Covering assembly

United States Patent Application 20040035454

A covering assembly includes a plurality of upright legs, and upper and lower canopy units. The lower canopy unit is mounted on top of the legs, and is formed with a ventilation opening. The upper canopy unit is mounted on top of the lower canopy unit, and is disposed above the ventilation opening. The upper canopy unit has a size sufficient to shield the ventilation opening while allowing air to be vented through the ventilation opening.

Tseng, Chuen-jong (Chiayi Hsien, TW)

10/224808

02/26/2004

08/21/2002

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135/121

E04H15/16; E04H15/00; (IPC1-7): E04H15/34

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LADAS & PARRY (224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1200, CHICAGO, IL, 60604, US)

I claim:

1. A covering assembly comprising: a covering frame which includes at least two upright frame units, each of which includes a pair of upright legs with upper ends, and a lower canopy support rod interconnecting said upper ends of said legs, said lower canopy support rod having a pair of lateral rod sections connected respectively to said upper ends of said legs, and an intermediate rod section interconnecting said lateral rod sections, each of said lateral rod sections inclining downwardly from said intermediate rod section toward the corresponding one of said legs, each of said upright frame units further including an upper canopy support rod which is mounted on top of said intermediate rod section of said lower canopy support rod and which is spaced-apart from said intermediate rod section of said lower canopy support rod, said covering frame further including a plurality of horizontal bars extending transversely between said lower canopy support rods of said upright frame units; a lower canopy member disposed on and spanning said lower canopy support rods of said upright frame units, said lower canopy member including lateral canopy portions disposed on said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rods of said upright frame units, and at least one ventilation opening formed between said lateral canopy portions; and an upper canopy member disposed on and spanning said upper canopy support rods of said upright frame units, said upper canopy member being disposed above said ventilation opening and having a size sufficient to shield said ventilation opening while permitting air to be vented through said ventilation opening.

2. The covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said lateral canopy portions of said lower canopy member includes a lower canopy sheet which spans an adjacent pair of said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rods of said upright frame units, said ventilation opening being formed between said lower canopy sheets.

3. The covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower canopy support rod of each of said upright frame units is formed with a pair of mounting tubes which extend upwardly from said intermediate rod section, said upper canopy support rod of each of said upright frame units being formed with a pair of mounting posts which extend downwardly and which are inserted into said mounting tubes, respectively, for mounting said upper canopy support rod on said lower canopy support rod.

4. The covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper canopy support rod has downwardly inclining lateral portions which are disposed respectively above said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rod.

5. The covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper canopy support rod has a length longer than the width of said ventilation opening and measured along a longitudinal direction of said lower canopy support rod.

6. The covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covering frame further includes a reinforcing unit extending transversely between said upper canopy support rods of said upright frame units, said reinforcing unit including: a regulating seat having two opposite ends, each of which is formed with a threaded hole, said threaded holes in said opposite ends being coaxial with each other; a pair of connecting members, each of which has a threaded shank portion extending threadedly into said threaded hole in a respective one of said opposite ends of said regulating seat, and a ring portion connected to said threaded shank portion; and a pair of wires, each of which has an inner end hooked at said ring portion of a respective one of said connecting members, and an outer end mounted on said upper canopy support rod of a respective one of said upright frame units; said regulating seat being operable to rotate relative to said connecting members about an axis of said threaded holes to cause said threaded shank portions of said connecting members to thread in and out of said threaded holes so as to adjust tension of said wires.

7. The covering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covering frame further includes a pair of reinforcing units, each of which extends transversely between an adjacent pair of said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rods of said upright frame units, each of said reinforcing units including: a regulating seat having two opposite ends, each of which is formed with a threaded hole, said threaded holes in said opposite ends being coaxial with each other; a pair of connecting members, each of which has a threaded shank portion extending threadedly into said threaded hole in a respective one of said opposite ends of said regulating seat, and a ring portion connected to said threaded shank portion; and a pair of wires, each of which has an inner end hooked at said ring portion of a respective one of said connecting members, and an outer end mounted on a respective one of said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rods; said regulating seat being operable to rotate relative to said connecting members about an axis of said threaded holes to cause said threaded shank portions of said connecting members to thread in and out of said threaded holes so as to adjust tension of said wires.

