Roof tent securement mechanism

Abstract

A roof tent securing mechanism comprising a rigidly coupled fixed body 102 and slidably coupled slide body 104 which both couple to the underside of a roof tent. The fixed body abuts a first side of a

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to roof tent securement mechanisms. Background of the Invention A roof tent, or rooftop tent, is a specialised type of camping tent configured to be attached to the roof of a vehicle, typically a car, to provide accommodation during recreation and adventure. Roof tents often comprise a rigid base element, for example, formed of a metallic panel, configured to support occupants and contents over the roof of a vehicle. Like conventional tents, roof tents are generally collapsable into a compact form when not in use. Typically, roof tents are secured to roof bars of a vehicle via roof rack (or roof mounted rack) by the base element or a framework coupled thereto. It is important to securely attach a roof tent to a vehicle to avoid unintentional detachment of the roof tent from the vehicle during travel, e.g., at high speeds or in high winds, which may cause loss or damage of the tent as well as present a serious hazard to other road users. In addition, it is becoming increasingly important to secure roof tents against unauthorised removal from vehicles. In particular, as roof tent technology progresses and roof tents become more versatile, desirable and valuable. Existing roof tent securement mechanisms are slow to operate and often require the use of tools. The invention disclosed and claimed herein seeks to alleviate at least these problems with the prior art. Summary of the Invention At its most general, the present invention provides a mechanism for securing a roof tent to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. The mechanism comprises a fixed body and a slide body, the slide body being configured to slide towards and away from the fixed body to alternately secure and release a bar between the slide body and the fixed body. The mechanism further comprises a fastener configured to secure the fixed body and slide body together. By being slidable into position and securable by the fastener, the slide body provides a quick secure and quick release mechanism. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a roof tent securement mechanism configured to releasably secure a roof tent to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a fixed body configured to be substantially rigidly coupled to an underside of a roof tent; and a slide body configured to be slidably coupled to the underside of the roof tent; the fixed body being configured to abut a first side of a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle; and the slide body being slidably adjustable between a first position in which the slide body abuts a second side of said bar, the second side being opposite the first side, and a second position in which the slide body is removed from said bar; wherein one of the fixed body and the slide body comprises a fastener operable to engage with the other one of the fixed body and the slide body to releasably couple the slide body to the fixed body in the first position to secure the roof tent to the bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. A suitable roof tent, or rooftop tent, for securement by the mechanism of the invention may be any tent configured for roof mounting on a vehicle. For example, a roof tent may be an inflatable tent, a hard shell roof tent, a folding roof tent or a pop-up roof tent. The vehicle may be any suitable vehicle and specifically any type of car or van. A suitable bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle to which the mechanism of the invention may secure a roof tent may be any bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle and configured to support luggage or cargo. For example, the bar may be a roof bar, a roof rail or a roof rack. Other suitable bars may also exist. The fixed body and sliding body are both configured to be coupled to an underside of a roof tent. An underside of a roof tent may comprise a substantially flat panel. Additionally or alternatively, an underside of a roof tent may comprise a frame formed of frame members, for example, comprising extruded aluminium bars. A frame member may comprise a rail to enable the slide body to slide with respect to the rail. In this way, the slide body may be slidably adjustable between the first position and the second position in a direction parallel to the frame member. The fixed body is configured to be substantially rigidly coupled to the underside of a roof tent. In particular, once coupled, the fixed body is configured to be substantially immovable in normal use relative to the underside of the roof tent. The fixed body may be decoupled from the roof tent during de-installation of the mechanism. The slide body is configured to be slidably coupled to the underside of the roof tent. In particular, the slide body is configured to slide with respect to the underside of the roof tent while remaining coupled to the underside of the roof tent. The slide body may also be rotatable with respect to the underside of the roof tent around an axis arranged normal to an underside surface of the roof tent. In the first position, both the fixed body and the slide body are configured to abut a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. As such, the first position may be a secured, or closed, position of the mechanism. The fixed body and slide body are arranged on either side of the bar such that, in the first position, each body interacts with opposite sides of the bar. In this way, the bodies are arranged immediately adjacent either side of the bar to, once the fastener is operated, clamp the mechanism, and thereby the roof tent, to the bar. While the bar may comprise any suitable cross sectional shape, e.g., round, oval, square, II-shaped etc., the sides of the bar may be considered to be faces of the bar arranged substantially vertically and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bar. Where the bar is curved, tangents to sides of the bar may be arranged substantially vertically and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bar. In the second position, the slide body is configured to be removed from the bar. That is, the slide body has been slid from the first position, away from the bar, into the second position. As such, the second position may be an unsecured, or open, position of the mechanism. When the slide body is removed from the bar, the slide body is not in contact with the bar and is not immediately adjacent the bar. In this way, when the slide body is in the second position, the mechanism, and thereby the roof tent, is removable from the vehicle. The fastener may be a component of the fixed body or of the slide body. As an example, when the fastener is component of the slide body, the fastener is retained by the slide body and slides with the slide body in normal use. Therefore the fastener is not translated with respect to the slide body during operation. In this example, the fastener is configured to engage with the fixed body to releasably couple the slide body to the fixed body in the first position to secure the roof tent to the bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. During installation, the mechanism is coupled to an underside of a roof tent. During use, the roof tent and coupled mechanism are placed on at least one bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. The position of the tent is adjusted so that the fixed body of the mechanism abuts one side of the bar. The slide body is slid towards the fixed body until the fastener engages (e.g., where the fastener is a component of the slide body, until the fastener engages with the fixed body) or until the slide body abuts the other side of the bar from the fixed body. The fastener is then operated, e.g., actuated or tightened, to couple the slide body to the fixed body and secure the roof tent to the bar vehicle. In some embodiments, the slide body is slidably adjustable between the first position and the second position in a direction parallel to the underside of the roof tent. In other words, the slide body slides along the underside of the roof tent. Where the underside of the roof tent comprises a rail, the slide body may slide along the rail. Where the underside of the roof tent comprises a skate, the slide body may slide along a groove in the skate. By sliding along the underside of the roof tent, the travel of the slide body does not increase a vertical height of the mechanism keeping the mechanism compact and suitable for a wide variety of bars arranged on the roofs of a wide variety of vehicles. In some embodiments, the slide body is rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the underside of the roof tent. In some embodiments, the slide body is rotatable through a substantially right angle. In this way, the slide body (and any fastener) may be rotated with respect to the fixed body and any roof tent to which the sliding body and fixed body are coupled. In some embodiments, a biasing element is provided to retain the slide body in position after it has been rotated through a right angle. The biasing element may be overcome manually to restore the slide body to an original position. The biasing element may also be configured to retain the slide body in the original position. The rotation may allow a user to accurately align the slide body with the fixed body prior to securing the slide body in the first position, improving an ease of use. In addition, the rotation may allow the slide body, and any fastener, to be rotated away from the bar while in the second position such that the slide body, and any fastener, are less likely catch on the bar while the roof tent is being removed from the vehicle, improving an ease of installation and de-installation of a roof tent on a vehicle. In some embodiments, the fastener is configured to extend between the slide body and the fixed body by passing underneath the bar. In this way, with the roof tent arranged above the bar, the fastener disposed below the bar may inhibit detachment of the roof tent from the bar by lifting the tent upwards. Accordingly, by providing the fastener extending underneath the bar, a roof tent may be securely coupled to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the fastener is manually operable. In other words, no tools are required to operate the fastener. In this way, the fastener is easy to use and the mechanism is easy to secure and release. In some embodiments, the fastener comprises a threaded stud configured to threadably engage with a threaded hole. For example, where the slide body comprises the fastener, the fixed body may comprise a threaded hole. Alternatively, the fixed body may comprise the fastener and the slide body may comprise the threaded hole. In this way, the fixed body and slide body may be rigidly coupled together such that the roof tent is reliably and soundly secured to the vehicle. In other embodiments, the fastener may comprise a lever operated cam assembly, for example, in combination with a threaded rod or stud. In other embodiments, the fastener may comprise a ratchet mechanism. The fastener may comprise any suitable fastener that is