The covering

Abstract

Roof rack which expands to allow a stored fabric to unroll and cover a vehicle. The mechanism is solar powered and remote controlled. Storage cylinders house the fabric to be unrolled. The unrolled fa

Description

CUM MS 1 The COVERING is an upgraded and advanced superior model of the prior art patented as an EXPANDING ROOF RACK; the COVERING is a solar powered, fully automatic remote controlled, 24 / 7 full covering / garage ; This function is made possible by the mechanism that elongates and marginally widens the frame in order that a stored fabric can unroll, to the desired dimensions, to link and lock together to form a total protective, enclosure to house a vehicle, with adaptation to any mode of transport (whateverthe size) or as a free-standing model and adaptations forthe design models; the roof rack mechanism, the layered top box, the Venetian or louvre blinds are now obsolete; the roof rack is replaced with a light weight expandable / retractable riveted trellis type of extension mechanism ; the layered top box storage is replaced with storage cylinders on the extremities on all 4 sides of the frame; the concertina louvre or Venetian blinds have been replaced with a toughened roiled fabric; the rolled fabric is housed within the cylindrical tubes and it unrolls and links at each selvage edge to form a four sided box shape; the fabric unrolls once the selvage of the fabric are joined and locked together (8 corner fabric selvage edges); once extended the fabric is hardened by a change of temperature; in like manner when retractingthe Covering the temperature is once again altered in order for the fabric to become pliable and activate a reverse action mechanism returning everything to within its closed shape which is now more aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing; the solid solar panel now has the added option of being replaced with solar fabric; the solar energy provides backup for charging electric cars but also has its own backup of electric charging; a further technical advancement is the option of the incorporation of solar battery storage cells; an optional extra is the further advancement of adding wind powered energy and water powered energy; an optional extra is the remote control can also be upgraded to a phone app. Another optional extra is a camera for face recognition to only allow access to the owner; other drivers can be added for multiple users; the Covering is a fixture with provision of the number plate to be displayed. 2 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote-controlled Covering has a mechanism according to Claim 1 comprising: an expandable / retractable riveted trellis type of extension which is superior to the Roof rack mechanism, as it is lightweight; and more aerodynamic; and enabling the Coveringto be flush with the roof making it aesthetically appealing. 3. The solar powered, fully automatic, remote -controlled Covering has an extension / retraction mechanism according to Claim 1 which marginally widens and elongates to the desired dimensions that are determined by sensors; the clearance required is minimal to just avoid any protrusions; the sensors also determine the extent of the fabric drop down in order for it to stop at the ground level; the heat sensors stop activation if there is body heat detected inside or if there is an animal under the vehicle as added safety measures . 4 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote-controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 has 4 hollow cylindrical expandable / retractable tubes which house the rolled fabric for each side (front, back, left and right, additional tubes can be added for multifaceted objects); the superior lightweight cylindrical tubes are space saving, lightweight, and are automatically adjusted to the desired width and length before activating the lowering of the connected fabric box shape to form a lockable secure enclosure. 5 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote- controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 utilises a superior covering in the form of a rolled toughened fabric; a choice of fabrics: Teflon, epoxy woven glass fabric, polyethylene thermoformable fabric, chainmail and polymer braided wire fabric or a combination has replaced the blinds; the new technology of changing a pliable fabric into a solid-state surface by heat, steam or cooling has also been incorporated. 6 The solar powered , fully automatic, remote - controlled Covering according to Claim 1 can now be upgraded and advanced by replacing the heavy solid solar panels with solar fabric with photovoltaic cells, luminescent solar concentrators; hydrophobic fabric with impregnation coatings could also be incorporated; this gives choices when manufacturingto utilise the most cost efficient product; the solar photovoltaic cells could also be infiltrated into the rolled fabric; a solar fabric coating of any outward parts could be incorporated ,such as, the exterior of the cylindrical tubes; this addition would maximise the receptive area torthe intake and absorption of the solar power energy. 