Shelter for vehicles or the like

Abstract

A shelter (1) for vehicles or the like, which comprises an upper supporting structure (2) which defines at least two mutually opposite longitudinal sides (4a, 4b) and supports at least one upper covering element (3), and a lower supporting structure (20) which comprises sliding support means (11) designed to allow the movement of the shelter (1) on a resting surface (100), and at least one stiffening crossmember (5) for the connection of the two mutually opposite longitudinal sides (4a, 4b), and actuation means (30) for the relative movement of at least one abutment portion (50) defined by the lower supporting structure (20) with respect to the upper supporting structure (2) so as to move at least one portion of the lower supporting structure (20) between a working condition, in which it is arranged in contact with the resting surface (100) in order to allow the immobilization of the supporting structure (2) with respect to the resting surface (100), and an inactive condition, in which the lower supporting structure (20) rests, exclusively by virtue of the sliding support means (11), on the resting surface (100) in order to allow the movement of the upper supporting structure (2) with respect to the resting surface (100), the actuation means (30) comprising a linear actuator (31) which is associated with a guiding and stiffening frame (32) which connects a portion of the upper supporting structure (2) and the at least one abutment portion (50).

Description

[0001] SHELTER FOR VEHICLES OR THE LIKE

[0002] The present invention relates to a shelter for vehicles or the like.

[0003] Typically, in order to protect vehicles or the like, dwellings are provided with a garage, for example built of masonry.

[0004] In some situations it is convenient to use prefabricated garages, for example made of wood or other construction materials such as insulated walls, cement walls or the like, which can be easily placed in clearings or vacant areas in yards or gardens.

[0005] However, especially if such prefabricated garages are stably anchored to the ground, it is necessary to apply for planning permission or submission of a report of commencement of activity to the municipal authority, drafted by a qualified technician (surveyor, architect, or engineer).

[0006] This entails an increase in costs which sometimes leads the applicant to discard the idea of installing a garage of the type described above, or to proceed without observing the proper formalities, with the risk of being fined.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide a shelter for vehicles or the like which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0008] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to make available a shelter for vehicles or the like that is moveable but which at the same time ensures high stability in use.

[0009] In particular, an object of the invention is to enable the shelter to be movable, for example, in order to carry out building activities or painting of buildings, or if it is desired to position it in the sun in winter and in the shade in summer, or more generally in areas capable of protecting it from atmospheric agents.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a shelter for vehicles or the like that is highly reliable, easy to implement and at low cost.

[0011] This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a shelter for vehicles or the like according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the shelter for vehicles or the like according to the invention, which are illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shelter according to the invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is another perspective view, but enlarged-scale, of a portion of the shelter;

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective partially-exploded view of a portion of the shelter;

[0016] Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 in which the engagement portion of the stiffening crossmember is in the inactive condition;

[0017] Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 in which the engagement portion of the stiffening crossmember is in the working condition;

[0018] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the shelter, in which the engagement portion of the stiffening crossmember is in the inactive condition;

[0019] Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 in which the engagement portion of the stiffening crossmember is in the working condition;

[0020] Figure 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the shelter, in which the engagement portion of the stiffening crossmember is in the inactive condition;

[0021] Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 in which the engagement portion of the stiffening crossmember is in the working condition;

[0022] Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 of a usage variation of the engagement portion; Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 of the usage variation of the engagement portion already shown in Figure 10;

[0023] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the actuation means in which the sliding support means are raised;

[0024] Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure according to the invention in the condition of Figure 12;

[0025] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to the previous view in which the sliding support means are in the lowered condition, resting on the ground;

[0026] Figure 15 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure with the sliding support means in the raised condition;

[0027] Figure 16 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure with the sliding support means in the lowered condition;

[0028] Figure 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the actuation means in which the sliding support means are raised;

[0029] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 17 in which the sliding support means are lowered;

[0030] Figure 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the actuation means in which the sliding support means are raised;

[0031] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 19 in which the sliding support means are lowered.

[0032] With reference to the figures, the shelter for vehicles or the like according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a supporting structure 2 for at least one upper covering element 3, and a lower supporting structure 20.

[0033] The upper supporting structure 2 defines at least two mutually opposite longitudinal sides 4a, 4b and supports at least one upper covering element 3, while the lower supporting structure 20 comprises sliding support means 11 which are designed to allow the movement of the shelter 1 on a resting surface 100.

[0034] The upper supporting structure 2 has at least one stiffening crossmember 5 for connecting the two mutually opposite longitudinal sides 4a, 4b.

[0035] According to the present invention, the shelter 1 comprises actuation means 30 for the relative movement of at least one abutment portion 50 defined by the lower supporting structure 20 with respect to the upper supporting structure 2, so as to move at least one portion of the lower supporting structure 20 between a working condition, in which it is arranged in contact with the resting surface 100 in order to allow the immobilization of the supporting structure 2 with respect to the resting surface 100, and an inactive condition, in which the lower supporting structure 20 rests, exclusively by virtue of the sliding support means 11 , on the resting surface 100 in order to allow the movement of the upper supporting structure 2 with respect to the resting surface 100.

