of vehicle awning can still be improved. For example, in the rear configuration, the Kador strip is merely brought to the roof of the vehicle. Due to its stiffness, the Kador strip does not usually match the shape of the vehicle roof, thus allowing daylight to pass through between the Kador strip and the roof of the vehicle. In the rear configuration, the sheet does not match the shape of the rear fenders of the vehicle, thus allowing daylight to pass through between the sheet and the rear fenders of the vehicle. In the side configuration, the sheet does not match the shape of the front and rear fenders of the vehicle, thus allowing daylight to pass through between the sheet and the front and rear fenders of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle awning is not or is only poorly airtight and exposes users to wind and bad weather. The purpose of the present application is to remedy all or part of these drawbacks. Summary An aspect of the present application refers to a vehicle awning comprising: a sheet; first fastening means for fastening the sheet to the vehicle and / or to the ground in a rear configuration; and second fastening means for fastening the sheet to the vehicle in a side configuration, and being characterized by: adjusting means for adjusting the shape of the sheet such that the sheet matches the shape of the vehicle in the rear configuration and in the side configuration. Adjusting the shape of the sheet may comprise folding, pleating, and / or rolling the sheet. The adjusting means may adjust the shape of the sheet such that, in the rear configuration, the sheet matches the shape of a roof of the vehicle and / or the shape of a rear fender of the vehicle. The adjusting means may adjust the shape of the sheet such that, in the side configuration, the sheet matches the shape of a roof of the vehicle and / or the shape of front and rear fenders of the vehicle. The first fastening means and the second fastening means may be removable from the sheet. The first fastening means may be connected to the sheet and disconnected from the sheet. The second fastening means may be connected to the sheet and disconnected from the sheet. The first fastening means and the second fastening means may be interchangeable. In the rear configuration, the second fastening means may be disconnected from the sheet and replaced by the first fastening means. In the side configuration, the first fastening means may be disconnected from the sheet and replaced by the second fastening means. The vehicle awning may comprise: male or female buckles connected to the first fastening means and connected to the second fastening means; and female or male buckles connected to the sheet. The male or female buckles connected to the first fastening means and connected to the second fastening means may be received in the female or male buckles connected to the sheet, for connecting and disconnecting the first fastening means and the second fastening means to / from the sheet. The adjusting means may comprise: a cord stopper; and a cord engaged through the cord stopper. The cord stopper may be arranged at an end of the cord such that, when the cord stopper is slid along the cord towards the center of the cord, the sheet is pleated and, when the cord stopper is slid along the cord towards the end of the cord, the sheet is smoothed. The cord may be a stiff or elastic cord. The adjusting means comprise: a male buckle and a female buckle connected to the sheet at a distance from each other. The male buckle and the female buckle may be arranged such that, when the male buckle is received in the female buckle, the sheet is folded and, when the male buckle is not received in the female buckle, the sheet is unfolded. The male buckle may be connected to the sheet by a strap. The female buckle may be connected to the sheet by a strap. The length of the strap connecting the male buckle to the edge of the sheet and / or the length of the strap connecting the female buckle to the sheet may be adjusted for adjusting the shape of the sheet more finely. The adjusting means may comprise: a male Velcro strip extending along the sheet on one side; and a female Velcro strip extending along the sheet on an opposite side. The male Velcro strip and the female Velcro strip may be arranged such that, when the sheet is rolled up on itself, the male Velcro strip cooperates with the female Velcro strip to keep the sheet rolled up on itself. The vehicle awning may comprise supporting means for supporting the sheet that comprise: a hoop; and third fastening means for fastening the hoop to the vehicle. The third fastening means may comprise: slides mounted to the hoop; locking screws mounted to the slides; rods engaged in the slides; and a hook extending the rods to hook the vehicle. The locking screws may be unscrewed to allow the rods to slide in the slides and screwed to prevent the rods from sliding in the slides. The hook may be arranged to hook a lock of a trunk door of the vehicle. The third fastening means may comprise a strap arranged to be fastened to a trunk door of the vehicle by means of a hook. An aspect of the present invention refers to a set comprising: a vehicle; and a vehicle awning. These aspects will be readily understood based on the following description with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing non-limiting example embodiments. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle awning and means for adjusting the vehicle awning according to a first embodiment in a side configuration. Figure 2 illustrates the vehicle awning and the means for adjusting the vehicle awning according to the first embodiment in a rear configuration. Figure 3 illustrates the means for adjusting the vehicle awning according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle awning and means for adjusting the vehicle awning according to a second embodiment in a rear configuration. Figure 5 illustrates a vehicle awning and means for adjusting the vehicle awning according to a third embodiment in a rear configuration. Figure 6 illustrates the means for adjusting the vehicle awning according to the third embodiment. Figure 7 illustrates means for fastening the vehicle awning according to the first, second, and third embodiments in a side configuration or in a rear configuration. Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate means for fastening the vehicle awning according to the first, second, and third embodiments in a rear configuration. Detailed description of the drawings Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a vehicle awning 1 in a side configuration (“drive away awning”) and in a rear configuration (“tailgate awning”) according to a first embodiment. The vehicle may be a car, a van, a commercial vehicle, a pickup truck, or any other type of motor vehicle. The vehicle awning 1 comprises a sheet 2. The sheet 2 comprises one or more sheet portions joined to each other. The sheet 2 comprises a door. The sheet 2 comprises one or more windows. The sheet 2 defines a tunnel. The vehicle awning 1 comprises supporting means 4 (more visible in Figures 8, 9, and 10) for supporting the sheet 2 and / or tensioners. The supporting means 4 and / or the tensioners may be omitted in some embodiments. A front transverse edge of the sheet 2 (i.e., an edge of the sheet 2 extending in a width direction of the vehicle awning 1 and facing the vehicle) is oversized for allowing the vehicle awning 1 to be used with vehicles of different shapes (i.e., of different curvatures and / or dimensions). The supporting means 4 comprise a hoop 6. Here, the hoop 6 is a transverse hoop (in other terms, the hoop extends in the width direction of the vehicle awning 1). The supporting means 4 comprise fastening means 8 for fastening the hoop 6 to the vehicle in the rear configuration. The fastening means 8 are rigid or semi-rigid. The fastening means 8 may be omitted in some embodiments. The fastening means 8 comprise slides 10 mounted to the hoop 6. The slides 10 comprise apertures opening out longitudinally. The slides 10 comprise bores opening out radially. Here, the slides 10 take the form of rings. The fastening means 8 comprise locking means 12 configured to lock and unlock rods 14. Here, the locking means 12 comprise locking screws mounted to the slides 10 and configured to be screwed into and unscrewed from the bores. The fastening means 8 comprise the rods 14 engaged in the apertures of the slides 10. The locking screws can be unscrewed from the bores to allow the rods 14 to slide in the slides 10 and screwed