Abstract: Transportation methods, systems and covers for transporting hot ingots or sows are disclosed. The transportation system includes a base, at least one stack of ingots, and at least one cover positioned over the at least one stack of ingots. The transportation system may also include a securement assembly configured to secure the at least one stack of ingots and at least one cover to the base. A transportation method using the transportation system to deliver hot ingots to a processing facility is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable umbrella canopy shade has a mounting post. The mounting post has a mounting post front side and a mounting post rear side. A cantilever support is mounted to the mounting post at a lower post hinge. A tension member is mounted to the mounting post at an upper post hinge. The tension member is mounted to the cantilever support at a cantilever support middle joint. A canopy is mounted to the cantilever support. A retainer system is mounted to the mounting post and coupled to the lower post hinge so that the retainer system moves with the lower post hinge. The lower post hinge is translationally mounted on the mounting post. A handle is formed on the retainer system, and the handle is mounted to a threaded handle shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a lift gate operable between the open and closed positions and includes an interior trim panel. A track assembly is positioned on a perimeter of the interior trim panel. A curtain is coupled to the track assembly and configured to hang from the lift gate in the open position.

Abstract: A rollout protective cover assembly is configured for removably and temporarily covering a boat. The cover assembly includes a reel, and a flexible cover attached to the reel and having opposing sides and opposing ends. The flexible cover is adapted for being rolled onto the reel in a stowed condition and substantially unrolled from the reel in a deployed condition over the boat. The opposing sides of the flexible cover define symmetrically formed scalloped edges. Each scalloped edge includes a series of longitudinally spaced tie-down projections and a corresponding series of concave ventilation curves formed between adjacent projections.

Abstract: An automatic multipurpose shield device for vehicles, comprising an extendible tubular-shaped structure mounted on cross bars of the roof rack through a rotatory base. Said extendible structure is composed of two parts: a main container body (a) and a secondary body (b), the latter located inside the main container body (a) during the resting state and connected by longitudinal rails. The extendible tubular structure has two pairs of shield rolls connected to a mechanism and attached to two pairs of projecting arms that allow the automatic extension thereof, covering the entire length of the vehicle. The shield rolls may carry flexible solar cells or operate only to protect the vehicle against sun and hail.

Abstract: Storable exterior lift cover systems, apparatus, devices, methods, etc. are configured to be used with a lift device or the like (such as an exterior lift that raises, transports, stores and lowers mobility devices like scooters, power chairs and the like) mounted to a motor vehicle using a trailer hitch or the like. A covering apparatus has a foldable frame that can be unfolded to allow a pliable 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 between the lift platform and a motor vehicle to which the lift is secured. Embodiments of the storable exterior lift cover permit easy deployment and storage of a cover that can be reliably transported externally in its deployed or stored configuration.

Abstract: A canopy mounting apparatus for use with a lawn tractor includes a housing having a bottom wall and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define an interior area and an open top. The upstanding walls include opposed front and rear walls with opposed side walls connecting the front and rear walls. The housing rear wall is coupled to the lawn tractor rear framework. A support arm includes a first end pivotally coupled to the housing front wall and a second end releasably coupled to the housing front wall such that the support arm is movable between a stowed configuration when the support arm is coupled to the housing front wall and an extended configuration when the support arm is extended away from the housing front wall. A canopy holding member is coupled to the support arm and includes a configuration complementary to a canopy shaft.

Abstract: A shade system having a main shaft with a first and second end, the second end adapted to engage a hitch receiver on a vehicle, a first and second half are connected via a pivot component allowing the first half to pivot from side to side, a telescopic arm in the first end secured in a desired position via a locking mechanism, a vertical shaft extending upwardly from the telescopic arm wherein an umbrella holder is adapted to receive an umbrella shaft of an umbrella which can slide up and down through the umbrella holder and is secured in a position via a locking mechanism, a barrier bar extending outwardly at the pivot component adapted to prevent the first half from pivoting too far to the side, and a flange extending downwardly from the main shaft, wherein a hitch ball is disposed on the flange.

Abstract: An adjustable mount for an umbrella may include one or more adjustments to allow the umbrella to be secured at different positions both horizontally and vertically. The mount may include a beam that fits into a standard receiver hitch on a vehicle. The mount may be used without the beam to secure an umbrella to a horizontal or vertical surface. The mount may be used to hold other objects besides an umbrella, such as a flag.

Abstract: The trailer hitch mount for an umbrella includes a square cross-section shaft that is adapted to slide into a standard sleeve-style trailer hitch receiver that is currently available on many vehicles. The shaft includes a series of holes along the sides thereof to receive a pin in order to secure the shaft to the trailer hitch receiver in a telescopic relationship. The series of holes allows the shaft length to be adjusted, so that the distance between the trailer hitch receiver and the opposed end of the shaft may be shortened or lengthened, as desired. The shaft includes two ends, one of which slides into the trailer hitch receiver, and the other end includes a hollow pivoting cylindrical tube that is used to receive the bottom end of an umbrella pole. The pivoting tube includes adjustment means, so that the pivoting tube may be tilted to a desired angle and secured in that position.

