Canopy and ground anchor structure

Abstract

A canopy structure arrangement particularly for conducting repairs on a vehicle has a support frame re-configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and an expansion support such as a tether to support the frame as it is manually expanded from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. A ground anchor arrangement provides securing of the canopy structure. The arrangement permits ease of erection of the canopy structure.

1 . A canopy structure arrangement including:
 a support frame re-configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and,   expansion support means to support the frame as it is manually expanded from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the support means comprises at least one tether secured to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . A canopy structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tether is detachable from at least one end of the frame. 
     
     
         4 . A canopy structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tether is extendible. 
     
     
         5 . A canopy structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one tether is stretched between spaced portions of the frame to exert a biasing force tending to perform at least one of the operations of expanding the frame and inhibiting contraction to the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the support frame includes a scissor type linkage arrangement which is articulated to permit re-configuration between the collapsed and expanded configurations. 
     
     
         7 . A canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the structure is mounted on rotatable support members. 
     
     
         8 . A canopy structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable support members are provided with selectively actuatable brake means. 
     
     
         9 . A canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the canopy support frame includes elongate support posts extending upwardly from the ground. 
     
     
         10 . A canopy structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the support posts are extendible. 
     
     
         11 . A canopy structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the support posts are mounted on rotatable support members. 
     
     
         12 . A canopy structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the rotatable support members comprise one of wheels and rollers. 
     
     
         13 . A canopy structure arrangement according to  claim 1 , further including a ground anchor arrangement arranged to anchor the support frame. 
     
     
         14 . A canopy arrangement according to claim
   1 ,   
       wherein the ground anchor arrangement is configured to be weighted down by means of an item positioned under the canopy. 
     
     
         15 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the ground anchor arrangement includes docking means for one of securing and retaining in a releasable fashion, at least one portion of the canopy support frame. 
     
     
         16 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein the canopy support frame includes elongate support posts extending upwardly from the ground, the docking means retaining the support posts. 
     
     
         17 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the ground anchor arrangement includes a ground frame having a pair of spaced elongate side frame rails arranged to rest on the ground, and a transverse connection extending between the side frame rails. 
     
     
         18 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 17 , wherein the ground frame is provided with at least one ground engaging platform element enabling anchoring of the arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one platform element is detachable from the frame to be repositionable with respect to the ground frame. 
     
     
         20 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one platform element and the ground frame are provided with respective complementary engaging formations arranged to permit engagement of the at least one platform element in a plurality of different positions. 
     
     
         21 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 20 , wherein the position of the at least one platform element across the width space between opposed side frame rails can be varied. 
     
     
         22 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the side frame rails are provided with docking means for performing at least one of the operations of securing and retaining ground engaging support posts of the canopy support frame. 
     
     
         23 . A canopy arrangement according to  claim 22 , wherein the engagement means for engaging ground engaging support posts of the canopy support frame comprise respective hook frame elements. 
     
     
         24 . A ground anchor arrangement for use in combination with a canopy having a support frame, the ground anchor being configured to be weighted down by means of
 an   
       item positioned under the canopy. 
     
     
         25 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 24 , further comprising a docking means for performing the operations of at least one of securing and retaining in a releasable fashion, at least one portion of the canopy support frame. 
     
     
         26 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 25 , wherein the canopy support frame includes elongate support posts extending upwardly from the ground, the docking means retaining the support posts. 
     
     
         27 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 24 , further including a ground frame having a pair of spaced elongate side frame rails arranged to rest on the ground, and a transverse connection extending between the side frame rails. 
     
     
         28 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 27 , wherein
 the   
       ground frame is provided with at least one ground engaging platform element enabling anchoring of the arrangement. 
     
     
         29 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 28 , wherein
 the   
       at least one platform element is detachable from the frame to be repositionable with respect to the ground frame. 
     
     
         30 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 29 , wherein
 the   
       at least one platform element and the ground frame are provided with respective complementary engaging formations arranged to permit engagement of the at least one platform element in a plurality of different positions. 
     
     
         31 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 30 , wherein
 the   
       position of the at least one platform element across the width space between opposed side frame rails can be varied. 
     
     
         32 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 24 , wherein the side frame rails are provided with docking means for
 performing   
       at least one of the operations of securing and retaining ground engaging support posts of the canopy support frame. 
     
     
         33 . A ground anchor arrangement according to  claim 32 , wherein
 the docking means for engaging ground engaging support posts of the canopy support frame comprise respective hook frame elements.   
     
     
         34 . A method of anchoring a canopy, the method comprising:
 setting a ground anchor arrangement in place connected to a support frame of the canopy; and   moving a vehicle into position below the canopy to weigh down the ground anchor.   
     
     
         35 . A method of re-configuring a canopy structure arrangement between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, comprising:
 (a) providing a canopy structure having a support frame re-configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;   (b) providing an expansion support means to support the frame; and   (c) operating the expansion support means to exert a force to aid in expansion of the support frame, wherein the expansion support means disengages so as not to exert a force, typically in one of the fully collapsed configuration and the fully expanded configuration.   
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the expansion support means comprises at least one tether secured to the frame and connectable in an active configuration to exert a biasing force and to be released in a configuration in which the at least one tether does not exert a biasing force on the frame. 
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the support frame is supported on one of wheels and rollers, and the canopy is expanded by movement on the wheels or rollers of the support frame under the biasing influence of the expansion support means.