into the bores to prevent the rods 14 from sliding in the slides 10. The fastening means 8 comprise a hook 16 extending the rods 14 by means of a connector 18. The hook 16 is arranged to hook the vehicle. Here, the hook 16 is arranged to hook a lock of a trunk door of the vehicle. The fastening means 8 comprise a strap 22 connected to the hoop 6 at one end and connected to a hook 24 at another end. The strap 22 is arranged to be fastened to the trunk door of the vehicle by means of the hook 24. The vehicle awning 1 comprises fastening means 26 for fastening the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 to the vehicle and / or to the ground in a rear configuration. The fastening means 26 comprise straps 28. The straps 28 are connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 at ends and connected to hooks 30 and / or buckles 32 at other ends. The straps 28 are removable from the front transverse edge of the sheet 2. The straps 28 may be connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 in the rear configuration and disconnected from the sheet 2 in the side configuration. The straps 28 are connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 at ends and connected to male buckles 29 (more visible in Figure 7) at other ends. The male buckles 29 are designed to cooperate with female buckles 30 connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2. In the rear configuration, the straps 28 are brought to the roof of the vehicle and fastened to the vehicle by means of the hooks 30. The hooks 30 may, for example, hook front or rear fenders of the vehicle, a front bumper of the vehicle, or wheels of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the straps 28 are brought to the roof of the vehicle and fastened to the ground by means of pegs received in the buckles 32 and planted in the ground. The vehicle awning 1 comprises fastening means 34 for fastening the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 to the vehicle in the side configuration (more visible in Figure 7). The fastening means 34 comprise a strip 36, e.g., a strip of a Kador strip type. The strip 36 comprises a sheath 38 inside which a profile 40 extends. The profile 40 is rigid or semi-rigid. The strip 36 is removable from the front transverse edge of the sheet 2. The strip 36 may be connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 in the side configuration and disconnected from the sheet in the rear configuration. The strip 36 is connected to male buckles 29 at a rear transverse edge of the strip 36 (i.e., an edge of the strip 36 extending in the width direction of the vehicle awning 1 and facing the sheet 2). The male buckles 29 are designed to cooperate with the female buckles 30 connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2. In the side configuration, the strip 36 is brought to the roof of the vehicle and fastened to the vehicle by means of a longitudinal rail 41 (i.e., a rail extending in the length direction of the vehicle) mounted to the roof of the vehicle. The sheath 38 and the profile are engaged in the longitudinal rail 41. The straps 28 and the strip 36 are interchangeable. In the rear configuration, the strip 36 may be disconnected from the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 and replaced by the straps 28. In the side configuration, the straps 28 may be disconnected from the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 and replaced by the strip 36. Of course, the straps 28 and the strip 36 are not always removable and / or interchangeable. In the rear configuration, the strip 36 and the straps 28 may be connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2. In the side configuration, the strip 36 and the straps 28 may be connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2. The vehicle awning 1 comprises adjusting means 42 (more visible in Figure 3) for adjusting the shape of the sheet 2 such that the sheet 2 matches the shape of the vehicle in the rear configuration and in the side configuration. Adjusting the shape of the sheet may comprise folding, pleating, and / or rolling the sheet 2. The adjusting means 42 may adjust the shape of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 such that, in the rear configuration, the sheet 2 matches the shape of the roof of the vehicle and / or the shape of the rear fenders of the vehicle. The adjusting means 42 may adjust the shape of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 such that, in the side configuration, the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 matches the shape of the roof of the vehicle and / or the shape of the front and rear fenders of the vehicle. The adjusting means 42 allow the excess sheet 2 to be neatly packed. The adjusting means 42 comprise cord stoppers 44 and a cord 46. The cord is a stiff or elastic cord. The cord 46 is received within a hem 48 formed on the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 and engaged through the cord stoppers 44. The ends of the cord 46 comprise buckles. Thus, pulling the cord 46 is made easier. The cord stoppers 44 are arranged at the ends of the cord 46 such that, when the cord stoppers 44 are slid along the cord 46 towards the center of the cord 46, the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 is pleated and, when the cord stoppers 48 are slid along the cord 46 towards the ends of the cord 46, the sheet 2 is smoothed. Thus, the shape of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 can be adjusted for matching the shape of the vehicle. The adjusting means 42 comprise buckles 49 connected to the ends of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 through which pegs may be engaged and planted in the ground near the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting means 42 comprise hooks 47 connected to the ends of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 and arranged to hook the vehicle. Thus, the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 can even better match the shape of the vehicle. Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle awning 101 in a rear configuration according to a second embodiment. The vehicle awning 101 differs from the vehicle awning 1 in the adjusting means 42 being replaced by adjusting means 142. The adjusting means 142 comprise a male Velcro strip 144 extending along the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 on an inner face and a female Velcro strip 146 extending along the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 on an outer face (or vice versa). The male Velcro strip 144 and the female Velcro strip 146 are arranged such that, when the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 is rolled up on itself, the male Velcro strip 144 cooperates with the female Velcro strip 146 so as to keep the sheet rolled up on itself. Thus, the shape of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 can be adjusted for matching the shape of the vehicle. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a vehicle awning 201 in a rear configuration according to a third embodiment. The vehicle awning 201 differs from the vehicle awning 1 in that the adjusting means 42 are replaced by adjusting means 242. The adjusting means 242 comprise male buckles 244 connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 and female buckles 246 connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2. The male buckles 244 and the female buckles 246 operate in pairs and are spaced apart one from the other. The male buckles 244 and the female buckles 246 are arranged such that, when the male buckles 244 are received in the female buckles 246, the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 is folded and, when the male buckles 244 are not received in the female buckles 246, the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 is unfolded. Thus, the shape of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 can be adjusted for matching the shape of the vehicle. The male buckles 244 are connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 by straps. The female buckles 246 are connected to the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 by straps. The length of the straps connecting the male buckles 244 to the edge of the sheet 2 and / or the length of the straps connecting the female buckles 246 to the sheet 2 may be adjusted for adjusting the shape of the front transverse edge of the sheet 2 more finely (not shown). Of course, the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned example embodiments but also encompasses all variant embodiments.

