Deployable Shelter Structure
A shelter structure arranged to be deployed from a stowed configuration above a vehicle to a deployed configuration, having a number of elongate stays for supporting a flexible awning, the stays being movable to fan out from a stowed configuration to a fanned out configuration when deployed. The structure is provided with a mounting permitting the structure to move with respect to the mounting when deployed to selectively cover alternative sheltered zones in a deployed configuration.
1 . A shelter structure arranged to be deployed from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, the shelter structure comprising:
a plurality of elongate stays for supporting a flexible awning, the stays arranged to be movable so as to fan out from a stowed configuration to a fanned out configuration when deployed;
wherein the structure is provided with a mounting permitting the structure to move with respect to the mounting when deployed to selectively cover alternative sheltered zones in the deployed configuration.
2 . A shelter structure according to claim 1 , wherein:
the mounting comprises a rotary mounting hub permitting the structure to be selectively rotated to cover alternative sheltered zones in the deployed configuration.
3 . A shelter structure according to claim 2 , wherein:
the stays are movably articulated to the rotary mounting hub.
4 . A shelter structure according to claim 3 , wherein:
the stays are pivotally or hinge mounted to the hub.
5 . A shelter structure according to claim 4 , wherein:
the mountings for the stays are predominantly offset to one side of the rotational axis of the rotary mounting hub.
6 . A shelter structure according to claim 1 wherein:
the support stays are supported by flexible support lines connected to a line anchor structure which is re-orientatable between a stowed configuration and an erect configuration.
7 . A shelter structure according to claim 6 , wherein:
the line anchor structure is pivotally mounted to be re-orientatable between the stowed configuration and the erect configuration.
8 . A shelter structure according to claim 6 , wherein:
the line anchor structure is arranged to lie adjacent the stays in the stowed configuration and extend transversely to the stays when in the erect configuration.
9 . A shelter structure according to claim 6 , wherein:
the flexible support lines remain connected to the support anchor structure and the stays in both the stowed and deployed condition.
10 . A shelter structure according to claim 6 , wherein:
the mounting comprises a rotary mounting hub to which the stays are mounted, permitting the structure to be selectively rotated, wherein the line anchor structure is fixed so as not to rotate with the rotary hub.
11 . A shelter structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an elongate stowage container, the stays being stowed within the stowage container in the stowed configuration.
12 . A shelter structure according to claim 11 , wherein:
the mounting permitting movement of the stays is provided proximate an end of the stowage container.
13 . A shelter structure according to claim 11 , wherein:
the stays are arranged to fan out from the stowage container during deployment, via an opening running along a longitudinal side of the container.
14 . A shelter structure according to claim 11 , wherein:
the container comprises at least one of a vehicle roof mounted container and a vehicle roof mountable container.
15 . A shelter according to claim 1 , further comprising:
means for mounting to a vehicle roof.
16 . A shelter structure arranged to be deployed from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, the shelter structure comprising:
a plurality of elongate stays for supporting a flexible awning, the stays arranged to be movable so as to fan out from a stowed configuration to a fanned out configuration when deployed;
the elongate stays being supported by flexible support lines connected to a line anchor structure which re-orientatable between a stowed configuration and an erect configuration.
17 . A shelter structure according to claim 16 , wherein:
the line anchor structure is pivotally mounted to be re-orientatable between the stowed configuration and the erect configuration.
18 . A shelter structure according to claim 16 , wherein:
the line anchor structure is arranged to lie adjacent the stays in the stowed configuration and extend transversely to the stays when in the erect configuration.
19 . A shelter structure according to claim 16 , wherein:
the flexible support lines remain connected to the support anchor structure and the stays in both the stowed and deployed condition.
20 . A shelter structure according to claim 16 , wherein:
the mounting comprises a rotary mounting hub to which the stays are mounted, permitting the structure to be selectively rotated, wherein the line anchor structure is being fixed so as not to rotate with the rotary hub.
21 . A shelter structure arranged to be deployed from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, the shelter structure comprising:
a plurality of elongate stays for supporting a flexible awning, the stays arranged to be movable so as to fan out from a stowed configuration to a fanned out configuration when deployed;
an elongate stowage container, the stays being stowed within the stowage container in the stowed configuration.
22 . A shelter structure according to claim 21 , wherein:
the mounting permitting movement of the stays is provided proximate an end of the stowage container.
23 . A shelter structure according to claim 21 , wherein:
the stays are arranged to fan out from the stowage container during deployment, via an opening running along a longitudinal side of the container.
24 . A shelter structure according to claim 21 , wherein:
the container comprises at least one of a vehicle roof mounted container and a vehicle roof mountable container.