8. A covering frame comprising: at least two upright frame units, each of which includes a pair of upright legs with upper ends, and a lower canopy support rod interconnecting said upper ends of said legs, said lower canopy support rod having a pair of lateral rod sections connected respectively to said upper ends of said legs, and an intermediate rod section interconnecting said lateral rod sections, each of said lateral rod sections inclining downwardly from said intermediate rod section toward the corresponding one of said legs, each of said upright frame units further including an upper canopy support rod which is mounted on top of said intermediate rod section of said lower canopy support rod and which is spaced-apart from said intermediate rod section of said lower canopy support rod; and a plurality of horizontal bars extending transversely between said lower canopy support rods of said upright frame units.

9. The covering frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lower canopy support rod of each of said upright frame units is formed with a pair of mounting tubes which extend upwardly from said intermediate rod section, said upper canopy support rod of each of said upright frame units further having a pair of downwardly extending mounting posts which are inserted into said mounting tubes, respectively, for mounting said upper canopy support rod on said lower canopy support rod.

10. The covering frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein said upper canopy support rod has downwardly inclining lateral portions which are disposed respectively above said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rod.

11. The covering frame as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a reinforcing unit extending transversely between said upper canopy support rods of said upright frame units, said reinforcing unit including: a regulating seat having two opposite ends, each of which is formed with a threaded hole, said threaded holes in said opposite ends being coaxial with each other; a pair of connecting members, each of which has a threaded shank portion extending threadedly into said threaded hole in a respective one of said opposite ends of said regulating seat, and a ring portion connected to said threaded shank portion; and a pair of wires, each of which has an inner end hooked at said ring portion of a respective one of said connecting members, and an outer end mounted on said upper canopy support rod of a respective one of said upright frame units; said regulating seat being operable to rotate relative to said connecting members about an axis of said threaded holes to cause said threaded shank portions of said connecting members to thread in and out of said threaded holes so as to adjust tension of said wires.

12. The covering frame as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a pair of reinforcing units, each of which extends transversely between an adjacent pair of said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rods of said upright frame units, each of said reinforcing units including: a regulating seat having two opposite ends, each of which is formed with a threaded hole, said threaded holes in said opposite ends being coaxial with each other; a pair of connecting members, each of which has a threaded shank portion extending threadedly into said threaded hole in a respective one of said opposite ends of said regulating seat, and a ring portion connected to said threaded shank portion; and a pair of wires, each of which has an inner end hooked at said ring portion of a respective one of said connecting members, and an outer end mounted on a respective one of said lateral rod sections of said lower canopy support rods; said regulating seat being operable to rotate relative to said connecting members about an axis of said threaded holes to cause said threaded shank portions of said connecting members to thread in and out of said threaded holes so as to adjust tension of said wires.