7 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote - controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 has the option of incorporating solar battery storage in the photovoltaic cells of the solar fabric, made up of copper wire, zinc oxide interwoven with copper coated polytetrafluoroethylene strips and / or a polyester yarn coated with nickel and carbon combined with polyurethane. 8. The solar powered, fully automatic, remote - controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 has been upgraded and advanced by adding the option of incorporating molten salt thermal energy storage which reduces CO2 emissions making it eco-friendly with a reduced environmental footprint; an added benefit for the Covering is that the molten salt storage provides an additional 7 hours of power after sunset. 9 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote - controlled Covering according to Claim 1 has a superior design which is adaptable to cover all modes of transport; the Elementary Model is an extension of the frame to shield from above to form a carport structure; the Standard Model is an adaptation of the full covering with the protective covering shieldingto just below window level; the Deluxe Model is the full Covering, the design of which is adaptable to the other models ; the Prestige Model is the full Covering in principle, but the design is upgraded again for the individual car makers to enhance the Covering with special features of their choice; the Prestige Model could be colour coded , streamlined , contoured, and moulded to the Manufacturer designer's specifications and becomes a promotional accessory. 10 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote -controlled Covering according to Claim 1 is s superior upgraded design that is adaptable to all modes of transport; bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, caravans, vans, lorries, trucks, boats, farm machinery (can be the free-standing model); containers, vans, lorries, trucks; adaptation would be beneficial as the original sides would be removed and replaced by the Covering giving access from all sides for ease of reaching what would be inaccessible without unpacking items blocking it in front; time saving, safe, practical, methodical means of securing and transporting merchandise. 11. The solar powered, fully automatic, remote -controlled Covering according to Claim 1 has an adaptation in the free - standing model which can be raised from a flat ground level position ; the positioning is flexible as it is movable; the free standing Covering is consistent with the design of the expandable frame and it has all the same components of the vehicle Covering concept with optional adaptations to service the requirement needs of the customer; the difference to the Covering of vehicles is it is raised from the ground upwards and then the object(s) placed inside the enclosure formed; an alternative is for the frame legs to be raised like stilts and then rolled over the top of the object it is to protect, and then the sides are lowered to form the enclosure; both options can be used as additional temporary or permanent rooms including office space, classrooms, hospital rooms, emergency rooms or army ops rooms , for filmmakers props and equipment, builders equipment and merchandise, also for crime scenes or whatever the need may be, it does not matter how big or how small there would be a Covering to fit, as standard packs would be small, medium, large etc and as in the vehicle Covering it is still adjustable by the sensors that determines the size required . 12 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote - controlled Covering according to Claim 1 has an option of being combined with other power sources; wind power and / or hydro power: the design is still in the process; the concept is for a horizontal round vented fan encasing structure to be placed on the top of the Covering with its extremities covered with the solar cell fabric, within the casing is the horizontal wind turbine blades; the speed of the travelling vehicle draws in the wind that powers the blades whilst the vehicle is in motion, but also to a lesser extent when stationary but it would still be functioning. 13 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote -controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 has an option of being combined with other power sources; the hydropower energy is made possible by a convection process; the solar power combined with the wind turbine is a means to force the heated air into a chamber which has controlled temperatures that condenses it into water which builds up in the tank containing molten salt in the base of the receptacle, the water is then pumped up by a trigger action that draws the water up an inserted pipe that then squirts the water repeatedly onto the a rotating cogwheel; it is also possible to heat the water to 570 degrees to become a steam generator; these optional extras of additional power sources are still in the concept stage and the designs are still being refined . 