Carport

Abstract

This car port comprises a foundation provided on the ground, at least one strut extending upward from the foundation, and a roof supported by the at least one strut and covering at least a part of the parking space from above. The foundation extends into the parking space, and a side surface located in the parking space functions as a retaining ring that abuts a wheel of an automobile to be parked.

Description

carport

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a carport that is fixed to the ground and covers a parking space for a car.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-14764 describes a carport. This carport includes support columns erected on the ground and a roof supported by the support columns. The roof covers at least a portion of the parking space and protects the parking space and the parked automobile from raindrops and sunlight.

[0003] Carport posts need to be firmly fixed to the ground. For this reason, conventional carports use structures in which the foundations supporting the posts are buried underground or the posts are connected to piles driven into the ground. However, these structures require digging up the ground to bury the foundations and driving the piles deep into the ground, which requires relatively large-scale heavy machinery and work.

[0004] In view of the above, this specification provides a technique for providing a carport that is easy to construct.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied in a carport that is fixed to the ground. The carport includes a foundation provided on the ground, at least one support column extending upward from the foundation, and a roof supported by the at least one support column and covering at least a portion of a parking space from above. The foundation extends into the parking space, and a side surface located within the parking space functions as a wheel chock that abuts against the wheels of a parked vehicle.

[0006] In the above-described configuration, the foundations supporting the support columns are not buried in the ground but are installed on the ground. Such foundations can be easily formed, for example, by placing formwork on the ground. However, because the foundations are not buried in the ground, the area of ​​the foundations that function as the support column's feet must be relatively large in order to stably support the support columns. However, increasing the area of ​​the foundations increases the area occupied by the foundations, and if additional parking spaces are to be provided, this will result in an increase in the area required for the entire parking lot.

[0007] In this regard, in the above-mentioned configuration, the foundation is intentionally extended into the parking space, and its side is configured to function as a wheel stop. This configuration allows the exclusive area of ​​the foundation and the parking space to partially overlap, ensuring sufficient area for the foundation to function as the base of the support pillars while suppressing the increase in the area required for the entire parking lot.

[0008] Side view of the carport 10 of the embodiment.

[0009] Plan view of the carport 10 of the embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

[0011] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, showing the internal structure of the foundation 30.

[0012] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the internal structure of the foundation 30. FIG.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present technology, for at least one support pillar, the direction in which the roof extends toward the parking space and the direction in which the base extends toward the parking space may coincide with each other. With this configuration, the support pillar that tends to tilt due to the weight of the roof can be effectively supported by the base that extends in the same direction.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present technology, the lower ends of the posts may be located within the foundation. With this configuration, there is no need to dig deep into the ground when constructing a carport. Alternatively, there is no need to use the lower ends of the posts as stakes and drive them into the ground. Note that "the lower ends of the posts being located within the foundation" includes the case where the lower ends of the posts are located between the foundation and the ground.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present technology, the lower end of the support pole may be fixed to a plate member arranged in the foundation. With this configuration, the lower end of the support pole and the foundation are firmly connected via the plate member, and the support pole is firmly supported. Note that, as an example, the plate member may be a plate made of metal or other material, or a mesh material made of metal or other material.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present technology, the material constituting the plate may have a tensile strength higher than that of the material constituting the foundation, such as concrete. With this configuration, the lower end of the support pole is firmly connected to the foundation.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present technology, the ground may be concrete. In this case, the lower end of the support may be fixed to the ground in the foundation with a concrete anchor bolt. Since concrete has a relatively high strength, the lower end of the support can be directly fixed to such ground with the anchor bolt.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present technology, the at least one support pillar may be located between two parking spaces where vehicles enter and exit from opposite sides. In this case, the foundation may extend on both sides toward each of the two parking spaces. The side of the foundation located in one parking space and the side of the foundation located in the other parking space may each function as a wheel chock that abuts against the wheels of a parked vehicle. In other words, the carport may have a T-shaped or Y-shaped configuration in which a pair of roofs extend on both sides of the support pillar.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present technology, the at least one support pillar may include a plurality of support pillars arranged along a first direction. In this case, the plurality of support pillars may be arranged along the first direction and positioned between two rows of parking spaces from which vehicles enter and exit from opposite sides. The foundation may extend on both sides toward each of the two rows of parking spaces, and each of the sides located within one row of parking spaces and the other row of parking spaces may function as wheel chocks that abut against the wheels of parked vehicles. In other words, the carport may have a structure extending long along the arrangement direction of the parking spaces in the above-mentioned T-shape or Y-shape.