13. A covering assembly comprising: a plurality of upright legs adapted to extend upwardly from a ground surface; a lower canopy unit mounted on top of said legs and formed with a ventilation opening; and an upper canopy unit mounted on top of said lower canopy unit and disposed above said ventilation opening, said upper canopy unit having a size sufficient to shield said ventilation opening while allowing air to be vented through said ventilation opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a covering assembly, more particularly to a covering assembly with a ventilation opening to enhance ventilation of the space within the covering assembly, and to a covering frame thereof.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional covering assembly which includes a covering frame 11 and a canopy 13 (shown by phantom lines in FIG. 2) mounted on the covering frame 11 to shade an interior space 100 of the covering assembly from sunlight, rain or snow. The covering frame 11 includes a plurality of upright legs 111, a plurality of canopy support rods 112 extending between upper ends of corresponding pairs of the legs 111, and a plurality of horizontal bars 12 extending transversely among the canopy support rods 112. The canopy 13 spans the canopy support rods 112, and extends to cover a top side and two opposite lateral sides of the covering frame 11. The conventional covering assembly, however, suffers from a drawback in that moisture and heat can hardly escape from the space 100. The space 100 is typically poorly ventilated, especially during hot and humid weather conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a covering assembly with a ventilation opening to enhance ventilation of the space within the covering assembly.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a covering frame for use in the covering assembly of the present invention.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a covering assembly includes a covering frame, a lower canopy member and an upper canopy member. The covering frame includes at least two upright frame units, each of which includes a pair of upright legs with upper ends, and a lower canopy support rod interconnecting the upper ends of the legs. The lower canopy support rod has a pair of lateral rod sections connected respectively to the upper ends of the legs, and an intermediate rod section interconnecting the lateral rod sections. Each of the lateral rod sections inclines downwardly from the intermediate rod section toward the corresponding one of the legs. Each of the upright frame units further includes an upper canopy support rod which is mounted on top of the intermediate rod section of the lower canopy support rod and which is spaced-apart from the intermediate rod section of the lower canopy support rod. The covering frame further includes a plurality of horizontal bars extending transversely between the lower canopy support rods of the upright frame units. The lower canopy member is disposed on and spans the lower canopy support rods of the upright frame units. The lower canopy member includes lateral canopy portions disposed on the lateral rod sections of the lower canopy support rods of the upright frame units, and at least one ventilation opening formed between the lateral canopy portions. The upper canopy member is disposed on and spans the upper canopy support rods of the upright frame units. The upper canopy member is disposed above the ventilation opening, and has a size sufficient to shield the ventilation opening while permitting air to be vented through the ventilation opening.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a covering frame includes at least two upright frame units and a plurality of horizontal bars. Each of the upright frame units includes a pair of upright legs with upper ends, and a lower canopy support rod interconnecting the upper ends of the legs. The lower canopy support rod has a pair of lateral rod sections connected respectively to the upper ends of the legs, and an intermediate rod section interconnecting the lateral rod sections. Each of the lateral rod sections inclines downwardly from the intermediate rod section toward the corresponding one of the legs. Each of the upright frame units further includes an upper canopy support rod which is mounted on top of the intermediate rod section of the lower canopy support rod and which is spaced-apart from the intermediate rod section of the lower canopy support rod. The horizontal bars extend transversely between the lower canopy support rods of the upright frame units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a covering frame of a conventional covering assembly;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the conventional covering assembly, where a canopy is illustrated in phantom lines;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a covering frame of a first preferred embodiment of the covering assembly according to the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment, where an upper canopy and a lower canopy are illustrated in phantom lines;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary exploded perspective view showing how an upper canopy support rod is mounted on a lower canopy support rod;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a covering frame of a second preferred embodiment of the covering assembly according to the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a reinforcing unit of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first preferred embodiment of the covering assembly according to the present invention is shown to include a covering frame 10, a lower canopy member 20, and an upper canopy member 22.

[0018] The covering frame 10 includes a plurality of upright frame units 3 which are arranged in parallel. A plurality of parallel upper and lower horizontal bars 4, 4′ extend transversely between the upright frame units 3 for interconnecting the same.

[0019] Each of the upright frame units 3 includes a pair of upright legs 31 with lower ends adapted to be supported on a ground surface, and a lower canopy support rod 32 interconnecting upper ends of the legs 31. The lower canopy support rod 32 includes a pair of lateral rod sections 323 connected to the upper ends of the legs 31, respectively, and an intermediate rod section 321 interconnecting the lateral rod sections 323. The intermediate rod section 321 is curved, and has a higher central portion and lower opposite end portions connected to the lateral rod sections 323, respectively. Each of the lateral rod sections 323 inclines downwardly from the intermediate rod section 322 toward a corresponding one of the legs 31. The intermediate rod section 321 is formed with a pair of upwardly extending mounting tubes 322 at the opposite end portions thereof, as best shown in FIG. 5.

[0020] Each of the upright frame units 3 further includes an upper canopy support rod 33 which is mounted on top of the intermediate rod section 321 of the lower canopy support rod 32 and which is spaced apart from the intermediate rod section 321. The upper canopy support rod 33 has a generally inverted V-shaped configuration with a tip portion 334 and two lateral portions 332 which incline downwardly from the tip portion 334 and which are disposed respectively above the lateral rod sections 323 of the lower canopy support rod 32. Referring to FIG. 5, the upper canopy support rod 33 is formed with a pair of mounting posts 331 that extend downwardly and respectively from the lateral portions 332 of the upper canopy support rod 33 and that are inserted respectively into the mounting tubes 322 for mounting the upper canopy support rod 33 on the lower canopy support rod 32.

