Canopy Structure

Abstract

A collapsible canopy structure comprising, in an erected configuration, a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangement permitting a vehicle to be positioned at least partly docked entered into the interior of the canopy. The docking arrangement includes a magnetic securing system for securing the canopy to the vehicle and/or a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle.

1 . A collapsible canopy structure for a vehicle comprising:
 in an erected configuration, a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangement permitting the vehicle to be positioned at least partly inside the interior of the canopy; wherein the docking arrangement includes at least one of:   i) magnetic securing means for securing the canopy to the vehicle; and   ii) a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the collapsible canopy structure is re-configurable from the erected configuration to a stowed configuration.   
     
     
         3 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 in the stowed configuration, the collapsible canopy structure is configured to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle for transportation.   
     
     
         4 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the roof area structure includes a storage section arranged to store the fold-over section of the roof area structure in the stowed configuration.   
     
     
         5 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the storage section comprises opposed end portions to which one or more frame members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted.   
     
     
         6 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the opposed end portions are connected by a connecting portion.   
     
     
         7 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the opposed portions are arranged to connect to support frame legs to support the canopy structure above the ground when in the erected configuration.   
     
     
         8 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the storage section is arranged to be removably secured to the roof of a transportation vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 one or more frame members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted to be movable from a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erected configuration.   
     
     
         10 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 a plurality of frame members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted to be movable from the laid flat stowed position, up and over to the erected configuration.   
     
     
         11 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 in the erect configuration, a frame member of the fold-over section of the roof area structure is configured to extend upwardly above its stowed position.   
     
     
         12 . A collapsible canopy structure according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the magnetic securing means comprise magnetic strips for securing the canopy to the vehicle.   
     
     
         13 . A method of working on a vehicle comprising:
 erecting a canopy structure into an erected configuration having a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, wherein the erected configuration of the canopy structure has a docking arrangement that permits the vehicle to be positioned at least partly inside the interior of the canopy;   with the canopy structure in the erected configuration, positioning a vehicle in relation to the docking arrangement such that the vehicle is positioned at least partly inside the interior of the canopy; and   with the canopy structure in the erected configuration, securing the canopy structure along the roof and the sidewalls of the vehicle to provide a controlled working environment cut off from ambient external conditions.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 magnetic securing means is used to secure the canopy to the vehicle.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the canopy structure is carried in a stowed configuration.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 a fume extraction apparatus is operated to extract fumes from the interior of the canopy structure.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the canopy structure is carried in the stowed configuration on top of the roof of a transportation vehicle.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 in the erected configuration, a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy is folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle.