Collapsible small vehicle enclosure

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to collapsible enclosures for storing and protecting objects or small vehicles and specifically, to such collapsible enclosures which are used for motorcycles and bicycles.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] Many motorcycle and bicycle owners face finding suitable storage for their vehicle that provides adequate protection from the elements. Specifically designed vehicle covers made of cloth or plastic material are available but do not fully enclose a vehicle and offer inadequate protection. Debris and moisture that enter through gaps at anchor and tie points may damage a vehicle. Additionally, material in covers readily cracks or rots in a short time and subsequently exposes a vehicle to adverse elements.

[0006] Many prior art storage enclosures are bulky and therefore, inappropriate for use in a limited space. Most designs are to accommodate vehicles of various sizes, for example, a motorcycle, snowmobile, Jet Ski, and ATV. Consequently, their use requires a large area. For use at apartment and condominium complexes, it is often restricted to construct such bulky and unattractive storage devices. Basically, they are impractical.

[0007] While many prior art storage enclosures collapse or disassemble, they are still prohibitively heavy and awkward. Some require the assistance of a lifting means or more than one person to transport. Moreover, storing such a device when they are not in use often requires a large space.

[0008] Other storage devices are prohibitively expensive and require complicated assembly. Some manufactured from wood, plastic, fiberglass or aluminum require detailed instruction for assemblage and usage. This process can be both time consuming and difficult.

[0009] A number of inventors have created storage devices that fully enclose a small vehicle. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,369,920 to Taylor (1994), 5,265,385 to Smith et al. (1993) and 4,306,390 to Brown (1981) disclose relatively large storage devices that are constructed from heavy materials. Enclosures with ridged, one-piece cover member have also been proposed—for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,982,971 (1991), 3,945,159 (1976), 3,797,178 (1974), and 3,861,092 (1973). All of these known devices suffer from a number of disadvantages:

[0010] (a) They are particularly large in order to accommodate vehicles of various sizes. To house a snowmobile, Jet Ski, ATV or like vehicle requires a much larger structure than for a motorcycle or bicycle. Consequently, a bulky storage device is inappropriate at apartment complexes.

[0011] (b) Their excessive weight hampers ease of portability. In order to deter theft of the storage enclosure, prior inventions have sought to make the device prohibitively heavy. This feature hinders portability and handling by only one person.

[0012] (c) Assemblage is complicated, time-consuming and requires considerable effort.

[0013] (d) There is the problem of storing the device when not in use. Although some enclosures disassemble, they still lack the compactness needed to be stored in a small space, especially for those living in apartment complexes.

[0014] (e) The use of excessive and costly materials has made these devices expensive to manufacture and thus exorbitant to purchase.

[0015] (f) Most apartment and condominium complexes prohibit the construction of bulky enclosures because of space limitations and because of their unattractiveness.

[0016] (g) The design and shape of the enclosures are box-like or massive in appearance and do not compliment a vehicle.

[0017] Therefore, there has been a need for an improved small vehicle enclosure that requires no assembly and is simple to operate. Furthermore, there is a need for an enclosure that is collapsible, compact, lightweight, portable, aesthetically appealing and inexpensive.

[0018] This invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a collapsible, compact, lightweight and portable small vehicle enclosure designed specifically for motorcycles and bicycles. The present invention is a collapsible enclosure and it generally comprises a symmetrical pair of base members and a pliable protective cover supported by a plurality of internal frame members pivotally connected at the axis of the hinge points for the base members. There is no assemblage involved. One end of the protective cover permanently attaches to the periphery of one of the base members. By grasping the first frame member and manually rotating it about its axis, the protective cover and additional frame members are unfurled and stop at predetermined positions. A latching means secures the cover to the base. Skirting attached to the cover fastens to the periphery of the second base member to seal the enclosure. When not in use, the base members fold together to sandwich between them the protective cover and frame members.