14 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote- controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 is multifunctional apparatus that has been upgraded and advanced and refined so it is now superior in its entirety to its prior art; upgraded and advanced design, upgraded and advanced superior components which tackled weight issues and functioning issues; the removal of the roof rack, layered top box and Louvre or Venetian blinds is a major innovative step; the substitutions and additions of the new trellis expansion , cylindrical tube housing on the extremities of the frame to house the rolled lightweight fabric is also a major breakthrough for the design challenges that needed rectifying in order to proceed to the manufacturing of the device. !5 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote-controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 is now a superior model due to the upgrading and advancement in the design that makes the initial intended use in the prier art more feasible and obtainable; the intended use of 24 / 7 lockable Covering that is easily activated and deactivated back into the storage state and still be aesthetically pleasing in appearance : the Covering in its full state providing crime prevention, climate protection and to bringthe bricks and mortar garaging into 21 st Century freeing up the garage space for extra living accommodation or other practical needs. !7 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote-controlled Covering accordingto Claim 1 has a superior upgraded and advanced design which will be beneficial to the Private Sector, Business Sector, and to the Government sectors; the manufacturing and fitting of the Covering will provide employment, the merchandising of the product will boost the economy; the protection of usually the second highest valued purchase after the family home protected against weather damage depreciation ; the crime prevention statistics reduced and insurance claims reduced and the need for higher insurance premiums decreased. 18 The solar powered, fully automatic remote -controlled 24 / 7 Covering accordingto Claim 1 has an additional usage as a backup power source to assist and boost in the functioning of air conditioning, heating etc therefore alleviating draining of the electric power storage required for the prime source of the motorisation of the electronic vehicles; the combination of solar, wind and / or hydropower will provide a new power source, thus a novel innovative step to provide a multifaceted energy power system; the intention is to achieve an efficient, cost effective, eco-friendly, energy power; the new design of the Covering is now more biodegradable and therefore more environmentally friendly. AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS: THE COVERING

Claims

1 The COVERING is a modernised , modified , enhanced and rectified design of the cited expired Prior Art titled an Expanding roof rack, that proved to have component and technical issues in the design; the COVERING has rectified and solved the issues with innovative components and breakthrough, modernised technology, that has revolutionised the intended purpose, and the objectives, of the concept and counteracted the original flaws that made it an unworkable design that prevented it coming into fruition ; the principles of the intended purpose, along with the background technical foundational aspects and the basic embedded operational manoeuvrability of the Prior Art are refined with the principles still retained; the basic intended aspiration of the corresponding design provides a solar powered, fully automatic remote- controlled, 24 / 7 full covering / garage for a car (four models); adaptations for any mode of transport or free- standing model; the Prior Art heavy roof rack mechanism is now obsolete due to the weight issues; the replacement component of a lightweight, condensed, mechanism of a retractable / expandable, riveted , trellis that performs the function to elongate, and marginally widen the frame in order that the frame is positioned in the correct dimensions; the innovative extension mechanism is a box shaped frame that only needs to be on the extremities of, and it is now flush with, its attached surface enhancingthe aerodynamics; once sensors detect that the expanded frame has full clearance , with no obstructions , including the heat sensors, a safety measure for detection of body heat,it stops and generates the activation of the next procedure ; the Prior Art layered top box, the Venetian or louvre blinds are now obsolete; the roof rack layered top box storage is replaced with tubular storage cylinders that are attached onto the trellis mechanism on the extremities on all 4 sides of the frame; the concertina louvre or Venetian blinds are obsolete and have been replaced with innovative toughened roiled fabric ; these corresponding, enhanced , replacements provide the solution that addresses the Prior Art design issues that hindered the functionality, as it was prohibited by the weight that caused technical issues that subsequently prevented production ; the rolled fabric is housed within the cylindrical tubes ; the fabric unrolls and is linked at each selvage edge to form a four sided box shape; the next stage is an activation to release the fabric which unrolls once the sensors have the correct dimensions in place ; the selvage of the fabric are joined and locked together ( 8 corner fabric selvage edges ) each edge is guided within a two- sided, corner, frame that is incorporated within the rectangular box shaped frame of the attached cylindrical tube housing; once fully extended the