manually operable to securely fasten the fixed body and slide body together around a bar. In addition, engagement of the threaded stud with the threaded hole may be adjusted (e.g., loosened or tightened) to suit a wide variety of bars arranged on the roofs of vehicles. This is primarily because a threaded engagement provides continuous adjustment of a position of the slide body to provide continuous adjustment of grip (i.e. compression provided by fastener tension) on the bar, rather than providing engagement only at discrete positions which may not be suitable for all bar sizes. In this way, the mechanism of the claimed invention is versatile and convenient. Further, the threadedly engaging mechanism may require no removable parts, e.g., pins or clips, which may be easily lost or damaged during use of the mechanism, or may cause damage, e.g., scratches, to the vehicle during awkward installation. In some embodiments, the slide body is slidable along at least a portion of a path between the first position and the second position by operation of the fastener. In other words, the fastener of one of the fixed body and the slide body may engage with the other one of the fixed body and the slide body before the slide body is brought into abutment with the bar. In this situation, operation of the fastener may cause the slide body to be translated towards the fixed body and the bar. In this way, the slide body may be wound towards the bar by the fastener ensuring reliable engagement of the mechanism and the bar. In some embodiments, the slide body comprises a foot configured to extend under the bar and towards the fixed body when the slide body is in the first position. Accordingly, the foot may inhibit detachment of the roof tent from the bar by lifting the tent upwards, providing a secure attachment of roof tent and vehicle. In embodiments where the fastener extends underneath the bar, the foot also extending under the bar may act to shield the fastener from environmental conditions, e.g., rain and road spray, or from sabotage, e.g., via bolt-cutters, to protect the fastener and prolong its useful life. Further, when the slide body is rotated through a substantially right angle, the foot of the slide body may extend beyond an edge of the roof tent. In other words, the slide body may be rotatable such that the foot of the slide body protrudes from the roof tent. In this position, the foot may act to stabilise the roof tent when the roof tent is placed on a surface, e.g., the ground, and not a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. This effect may be particularly relevant when the roof tent is placed on an uneven surface, such as outdoors, e.g., at a campsite. In this way, the mechanism may provide stability to the roof tent when not installed on the vehicle. The foot may also act as a wall mounting hook for use during storage of the roof tent. In some embodiments, the foot is configured to extend under the fixed body to substantially occlude a portion of an underside of the fixed body when the slide body is in the first position. In some embodiments, the foot is configured to extend under the fixed body to substantially occlude substantially all of an underside of the fixed body when the slide body is in the first position. In this way, the foot may inhibit access to a portion or substantially all of the underside of the fixed body when the mechanism is secured to a bar. By inhibiting access to an underside of the fixed body, unauthorised removal of the roof tent form the vehicle, e.g., by de-coupling the mechanism from the roof tent, may be inhibited. Further, the foot may be configured to engage with an underside of the fixed body to substantially mechanically link the fixed body to the slide body. For example, the foot may comprise a protrusion configured to be received in a groove of the fixed body as the slide body slides towards the fixed body. In this way, when the slide body is in the first position, a stiffness of the mechanism may be enhanced by the foot connecting the fixed body to the slide body. In some embodiments, the foot comprises a sole surface configured to provide grip to the foot. The sole surface may provide grip so that, when the roof tent is placed on a surface and not a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle, the roof tent is stable and supported. The sole surface may comprise a durable and high-friction material, such as an elastomer material. The sole surface may also act as a barrier between the foot and the surface the roof tent is placed on. In this way, the sole surface may protect the foot from water, mud or debris on the surface. In some embodiments, at least one of the slide body and the fixed body comprises a protective pad arranged on a surface configured to abut the bar to mitigate damage to the bar caused by the securement mechanism. The protective pad may also act to provide increased grip to surface of the fixed body and slide body configured to abut the bar to provide reliable securement of the roof tent. In some embodiments, one or both of the surface of the fixed body configured to abut the bar and the surface of the slide body configured to abut the bar is arranged at an acute angle to the side of the bar. In other words, one of both of the fixed body and the slide body comprises an inclined surface configured to abut the bar. In this way, when the slide body is in the first position, a distance between the slide body and the fixed body measured proximate the roof tent may be greater than a distance between the slide body and the fixed body measured proximate the vehicle. Accordingly, when the fastener is operated to securely engage the