AU2009101207A4 - Housing - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION A>plicant (s): Tea-Cha Teaware Pty Limited Invention Title: HOUSING T e invention is described in the following statement: -2 HOUSING Technical Field A housing for locating on a vehicle tray is disclosed. Whilst the housing has 5 particular application in providing a space for the preparation and vending of food and/or beverages, it should be appreciated that the housing is not limited to such an application. Background Art 10 There are a number of instances where there is no dedicated space at a site for a task to be adequately performed. In this regard, a mobile workshop or workspace is required. In most cases, existing vans, vehicles and the like are modified to provide storage for tools, etc. Also, small carts have been provided with wheels for moving a short distance from nearby storage areas or for moving onto a trailer for transportation is to other sites. Vans are not ideal as many users are unable to stand and/or have limited work space. It is to be understood that the reference to prior art herein does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art, in Australia or any other country. 20 Summary According to a first aspect, there is provided a housing for locating on a vehicle tray, the housing comprising first and second compartments, the first compartment 17596721 (GHMatters) 7/109 -3 sized such that a person can stand therein, and the second compartment located such that when the housing is located on the tray and a person is standing on ground adjacent the vehicle, the person can access the second compartment. In this respect, it is possible for two or more people to use the housing at the s same time, while not being limited as such. A first person may be located inside the housing, when located on the tray of a vehicle, and a second person may be standing on the ground adjacent to the vehicle. The second compartment can then be accessed by the second person, as the compartment can be located such that the base of the compartment is located substantially at waist height. This allows the person to easily 10 access this second compartment and potentially perform further tasks, while the first person is inside the first compartment performing other tasks. For example, in an embodiment of the housing, it may be used for the preparation and vending of food and/or beverages. If a first person is located inside the first compartment of the housing, they may be able to prepare sandwiches, coffees and 15 the like, while the second person may also be able to utilise a second coffee machine which is located in the second compartment. There may, of course, be more than one person located inside the first compartment and, likewise, there may be more than one person utilising the second compartment. In this and similar embodiments, the first compartment may be provided with a covered opening, such as a gull wing door, to 20 allow the person in the first compartment to pass prepared food and/or beverages to customers on the same ground level as the person utilising the second compartment. This can be particularly useful when there are numerous beverages, etc, to be made or prepared in a relatively short period of time. 17596721 (GHMatters)71101g -4 Additionally, it is possible for the housing to be adapted such that it can be located on the tray of a vehicle without the need for altering the vehicle in any way. This eliminates the costly fit-out of, for example, a van in which doors or panels need to be altered to allow access to the interior, whilst a person located inside the van is still unable to stand up to perform any tasks. As the housing is locatable on the tray of a vehicle, it is also removable from the tray. In this manner, the vehicle can be used for other purposes and is not limited to having the housing always located thereon. The housing may further comprise wheels at an in-use base thereof. The wheels 10 assist with the transportability of the housing between a storage area and the vicinity of the tray of a vehicle for locating thereon. The wheels may also allow the housing to be wheeled up ramp(s) to the tray. The housing may also be adapted for interacting with supports of the tray for securing the housing to the tray. The supports may be in the form of struts, braces, 15 posts, or the like, adapted to allow the housing to be securely attached to the tray of the vehicle, for both transport to different locations and when used to, for example, prepare and vend food and beverages. The tray of the vehicle may also be adapted such that the struts are sunken into the tray. In a similar regard, it is possible to provide recessed areas within the tray which can be used for retaining the wheels of the housing in 20 position on the tray. In one form, access to the second compartment may be provided adjacent to a respective side of the vehicle tray. For example, access to the second compartment may be on a so-called passenger side of the vehicle tray which is opposite to the side the 17596721 (GHMatters) 7/10/09 driver of the vehicle is located. This enables the housing to be utilised when the vehicle is parked, in a safe manner, allowing a person to stand on e.g. a gutter-side of the vehicle to access the second compartment. Alternatively or additionally, the second compartment may be located on the same side of the vehicle tray as the driver of the 5 vehicle is located. In one form, a second compartment may be located on each side of the housing. This then allows at least an additional person to utilise the compartments which, in the example provided above, allows up to three food and/or beverage preparation areas and/or vending areas. This can allow both a wider range of products to be sold, and for them to be prepared in a more time efficient manner. This can be 10 particularly useful when there are numerous beverages, etc, to be made or prepared in a relatively short period of time. The housing may also be provided with additional (e.g. adjacent) compartments, located on the same or different side as the second compartment. Access to the second compartment may be via a fold-down door such that when is the door is folded down, it can be used as a bench. In this regard, a hinge may be provided to lock the fold-down door in a position substantially perpendicular to its first, closed, position. Alternatively, a slide-up or slide-down door can be employed. Access to the first compartment may be via a door, provided adjacent to a rear of the vehicle. A removable ladder (or steps) may also be provided, which can be 20 positioned to allow access to the door of the first compartment, when the housing is located on the tray of a vehicle. The ladder allows a person to climb up to the level of the tray of the vehicle with ease, to enter the first compartment. 