Abstract: The vehicle-mounted awning is a quick setup framework that supports a weatherproof fabric canopy, and is configured for use to the rear of a vehicle. A multi-sectioned bumper bar attaches to the hitch receiver of a vehicle. Opposing ends of the bumper bar have vertical extension pieces, each extending vertically and having a slightly arcuate free end for support of an arcuate multi-sectioned upper side panel frame on either side of the bumper bar. Multi-sectioned lower side panel frames are pivotally connected to opposing ends of the bumper bar. Upper and lower side panel frames are removably connected at their distal ends to provide cantilevered support. Additional multi-sectioned framework extends rearward protective coverage. A flexible water-resistant fabric is wrapped over the support framework to provide a covered canopy region. The framework of the device comprises a plurality of collapsible elements for storage in a small bag.

Abstract: Sun shade apparatus for a vehicle includes a canopy housing and an elongated canopy which is retractable into the housing and extendable from the housing over the roof of a vehicle. Support stands positionable on the vehicle roof serve to engage the canopy while holding it away from the roof when the canopy is extended over the roof. Each of the support stands includes a canopy hook for releasably engaging the canopy. The hooks may be made moveable between an unlatched position facilitating engagement and disengagement with the canopy and a latched position securing the canopy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support device associated with an object such as a vehicle tailgate or a residential deck for holding an umbrella with an umbrella pole supporting at least one serving tray to provide shade from the sun for a user occupying a portion of the object. The support device comprises a bent plate support in contact with the object. At least one retainer strap with a hook at each end holds the bent plate in contact with the object. An umbrella pole support is connected to the bent plate support to receive and help hold the umbrella pole. At least one support collar is welded to the bent plate to receive and support the umbrella pole support. Additional accessories and applications are also realized within the scope of this invention including a fishing pole holder, a bowl holder and a light assembly for night use.

Abstract: The vehicle-mounted awning is a quick setup framework that supports a weatherproof fabric canopy, and is configured for use to the rear of a vehicle. A multi-sectioned bumper bar attaches to the hitch receiver of a vehicle. Opposing ends of the bumper bar have vertical extension pieces, each extending vertically and having a slightly arcuate free end for support of an arcuate multi-sectioned upper side panel frame on either side of the bumper bar. Multi-sectioned lower side panel frames are pivotally connected to opposing ends of the bumper bar. Upper and lower side panel frames are removably connected at their distal ends to provide cantilevered support. Additional multi-sectioned framework extends rearward protective coverage. A flexible water-resistant fabric is wrapped over the support framework to provide a covered canopy region. The framework of the device comprises a plurality of collapsible elements for storage in a small bag.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a rain and sun shelter for automobiles, which comprises a plurality of supporting stands, and one end of the supporting stand being installed onto a car, and an adjacent supporting stand having a horizontal rod movably disposed between the other end, and a canopy movably disposed on the horizontal rod. The canopy is supported by the supporting stand and keeps a specific distance with the car, such that a heat-insulating space is kept between the canopy and the car body, so that the heat absorbed by the canopy will not be dispersed through the heat insulating space into the car, and the rain water or other fluid blocked by the canopy will not drop on the car roof, and thus attaining the sun shelter and rain shelter effects.

Abstract: A supporting post for motor shade includes a length-adjustable extendable post, a protective sleeve movably mounted on the extendable post, a movable fixing assembly mounted on the extendable post to provide an elastic tension, and a bottom seat with a universal joint connected to a lower end of the extendable post. The supporting post is upright erected beside a car with the movable fixing assembly elastically upward abutting on a lower edge of the car. The protective sleeve prevents the rigid extendable post from abrading the car, and the bottom seat with the universal joint allows the extendable post to stably stand on a rough or slope ground surface. A shade supported on four pieces of the extendable posts is distantly located above a car to effectively shield the car from sunlight, heat, and rainwater when the car is parked in an open-air place.

Abstract: A canopy (100) suspended above an opening (202) in a vehicle (200) is provided. The vehicle (200) has a roof (215) and a pair of vertically hung doors (204 and 206) pivotal to an open position to create the opening in the vehicle. The canopy comprises a flexible cover (102) having a top panel (104) extending between the doors and the roof. The canopy aids in forming an enclosure bounded by the top panel, the doors, a ground surface, the opening in the vehicle, and a rear opening and a non-closable bottom opening in the enclosure permitting walk-in access to the enclosure. A support frame (106) is coupled to the cover to aid in suspending the cover above the ground surface and above the opening in the vehicle. The canopy further includes an attachment assembly (108) for coupling the cover to the vehicle. In an alternate embodiment, a canopy 400 for interfacing with a vehicle 500 having a liftgate 504 is provided.