fixed body and the slide body, the securement mechanism and any attached roof tent may be urged towards the bar and vehicle, i.e., generally downwards. In this way, the roof tent may be securely engaged with the bar of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the roof tent securement mechanism further comprises a locking element operable to lock the mechanism in the first position or the second position. In this way, the locking element may inhibit movement of the slide body. In some embodiments, the locking element is operable to inhibit operation of the fastener. Accordingly, the locking mechanism may inhibit unauthorised removal of a roof tent from a vehicle. In some embodiments, the locking element comprises a ratchet configured to permit operation of the fastener to couple the slide body to the fixed body and inhibit operation of the fastener to decouple the slide body from the fixed body. In other words, when the locking element is locked, the fastener may be tightened but not loosened. In this way, the locking element may inhibit unauthorised removal of the roof tent or loosening of the mechanism but may not inhibit tightening of the mechanism to securely couple the roof tent to the vehicle. In this way, the locking element may be operated to inhibit loosening of the mechanism before the mechanism is fully tightened and subsequently the fastener may continue to be operated to secure the roof tent to the vehicle. In this way, a user is less likely to omit locking the mechanism (e.g., forget to lock the mechanism) because the mechanism may be locked in advance of fully tightening the mechanism. Accordingly, the locking element may be convenient and reliable. In some embodiments, the locking element is configured to be operated using a key. For example, the key may be inserted into a part of the fixed body or slide body to operate the locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the key is inserted into a keyhole provided on the fastener of the slide body so that the key may directly impact operation of the fastener. By providing a locking element requiring a key to operate, the mechanism is secure against unauthorised operation. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising: a plurality of roof tent securement mechanisms according to a first aspect. In particular, the kit of parts comprises a plurality of roof tent securement mechanisms that do not comprise locking elements, and a roof tent securement mechanism comprising a locking element. In this way, where a plurality of mechanisms are required to secure a roof tent to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle, only one may comprise a locking element providing security against unauthorised removal of the roof tent and convenience to the authorised user. In some embodiments, the kit of parts comprising three roof tent securement mechanisms that do not comprise locking elements. In this way, a roof tent may be secured to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle at each of four corners of the roof tent and / or vehicle roof. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a roof tent securement mechanism according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the roof tent securement mechanism of Fig. 1 in relation to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle; Figure 3 shows a side view of the roof tent securement mechanism of Fig. 1 in relation to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle; Figure 4 shows a side view of the roof tent securement mechanism of Fig. 1 secured to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle; and Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a roof tent securement mechanism according to an alternative embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. Detailed Description With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated a roof tent securement mechanism 100 configured to releasably secure a roof tent to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. The mechanism 100 comprises a fixed body 102 configured to be substantially rigidly coupled to an underside of a roof tent and a slide body 104 configured to be slidably coupled to the underside of the roof tent. The fixed body 102 is configured to abut a first side of a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. The slide body 104 being slidably adjustable between a first position in which the slide body 104 abuts a second side of said bar, the second side being opposite the first side, and a second position in which the slide body 104 is removed from said bar. In Fig. 1, the slide body 104 comprises a fastener 106 operable to engage with the fixed body 102 to releasably couple the slide body 104 to the fixed body 102 in the first position to secure the roof tent to the bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the fastener 106 may be a component of the fixed body 102 and may be operable to engage with the slide body 104 to releasably couple the slide body 104 to the fixed body 102 in the first position. Both the fixed body 102 and the slide body 104 comprise generally cuboid shapes. Specifically, the fixed body 102 comprises the shape of a cube wherein a lower horizontal edge has been removed such that the fixed body 102 comprises an irregular pentagon shape in vertical cross section. The slide body comprises a substantially trapezoidal prism shape. A lower portion of the slide body 102 is substantially wider than an upper portion of the slide body 102 to provide a tapering wedge shape. In this way, when the slide body 104 approaches the fixed body 102 around a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle, the bar is encouraged by the tapering slide body 104 into engagement with the mechanism 100 and the underside of the tent, and is thereby inhibited from escaping the mechanism 100. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the fastener 106 comprises a threaded stud 108 and the fixed body 102 comprises a threaded hole 110. The threaded stud 108 is configured to threadably engage with the threaded hole 110 of the fixed body 102. In this way, the fastener 106 sturdily secures the slide body 104 to the fixed body 102. The fastener 106 of Fig. 1 comprises a star knob 112 to enable manually operation of the fastener 106. Any other suitable handle enabling manual operation of the fastener may be used, e.g., a knurled knob or a wing knob. The user may rotate the star knob 112 by hand, without using a tool, to operate the fastener 106 to tighten or loosen the fastener 106 to engage or disengage respectively the slide body 104 from the fixed body 102. As shown in Fig. 1, in some embodiments, the slide body 104 comprises a foot 114. The foot may comprise an elongate and substantially U-shaped protrusion configured to extend from the slide body 104. The foot 114 may extend towards, even meeting or substantially covering, the fixed body 102 when the slide body 104 is in the first position. In this way, the foot 114 may shield the fastener 106 and / or an underside of the fixed body 102. The foot 114 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 comprises a sole surface 116 configured to provide grip to the foot 114. In Fig. 1 the sole surface 116 is a separate part from the foot 114. The sole surface 116 may comprise an elastomer component configured to clip onto the foot 114. In other embodiments, the sole surface 116 may be formed integrally with the foot 114, e.g., the sole surface may be a texture applied to or cut into the foot 114. Alternatively, the sole surface 116 may be applied as a coating, e.g., a rubber coating, applied to the foot 114. In Fig. 1, the slide body and the fixed body each comprise a protective pad 118. The protective pads 118 are arranged on surfaces of the fixed body and slide body respectively that are configured to abut the bar in use. In this way, the protective pads 118 may mitigate damage to the bar caused by the securement mechanism 100. Further, the pads may improve a grip of the securement mechanism 100 on the bar. With reference to Figure 2, there is illustrated the roof tent securement mechanism 100 of Fig. 1 in relation to a bar 202 arranged on a roof 204 of a vehicle 206. Features of Fig. 2 that are shared with Fig. 1 are denoted by like reference numerals and are not described in detail again. In Fig. 2, the mechanism 100 is arranged in the second, open, position. Further, in Fig. 2, the slide body 104 of the mechanism 100 is rotated with respect to the fixed body 102 and roof tent 208 about an axis substantially normal to the underside of the roof tent 208. As such, the slide body is located substantially out of the way of the bar 202 to enable easy alignment of the mechanism 100 and the bar 202 during installation of the roof tent 208 on the vehicle 206. As shown in Fig. 2, the slide body 104 is rotatable through a substantially right angle. In other words, the slide body 104 is rotatable through approximately 90 degrees between an orientation in which the slide body 104 is couplable to the fixed body 102 by the fastener 106 and an orientation in which the slide body 104 is substantially parallel to the bar 202, as shown in Fig. 2. In the orientation shown in Fig. 2, the foot 114 of the slide body 104 is rotated away from the bar 202 to protrude outwards from the underside of the roof tent. In this way, the foot 114 may provide a support for the roof tent 208 when the roof tent 208 is placed on a surface. The foot 114 may provide stability to the roof tent 208 when on the surface by providing a laterally extending support. Further, the foot 114 may space the base, or floor, of the roof tent 208 away from the surface, e.g., the ground. In this way, the base of the roof tent 208 may be protected from mud, moisture and debris on the ground such that the roof tent 208 is less likely to become damaged or soiled. Further, by spacing the base of the roof tent 208 away from the ground, the foot 114 provides that the roof tent 208 may be insulated from the elements, e.g. cold, so that the occupants may be more comfortable. In addition, spacing the base of the roof tent 208 away from the ground using the foot 114 may reduce a risk of wildlife, e.g., spiders and scorpions, entering the roof tent 208. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, there is illustrated the roof tent securement mechanism 100 of Fig. 1 in relation to a bar 202 arranged on a roof 204 of a vehicle 206. Features of Figs. 3 and 4 that are shared with Fig. 1 and / or Fig. 2 are denoted by like reference numerals and are not described in detail again. In Fig. 3, the mechanism 100 is arranged in the second, open, position. The slide body 104 is arranged removed from and substantially perpendicular to the bar 202 arranged on the roof 204 of the vehicle 206. In this orientation, the slide body is aligned with the fixed body 102. In Fig. 4, the mechanism 100 is arranged in the first, closed, position; the slide body 104 abuts the bar 202. The fastener 106 of the slide body 104 is engaged with the fixed body 102 to secure the mechanism 100 to the bar 202 arranged on the roof 204 of the vehicle 206. In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, the slide body 104 is slidable between the first and second positions by operation of the fastener 106. In other words, when the fastener 106 of