Vehicle body cover device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body cover device that is simply configured, which can be handled conveniently and operated inexpensively.SOLUTION: The vehicle body cover device has a ceiling sheet, a right side sheet, a left side sheet, and a winding shaft behind the ceiling sheet, and further has a first rope whose one end is attached to a side closer to a left side than an intermediate point in a lateral direction of the winding shaft and whose other end is fixed to a lower edge portion of a short side behind the right side sheet, which is wound up by the winding shaft, and a second rope whose one end is attached to a side closer to a right side than the intermediate point in the lateral direction of the winding shaft and whose other end is fixed to a lower edge portion of a short side behind the left side sheet, which is wound up by the winding shaft. The winding shaft winds up the first and the second ropes, so that an area behind the right side sheet and an area behind the left side sheet are overlappingly arranged below the ceiling sheet to wind up the three sheets overlappingly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle body cover device. [Background technology]

[0002] There are simple car cover devices available that can be folded up when the car is not in use, freeing up the parking lot for sunlight and creating a sense of openness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-051917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional vehicle body covering devices are complex and expensive, and may not completely cover the vehicle body.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle body cover device that is simple in structure, easy to handle, and inexpensive to implement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, a ceiling sheet having left and right edge portions along a longitudinal direction; a right side sheet having an upper edge portion joined to the right edge portion of the left and right edge portions; a left side sheet having an upper edge portion joined to the left edge portion of the left and right edge portions; a winding shaft disposed at a distance behind the ceiling sheet and at approximately the same height as an edge portion of the rear short side of the ceiling sheet; a first rope having one end attached to the left of the left-right midpoint of the winding shaft and the other end fixed to a lower edge portion of the rear short side of the right seat, and capable of being wound by the winding shaft; a second rope having one end attached to the right side of the left-right midpoint of the winding shaft and the other end fixed to the lower edge portion of the rear short side of the left seat, and capable of being wound by the winding shaft; A vehicle body cover device is provided, characterized in that the winding shaft winds up the first rope and the second rope, thereby overlapping the area behind the right seat and the area behind the left seat and placing them under the ceiling sheet, thereby overlapping and winding up three sheets. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing in a simplified manner how a vehicle body cover device according to one embodiment covers a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a headliner, a right side seat, a left side seat, and a rear seat, which constitute the vehicle body cover device according to one embodiment, in an expanded state. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body cover device according to one embodiment as seen from the rear, and is an explanatory diagram showing the first rope and the second rope attached to the right side seat, the left side seat, and the ceiling seat. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is an oblique view showing a vehicle body cover device according to one embodiment from the rear, from the state shown in Figure 3, and is an explanatory diagram showing how the right side sheet and the left side sheet are pulled to the underside of the ceiling sheet as the first rope and the second rope are pulled rearward. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing another example of a rope locking means. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a simplified explanatory diagram showing how the entire seat is pulled toward the rear of the vehicle and wound up by the winding device. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the whole sheet as seen from the side immediately after the winding device starts to wind the whole sheet. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide means for changing the inclination of the side sheet. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is an explanatory view showing another example of the guide means for changing the inclination of the side sheet. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is an explanatory view showing still another example of the guide means for changing the inclination of the side sheet. [Figure 6E] FIG. 6E is an explanatory view showing still another example of the guide means for changing the inclination of the side sheet. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the initial state when the whole sheet wound on the winding device is released. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the whole sheet has been pulled out from the winding device and is positioned on the car. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a means for releasing the folded state of the right side seat and the left side seat from the state in which the entire seat is pulled out from the winding device and positioned on the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a simplified side view of a vehicle 100 covered by a vehicle body cover device 200. In Fig. 1, the ceiling sheet 11 of the vehicle body cover device 200 appears separated from the vehicle 100, but in reality, it is in contact with the vehicle 100 except for a small area. For example, near the boundary between the windshield and the hood, the ceiling sheet 11 is separated from the vehicle 100.

[0009] The front edge of the ceiling sheet 11 is connected to the upper edge of the front sheet 12 that constitutes the vehicle body cover device 200. This connecting portion 12A functions as a folding line, and the front sheet 12 can be rotated in the direction of arrow 12B to overlap (fold) the ceiling sheet 11 and the front sheet 12. In this state, the front sheet 12 and the ceiling sheet 11 can be temporarily fastened together with, for example, a hook and loop fastener (Velcro (registered trademark)), a zipper, or a button (not shown).