Abstract: A protective cover for a vehicle comprising a sheet or a web of a flexible material that possesses a property of buckling or curving in the upward direction from the vehicle with the formation of a canopy-type shield for protecting the vehicle from direct sun rays, birds' droppings, etc. The sheet has a length exceeding the length of the upper surface periphery of the vehicle so that the upwardly curved canopy is formed either by applying two oppositely directed forces to the opposite ends of the sheet or by prestressing the sheet. The sheet can be made from plastic or a fabric that incorporates springing metal strips that tend to curve upward when they are in a free state. The sheet can be conveniently stored in wound state in a cylindrical cassette. Storage of the flexible material in a wound state enhances the property of bucking or curving when the sheet is withdrawn from the cassette.

Abstract: A portable shelter includes at least one mounting plate fixedly secured to a support surface on opposite sides thereof. A wraparound attachment bracket is slidably connected on each of the mounting plates. A tubular framework assembly having a fabric covering attached thereto is swingably mounted on each attachment bracket between a collapsed, storage position and an extended, erect position adjacent the support surface. The support surface is preferably located on either an ATV or truck.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retractable portable shelter apparatus with an attachment apparatus for vehicles. The shelter apparatus includes a stationary frame, a plurality of pivotably rotatable frames, a collapsible canopy stretched over the rotatable frames, and an attachment member for attaching the apparatus to the vehicle. The vehicle attachment apparatus can be moved between at least two positions, the deployed, substantially enclosed housing position, and the substantially closed or collapsed position. The shelter apparatus may be used as an ice fishing shelter, a duck hunting blind, a tent, a camping shelter, a portable shower facility, a storage tent, a sun shade, a hunting rack for carrying hunted animals, a medical emergency shelter, or a tool carrier. In one embodiment the shelter apparatus includes a platform for supporting a user, and further includes a floor and wheels supporting the floor.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vehicle cover comprising a roof cover portion, side wings detachably attached to side edges of the roof cover portion, front and rear flaps correspondingly extending from front and rear edges of the roof cover portion. Fabric bands are sewn between the roof cover portion and the front and rear flaps to facilitate folding of the front and rear flaps against the roof cover portion. The roof cover portion, the side wings and the front and rear flaps are each formed of a compound resin sheet having a layer of air filled material between an upper and lower sheet of film material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retractable portable shelter apparatus with an attachment apparatus for vehicles. The shelter apparatus includes a stationary frame, a plurality of pivotably rotatable frames, a collapsible canopy stretched over the rotatable frames, and an attachment member for attaching the apparatus to the vehicle. The vehicle attachment apparatus can be moved between at least two positions, the deployed, substantially enclosed housing position, and the substantially closed or collapsed position. The shelter apparatus may be used as an ice fishing shelter, a duck hunting blind, a tent, a camping shelter, a portable shower facility, a storage tent, a sun shade, a hunting rack for carrying hunted animals, a medical emergency shelter, or a tool carrier. In one embodiment the shelter apparatus includes a platform for supporting a user, and further includes a floor and wheels supporting the floor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable sunshade comprising a mast structure extending in a generally vertically direction, means for attaching the mast structure at its lower end to a support structure, a boom extending outwardly from the mast structure, having first and second ends, the first end being movably attached to the mast structure, a hub assembly attached to the second end of the boom, a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from the hub assembly, each of said support ribs, having one end rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a canopy positioned over the elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, the canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along the boom, and a boom support strut pivotably attached at one end to the upper end of the mast structure, and at the other end pivotably secured to boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through the opening in the canopy at the point where it is connected to the

Abstract: A detachable canopy-like cover intended to be used on motor scooters, which can protect cyclists from the elements and provide increased stability for a motor scooter. The cover's lightweight construction is water-resistant yet sturdy enough to be used on the highway. The cover includes a non-shattering molded front shield that protects a cyclist and its passenger from oncoming flying debris. The All Weather Cycle Protector effectively serves to reduce intense temperatures cyclists are exposed to while on a motor scooter. The frame for the cover is constructed of a lightweight material that can easily be attached to the front and back frame of a motor scooter. Clamps are used to hold the frame firmly in place on the under portion of a motor scooter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable sunshade comprising a mast structure extending in a generally vertically direction, means for attaching the mast structure at its lower end to a support structure, a boom extending outwardly from the mast structure, having first and second ends, the first end being movably attached to the mast structure, a hub assembly attached to the second end of the boom, a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from the hub assembly, each of said support ribs, having one end rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a canopy positioned over the elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, the canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along the boom, and a boom support strut pivotably attached at one end to the upper end of the mast structure, and at the other end pivotably secured to boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through the opening in the canopy at the point where it is connected to the

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable sunshade comprising a mast structure extending in a generally vertically direction, means for attaching the mast structure at its lower end to a support structure, a boom extending outwardly from the mast structure, having first and second ends, the first end being movably attached to the mast structure, a hub assembly attached to the second end of the boom, a plurality of elongated support ribs extending radially from the hub assembly, each of said support ribs, having one end rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a canopy positioned over the elongated support ribs and fastened thereto, the canopy having an opening in it corresponding to a predetermined position along the boom, and a boom support strut pivotably attached at one end to the upper end of the mast structure, and at the other end pivotably secured to boom at a predetermined position along the length of it, the boom support strut extending through the opening in the canopy at the point where it is connected to the