[0020] A carport 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The carport 10 is a fixed structure that is fixed to the ground. The carport 10 is installed in a parking lot and covers multiple parking spaces 4 from above. Each parking space 4 has an area large enough to accommodate one automobile 2. As an example, the multiple parking spaces 4 are arranged in two rows along a first direction (Y direction). The two rows of parking spaces 4 are configured so that automobiles 2 enter and exit from opposite sides. Boundary lines 6 are drawn on the ground GL to separate each parking space 4.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the carport 10 comprises a foundation 30 , a plurality of supports 12 , and a pair of roofs 20 .

[0022] The foundation 30 is made of concrete and is provided on the ground GL. Although not shown, reinforcing materials such as steel bars or wire mesh are provided inside the foundation 30. The foundation 30 extends in a first direction (Y direction) along the boundary between the two rows of parking spaces 4. The height of the foundation 30 from the ground GL is designed according to the general minimum ground clearance of the automobiles 2, and is, for example, 100-150 millimeters. Furthermore, the upper surface 32 of the foundation 30 may be sloped on both sides in the second direction (X direction).

[0023] The plurality of support pillars 12 extend upward (in the Z direction) from the upper surface 32 of the foundation 30 and are supported by the foundation 30. The plurality of support pillars 12 are arranged in a first direction (in the Y direction) along the boundary between the two rows of parking spaces 4. Although not particularly limited, each support pillar 12 is made of a steel pipe. The cross-sectional shape of the steel pipe may be round or rectangular, and is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the number of support pillars 12 is also not particularly limited.

[0024] The pair of roofs 20 are supported by a plurality of support columns 12. One of the pair of roofs 20 extends to one side in the second direction (X direction) relative to the plurality of support columns 12, and covers one of the two rows of parking spaces 4 from above. The other of the pair of roofs 20 extends to the other side in the second direction (X direction) relative to the plurality of support columns 12, and covers the other of the two rows of parking spaces 4 from above. The specific structure of the roofs 20 is not particularly limited.

[0025] As an example, the roof 20 in this embodiment includes a plurality of vertical beams 22, a plurality of horizontal rails 24, and a plurality of solar panels 26. Each vertical beam 22 extends from the support 12 to one side or the other in the second direction (X direction). The vertical beams 22 are sloped at an angle of, for example, 5 degrees relative to the horizontal. Each horizontal rail 24 extends along the first direction (Y direction) and is supported by the plurality of vertical beams 22. The plurality of solar panels 26 are arranged in a matrix and supported by the plurality of horizontal rails 24. That is, in the carport 10 of this embodiment, the solar panels 26 are used as the panel material for constructing the roof 20.

[0026] In the carport 10 of this embodiment, the foundation 30 supporting the columns 12 is not buried in the ground but is installed on the ground surface GL. Such a foundation 30 can be easily formed, for example, by placing formwork on the ground surface GL. However, because the foundation 30 is not buried in the ground, in order to stably support the columns 12, the area of ​​the foundation 30 that functions as the feet of the columns 12 must be relatively large. However, increasing the area of ​​the foundation 30 increases the area occupied by the foundation 30, and if parking spaces 4 are to be secured in addition, this will result in an increase in the area required for the entire parking lot.

[0027] In this regard, in the carport 10 of this embodiment, the foundation 30 extends widely on both sides in the second direction (X direction) and into the parking space 4. That is, the foundation 30 has a relatively large width in the second direction. The sides 34, 36 located within the parking space 4 are configured to function as wheel chocks that contact the wheels of the parked automobile 2. This configuration allows the area occupied by the foundation 30 and the parking space 4 to partially overlap. This ensures sufficient area for the foundation 30 to function as the feet of the support posts 12 while minimizing the expansion of the area required for the entire parking lot. Furthermore, the automobile 2 is prevented from coming into contact with the support posts 12, and there is no need to install wheel chocks separately in the parking space 4.

[0028] In the carport 10 of this embodiment, the roof 20 extends in the second direction toward the parking spaces 4 relative to the multiple support columns 12. The foundation 30 also extends in the second direction toward the parking spaces 4. In other words, the direction in which the roof 20 extends toward the parking spaces 4 relative to the multiple support columns 12 coincides with the direction in which the foundation 30 extends toward the parking spaces 4. With this configuration, the support columns 12, which tend to tilt due to the weight of the roof 20, can be effectively supported by the foundation 30, which extends in the same direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the lower ends 14 of the posts 12 are located within the foundation 30. With this configuration, there is no need to dig deep into the ground GL when constructing the carport 10. Furthermore, there is no need to use the lower ends 14 of the posts 12 as stakes and drive them into the ground. A plate 40 is placed within the foundation 30. The lower ends 14 of the posts 12 are fixed to the plate 40, which is a metal plate, by a plurality of bolts 16.

[0030] The specific configuration of the plate material 40 is not particularly limited. As an example, the plate material 40 in this embodiment is a metal plate made of a metal such as steel. This allows the lower end 14 of the support 12 and the foundation 30 to be firmly connected via the plate material 40. Note that the plate material 40 is not limited to metal and may be made of other materials. Alternatively, the plate material 40 may be a mesh material made of metal or other materials. However, it is preferable that the material making up the plate material 40 has a higher tensile strength than the material making up the foundation 30, such as concrete.

[0031] The plate members 40 preferably have a relatively large dimension in the direction in which the roof 20 extends (X direction). For example, the dimension of the plate members 40 extending in this direction from the posts 12 may be three or more times the dimension of the posts 12 in the same direction. As an example, in the carport 10 of this embodiment, the dimension of the posts 12 in the second direction is 150 millimeters, and the dimension of the plate members 40 in the second direction (X direction) is 1000 millimeters. In other words, the dimension of the plate members 40 extending in the second direction from the posts 12 is 500 millimeters, which is more than three times the dimension of the posts 12 in the same direction, 150 millimeters.

[0032] The configuration using the plate material 40 as described above is effective when the ground GL is, for example, asphalt or gravel. Asphalt or gravel ground GL has relatively low strength, it is difficult to fix the lower end 14 of the support post 12 to such ground GL with anchor bolts or the like. Therefore, by using the plate material 40 as described above, the lower end 14 of the support post 12 is firmly connected to the foundation 30, and the support post 12 is firmly supported. Note that if the ground GL is covered with asphalt, the asphalt may be removed from the area where the foundation 30 is to be constructed.

[0033] 5, when the ground GL is made of concrete, the lower end 14 of the support 12 may be fixed to the ground GL within the foundation 30 with a concrete anchor bolt 42. Since concrete has a relatively high strength, the lower end 14 of the support 12 can be directly fixed to such ground GL with the anchor bolt.

[0034] In the carport 10 described above, there are parking spaces 4 on both sides of the support columns 12, and the roof 20 and the foundation 30 each extend on both sides of the support columns 12. In contrast, in another embodiment, there may be a configuration in which there are parking spaces 4 on only one side of the carport 10, and the roof 20 and the foundation 30 each extend on only one side of the support columns 12.

[0035] Although the embodiments of the present technology have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of these objectives itself has technical utility.

[0036] 2: Car, 4: Parking space, 6: Boundary line, 10: Carport, 12: Support, 14: Bottom end of support, 20: Roof, 22: Vertical beam, 24: Horizontal rail, 26: Solar panel, 30: Foundation, 32: Top surface of foundation, 34: Side, 36: Side, 40: Plate, 42: Anchor bolt, GL: Ground

Claims

1. A carport fixed to the ground, comprising: a foundation provided on the ground; at least one column extending upward from the foundation; and a roof supported by the at least one column and covering at least a part of the parking space from above, wherein the foundation extends into the parking space, and a side surface located within the parking space functions as a wheel stopper that contacts the wheels of the parked vehicle.

2. The carport according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the roof extends toward the parking space and the direction in which the foundation extends toward the parking space are the same with respect to the at least one column.

3. The carport according to claim 2, wherein a lower end of the column is located within the foundation.

4. The carport according to claim 3, wherein the lower end of the column is fixed to a plate material disposed within the foundation.

5. The carport according to claim 4, wherein the material constituting the plate material has a higher tensile strength than the material constituting the foundation.

6. The carport according to claim 3, wherein the ground is concrete, and the lower end of the column is fixed to the ground within the foundation with an anchor bolt for concrete.

7. The carport according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one column is located between two parking spaces where a vehicle enters and exits from opposite sides, the foundation extends on both sides toward each of the two parking spaces, and each of a side surface located within one parking space and a side surface located within the other parking space functions as a wheel stopper that contacts the wheels of the parked vehicle.

8. The carport according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one column includes a plurality of columns arranged along a first direction, the plurality of columns are arranged along the first direction and are located between two rows of parking spaces where a vehicle enters and exits from opposite sides, the foundation extends on both sides toward each of the two rows of parking spaces, and each of a side surface located within one row of parking spaces and a side surface located within the other row of parking spaces functions as a wheel stopper that contacts the wheels of the parked vehicle.

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