17596721 (GHMatters) 7/10/09 -6 In one form, the first compartment may be provided with one or more interior benches. The first compartment may also be provided with storage space such as cupboards, drawers, etc, which may also be refrigerated. In one form, the tray of the vehicle is a flat bed tray that the housing is adapted to sit on. This allows the housing to be easily located thereon, without having to consider the implications of whether the tray has drop-sides to allow unobstructed access to the second compartment. In one form, the first compartment may be utilised when the housing is not located on the tray of the vehicle. So, rather than locating the housing on the tray of a to vehicle, it is possible that the housing can be left on the ground. Where the housing has wheels, they may then be locked or otherwise fixed to prevent the housing from moving. In this case, a person is still able to use the first compartment for the performance of tasks, while the second compartment can be used for storage. 15 Brief Description of Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within the scope of the housing as defined in the Summary, specific embodiments of the housing will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the housing; 20 Figure 2 shows a first side view of the housing of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a second side view of the housing of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an embodiment of part of the first compartment; and 17595721 (GHMatters) 7/10/09 -7 Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of storage and bench areas of the first compartment. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments 5 Referring to the drawings, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a housing in the form of a cart 10. The cart 10 is shown with a rear-access door 12, which provides access to a first compartment, generally denoted 14. The first compartment 14 is sized such that a person is able to stand-up when inside the compartment. More than one person may be 10 able to be situated in the first compartment 14 at the same time. A second compartment 16 is also shown, located so that when the cart 10 is located on the tray of a vehicle, for example a utility vehicle, a person who is standing on the ground is able to access the second compartment 16 at approximately waist height. The space in second compartment 16 can then be used by a person standing on the ground for performing is tasks, for example, such as the preparation of food and/or beverages. Depending on the size of second compartment 16, it is also possible that more than one person is able to utilise the workspace of the second compartment 16. In one embodiment, a coffee machine may be provided in the second compartment 16. In Figure 1 both first compartment 14 and second compartment 16 are shown having gull wing doors 18 and 20 20, respectively, shown in the open position. The gull wing doors 18 and 20 allow access to the respective compartments 14 and 16. Gull wing door 18 is a secondary access point for the first compartment 14, and may be used as, for example, a servery window for the vending of food and/or beverages. Figure 1 also shows a cavity 22 in which door 20 can be located when the second compartment 16 is in use. Space 24 may 17596721 (GHMatters) 7/10/09 -8 be used as a further second compartment, although not shown in this embodiment. An additional person may be able to utilise this space 24, however it may also be used for additional storage, rather than a workspace. When the cart 10 is located on the tray of a vehicle, access to the first compartment 14 via door 20 may be achieved through the use of a small removable ladder or steps (not shown). The cart 10 is shown with wheels, generally denoted 26. Figure 2 shows two forms of wheels 26a and 26b which are suitable for use in this application. The wheels 26 allow the cart 10 to be easily wheeled between a storage area and the vicinity of the 10 tray of a vehicle for locating thereon. The wheels 26 may also allow the cart 10 to be wheeled up ramp(s) to a tray. Whilst not specifically shown, the wheels are adapted such that they interact with supports of a tray, for securing the cart 10 to the tray. The supports may be in the form of struts, braces, posts, or the like, adapted to allow the cart 10 and/or wheels 26 to be securely attached to the tray of the vehicle, for both transport is to different locations and when used to, for example, prepare and vend food and/or beverages. The tray of the vehicle may also be adapted such that the struts are sunken into the tray. In a similar regard, it is possible to provide recessed areas within the tray which can be used for retaining the wheels 26 of the cart 10 in position on the tray. The first compartment 14 of cart 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, may also be 20 used when the cart 10 is not located on the tray of a vehicle. In this embodiment, it is possible that the cart 10 can be left on the ground. Where the cart has wheels 26, they may then be locked or otherwise fixed to prevent the cart 10 from moving. In this case, a person is still able to use the first compartment 14 for the performance of tasks, while the second compartment 16 can be used for storage. 1759672_1 (GHMAlters) 7M10/09 Referring now to Figure 4, an embodiment of the interior set-up of first compartment 14 is shown. The first compartment 14 is provided with a floor 28, upon which a person is able to stand. The first compartment 14 is also provided with a bench 30 and a glass display unit 30, which may also be refrigerated. A slidable door 34, s shown in the open position, is also shown, leaving an opening 36 through which, for example, customers may be served. Additional storage spaces 38 are also provided. Referring now to Figure 5, an alternative bench configuration for first compartment 14 is shown. In this embodiment, there is provided heating apparatus 40, such as a bain-marie or deep fryer, a reservoir 42, which may be used for the retention 10 of refuse or ice, bench 30, provision for a sink 44 and storage spaces 46 with doors 48. Whilst specific embodiments of the housing have been described, it should be appreciated that the housing may be embodied in other forms. For example, the housing may be used for the transportation of animals for a veterinary clinic. In this embodiment, the second compartment may contain small cages for transporting smaller is animals, while the first compartment may contain larger cages for larger animals. There may also be other storage space in the form of a further second compartment on the other side which may store relevant veterinary supplies. In a further embodiment, the housing may be used by a tradesman, such as a plumber, electrician or carpenter. The first compartment may be contain shelves and 20 other storage areas, as well as providing adequate bench space for undertaking work. The second compartment may provide further storage space, or may be used as a bench, allowing the tradesperson to work in a more open environment. 17596721 (GHMatters) 7/10/09 - 10 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments. 1759672_1 (GHMatters) 7/10/09