[0036] The actuation means 30 comprise a linear actuator 31 which is associated with a guiding and stiffening frame 32 which connects a portion of the upper supporting structure 2 and at least one abutment portion 50.

[0037] Advantageously, the linear actuator 31 is operable manually or using motor means.

[0038] Preferably, the motor means are selected from the group comprising:

[0039] - a pneumatic drive;

[0040] - an electric drive;

[0041] - a hydraulic drive.

[0042] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 16, the guiding and stiffening frame 32 comprises a cage-like structure 32a which is provided with end bodies 33a, 33b which are connected, respectively, to the upper supporting structure 2 and to the abutment portion 50.

[0043] The cage-like structure 32a is provided with lateral guides 33a which are integral with one of the end bodies, while the other one of the end bodies 33b defines respective sliding engagement portions 35 with the lateral guides 33 a.

[0044] Alternatively, as shown in the embodiments shown in Figures 17 to 20, the guiding and stiffening frame 32 comprises at least one link rod 41 which is supported by the upper supporting structure 2 so that it can rotate about an oscillation axis 200, and supports, at one end 41a, the abutment portion 50.

[0045] The linear actuator 31 is connected kinematically to at least one link rod 41 for the movement of the abutment portion 50 with respect to the upper supporting structure 2.

[0046] Preferably, the guiding and stiffening frame 32 comprises two link rods 41; the linear actuator 31 is connected to respective interconnection portions which are defined, respectively, on the two link rods 41.

[0047] According to the embodiments shown, the abutment portion 50 comprises the sliding support means 11.

[0048] The abutment portion can also comprise at least one stiffening crossmember 5.

[0049] The sliding support means 11 comprise a plurality of castor wheels I la.

[0050] Conveniently, the sliding support means 11 can be detachably associated with the lower supporting structure 20.

[0051] The upper supporting structure 2 comprises a truss with bases and posts, made of metallic material and / or wood and / or other material; there is no reason why such upper supporting structure 2 cannot instead be made from panel-shaped bodies or differently-shaped bodies.

[0052] There is no reason why the sliding support means 11 cannot be provided by runners or by equivalent elements.

[0053] In particular, the sliding support means 11 are designed to allow the movement of the shelter 1 on a resting surface 100.

[0054] The stiffening crossmember 5 is provided, in particular, with at least one engagement portion 5a which extends substantially parallel to the resting surface 100.

[0055] The above-mentioned engagement portion 5a can be moved between a working condition in which it is arranged in contact with the resting surface 100 in order to allow the immobilization of the supporting structure 2 with respect to the resting surface 100, and an inactive condition in which the engagement portion 5a is arranged spaced apart from the resting surface 100 in order to allow the movement of the supporting structure 2 with respect to the resting surface 100.

[0056] Advantageously, the (or each) stiffening crossmember 5 comprises two coupling portions 5b with a respective mutually opposite longitudinal side 4a, 4b.

[0057] The shelter 1 is further provided with locking means 25, which act between the coupling portions 5b and the respective mutually opposite longitudinal side 4a, 4b at least with the engagement portion 5a in the inactive condition.

[0058] Preferably, the coupling portions 5b are connected to the engagement portion 5a substantially at the longitudinal ends of the engagement portion 5a.

[0059] Conveniently, the coupling portions 5b can slide on command along a substantially vertical direction with respect to the respective mutually opposite longitudinal side 4a, 4b in order to allow the passage of the engagement portion 5a from the working condition to the inactive condition and vice versa.

[0060] The movement or the displacement of the engagement portion 5a between the working condition and the inactive condition and vice versa can be done manually or using automated actuation means, such as for example, motor means, linear actuators etc.

[0061] Conveniently, the mutually opposite longitudinal sides 4a, 4b define at least one sliding guide 21 for a respective coupling portion 5b. Preferably, the shelter 1 comprises at least two stiffening crossmembers 5 arranged mutually spaced apart along the direction of extension of the mutually opposite longitudinal sides 4a, 4b.

[0062] According to the length of the shelter or its weight, there can be a higher number of stiffening crossmembers 5.

[0063] With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking means 25 comprise a threaded element, for example a screw 21, which can be engaged by a tightening bolt or in a female thread 22, for locking the coupling portion 5b along the sliding guide 23.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the upper supporting structure 2 comprises at least two lower longitudinal elements 12 which are associated with a respective mutually opposite longitudinal side 4a, 4b.

[0065] In this case, the supporting wheels I la and the sliding guides 23 are supported by the above-mentioned two lower longitudinal elements 12.

[0066] Conveniently, the mutually opposite longitudinal sides 4a, 4b are at least partially closed by closing side panels.