fabric is in the form of a box-shaped enclosure ; the next stage is activated in which the solar fabric is hardened by a change of temperature by applying heat that transforms the flexible fabric into the secure Covering ; in like manner when retracting the Covering the temperature is once again altered in order for the fabric to become pliable and activate a reverse action mechanism returning everything to within its closed storage housing of the cylindrical tubular shaped tubes ; the static, solid solar panel is used in conjunction with the flexible fabric; a space to accommodate it is in the centre of the frame extremities; the solar panel utilised in conjunction with solarfabric enhances the energy power with the embedded photovoltaic cells, luminescent solar concentrators ;hydrophobic fabric with impregnation coatings could also be incorporated ; this gives choices of solar photovoltaic cells being infiltrated into the rolled fabric ; a solar fabric coating of any outward parts could be incorporated including the exterior of the cylindrical tubes; thisaddition would maximise the receptive area tor the intake and absorption of the solar power energy ; further innovation of wind turbine powered energy and with convection into the water powered hydro - energy; activation is by enhancement to the remote-control device or as an optional phone app; added optional security safety measure of facial recognition is also an innovative technology; the replacement enhancements are essential to the functionality; the variations provide a choice in the price range reliant on the adaptations utilised;enhancements also initiates a more aerodynamic and aesthetic design that transformed the original concept with an enhanced, functioning system, plus providing new usage.2 The solar powered, fully automatic, remote -controlled Covering has an extension / retraction trellis mechanism according to Claim 1 which marginally widens and elongates to the desired dimensions that are determined by sensors); the clearance required is minimal to just avoid any protrusions ; the sensors also determine the extent of the fabric drop down in order for it to stop at the ground level or intended level; this trellis mechanism is a functional innovative replacement (Prior Art GB2416747) which is not only lighter in structure, but also is condensed to its attachment on the extremities which aids in the functioning enhancement in lessening the amount of motorisation required .3 The Covering according to Claim 1 has replacement 4 hollow cylindrical expandable / retractable tubes which house the rolled fabric for each side (front, back, left and right, additional tubes and attached trellis mechanisms can be added for multi- faceted objects, no matter how big or how small); the replacement innovative cylindrical tubes are space saving, lightweight, and are automatically adjusted to the desired width and length of the rectangular box-shape required, before activating the lowering of the connected, rolled fabric to form a lockable secure enclosure; these innovative replacements are problem solving of issues in the Prior Art.4 The Covering according to Claim 1 utilises an innovative covering in the form of a rolled toughened fabric; a choice of fabrics: Teflon, epoxy woven glass fabric, polyethylene thermoformable fabric, chainmail and polymer braided wire fabric or a combination has replaced the blinds; the new technology of changing a pliable fabric into a solid-state surface by heat; a revolutionary , innovative component that is problem solving to the Prior Art.5 The Covering accordingto Claim 1 in the original, corresponding concept the solar power was obtained by the solid solar panel; it can still function alone but now has the added option of being replaced by, or used in conjunction with, innovative solar fabric; this additional solar energy provides a new usage as backup for charging electric cars, but also has its own backup of electric charging; a further technical advancement is by the innovative technology of the incorporation of solar battery storage cells; innovative replacement components that modernised and problem solved issues in the Prior Art plus the enhancements add new usage.6 The Covering accordingto Claim 1 has the further innovation of adding wind powered energy and water powered energy; the innovation of combining additional energy sources with the solar powered energy generates a boosted system ; the wind power and / or hydro power is a concept and the designs are still in the process of being refined; the design is for the innovative wind power to be utilised in conjunction with the solar generated power; the horizontal round vented fan that encases the wind turbine blades is to be placed on the top of the Covering roof, with its extremities covered with the solar cell fabric; the horizontal, wind turbine blades are power-forced to rotate as the speed of the travelling vehicle draws in the wind that powers the blades whilst the vehicle is in motion, but also to a lesser extent when stationary, but it would still be functioning, that is if weather permitting ; further enhancement of being combined with other power sources; wind power and / or hydro power; the hydropower energy is made possible by a convection process; the solar power combined