Claims

1. A vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) comprising:a sheet (2);first fastening means (26) for fastening the sheet (2) to the vehicle and / or to the ground in a rear configuration; andsecond fastening means (34) for fastening the sheet (2) to the vehicle in a side configuration,characterized by:adjusting means (42; 142; 242) for adjusting the shape of the sheet (2) such that the sheet (2) matches the shape of the vehicle in the rear configuration and in the side configuration.

2. The vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) of claim 1, wherein the first fastening means (26) and the second fastening means (34) are removable from the sheet (2).

3. The vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first fastening means (26) and the second fastening means (34) are interchangeable.

4. The vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) of any of claims 2 to 3, wherein the vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) comprises:male or female buckles (29) connected to the first fastening means (26) and the second fastening means (34); andfemale or male buckles (30) connected to the sheet (2).

5. The vehicle awning (1) of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjusting means (42) comprise:a cord stopper (44); anda cord (46) engaged through the cord stopper (44).

6. The vehicle awning (201) of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjusting means (242) comprise:a male buckle (244) and a female buckle (246) connected to the sheet (2) at a distance from each other.

7. The vehicle awning (101) of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjusting means(142) comprise:a male Velcro strip (144) extending along the sheet (2) on one side; anda female Velcro strip (146) extending along the sheet (2) on an opposite side.

8. The vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) comprises supporting means (4) for supporting the sheet (2) that comprise:a hoop (6); andthird fastening means (8) for fastening the hoop (6) to the vehicle.

9. The vehicle awning of claim 8, wherein the third fastening means (8) comprise: slides (10) mounted to the hoop (6);locking means (12) mounted to the slides (10);rods (14) engaged in the slides (10); anda hook (16) extending the rods (14) to hook the vehicle.

10. A set comprising: a vehicle; andthe vehicle awning (1; 101; 201) of any of claims 1 to 9.

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