Patent Application
20160289989
The present invention relates to a carport and, more particularly, to a compressible and expandable carport.
A carport is a covered structure used to offer limited protection to vehicles from the elements. The structure can either be free standing or attached to a wall. Unlike most structures a carport does not have four walls, and usually has one or two. Carports offer less protection than garages but allow for more ventilation. Cars, trucks and vans greatly vary in size and shape. Current carports are not adjustable. Therefore, if one purchases a new car, truck, or van, the carport may have to be re-constructed which requires a lot of time and effort.
As can be seen, there is a need for a carport that may easily adjust in size and shape.
In one aspect of the present invention, an expandable and compressible carport comprises: a first vertical support comprising an adjustable height by way of an inner tube telescoping with an outer tube; a first truss coupled to a top end of the first vertical support, wherein the first truss comprises at least one rafter comprising an adjustable width by way of an inner tube telescoping with an outer tube; a second vertical support comprising an adjustable height via an inner tube telescoping with an outer tube; a second truss coupled to a top end of the second vertical support, wherein the second truss comprises at least one rafter comprising an adjustable width by way of an inner tube telescoping with an outer tube; and a ridge board connecting the first truss and the second truss together.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a versatile expandable and compressible carport. The present invention may be easily expanded and compressed to adjust to the car in which the carport is housing. The present invention protects vehicles from the elements of nature such as rain, hail, snow, and debris from strong winds. In alternate embodiments, the present invention may be used as patio cover, storage space and the like. The present invention is also easy to assemble and disassemble in order to move to another location.
Referring to
In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include a third truss 16. The third truss 16 is secured to the ridge board 15 in between the first truss 16 and the second truss 16. The third truss 16 may also include an adjustable width by way of an inner tube 18b telescoping with an outer tube 18a. Each of the trusses 16 may include rafters 18, rafter ties 20 and a central vertical support 21. The rafter ties 20 may extend laterally from the central vertical support 21 and may be substantially horizontal. Each rafter tie 20 may include an outer tube 20a secured to a bottom end the central vertical support 21, and an inner tube 20b slidably engaged within the outer tube 20a. The rafters 18 may extend laterally from a top end of the central vertical support 21 towards the rafter ties 20. Each rafter 18 may include an outer tube 18a secured to the top end the central vertical support 21, and an inner tube 18b slidably engaged within the outer tube 20a. A distal end of the rafters 18 may connect with a distal end of the rafter ties 20. Therefore, the inner tubes 18b, 20b may extend in and out of the outer tubes 18a, 20a together, expanding and contracting the width of a roof of the carport 10. A support brace 44 may secure the central vertical support 21 to the ridge board 15 for additional support.
In certain embodiments, the ridge board 15 may be adjustable in length by way of an inner tube 15b telescoping with an outer tube 15a. In such embodiments, the outer tube 15a may connect the first truss 16 to the third truss 16. The inner tube 15b may include a first end slidably engaged within the outer tube 15a, and a second end secured to the second truss 16. Therefore, the second truss 16 can slide towards the third truss 16 in a compressed position and slide away from the third truss 16 in an expanded position, thereby adjusting the length of the roof of the carport 10.
The first vertical support 24 may include a base housing 24a, an outer tube 24b and an inner tube 24c. The outer tube 24b may fit within the base housing 24a and the inner tube 24c may fit within the outer tube 24b. A bottom portion 46 of the base housing 24a may be buried in the ground. The inner tube 24c may slide up in an expanded form and down in a compressed form, thereby adjusting the height of the carport 10. To further add support, the present invention may include a weighted block 26 having a dense material 38, such as rock or cement, within. The weighted block 26 may be secured to the base housing 24a and may be secured to the ground via stands 45 secured to the weighted block 26 via bolts 32. The stands 45 may be at least partially buried in the ground. In certain embodiments, the base housing 24a may secure a linear actuator 42 within, such as a hydraulic jack, which may aid in transforming the present invention from a compressed form to an expanded form.
As mentioned above, a second vertical support 28 is adjustable in height by way of an inner tube 28b telescoping with an outer tube 28a. The inner tube 28b may slide up in an expanded form and down in a compressed form, thereby adjusting the height of the carport 10. As mentioned above, the second truss 16 is coupled to the second vertical support 28. In certain embodiments, a third vertical support 14 may also support the second truss 16. The third vertical support 14 may include an adjustable height via an inner tube 14c telescoping with an outer tube 14b. A top end of the third vertical support 14 is coupled to a distal end of the second truss 16. A bottom portion 14a of the third vertical support 14 may be at least partially buried in the ground.
To adjust the inner tubes relative to the outer tubes, each of the inner tubes may include a plurality of apertures 30 and each of the outer tubes may include at least one aperture 30. The inner tube and the outer tube may be adjusted so that the at least one aperture of the outer tube aligns with one of the plurality of apertures 30 of the inner tube. A bolt 32 may run through the aligned apertures 30 and a nut 34 and washer 36 may secure to a threaded end of the bolt 32, thereby fixing the inner tube and the outer tube together. To further adjust the inner tube and the outer tube, the bolt 32 may be removed and the tubes may be adjusted relative to one another.
The present invention may further include a plurality of purlins 22 that are secured to the carport 10 in between the trusses 16. For example, the purlins 22 may be secured to the rafters 18. Once the proper length, height and width of the carport 10 is determined, the outer tubes and inner tubes are adjusted accordingly. The purlins 22 are then secured in between the trusses 16. The roof panels 12 are then secured to the purlins 22 to construct a finished carport 10.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/140,128, filed Mar. 30, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62140128 | Mar 2015 | US |