the slide body 104 is operated to engage with the fixed body 102, the slide body 104 is urged towards the fixed body 102; tightening the fastener 106 causes the slide body 104 to slide towards the fixed body 102. The slide body 104 is configured to slide between the first position and the second position in a direction parallel to the underside of the roof tent 208. The fastener 106 is configured to extend between the slide body 104 and the fixed body 102 by passing underneath the bar 202. The foot 114 of the slide body 104 is configured to extend under the bar 202 and towards the fixed body 102 when the slide body 104 is in the first position. In this way, the foot 114 substantially occludes substantially all of an underside of the fixed body 102 when the slide body 104 is in the first position. As such, the underside of the fixed body 102 and the fastener 106 are shielded by the foot 114. With reference to Figure 5, there is illustrated a roof tent securement mechanism 500 configured to releasably secure a roof tent to a bar 510 arranged on a roof of a vehicle. The mechanism 500 of Fig. 5 comprises a locking element 502 operable to lock the mechanism 500 in the first position or the second position. In Fig. 5, the locking element comprises a ratchet disposed in the fastener 504 of the slide body 506. The ratchet is configured to permit operation of the fastener 504 to couple the slide body 506 to the fixed body and configured to inhibit operation of the fastener 504 to decouple the slide body 506 from the fixed body. The locking element may be operated using a key. A key hole 508 is shown on the fastener 504 of the slide body 506 in Fig. 5. When the key is inserted in the key hole 508, the fastener 504 may be operated in the loosening direction such that the fixed body and the slide body 506 may be decoupled and the roof tent removed from the roof of the vehicle. Also envisaged is a kit of parts comprising a plurality of, e.g., three, roof tent securement mechanisms as shown in any one of Figures 1-4; and a, e.g., one, roof tent securement mechanism as shown in Figure 5. The present invention is not limited to the specific examples or structures illustrated. Further embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be envisaged that have not been described above, for example, the roof tent securement mechanism may comprise a greater or lesser number of components than are illustrated in the figures. The roof tent securement mechanism may be formed of any suitable materials and using any suitable manufacturing methods. Various parts of the roof tent securement mechanism may be integrally formed with one another or formed separately and assembled together to provide a roof tent securement mechanism. The fixed body may have any suitable size or shape, be made of any suitable material(s) and be attached to the underside of a roof tent in any suitable manner. The slide body may have any suitable size or shape, be made of any suitable material(s) and be attached to the underside of a roof tent in any suitable manner. Roof tent securement mechanisms of different embodiments may be used together on one roof tent. To provide a quick secure and quick release roof tent securement mechanism, an innovative mechanism configured to be operated and adjusted by hand via simple apparatus is required. The device of the present invention provides an innovative solution involving no removable parts and few moving parts. The rotatable slide body of the mechanism improves an ease of installation of an associated roof tent on a vehicle. Further, the multi-functional foot of the slide body provides a shield to other parts of the mechanism, stiffness to the mechanism when secured and stability and support to a roof tent when arranged on a surface. The solution of the present invention is cost-effective, reliable and elegant. There has been herein described a roof tent securement mechanism configured to releasably secure a roof tent to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle. The mechanism comprises: a fixed body configured to be rigidly coupled to an underside of a roof tent and being configured to abut a first side of a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle; and a slide body configured to be slidably coupled to the underside of the roof tent and being slidably adjustable between a first position in which the slide body abuts a second side of the bar and a second position in which the slide body is removed from the bar; the slide body comprising a fastener operable to engage with the fixed body to releasably couple the slide body to the fixed body in the first position to secure the roof tent to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A roof tent securement mechanism configured to releasably secure a roof tent to a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising:a fixed body configured to be substantially rigidly coupled to an underside of a roof tent; anda slide body configured to be slidably coupled to the underside of the roof tent;the fixed body being configured to abut a first side of a bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle; and the slide body being slidably adjustable between a first position in which the slide body abuts a second side of said bar, the second side being opposite the first side, and a second position in which the slide body is removed from said bar;wherein one of the fixed body and the slide body comprises a fastener operable to engage with the other of the fixed body and the slide body to releasably couple the slide body to the fixed body in the first position to secure the roof tent to the bar arranged on a roof of a vehicle.