[0019] Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0020] (a) to provide an enclosure that is specifically designed for motorcycles and bicycles;

[0021] (b) to provide an enclosure that entirely surrounds and protects a vehicle against adverse human and environmental elements;

[0022] (c) to provide an enclosure that requires no assemblage;

[0023] (d) to provide an enclosure that is relatively lightweight and can easily be transported by one person;

[0024] (e) to provide an enclosure that is both collapsible and compact for storage in a small space;

[0025] (f) to provide an enclosure that has an aesthetic design;

[0026] (g) to provide an enclosure that is simple to operate; and

[0027] (h) to provide an enclosure that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

[0028] Further objects and advantages are to provide a vehicle enclosure that is usable at housing complexes and compliments the design and shape of a motorcycle or bicycle. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the enclosure of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the enclosure in a partially opened position.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the enclosure in a folded position.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pivotal area of the present invention.

[0033] A typical embodiment of the collapsible small vehicle enclosure of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The enclosure is comprised of a platform consisting of base members 10aand 10b, four ridged frame members 40a, 40b, 40cand 40dand a pliable cover 50.

[0034] Base members 10aand 10bare symmetrical and constructed of rigid material, preferrably plastic, so as to be able to support a vehicle or other article that is stored within the enclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, located at the abut end 7 of base member 10aand 10bare protruding hinge supports 12aand 12bthat are positioned so that they will align adjacent to the opposite of each other when base members 10aand 10bare abutted. For example, hinge support 12aon base member 10awill align adjacent to hinge support 12bon base member 10band likewise hinge support 12bon base member 10awill align adjacent to hinge support 12aon base member 10b. As best shown in FIG. 4, pivotal bolts 11aand 11bpass through corresponding holes in the hinge supports to join the base members. Thus, pivotal bolt 11aand pivotal bolt 11balign on a single axis 5.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, located on the outer edge and toward arched end 8 of base member 10aare latch areas 13aand 13b. Latch areas 13aand 13bconsist of a pair of closely adjacent latch lobes protruding upwardly from the surface of base member 10a. The latch lobes have corresponding holes that line up and register latch pins 23aand 23b. Latch areas 13aand 13bare located on base member 10ato receive frame member 40ain the gap existing between the lobes. Inserting latch pins 23aand 23bdirectly over frame member 40asecurely holds the frame member to base member 10a. A padlock can be replaced for one or both pins 23aand 23bto prevent the raising of frame member 40aand thus tampering with the contents of the enclosure.

[0036] Referring again to FIG. 2, in order to provide added support and protection to the center area of the platform, a rectangular plate 14 is secured to base member 10aor 10b. Plate 14 also serves as a center kickstand and drip pan for a vehicle parked on the platform. At the arched end 8 of base member 10ais a sloping channel 15 making it easier to roll a vehicle onto the platform. Extending along the periphery of the base member is a recessed ledge or lip 20 as best shown in FIG. 4. On base member 10a, lip 20 serves as the location for one half of a hook and loop fastener. Skirt 56 has the other half of the loop and hook fastener sewn to it in order to seal the skirt to the periphery of base member 10a. On base member 10b, ledge 20 serves as the location to permanently attach cover 50.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, base members 10aand 10bhave four hollowed grasping slots 16a, 16b, 16cand 16dthat east in lifting, carrying and transporting a folded enclosure. Grasping slots 16aand 16balso form handles 32aand 32bin order that base member 10apivots about axis 5 from a folded position, as shown in FIG. 3, to an opened position, as shown in FIG. 2. Interposed horizontally in the hollowed area of grasping slots 16aand 16bare dowels 17aand 17bto which tie-down hooks or other means for securing items in the enclosure can be attached. Indents 34aand 34bprovide for the attachment of a cable or chain around handles 32aand 32bto avoid pinching between the bottom surface of the base member and the ground.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, anchor holes 19aand 19bpass through base members 10aand 10bin order to provide for an anchoring means to the ground by use of a nail, bolt or other type of suitable fastener. A circular channel is recessed into the top surface of the base member and around anchor holes 19aand 19bin order to accommodate a flat washer used with an anchoring means. Located at arched end 8 of base member 10aare straps 18aand 18bthat are used to secure base members 10aand 10btogether when in a folded position as shown in FIG. 3.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, frame members 40a-40dare pivotally secured to base members 10aand 10bby pivotal bolts 11aand 11bat integral hinge supports 12aand 12b. Frame members 40a-40dare rigid and have the same parabolic shape as the base members. Construction of a frame member can be manufactured from a single piece of material or from different materials. As best shown in FIG. 2, latch sections 51aand 51bare sections of frame member 40athat register in the gaps between the lobes at latch areas 13aand 13b. Frame member 40asecures to base member 10awhen pins 23aand 23bare inserted over the frame member.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, cover 50 is constructed of a pliable material, preferrably vinyl or nylon fabric. Cover 50 consists primarily of four elliptical sections 55a, 55b55cand 55dthat are sewn together. Located at the seams that join the sections are sleeves that house frame members 40a-40d. Located at latch sections 51aand 51bon section 55aare cut out areas 61aand 61bwhich are large enough to allow a hand to freely grasp frame member 40aand rotate it about axis 5.

[0041] Referring again to FIG. 1, a skirt 56 is attached to the perimeter of section 55a. Skirt 56 seals cover 50 to the periphery of base member 10a. The placement of ventilation flaps 59aand 59bare located in the middle of the enclosure at the seams between sections 55aand 55band sections 55cand 55drespectively. The ventilation flaps are downwardly facing over a screened opening in sections 55band 55d. Such flaps permit ventilation of the enclosure while protecting its contents from moisture.

[0042] An operator of the present invention places a folded enclosure, as shown in FIG. 3, with base member 10bonto a flat surface and unlatches straps 18aand 18b. An operator then grasps either handle 32aor 32band rotates base member 10aabout axis 5 until base members 10aand 10babut. The use of a nail, bolt or other type of suitable fastener through anchor holes 19aand 19bwill anchor the platform to the ground. A locking mechanism such as a chain or cable can be placed around grasping handle 32aor 32bto secure the platform to a fixture. A vehicle with a center kickstand is positioned directly over plate 14 for added support and protection to the platform. Articles or a vehicle placed on the platform can be secured by attaching tie-down straps or rope to dowel 17aand 17blocated in grasping slots 16aand 16b.

[0043] An operator unfurls cover 50 by grasping frame member 40athrough cut out areas 61aor 61band lifting it upwardly to rotate about pivotal axis 5. As frame member 40arotates, frame members 40b-40dalso rotate about pivotal axis 5 and stop at their respective positions in relation to the sleeves in which they are housed between sections 55b-55d. Frame member 40aregisters in the gaps between the lobes at latch areas 13aand 13bon base member 10a. Pins 23aand 23bare placed through the corresponding holes in the lobes and over frame member 40athus holding it down securely to the base member. If an operator desires to prevent opening of the enclosure, a padlock can be used to replace pin 23aor 23b. Cover 50 is secured to base member 10aby the attachment of skirt 56 by a fastener means located on ridge 20.

[0044] The present invention described above is a collapsible, compact, lightweight and portable enclosure. There is no assemblage involved and it can be stored in a relatively small space. Although the present invention has been adapted for use as a small vehicle enclosure, especially a motorcycle, it also is well suited for enclosing other articles or used for other purposes. For example, a fishing shelter, a duck blind or a sleeping shelter to name a few. To accommodate smaller or larger contents, the size of the enclosure can be manufactured accordingly. The materials used in the construction of the present invention are plastic, steel, aluminum, fiberglass and polyester vinyl. Other materials may be substituted and different manufacturing and attachment techniques may be employed within the scope and spirit of the invention.