AU2005101041A4

AU2005101041A4 - A camper

Info

Publication number: AU2005101041A4
Application number: AU2005101041A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bruce David Loxton
Original assignee: BRUCE LOXTON
Current assignee: BRUCE LOXTON
Priority date: 2004-10-21
Filing date: 2005-12-21
Publication date: 2006-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-21
Also published as: AU2005101041B4

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "A CAMPER" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: ~1

TITLE

"A CAMPER" 2FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a camper. In particular, the invention relates to a light source provided in a tent of a camper.

SBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Camping has become a very popular past time of millions of Australians. One way in which many people camp is to tow a camper trailer to a desired location. Camper trailers are quick to set up and access.

Further, camper trailers provide many comforts in a single, convenient unit that is "ready to go" at any time.

Camper trailers are primarily set up by rotating the top of the camper tailer to erect a canvas tent. Poles support the tent to provide a stable, weather resistant structure. A bed with mattress is typically provided within the canvas tent as well as a solid floor area to that provides space for people to do certain activities such as change clothing.

When camping, it is imperative that a light source be provided within the canvas tent so that people can conduct normal activities at night such as reading and changing into bed clothes. Normally, the light source takes the form of a torch or mobile florescent light. These light sources are typically hung from a roof of the canvas tent using prefabricated straps.

One problem with these light sources is that they have to be removed each time the canvas tent is to be folded and replaced when the canvas tent is erected. If the light sources are not removed then they can be n 2 broken, they can damage the canvas tent and/or they can prevent the canvas tent from being folded. Further, the light sources must be battery powered and replacement batteries need to be carried if away from civilisation for extended periods of time.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and/or provide the consumer with a 1 useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, the invention resides in a camper comprising: a tent having a light strip that is attached to an internal portion of the tent and a power source electrically connected to said strip light to power the strip light.

Preferably, at least one light sleeve extending along an internal portion of the tent used to attach the light strip.

Preferably, the at least one light sleeve is made from a translucent or transparent material.

Preferably, an electrical cable connects the power source to the strip light and extends through a pole that supports the roof.

Preferably, the light source is an LED (light emitting diode) strip or a fibre optic cable light strip.

Preferably the power source is located external of the tent.

3 SBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS a An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows a side view of a camper trailer in a folded position; FIG. 2 shows a side view of a camper trailer in an open position; (FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a light strip located inside a tent and FIG.4 shows a side sectional view of the light strip located inside the tent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG 1 and 2 show a camper trailer 10 used for camping. The camper trailer 10 includes a storage box 11, for storing articles such refrigerators and fuel tanks, and a camper box 12 from which a canvas tent 13 is erected. The canvas tent 13 is erected by rotating a top 14 of the camper box 12 that causes poles 15 to be extended upwardly from the camper box that support the canvas tent as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the inside of a top of a roof 16 of the erected tent 13. A pole 15 extends along the roof 16 and down sides of the tent 13 to support the roof 16 of the tent 13. The pole 15 is located within a tent sleeve 17 that is located in the roof 16 of the tent 13.

A transparent light sleeve 18 extends along the top of the roof 16 adjacent to pole 15. The transparent light sleeve 18 is sewn onto the roof 4 16 inside of the tent 13 and is made of plastic. It should be appreciated that a there may be a number of light sleeves (or loops) in an alternative embodiment. Further the light sleeves may be located along the sides of the tent.

A LED strip 19 is located within the transparent sleeve 18 and the length of the transparent sleeve. The LED strip 19 is preferably impervious to water and is flexible. In an alternative embodiment, the LED (N 19 strip may be replaced with a fibre optic cable light strip.

An electrical cable 20 is connected to the LED strip 19 and extends through the pole 15. The electrical cable 20 passes out of the pole and is connected to a power source in the form of a battery 21. The battery 21 is located within the camper box 12 outside of the tent 13 (is this correct?) and provides power to the LED strip 19.

A switch (not shown) is provided adjacent the LED strip to turn the LED strip on or off as desired.

In use, the LED strip 19 can remain within the tent 13 when folded. The LED strip 19 is compact and therefore will not cause the tent 13 to be torn. Further, the LED is impact resistant and draws little power. The electrical cable 20 is substantially enclosed within the pole 15 and therefore does not provide a hindrance to movement within the tent 13. Similarly, as the battery 21 is located externally of the tent 13, it also does not provide a hindrance to movement within the tent. Further, the battery 21 can remain connected to the LED strip when the tent 13 is folded.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing Sfrom the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A camper comprising: a tent having a light strip that is attached to an internal portion of the tent and a power source electrically connected to said strip light to power the strip light. n

2. The camper of claim 1 wherein at least one sleeve forms an internal 1 portion of the tent and said strip light is located within the sleeve.

3. The camper of claim 2 wherein the at least one sleeve is made from a translucent or transparent material.

4. The camper of claim any one of the preceding claims wherein an electrical cable connects the power source to the strip light and extends through a pole that supports the roof. The camper of any one of the preceding claims wherein the light strip is an LED strip or a fibre optic cable light strip. Dated This 2 1 st Day of December 2005 BRUCE DAVID LOXTON By His Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY