Awning

Abstract

Awning 10 for a vehicle comprising a support structure 20 and cover 30 forming a main compartment 70 for accommodating people, the cover comprising a user opening 300 that can be opened and closed to allow people to enter or exit, and a vehicle opening 100 that can be opened and closed, a portion of the awning wrapping around or draping over the vehicle when it is at least partially positioned in the main compartment. First and second ancillary compartments 230 may be connected to the main compartment, each extending along and connected to respective first and second sides of the vehicle. The vehicle may be reversed through the vehicle opening. The vehicle may be a campervan. The awning may comprise a first flap 130 for engaging a top side of the vehicle, a second flap 140a for engaging the first side of the vehicle, and a third flap 140b for engaging the second side of the vehicle. The second flap may form a side wall of the first ancillary compartment. The third flap may form a side wall of the second ancillary compartment. The flaps may comprise magnets 150 for securing them to the vehicle. The first flap may have an additional passage for enabling a vehicle component to protrude through it.

Description

Field of the disclosure The present disclosure relates to an awning for a vehicle and more specifically to an awning that can accommodate both people and a portion of a vehicle. Background Camping with a vehicle such as a campervan has its drawbacks in that the vehicle can only provide a limited living space and when used in adverse weather has to be kept closed to protect the users from the elements. To overcome such issues a variety of solutions are available but tend to be of an unsatisfactory nature as they are not weatherproof, provide limited living space or are awkward to erect adjacent a vehicle. There is a need for an improved system that provides a secure and convenient solution to overcome the drawbacks of existing arrangements and the current disclosure is aimed at overcoming at least some of these disadvantages. Summary According to a first aspect there is provided an awning for a vehicle. The awning comprises a support structure and a cover forming at least a main compartment for accommodating people. The cover further comprises a user opening that can be opened and closed to enable people to enter and exit the main compartment The cover further comprises a vehicle opening that can be opened and closed. A portion of the awning is configured to at least partially wrap around the vehicle when the vehicle is at least partially positioned in the main compartment. According to a second aspect there is provided a method of erecting an awning for a vehicle. The awning comprises a support structure, a cover, a main compartment and a vehicle passage in the cover. The method comprises the steps of: erecting the support structure; covering the support structure with the cover; opening a door flap of the vehicle passage and temporarily stowing it so as to prepare the awning for the arrival of a vehicle; reversing the vehicle through the vehicle passage such that the vehicle partially extends into the main compartment; and draping the door flap over at least a portion of the topside of the vehicle. Brief description of the drawings Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation an awning in accordance with the current disclosure; Fig. 2 shows a different side of the awning of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the awning of Fig. 1 with a vehicle door in the open position; Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the awning of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the awning of Figure 1; Fig. 6 shows an schematic plan view of an awning according to the current disclosure engaged with a vehicle; Fig. 7 shows a flowchart showing the steps for erecting an awning in accordance with the current disclosure. Detailed description Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Fig. 1 to 7 show an exemplary embodiment of an awning 10 in accordance with the current disclosure. The awning 10 includes a support structure 20. The support structure 20 may be constructed from a set of interconnecting metal, fibreglass or carbon poles or a combination thereof. The poles may be telescopic or segmented that can be broken down in smaller sections for convenience, storage and transport. The awning 10 further includes a cover 30. The cover 30 may be made from any suitable material or combinations thereof that are water resistant or waterproof. Such materials may for example include canvas, nylon, polyester, cotton, silicone, polyurethane, leather or plastic. The cover 30 may be held in place onto the support structure 20 via a variety of methods such as hook-and-loop straps, ties or loops integral to the cover 20 through which elements of the support structure 10 can be extended. The support structure 20 may be internal or external to the cover 30 or may weave through the cover 30 with several portions of the support structure 20 being internal and other portions being external to the cover 30. One or more guy ropes 35 may be used to secure the awning to a ground surface. The awning 10 may be manufactured into a variety of shapes, e.g. circular, square, rectangular, another type of suitable polygon or any combination of shapes. The roof 40 of the awning 10 may include on or more sloped sections 50 with at least one apex 60 such that water runs off and does not collect on the roof 40. The apex 60 may be positioned substantially central relative to the roof 40 or may be offset so as to create a roof height profile more suited or more convenient for accommodating for example people, vehicles, or other awning content. The awning 10 forms at least one main compartment 70. In one exemplary embodiment the awning 10 includes a first ancillary compartment 210. In another exemplary embodiment the awning includes a first ancillary compartment 210 and a second ancillary compartment 230. The ancillary compartments 210 and 230 will be discussed in more detail later in this document. The following section will discuss a variety of features associated with the side(s) of the awning 10. Although sides are generally associated with polygons, for ease of reference it is to be understood in this disclosure that the term “side” also includes a section of a circular awning. For example, two antipodal sections on a circular awning 10 are to be understood as meaning two generally opposing sides of the circular awning 10. A vehicle side 95 of the awning 10 may be provided with a vehicle opening 100. The vehicle opening 100 is configured such that a vehicle 110 such as for example a campervan can drive (reverse) through the vehicle opening 100 so as to partially extend into the main compartment 70. The vehicle opening 100 may be formed into the cover by providing one or more closures 120. Any such closure 120 may for example be a zip closure, button closure, hook-and-loop closure, magnetic closure or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment the vehicle opening 100 may be formed in the vehicle side 95 of awning 10 by two substantially parallel closures 120a and 120b in the cover 20. The closures 120a and 120b may be two separate closures 120 or may also be portions of a single closure 120 that is generally U-shaped where the closures 120a and 120b form the “arms” of the U-shape. The closures 120a and 120b extend from (near) ground level upwards. The closures 120a and 120b are spaced apart to form an opening in the vehicle side 95 with a width sufficient to accommodate the vehicle 110. Undoing the closures 120a and 120b creates a generally upward folding door flap 130 in the cover 20. A further closure portion 120c may be provided generally central and parallel to closures 120a and 120b so as to split the flap door 130 into two door flap portions 130a and 130b. The flap 130 (or flap portions 130a, 130b) is / are configured to drape over a topside of the vehicle 110. Having the flap 130 configured as two flap portions 130a and 130b enables a vehicle component such as an aerial or solar panel to protrude through the flap 130. The awning 10 may be provided with a first side flap 140a connected (either permanent or detachably) to the cover 30. The first side flap 140a may be connected to the cover 30 adjacent to one side of the vehicle opening 100. A second side flap 140b may be connected (either permanent or detachably) to the cover 30. The second side flap 140b may be connected to the cover 30 adjacent to the other side of the vehicle opening 100. The first and second side flaps 140a and 140b are configured to extend along first and second sides of the vehicle 110 respectively. Together, the flap door 130 and the first and / or second side flaps 140a and 140b are configured to extend along the vehicle 110 such that the awning 10 at least partially wraps around the vehicle 110. Additional rain flaps (not shown) may be provided adjacent any closures or joints to prevent or hinder water ingress into the awning. Any or all of the flap door 130, the first side flap 140a and the second side flap 140b may be provided with one or more magnets 150 so as to magnetically connect it / them with the vehicle. The magnet 150 may be a single discrete element, a series of discrete elements or a length of generally strip shaped magnetic material. Any such magnet 150 may be positioned in pocket 160 formed in / on the cover 30 to secure it in position and to also provided a soft barrier between the magnet and the vehicle surface. A suitable side of the awning 10 may be provided with a user opening 300 including a closure 310. The closure 310 may for example be a zip closure, button closure, hook-and-loop closure, magnetic closure or a combination thereof. The closure 310 may be a single generally U-shaped closure or may include for example two generally parallel separate closures 310a and 310b. In one embodiment the awning 10 includes a first ancillary compartment 210. The first ancillary compartment 210 may be configured to connect to the cover 30 and project from the vehicle side 95 of the awning 10 with a side wall 215 to extend along one side of the vehicle 110. A first ancillary opening 220 provides access to the first ancillary compartment 210 from the main compartment 70. The first ancillary opening 220 may be provided in the vehicle side 95 of the awning 10, laterally spaced apart to one side of from the vehicle opening 100. Similarly, to the first ancillary compartment 210, a second ancillary compartment 230 may be provided with a side wall 235 to extend along the other side of the vehicle 110. A second ancillary opening 240 provides access to the second ancillary compartment 230 from the main compartment 70. The second ancillary opening 240 may be provided in the vehicle side 95 of the awning 10, laterally spaced apart to the other side of the vehicle opening 100 (relative to the first ancillary opening 220). For clarity purposes, Fig. 5 shows only the second ancillary compartment 230 and not the first ancillary compartment 210. A skilled person will recognise that in an embodiment with such a configuration this second ancillary compartment 230 may be interpreted as in fact being the first (and only) ancillary compartment 210. The side wall(s) 215 and / or 235 may be provided with one or more magnets 150 so as to magnetically connect it / them with the vehicle. The magnet 150 may be a single discrete element, a series of discrete elements or a length of generally strip shaped magnetic material. Any such magnet 150 may be positioned in pocket 160 formed in / on the cover 30 to secure it in position and to also provided a soft barrier between the magnet and the vehicle surface. The first and second ancillary openings 220 and 240 may include a suitable closure such as for example a zip closure, button closure, hook-and-loop closure, magnetic closure or a combination thereof. Where first and second ancillary compartments 210 and 230 are being provided side flaps 140 and / or 140b may be omitted, stowed away or work in conjunction with the first and second ancillary compartments 210 and 230 respectively. Industrial applicability In use the user may start with parking the vehicle 110 followed by erecting the awning 10. Alternatively, the user may start with erecting the awning 10 first followed by parking the vehicle 110. The following exemplary method of using the awning 10 is set out as a typical scenario when the vehicle 110 first arrives at a camping spot. It is however to be understood that the steps of erecting of the awning 10 and parking of the vehicle 110 can be executed in reverse order. Similarly, some steps in erecting the awning 10 may also take place in a different order for convenience or to suit the circumstances. In step 300, a vehicle 110, in this exemplary embodiment a campervan with an upward opening backdoor, is parked at a camping spot. The vehicle 110 may carry the awning 10 to the camping spot or the awning 10 may be provided via alternative means. In step 310, the awning 10 is erected by building the support structure 20 and covering it with the cover 30. In step 320, the first door flap 130 is opened and temporarily stowed so as to prepare the awning opening for the arrival of the vehicle 110. In step 330, the vehicle 110 is reversed through the vehicle opening 100 such that the vehicle 110 partially extends into the main compartment 70. It is to be understood that a significant portion of the vehicle 110 does not pass through the vehicle opening 100 and remains outside of the awning 100. In step 340, the first door flap 130 is draped over a topside of the vehicle 110 and magnetically connected to the vehicle 100 to secure the first door flap 130 to the vehicle 110. In step 350 the first side flap 140a is extended along a first side of the vehicle 110 and magnetically connected to the vehicle 100 to secure the first side flap 140a to the vehicle 110. In step 360 the second side flap 140b is extended along a second side of the vehicle 110 and magnetically connected to the vehicle 110 to secure the second side 140b flap to the vehicle 110. If a first ancillary compartment 210 is to be erected this may take place in step 420. In step 420 the first ancillary compartment 210 may be erected and connected to the main compartment 70 via the first ancillary opening 220. The side wall 215 is extended along a first side of the vehicle 110 and magnetically connected to the vehicle 110 to secure the first side wall 215 (and hence the first ancillary compartment 210) to the vehicle 110. If a second ancillary compartment 230 is to be erected this may take place in step 430. In step 430 the second ancillary compartment 230 may be erected and connected to the main compartment 70 via the second ancillary opening 240. The side wall 235 is extended along a second side of the vehicle 110 and magnetically connected to the vehicle 110 to secure the second side wall 235 (and hence the second ancillary compartment 230) to the vehicle 110. Now fully erected the awning functionally joins the interior of the vehicle 110 with the main compartment 70 so as to provide an extended living space fora user. When a user would like to travel they can undo the connections between the vehicle 110 and the awning 10 and close the vehicle opening 100. Upon return they can open the vehicle opening 100 and reconnect all portions of the awning to the vehicle to once again provide the extended living space. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

1. An awning for a vehicle comprising:a support structure and a cover forming at least a main compartment for accommodating people;the cover comprising a user opening that can be opened and closed to enable people to enter and exit the main compartment, the cover further comprising a vehicle opening that can be opened and closed, wherein a portion of the awning is configured to at least partially wrap around the vehicle when the vehicle is at least partially positioned in the main compartment.

2. An awning according to claim 1, comprising a first ancillary compartment connected to the main compartment and configured to extend alongside, and connect to, a first side of the vehicle.

3. An awning according to claim 2, comprising a second ancillary compartment connected to the main compartment and configured to extend alongside, and connect to, a second side of the vehicle.

4. An awning according to any of the preceding claims wherein the awning can be erected around a static vehicle.

5. An awning according to any of the preceding claims wherein a vehicle can be reversed through the vehicle opening to partially extend into the awning.

6. An awning according to any of the preceding claims wherein the awning comprises a first portion for engaging a topside of the vehicle,a second portion for engaging a first side of the vehicle, and a third portion for engaging a second side of the vehicle.

7. An awning according to claim 6 wherein at least one of said second and third portions is a side flap extending from the cover.

8. An awning according to claim 6 wherein said second portion is a side wall of the first ancillary compartment.

9. An awning according to claim 6 wherein said third portion is a side wall of the second ancillary compartment10. An awning according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first, second and third portions is provided with at least one magnet for securing it to the vehicle.

11. An awning according to any of the preceding claims wherein the vehicle opening is provided with a closing arrangement to close the awning when not engaged with the vehicle.

12. An awning according to claim 6, wherein said first portion is provided with an additional passage that when in use enables a vehicle component to protrude through said first portion.

13. An awning according to any of the preceding claims wherein the awning is provided with an apex that is offset from a center point / line of the awning.

14. A method of erecting an awning for a vehicle, the awning comprising a support structure, a cover, a main compartment and a vehicle passage in the cover, the method comprising the steps of:erecting the support structure;covering the support structure with the cover;opening a door flap of the vehicle passage and temporarily stowing it so as to prepare the awning for the arrival of a vehicle;reversing the vehicle through the vehicle passage such that the vehicle partially extends into the main compartment; anddraping the door flap over at least a portion of the topside of the vehicle.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the awning further comprises at least one side flap, the method further comprising extending the at least one side flap alongside one side of the vehicle.

16. A method according to any of claims 14 and 15, wherein the awning further comprises at least one ancillary compartment with a side wall, the method further comprising extending the ancillary compartment such that the side wall extends alongside one side of the vehicle.

17. A method according to any of claims 14 to 16 further comprising the steps of connecting at least one of the door flap, the side flap and the side wall to the vehicle.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the awning comprises at least one magnet, the method comprising the step of magnetically connecting at least one of the door flap, the side flap and the side wall to the vehicle.

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