[0010] Meanwhile, the upper edge of the rear sheet 13 constituting the vehicle body cover device 200 is connected to the rear edge of the ceiling sheet 11. The connecting portion 13A functions as a folding line, and the rear sheet 13 can be rotated in the direction of arrow 13B to overlap (fold) the ceiling sheet 11 and the rear sheet 13. In this state, the rear sheet 13 and the ceiling sheet 11 can be temporarily fastened together with, for example, a hook and loop fastener (Velcro), a zipper, or a button (not shown).

[0011] FIG. 2 is a view showing the vehicle body cover device 200 as seen from the rear, with the ceiling sheet 11, right side seat 21, left side seat 22, and rear seat 13 expanded.

[0012] In the figure, the rear sheet 13 is shown in a state where it has already been rotated around the fold line 13A and superimposed on the ceiling sheet 11.

[0013] The connecting portion 21A on the right side of the right sheet 21 and the ceiling sheet 11 functions as a fold line. Similarly, the connecting portion 22A on the left side of the right sheet 21 and the ceiling sheet 11 functions as a fold line. The above fold line functions depending on how the sheets are sewn together, but it is also possible to use a cloth of a different material to integrate the two sheets so that a displacement force acts rearward when folded.

[0014] The rear edge of the right side sheet 21 may be reinforced with a hard belt 21D. Similarly, the rear edge of the left side sheet 22 may be reinforced with a hard belt 22D. Furthermore, the rear edge of the ceiling sheet 11 may also be reinforced with a hard belt 11D.

[0015] One end of a rope 31 is attached and fixed to a lower corner 31A of the rear edge of the right side sheet 21. The other end of this rope 31 passes through a rope hole 31B (which may be called a left-side fastening means) opened in, for example, a hard belt 11D of the ceiling sheet 11 from below to above the hard belt 11D, and is led rearward.

[0016] One end of a rope 32 is attached and fixed to a lower corner 32A of the rear edge of the left side sheet 22. The other end of this rope 32 passes through a rope hole 32B (which may be called a right-side fastening means) opened in, for example, a hard belt 11D of the ceiling sheet 11 from the bottom to the top of the hard belt 11D, and is led rearward.

[0017] Here, the ropes 32 and 33 are in a cross relationship when viewed from above in a plan view. The above configuration can be further explained as follows.

[0018] A left-side fastening means (rope hole 31B) is formed on the left side of the left-right midpoint of the short side at the edge (rear edge) of the rear short side of the ceiling sheet 11. Also, a right-side fastening means (rope hole 32B) is formed on the right side of the left-right midpoint of the short side at the edge (rear edge) of the rear short side of the ceiling sheet 11.

[0019] Next, the first rope 31 has one end fixed near the lower edge of the rear short side (rear edge) of the right side sheet 21, and the other end extending rearward after being engaged with the left-side fastening means (rope hole 31B).Furthermore, the second rope 32 has one end fixed near the lower edge of the rear short side (rear edge) of the left side sheet 22, and the other end extending rearward after being engaged with the right-side fastening means (rope hole 32B). The rope hole need not be limited to a rope hole, but may be any portion through which the rope can pass while being secured. For example, as shown in Fig. 4B, a ring 31C may be attached to rope hole 32B, and rope 32 may be passed through ring 31C.

[0020] When the first rope 31 and the second rope 41 are pulled rearward, the right side sheet 21 and the left side sheet 22 are folded up as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A and are pulled toward the lower surface of the ceiling sheet.

[0021] The rear sheet 13 is omitted in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows that a recess 21E is formed in the hard belt 21D at the rear edge of the right side sheet 21. This recess 21E is provided so as not to interfere with the running of the rope 32 when the right side sheet 21 and the left side sheet 22 are folded up as shown in Fig. 4B.

[0022] In the above explanation, it is assumed that locking means 31B and 32B are provided. However, locking means 31B and 32B are not necessarily provided. For example, when this device is applied to a small car, the purpose may be achieved by crossing the ends of rope 31 and rope 32 and winding them onto a winding shaft, which will be described later.

[0023] As described above, the reason why the left and right side sheets 21, 22 are folded and overlapped relative to the ceiling sheet 11, like when putting on a kimono, is as follows: The vertical width of the side sheets 21, 22 is approximately 70% to 85% of the width (left and right) of the ceiling sheet 11. For this reason, it is necessary to fold the left and right side sheets 21, 22 and overlap each other relative to the ceiling sheet 11.

[0024] 5 shows how the sheet of the vehicle body cover device 200 covering the vehicle 100 is being wound up by the winding device 500. The front seat 12 is folded onto the upper surface of the ceiling sheet 11 by the user, as described in FIG.

[0025] 4A, the ropes 31, 32, 41, 42 are wound toward the rear of the winding device 500. At this time, the right side sheet 21 and the left side sheet 22 are wound around the rotating shaft 501 of the winding device 500 while being folded up.