[0021] Referring back to FIG. 3, each of the upper horizontal bars 4 extends transversely between the intermediate rod sections 321 of the lower canopy support rods 32 of an adjacent pair of the upright frame units 3. Each of the lower horizontal bars 4′ extends transversely between an adjacent pair of the lateral rod sections 323 of the lower canopy support rods 32 of a corresponding pair of the upright frame units 3.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower canopy member 20 is mounted on and spans the lower canopy support rods 32 of the upright frame units 3, and includes two lateral canopy portions 21 disposed on opposite lateral sides of the upper horizontal bars 4. In the present embodiment, each of the lateral canopy portions 21 is in the form of a lower canopy sheet which spans an adjacent pair of the lateral rod sections 323 of the lower canopy support rods 32. If necessary, each of the lateral canopy portions 21 may be made longer so as to extend along the corresponding legs 31 to shield lateral sides of the covering frame 10. A ventilation opening 215 is formed on top of the lower canopy member 20 between the lateral canopy portions 21, i.e., between the lower canopy sheets. The lower canopy member 20 and the lower canopy support rods 32 cooperatively constitute a lower canopy unit.

[0023] The upper canopy member 22, in the form of an upper canopy sheet, is mounted on and spans the upper canopy support rods 33 of the upright frame units 3, and is disposed immediately above the ventilation opening 215. The upper canopy member 22 and the upper canopy support rods 33 cooperatively constitute an upper canopy unit, which is disposed above the lower canopy unit. The length of each upper canopy support rod 33 is longer than the width of the ventilation opening 215 as measured along a longitudinal direction of the lower canopy support rods 32. The upper canopy member 22 has a size sufficient to shield a top side of the ventilation opening 215 from sunlight, rain or snow, while permitting air to be vented through the ventilation opening 215. Heat and moisture are thus allowed to escape from the interior space 101 (see FIG. 4) of the covering assembly to thereby improve the condition of air in the space 101.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, in a second preferred embodiment of this invention, a plurality of reinforcing units 5 are provided among the upright frame units 3 to reinforce the structure of the covering frame 10 and to help support the upper and lower canopy members 22, 20.

[0025] Each of a first set of the reinforcing units 5 extends transversely between the tip portions 334 of the upper canopy support rods 33 of an adjacent pair of the upright frame units 3. Each of a second set of the reinforcing units 5 extends transversely between an adjacent pair of the lateral rod sections 323 of a corresponding pair of the upright frame units 3.

[0026] Each of the reinforcing units 5 includes a regulating seat 51, a pair of connecting members 52, and a pair of wires 53. FIG. 7 is illustrated in terms of the reinforcing unit 5 that extends between the upper canopy support rods 33 of an adjacent pair of the upright frame units 3.

[0027] The regulating seat 51 has an elongated ring-shaped structure with two opposite ends formed with coaxial threaded holes 511, which have screw threads (not shown) that extend in opposite directions. Each of the connecting members 52 has a threaded shank portion 521 extending threadedly through a respective one of the threaded holes 511, and a ring portion 522 connected to the threaded shank portion 521. Each of the wires 53 has a hooked inner end 531 hooked at the ring portion 522 of a respective one of the connecting members 52, and an outer end 532 extending into an engaging hole 333 formed in the tip portion 334 of a respective one of the upper canopy support rods 33 for engaging the respective one of the upper canopy support rods 33. Rotation of the regulating seat 51 in a certain direction relative to the connecting members 52 about an axis of the threaded holes 511 causes the threaded shank portions 521 of the connecting members 52 to thread simultaneously into the threaded holes 511, thereby moving the connecting members 52 close to each other and thereby increasing tension of the wires 53. Rotation of the regulating seat 51 in an opposite direction relative to the connecting members 52 about the axis of the threaded holes 511 causes the threaded shank portions 521 of the connecting members 52 to thread simultaneously out of the threaded holes 511, thereby moving the connecting members 52 away from each other and thereby relaxing the wires 53. Therefore, by operating the seat 51, the total length of the reinforcing unit 5 between the outer ends 532 of the wires 53 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the tension of the reinforcing unit 5 to provide the desired reinforcing effect.

[0028] It has thus been shown that, with the provision of the ventilation opening 215, heat and moisture are allowed to escape from the interior space 101 of the covering assembly so that the interior space 101 can be kept at a well-ventilated state. With the two-layered canopy structure, the ventilation opening 215 can be shielded by the upper canopy member 22 from sunlight, rain or snow, thus maintaining the desired shielding effect.

[0029] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.