2. The roof tent securement mechanism of claim 1, wherein the slide body is rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the underside of the roof tent.

3. The roof tent securement mechanism of claim 2, wherein the slide body is rotatable through a substantially right angle.

4. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is configured to extend between the slide body and the fixed body by passing underneath the bar.

5. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is manually operable.

6. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded stud configured to threadably engage with a threaded hole of the fixed body.

7. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the slide body is slidable along at least a portion of a path between the first position and the second position by operation of the fastener.

8. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the slide body comprises a foot configured to extend under the bar and towards the fixed body when the slide body is in the first position.

9. The roof tent securement mechanism of claim 8, wherein the foot is configured to extend under the fixed body to substantially occlude a portion of an underside of the fixed body when the slide body is in the first position.

10. The roof tent securement mechanism of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the foot is configured to extend under the fixed body to substantially occlude substantially all of an underside of the fixed body when the slide body is in the first position.

11. The roof tent securement mechanism of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the foot comprises a sole surface configured to provide grip to the foot.

12. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the slide body and the fixed body comprises a protective pad arranged on a surface configured to abut the bar to mitigate damage to the bar caused by the securement mechanism.

13. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the slide body is slidably adjustable between the first position and the second position in a direction parallel to the underside of the roof tent.

14. The roof tent securement mechanism of any preceding claim, further comprising a locking element operable to lock the mechanism in the first position or the second position.

15. The roof tent securement mechanism of claim 14, wherein the locking element is operable to inhibit operation of the fastener.

16. The roof tent securement mechanism of claim 15, wherein the locking element comprises a ratchet configured to permit operation of the fastener to couple the slide body to the fixed body and inhibit operation of the fastener to decouple the slide body from the fixed body.

17. The roof tent securement mechanism of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the locking element is configured to be operated using a key.

18. A kit of parts comprising:a plurality of roof tent securement mechanisms according to any one of claims 1 to 13; anda roof tent securement mechanism according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. The kit of parts of claim 18, comprising three roof tent securement mechanisms according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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