Storable exterior lift cover

Abstract

Storable exterior lift cover systems, apparatus, devices, methods, etc. are configured to be used in connection with a lift device or the like (such as an exterior lift used to raise, transport, store and lower mobility devices like scooters, power chairs and the like) mounted to a motor vehicle using a trailer hitch or the like. To aid in protecting the lift and any cargo thereon, a covering apparatus has a foldable frame that can be unfolded to allow a pliable material cover to extend over the lift platform and any cargo. Retraction of the cover and folding of the frame compactly configures and stores the cover apparatus, for example in space between the lift platform and a motor vehicle to which the lift is secured. Embodiments of the storable exterior lift cover system permit easily deployment and storage of a cover that can be reliably transported externally in its deployed or stored configuration.

1 . An exterior motor vehicle lift cover comprising:
 a foldable frame comprising a first frame member foldably coupled to a second frame member;   an end-sheet cover mounted to the frame;   a top-sheet cover mounted to the frame;   frame mounting means configured to mount the frame to an exterior motor vehicle lift having a cargo platform, the frame mounting means comprising:
 a first frame support configured to be mounted to the exterior motor vehicle lift; and 
 a second frame support configured to be mounted to the exterior motor vehicle lift; 
   wherein the frame is movable between a folded configuration and an open configuration;   further wherein, when the frame is in the open configuration, the top-sheet cover is movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the top-sheet cover configured to cover the cargo platform and any cargo thereon when the top-sheet cover is in the extended configuration;   further wherein, when the frame is in the open configuration, the first frame member is supported by the first frame support and the second frame member is supported by the second frame support; and   further wherein, when the frame is in the folded configuration, the top-sheet cover is in its retracted configuration; and   further wherein the exterior motor vehicle lift cover is in a storage configuration when the frame is in its folded configuration; and   further wherein, when the exterior motor vehicle lift cover is in the storage configuration, the top-sheet cover, the end-sheet cover, and the first and second frame members are supported by the first frame support; and   further wherein the exterior motor vehicle lift cover is in a fully deployed configuration when the frame is in the open configuration and the top-sheet cover is in the extended configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 1  wherein the end-sheet cover encloses and holds the top-sheet cover for storage and for external transportation by a motor vehicle to which the exterior motor vehicle lift is mounted when the frame is in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 1  further comprising top-sheet anchoring means for anchoring the top-sheet cover to the cargo platform when the top-sheet cover is in the extended configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 1  wherein the first frame support structure is configured to be affixed to the exterior motor vehicle lift at an inboard mounting location between the cargo platform and a motor vehicle to which the exterior motor vehicle lift is mounted, and further wherein the second frame support structure is configured to be affixed to the exterior motor vehicle lift at an outboard mounting location. 
     
     
         5 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 4  wherein the first frame member is pivotably mounted to the first frame support and further wherein the second frame member is configured to be detachably mounted to the first frame support when the frame is in the folded configuration and further wherein the second frame member is configured to be detachably mounted to the second frame support when the frame is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 1  wherein the end-sheet cover and the top-sheet cover comprise pliable material. 
     
     
         7 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 1  wherein the cargo platform is pivotable between a generally horizontal loading position and a generally vertical storage position;
 further wherein the first frame support is configured to be mounted to a mast of the exterior motor vehicle lift and is configured to keep the lift cover clear of pivoting of the platform when the frame is in its folded configuration. 
 
     
     
         8 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 7  wherein the frame further comprises frame anchoring means to secure the frame in the folded configuration to the mast. 
     
     
         9 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 1  wherein the frame moves from the folded configuration to the open configuration by rotating the first and second frame members outboard to permit the second frame member to engage the second frame support. 
     
     
         10 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 1  further wherein the frame, the end-sheet cover and the top-sheet cover are configured to fit in a space between the exterior motor vehicle lift and a motor vehicle to which the exterior motor vehicle lift is secured when the frame is in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for covering a lift mounted to the exterior of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame configured to be movable between a folded configuration and an open configuration when secured to an exterior motor vehicle lift;   an end-sheet cover assembly comprising an end-sheet cover mounted to the frame;   a top-sheet cover assembly configured to be in a retracted configuration when the frame is in the folded configuration, wherein the top-sheet cover assembly is movable between the retracted configuration and an extended configuration when the frame is in the open configuration, the top-sheet cover assembly comprising a top-sheet cover mounted to the frame and configured to be secured to a lift platform of the exterior motor vehicle lift and to cover the lift platform and any cargo thereon when the top-sheet cover assembly is in the extended configuration;   wherein the covering apparatus is in a fully deployed configuration when the frame is in the open configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the extended configuration; and   further wherein the covering apparatus is in a storage configuration when the frame is in the folded configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the retracted storage configuration and further wherein, when the frame is in the folded configuration, the end-sheet cover encloses and holds the top-sheet cover for storage and for external transportation by a motor vehicle to which the exterior motor vehicle lift is mounted.   
     
     
         12 . The storable exterior lift covering apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the frame comprises first and second frame members configured to be secured to the lift using frame mounting means, the frame mounting means comprising:
 an inboard mounting structure configured to be secured to the exterior motor vehicle lift; and 
 an outboard mounting structure configured to be mounted to the lift platform; 
 wherein, when the frame is in the open configuration, the inboard mounting structure supports the first frame member and the outboard mounting structure supports the second frame member; and 
 further wherein, when the frame is in the folded configuration, the inboard mounting structure supports the first frame member, the second frame member, the top-sheet cover assembly and the end-sheet cover assembly. 
 
     
     
         13 . The storable exterior lift covering apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the top-sheet cover assembly further comprises:
 a Venturi vent configured to facilitate air flow through the top-sheet cover; 
 one or more adjustment straps secured to the top-sheet cover and configured to permit cinching of the top-sheet cover around the lift platform and any cargo thereon; and 
 a plurality of adjustable securing hooks secured to the top-sheet cover and configured to engage at least one of the following: the lift platform, an anchor bracket mounted to the lift platform. 
 
     
     
         14 . The storable exterior lift covering apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the covering apparatus, when in the storage configuration, is configured to occupy space between the exterior lift device and a motor vehicle to which the exterior motor vehicle lift device is mounted. 
     
     
         15 . The storable exterior lift covering apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the frame comprises a plurality of tubular members made of metal or plastic, wherein the plurality of tubular members are secured to one another with a flexible connector having a spring held internally within the connector. 
     
     
         16 . An exterior motor vehicle lift cover mounted to an exterior motor vehicle lift, wherein the exterior motor vehicle lift is mounted to a motor vehicle, wherein the exterior motor vehicle lift comprises a cargo platform, the exterior motor vehicle lift cover comprising:
 a frame comprising a first frame member foldably coupled to a second frame member;   an end-sheet cover affixed to the frame;   a top-sheet cover affixed to the frame;   a first frame support mounted to the exterior motor vehicle lift; and   a second frame support mounted to the exterior motor vehicle lift;   wherein the frame is movable between a folded configuration in which the first frame member and the second frame member are supported by the first frame support and an open configuration in which the first frame member is supported by the first frame support and the second frame member is supported by the second frame support;   wherein, when the frame is in the folded configuration, the end-sheet cover affixed to the frame encloses and holds the top-sheet cover affixed to the frame in a space between the motor vehicle and the exterior motor vehicle lift for storage and for external transportation.   
     
     
         17 . The exterior motor vehicle lift cover of  claim 16  wherein the second frame support is mounted to the cargo platform of the exterior motor vehicle lift. 
     
     
         18 - 21 . (canceled)