withthe wind turbine is a means to force the heated air into a chamber which has controlled temperatures that condenses it into water which builds up in the tank containing molten salt in the base of the receptacle , the water is then pumped up by a trigger action that draws the water up an inserted pipe that then squirts the water repeatedly onto a rotating cog wheel; it is also possible to heat the water to 570 degrees to become a steam generator; new additional innovative components to enhance and energy boost the original power source of the Prior Art into a combined energy system.7 The Covering according to Claim 1 has a remote-control activation the new innovative technology enables a key remote activation or a choice of a phone app; innovative components to enhance and modernise the Prior Art.8 The Covering according to Claim 1 has an extra security option of camera phone face recognition of the owner; camera facial recognition of nominated other drivers if there are multiple users; this is new usage for added security measures.9 The Covering described in Claim 1 has the provision of displaying the number plate of the vehicle that it is attached to; the number plate recognition is on the Covering on the exterior of the extended toughened fabric which is integrated into the final product; the corresponding unique number embedded on the fabric for identification and security.10 The Covering according to Claim 1 has the option of incorporating molten salt thermal energy storage cells which reduces CO2 emissions making it more eco-friendly with a reduced environmental footprint; an added benefit for the Covering is that the molten salt storage provides an additional 7 hours of stored power after sunset.11 The Covering according to Claim 1 has corresponding designs (GB2416747) which is a modernised and modified adaptation of the corresponding Prior Art with enhanced components and revolutionary technology utilised ; the Deluxe model was used for the purpose of demonstration of the enhancements but there are still 4 models, and the enhancements adapted to provide their functionality ; the enhancementto the ultimate Prestige Model is the full Covering in principle, but the design is unique to the vehicle it is covering; with the proviso for the individual car makers to enhance the Covering with special features of their choice; the Prestige Model could be colour coded , streamlined , contoured, and moulded to the Manufacturer designer's specifications and becomes a promotional accessory.12 The Covering according to Claim 1 is an enhancement in innovative components and modernised technology that modified the flawed design of the corresponding Prior Art; the enhancements in the innovative design have the same principles and purpose and the enhancements therefore are adaptable to all modes of transport, bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, caravans, vans, lorries, trucks, boats, farm machinery (can be the free-standing model), and containers.13 The Covering accordingto Claim 1 is an enhancement design but still maintains the embedded principles of the corresponding Prior Art; the enhancement design adaptation in the free - standing model enables functionality; the positioning is flexible as it is movable ; the free standing Covering is consistent with the design of the expandable frame and it has all the same innovative components of the vehicle Covering concept with adaptations to service the requirement needs of the customer; the difference to the Covering of vehicles is it is raised from the ground upwards and then the object(s) placed inside the enclosure formed; an alternative is for the frame legs to be raised like stilts and the covering components uses the mechanism to roll the fabric over the top of the object it is to protect, and then the sides are lowered to form the enclosure with the application of heat; the enhancement design enables the functionality for both options can be used as additional temporary or permanent instantrooms including office space, classrooms, hospital rooms , emergency rooms or army ops rooms , for filmmakers props and equipment, builders equipment and merchandise, also for crime scenes or whatever the need may be, it does not matter how big or how small there would be a Covering to fit, as standard packs would be small, medium, large etc and as in the vehicle Covering it is still adjustable by the sensors that determines the size required.14 The Covering according to Claim 1 is an enhanced, rectified, functional design of the corresponding Prior Art; it has an additional usage as a backup power source to assist and boost in the functioning of air conditioning, heating etc therefore alleviating draining of the electric power storage required for the prime source of the motorisation of the electronic vehicles ; the combination of solar, wind and / or hydropower will provide a new power source, thus a novel innovative step to provide a multifaceted energy power system; the corresponding, embedded technology has been revolutionised with innovative lightweight components and enhanced technical intention to achieve an efficient, cost effective, eco-friendly , energy power source; the new design of the Covering is now more biodegradable and therefore more environmentally friendly .