GB2534341A

GB2534341A - Caravan combination cover

Info

Publication number: GB2534341A
Application number: GB1419173.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Hunter Daniel
Original assignee: Riber Products Ltd
Current assignee: Riber Products Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-28
Filing date: 2014-10-28
Publication date: 2016-07-27
Also published as: GB201419173D0

Abstract

A caravan cover comprises a first 14 and a second 16 portion shaped to cover a first and a second surface of the caravan 10 respectively, the second portion being detachable from both the first portion and the caravan. When the second portion is removed, the first portion may still be used independently as a partial cover, covering only the first surface of the caravan. The first portion preferably covers the front face 12 of the vehicle and may be used to protect it while the caravan is being towed. The two portions or sections are preferably waterproof and/or windproof and may be attached to one another via hook and loop fasteners, their attachment region preferably being sealed. They may also include further attachment means, such as flaps 18 or ties, in order to be secured to the caravan themselves.

Description

Caravan Cover

Technical field

The present invention relates to a partially detachable cover suitable for a caravan.

Background

Caravans are often exposed to a wide range of conditions, which can cause permanent damage to the caravan. Wind, rain, snow, sun, hail and other weather conditions, as well as dirt and debris in the air, all take their effect on the caravan and can shorten the caravan's useable lifetime.

Caravans can be covered in order to protect the exterior from damage through exposure.

A caravan can be exposed to particularly damaging conditions when being towed.

High contact air speed impacts the caravan, especially on the front most surface. Objects in the air, such as raindrops, insects, dust, debris, fumes or other such matter will hit the caravan at high speeds, causing (often irreparable) wear and damage.

Summary of invention

A caravan cover comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein: the first portion is shaped to cover a first surface of the caravan; the second portion is shaped to cover a second, different surface of the caravan; the first and second portion can be used together to form a 'full' cover which protects the first and second surfaces; the second portion is detachable from both the caravan and the first portion, forming a partial cover in in which the second surface is not protected by the cover.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of the invention reference will he made to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the two portions and a caravan.

Figure 2 shows the cover in the partial cover arrangement.

Figure 3 shows the cover in the full cover arrangement.

Detailed description

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alterations can he made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention.

The Figures shows a caravan using a cover according to embodiments of the present invention. The cover can he used in two different modes; a full cover arrangement and a partial cover arrangement.

In the full cover arrangement all sides of the caravan are protected by the cover (aside, in some embodiments, from the underside). The full cover arrangement provides the most comprehensive and extensive protection to the exterior of the caravan. The full cover arrangement is suitable for protecting the caravan when it is not in use. Many people keep the caravan on the drive for months at a time, and the cover acts to protect the exterior from damage and dirt. A cover of a discreet colour may be desirable in order to draw less attention to a caravan sat on a drive.

The partial cover arrangement provides protection to the front face of the caravan.

This arrangement protects the front of the caravan whilst the caravan in in use, for example when being occupied or, particularly, when being towed. When a caravan is being towed, the front face is exposed to a particularly high amount of wind, dirt and small objects in the air, and therefore is more likely to be damaged and/or soiled whilst the caravan is in transit. Therefore in the partial cover arrangement the front face of the caravan is protected from such damage and dirt. In the partial cover arrangement the doors of the caravan are accessible, ad so the partial cover arrangement is suitable for when access is needed to the caravan, and for when the caravan is occupied.

Figure 1 shows a caravan 10, with a front end 12, and a cover with a first portion 14 and a second portion 16.

The first portion is attached to the caravan. The first portion can cover any part of the exterior of the caravan. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figurers 1-3, the first portion covers the front end of the caravan 12.

The first portion 14 can be attached at the caravan at any time. It could he attached at all times, including transportation, or could he removed for cleaning the caravan, or for aesthetic appeal.

The first portion can be attached securely so that if the caravan is being towed at high speeds the first portion 14 remains fitted to the vehicle and does not become detached or partially detached. In some embodiments the first portion fits lightly against the front of the caravan so as to minimise wind resistance. The first portion could he attached to the caravan in a sealable manner, to prevent damage to the front end of the caravan when in the partially covered arrangement.

The first portion 14 utilises the awning rail which is known to he built within the caravan in order to ensure a tight fit, which is especially important when being towed at high speeds.

When the first portion is attached to the caravan the doors and windows are accessible, and therefore the first portion need not be removed when the caravan is being occupied. This saves time and effort when wanting to use the caravan, especially on trips away when setting up can be difficult and time is precious.

The first portion can comprise one or more sections, and can cover the entire front end 12 of the caravan 10, or can leave a gap exposed, for example a window space.

The cover also comprises a second portion, 16. The second portion can fit to cover all of, or some of, the remaining surface of the caravan 10 not covered by the first portion 14.

The first and second portion can be made from the same material, or from different materials. In some preferred embodiments the first and second portions are made from material which is waterproof and or wind proof. This will increase the protective qualities of the cover.

The second portion 16 is detachable from the first portion 14. Figure 1 shows the second portion 16 detached from the first portion 14, depicting how the two portions could fit together. Figure 2 shows only the first portion 14 attached to the caravan, the second portion being completely removed. Figure 3 shows the second portion 16 attached to the first portion 14 so that all sides and the roof of the caravan arc covered.

Figure 1 shows the lines along which the second portion 16 can be attached to the first portion 14. The dashed lines 20 at the places of attachment. In different embodiments the portions could be attached in different ways. The first and second portions could include attachment means to attach the portions to each other. The method of attaching the portions together could be sealable so as to form a more comprehensively protective cover. The attachment means could include zips, clips, slider and seals, Velcro, or any other method. More than one method could be used to attach the portions together, for example a zip could be used with a plastic cover over the top for protection.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the second portion 16 covers the two long sides and the back end of the caravan, and also the roof. This ensures that then the cover is in the fully covered arrangement all surfaces of the caravan are protected, except from the underside which is less prone to exposure from weather, and also is not visible to one looking at the caravan, therefore damage to the exterior surface of the underside will be less noticeable. In other embodiments the cover in the full cover arrangement may cover all of the surface of the caravan, including the underside.

The second portion 16 can be securely attached underneath the caravan. This will reduce the chance of the cover blowing off in the wind when in the fully covered arrangement, and also will stop air from blowing underneath the cover in a "balloon effect" Figure 1 shows secure flaps 18 which can be attached underneath the caravan in order to secure the cover when in the partially covered arrangement. The flaps 18 can be attached to each other by Velcro, or could be tied, or use any other known for of attachment. Figure 1 shows three flaps each side which reach beneath the caravan and meet in the middle. If may be that there is any number of flaps on ether both sides of the cover or one side of the cover. If there are only flaps on one side of the cover then they will reach around and attach at a corresponding location on the other side of the cover. Any suitable known for of attachment can he used to secure the cover when in the full covered arrangement.

A cover is described which has a detachable portion so that different levels of protection can he provided depending on whether or not the caravan is in use.

The above embodiments provide examples only and details can be changed without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.Claims A caravan cover comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein: the first portion is shaped to cover a first surface of the caravan; the second portion is shaped to cover a second, different surface of the caravan; the first and second portion can be used together to form a 'full' cover which protects the first and second surfaces; the second portion is detachable from both the caravan and the first portion, forming a 'partial' cover in which the second surface is not protected by the cover.

A caravan cover according to claim 1 wherein the first and second portion further comprise attachment means in order to attached together to form the full cover.

A caravan cover according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first portion covers the front face of the caravan.

A caravan cover according to claim 2 or 3 wherein when attached the attachment means form a seal to protect the caravan.

A cover according to claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the attachment means are Velcro.

A cover according to claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the attachment means are a zip.

A cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second portion covers comprise a further attachment means in order to securely fit the cover around the caravan when in the full cover arrangement.
8. A caravan cover according to claim 7 wherein the further attachment means arc tics which can be tied to secure the second portion around the comprises
9. A caravan cover according to any of the preceding claims wherein the second portion can be stored within the caravan when not in use.
10. A caravan cover according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the first and second portions is waterproof.
11. A cover according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the first and second portions is windproof.
12. A cover according to any of the preceding claims wherein the partial cover is suitable to protect the caravan whilst travelling.
13. A cover according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first portion fits securely to the caravan.
14. A cover according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first portion can he attached to an awning rail which is built into the caravan.