[0067] The use of the shelter 1, according to the invention, is the following.

[0068] After having erected the shelter 1 (at the construction site or in the area of use), it is positioned, placing it on the supporting wheels 11, on the resting surface 100.

[0069] Obviously there is no reason why one cannot associate a shelter or a garage already built or already prepared directly on-site, associating it with the supporting structure 2 fitted with sliding means 11 and / or with stiffening crossmembers 11.

[0070] If it is necessary to proceed to “rest” the shelter 1 “on the ground”, the actuation means 30 are actuated for the relative movement of the abutment portions 50 (in particular the supporting wheels 11) with respect to the upper supporting structure 2 so as to move at least one portion of the lower supporting structure 2, and in particular the crossmember 5, between the previous inactive condition in which it is raised off the resting surface 100, and a working condition in which it is resting on the resting surface 100 and in which the supporting wheels 11 are raised off the ground.

[0071] In the initial condition, only the sliding support means 11 are resting on the resting surface 100 in order to allow the movement of the upper supporting structure 2 with respect to the resting surface 100.

[0072] In this manner, the one or more engagement portions 5a are brought to the engagement condition, i.e. in contact with the resting surface 100, so as to render the supporting structure extremely stable and prevent its involuntary movement.

[0073] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a shelter for vehicles and the like that is capable of being easily moved but at the same time is extremely stable and secure.

[0074] According to possible variations of embodiment, it is possible for the stiffening crossmember 5 to have, on opposite sides with respect to the engagement portion 5a, inclined surfaces blended with the ground.

[0075] Also, in the space intended to be covered by the shelter 1, the resting surface can have, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, track-like recesses designed to accommodate the engagement portions in the working condition.

[0076] It should further be noted that, with regard to the choice to use the actuation means 30 and the guiding and stiffening frame 32, by virtue of this choice it is possible, on the one hand, to actuate in a simple manner (for example using a compressor if the actuator is pneumatic).

[0077] At the same time, the choice to use a guiding and stiffening frame 32 makes it possible to appreciably reduce the loads to which the actuation means 20 are subjected, so as to drastically reduce production costs while safeguarding the reliability of the structure overall.

[0078] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0079] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0080] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000016359 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0081] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shelter (1) for vehicles or the like, which comprises an upper supporting structure (2) which defines at least two mutually opposite longitudinal sides (4a, 4b) and supports at least one upper covering element (3), and a lower supporting structure (20) which comprises sliding support means (11) designed to allow the movement of said shelter (1) on a resting surface (100), and at least one stiffening crossmember (5) for the connection of said two mutually opposite longitudinal sides (4a, 4b), characterized in that it comprises actuation means (30) for the relative movement of at least one abutment portion (50) defined by said lower supporting structure (20) with respect to said upper supporting structure (2) so as to move at least one portion of said lower supporting structure (20) between a working condition, in which it is arranged in contact with said resting surface (100) in order to allow the immobilization of said supporting structure (2) with respect to said resting surface (100), and an inactive condition, in which said lower supporting structure (20) rests, exclusively by virtue of said sliding support means (11), on said resting surface (100) in order to allow the movement of said upper supporting structure (2) with respect to said resting surface (100), said actuation means (30) comprising a linear actuator (31) which is associated with a guiding and stiffening frame (32) which connects a portion of said upper supporting structure (2) and said at least one abutment portion (50).

2. The shelter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said linear actuator (31) can be actuated manually or by virtue of motor means.

3. The shelter (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said motor means are chosen from the group comprising:- a pneumatic drive;- an electric drive;- a hydraulic drive.

4. The shelter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that saidguiding and stiffening frame (32) comprises a cage-like structure (32a) which is provided with end bodies (33a, 33b) which are connected respectively to said upper supporting structure (2) and to said abutment portion (50) and is provided with lateral guides (34) which are integral with one of said end bodies (33a), the other one of said end bodies (33b) defining respective sliding engagement portions (35) with said lateral guides (34).

5. The shelter (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guiding and stiffening frame (32) comprises at least one link rod (41) which is supported so that it can rotate about an oscillation axis (200) by said upper supporting structure (2) and supports, at one end (41a), said abutment portion (50), said linear actuator (31) being connected kinematically to said link rod (41) for the movement of said abutment portion (50) with respect to said upper supporting structure (2).

6. The shelter (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guiding and stiffening frame (32) comprises two link rods (41), said linear actuator (31) being connected to respective interconnection portions which are defined respectively on said two link rods (41).

7. The shelter (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said abutment portion (50) comprises said sliding support means (11).

8. The shelter (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said abutment portion comprises said at least one stiffening crossmember.

9. The shelter (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sliding support means (11) comprise a plurality of castor wheels (I la).

10. The shelter (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sliding support means (11) can be detachably associated with said lower supporting structure (20).

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