[0026] 6A shows how the entire sheet is wound up by winding device 500. Winding device 500 has winding shaft 501 to which the ends of ropes 31, 32, 41, and 42 are fixed. Both ends of winding shaft 501 are rotatably supported by support devices 511 and 512. Winding shaft 501 is disposed at the rear of vehicle 100, at a position higher than the roof of vehicle 100, and parallel to the width of the vehicle.

[0027] Furthermore, a gear 532 having a handle 531 is attached to the center of the height direction of the support devices 511 and 512. The gear 532 can rotate a gear 544 attached to the winding shaft 501 via a chain (or belt) 533. With this configuration, the winding shaft 501 can be driven manually to wind up the entire sheet. However, it goes without saying that a drive device using an electric motor may also be provided.

[0028] After the winding device 500 has wound up the entire sheet, the rotation of the rotary shaft can be locked by a locking device (not shown).

[0029] 6B shows a state in which guide means 700 is installed in front of the winding device 500 so that the right side sheet 21 is stably wound around the winding shaft 501. The example shown in the figure is guide means 700 for the right side sheet 21, but a similar guide means is also provided for the left side sheet 22. This guide means 700 includes a pole 701 and a roller 702 that curves downward from the upper side of the pole 701 and extends inward. The side of the right side sheet 21 is guided by the roller 702 and controlled to be parallel to the rotation shaft 501. The roller 702 is configured with multiple bead-shaped (ball-shaped) rotating bodies attached to a curved shaft. FIG. 6C shows the state when about one-third of the entire sheet has been wound onto the winding shaft 501. As a result, the diameter r1 at the center becomes larger than the diameters r0 on the left and right sides. This depends on the thickness of the sheet selected, but for this reason, the pulling speed for the lower edges of the right side sheet 21 and the left side sheet 22 becomes slightly faster than for the upper edges, automatically achieving a folding effect. Depending on the thickness and hardness of the entire sheet, if the sheet is soft and thin, the diameter of the center of the winding shaft 501 may be made larger from the beginning.

[0030] FIG. 6D is an explanatory diagram showing yet another example of a guide means for adjusting the inclination of the side sheet 22. Guide means are provided on both the left and right sides, but only the guide means on one side will be described. The base end of an arm 811 that can rotate around a shaft 812 is attached to the indicator device 511. The tip of the arm 811 protrudes toward the front of the vehicle (the direction in which the seat is pulled out). A rotatable pipe or roller 813 is attached to the tip of the arm 811. The tip of the roller 813 protrudes in the direction in which the side sheet 22 is folded (toward the bottom of the ceiling sheet). The roller 813 is rotatably attached, and has a large diameter at the base end on the arm 811 side and tapers toward the tip. The arm 811 is constantly biased by an elastic body in the direction of arrow V4. However, the arm 811 can also be locked by rotating it in the direction of arrow V3.

[0031] With the above configuration, the roller 813 has the function of constantly pressing the lower side of the side sheet 22 inward (arrow V2) when the side sheet 22 is being wound up, allowing the side sheet 22 to be folded and wound up smoothly.

[0032] FIG. 6E is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of the guide means for changing the inclination of the side sheet.

[0033] This example shows a guide device 900 having a groove 903 formed by walls 901, 902. The guide device 900 has a lower portion fixed to the ground and an upper portion that curves upward and approaches the reeling device 500. The groove 903 of the guide device 500 can guide the lower edge of the side sheet 22 from below to the reeling device 500 above. Of the walls 901, 902, the inner wall 901 is configured to become lower as it goes towards the top, allowing the lower edge of the side sheet 22 to smoothly transition to the reeling device 500.

[0034] Various guide devices (guide means) have been described so far, but this is because it is assumed that the vehicle is parked when the seats are folded. However, if the vehicle is moved forward and the entire seating area is half empty or more, the user can fold the left and right side seats themselves from the front, and no special guide devices are necessary. In this case, it is more convenient for the retractor 500 to slowly retract the seat using a motor or the like.

[0035] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the initial state when the whole sheet wound up by the winding device 500 is released. In this case, a pull-out rope 111 is provided in front of the ceiling sheet 11. For example, one end of the pull-out rope 111 is fixed to the right side of the front edge of the ceiling sheet 11, and the other end is fixed to the left side. When a user pulls this rope 111 from the front of the car 100, the whole sheet that has been wound up and folded by the winding device 500 is placed on top of the car 100. At this time, the locking mechanism of the rotation shaft 501 of the winding device 500 is in an unlocked state.

[0036] 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the entire seat has been pulled out from the retractor 500 and is positioned above the vehicle 100. At this time, the rotation shaft 501 of the retractor is unlocked. At this point, the user may pull out the folded right side seat 21 and left side seat 22 from below the ceiling sheet 11 and arrange them to surround the vehicle 100. In this case, taking into consideration the folding order, it is preferable to pull out the left side seat 22 from below the ceiling sheet 11 first.

[0037] Next, the user arranges the front seat 12 and the rear seat 13 so that they surround the front and rear of the vehicle, respectively. The operation of the seats at this time is the opposite of that described in FIG. 1. That is, the front seat 12 and the ceiling sheet 11 are temporarily fastened together, for example, by undoing the buttons, and the seat is rotated around the connecting portion 12A and placed at the front of the vehicle. Similarly, the rear seat 13 is arranged at the rear of the vehicle by undoing the buttons, for example, that temporarily fasten the rear seat 13 and the ceiling sheet 11, and the seat is rotated around the connecting portion 13A.

[0038] In FIG. 9, the folded state of the right side seat 21 and the left side seat 22 may be released first from the state shown in FIG. 7. To do this, the hooks at the ends of the ropes 21Y and 22Y are hooked onto the engaging portions 21V and 22V near the lower edges of the front short sides of the side seats 21 and 22. Next, the lower portion of the side seat 22 is pulled out to one side of the vehicle, and then the lower portion of the side seat 21 is pulled out to the other side of the vehicle (this may be done manually). Next, the rope 111 and the ropes 21Y and 22Y may be pulled toward the front of the vehicle. Then, when the ceiling sheet 11 is pulled out to the front of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 8, the right side seat 21 and the left side seat 22 are simultaneously positioned at the sides of the vehicle.

[0039] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention also includes cases in which each component of the claims is expressed separately, as a combination of multiple components, or as a combination of these components. Furthermore, multiple embodiments may be combined, and examples composed of such combinations are also within the scope of the invention.

[0040] In addition, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part more schematically than the actual embodiment. Furthermore, the names and terms used are not limited, and other expressions are also included in the present invention as long as they have substantially the same content and meaning. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 100···Car, 200···Vehicle body cover device, 11···Ceiling sheet, 12···Front seat, 13···Rear seat, 21···Right side seat, 22···Left side seat, 31, 34, 41, 42, 111···Rope.

Claims

1. a ceiling sheet having left and right edge portions along a longitudinal direction; a right side sheet having an upper edge portion joined to the right edge portion of the left and right edge portions; a left side sheet having an upper edge portion joined to the left edge portion of the left and right edge portions; a winding shaft disposed at a distance behind the ceiling sheet and at approximately the same height as an edge portion of the rear short side of the ceiling sheet; a first rope having one end attached to the left of the left-right midpoint of the winding shaft and the other end fixed to a lower edge portion of the rear short side of the right seat, and capable of being wound by the winding shaft; a second rope having one end attached to the right side of the left-right midpoint of the winding shaft and the other end fixed to the lower edge portion of the rear short side of the left seat, and capable of being wound by the winding shaft; The vehicle body cover device is characterized in that the winding shaft winds up the first rope and the second rope, thereby overlapping the area behind the right side seat and the area behind the left side seat and placing them under the ceiling sheet, thereby overlapping and winding up the three sheets.

2. a left-side engaging means formed on the edge portion of the rear short side of the ceiling sheet, the left side being located to the left of the midpoint of the short side; a right-side locking means formed on the edge portion of the rear short side of the ceiling sheet, the right side being located to the right of the left-right midpoint of the short side; The first rope is attached to the winding shaft via the left-side locking means, 2. The vehicle body cover device according to claim 1, wherein the second rope is attached to the take-up shaft via the right-side locking means.

3. a ceiling sheet having left and right edge portions in a longitudinal direction; a right side sheet having an upper edge portion joined to the right edge portion of the left and right edge portions; a left side sheet having an upper edge portion joined to the left edge portion of the left and right edge portions; a left-side engaging means formed on an edge portion of the rear short side of the ceiling sheet, the left side being located to the left of the midpoint of the short side; a right-side engaging means formed on the rear edge of the short side of the ceiling sheet, the right side being located to the right of the midpoint between the left and right of the short side; a first rope having one end fixed to the rear short side of the right side sheet near the lower edge portion and the other end extending rearward after being engaged with the left engaging means, the first rope pulling the right side sheet toward the lower surface of the ceiling sheet by pulling the other end rearward; a second rope having one end fixed to the rear short side of the left side sheet near the lower edge portion and the other end extending rearward after being engaged with the right engaging means, the second rope pulling the left side sheet toward the lower surface of the ceiling sheet by pulling the other end rearward. Body cover device.

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