Claims (13)

1. A housing for locating on a vehicle tray, the housing comprising first and second compartments, the first compartment sized such that a person can stand therein, and the second compartment located such that when the housing is located on 5 the tray and a person is standing on ground adjacent the vehicle, the person can access the second compartment.

2. A housing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises wheels at an in-use base thereof. 10

3. A housing as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 that is adapted for interacting with supports of the tray for securing the housing to the tray.

4. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, in-use, access 15 to the second compartment is provided adjacent to a respective side of the vehicle tray.

5. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein access to the second compartment is via a fold-down door and wherein, when the door is 20 folded down, it can be used as a bench. 17596721 (GHMatters) 7/10/09 - 12

6. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein access to the first compartment is via a door provided adjacent to a rear of the vehicle.

7. A housing as claimed in any claim 7 further comprising a removable ladder which can be positioned to allow access to the door of the first compartment.

8. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first compartment further comprises one or more interior benches. it

9. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first compartment further comprises storage space.

10. A housing as claimed in claim 10 wherein the storage space comprises refrigerated storage space. 15

11. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tray of the vehicle is a flat bed tray that the housing is adapted to sit on.

12. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first 20 compartment can be utilised when the housing is not located on the tray of the vehicle. 17596721 (GHMatters) 7/10/09 - 13

13. A housing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a second compartment is located on each side of the housing. 17696721 (GHMatters) 7110109