AU2010100146A4 - Campervan Kit - Google Patents

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION CAMPERVAN KIT The invention described in the following statement. 1 CAMPERVAN KIT 2 Until now when converting a short or mid wheelbase van into a camper up to 90 percent of the internal area is consumed by the bed, this means there is no room for a proper kitchen area. All commercially produced vans have a very small kitchen sink, bench and sometimes a camping style top opening refrigerator all situated at the rear of the vehicle. This is not a very functional layout as to properly access this area you also need to be outside of the vehicle. There is no extra room created with this design. Further more the mid to long wheelbase vehicle the conversions are often cluttered and it can be a timely process to convert a table and chair set into a bed. The folding rear portion of the bed extends the usable internal space by up to and exceeding 35 percent. Its load is supported via a flexible cable or rigid hinging mechanism, with the upwards hinging boot as the roof and the side walls made from a flexible material such as canvas allowing the interior of vehicle to be extended substantially. The folding chair and table, kitchen unit with inbuilt sink and fridge and the hinging removable stove unit are able to fit now and in this configuration (short wheelbase model) they are ergonomically designed, space saving, along with being fast and simple to change their configurations. Converting the camper from driving mode to sleeping mode is incredibly simple and can be done in under a minute; open the boot and the bed base will literally fall into place, then enter via the side door and position the rear mattress into place, now you're ready to sleep. To convert into the dining configuration pull the chair upwards to 90 degrees then slowly lower locking the two side braces into position, remove the table from its storage position rotate the leg 90 deg and extend to the correct length, lock the table to the kitchen unit and the dining configuration is complete. The hinging stove unit can be used in three positions; inside, hinged out and removed separate of the vehicle, once removed a support leg can be extended for greater stability, then the hinging table can be attached creating a complete cooking unit separate from vehicle. Using these compact yet ergonomically designed features on larger vehicles will allow for the additions of: permanently fixed table and chairs, toilet and showers, large cupboard space along with other custom features.

3 2 CAMPERVAN KIT The best materials for the majority or the camper kit is fiberglass and marine grade plywood, for strength and durability along with a low installation weight keeping the operational costs thus environmental effects to a minim. The rear bed supports will be from seat belt strapping. However other materials could be used, such as wood, fiberglass, plastic or metal with the use of rope, wire or hinging metal strap for the rear bed supports. Figure 1 is the floor plan of a complete short wheelbase van configured with the bed extended, the table out and the stove in its inside and hinged out positions. Figure 2 is the cross sectional view of the short wheelbase van configured with the bed extended and the chair in its upright position with the supports in locking position. Figure 3 is the cross sectional view of the short wheelbase van configured with the stove unit in the hinged out position. The rear hinging bed design is configurable for all vans and cars with an upwards hinging boot. The extendable bed base 10 can be hinged 180 degrease allowing full rear vision when hinged completely into the vehicle 22, and can also be stopped in the 90 degree position 25 so as the dining set can be used without the need to extend the 4 bed. This would be the normal position for driving 25. The supports for the bed base 17 could constructed from flexible rope, wire or hinging metal strap or bracket and could support from the lower or upper side, for example the rear seatbelt straps can be used these are strong and flexible. The main bed structure 10 could be made from wood, fiberglass, plastic or metal, with the most suitable material being plywood. The side walls 26 of the folding section will need to be constructed from a flexible waterproof material such as plastic, tarpaulin or canvas with a strong canvas being the preferred choice of material. The attachment of the canvas can be above the hinging boot, slip on or fixed, it can also be attached below/ inside the boot fixed or removable. Clips, Velcro or similar could be used for the removable and the fixed being attachable with metal, fiberglass or plastic strips, with preferred method being a molded fiberglass strip 19 that perfectly fits to the under side of the boot, and inner sides of the vehicle, just inside the rubber seals. The canvas sides can also have a window in the back for ventilation 27. The roof 11, being the boot of the vehicle will have a rain cover 18 to prevent leakage through the window seals, number plate or other fittings. This could be constructed from plastic, tarpaulin or canvas and will attach to the boot with clips, Velcro or elastic straps possibly with the combination of custom sewn pockets, with the preferred system being canvas and elastic straps sewn to cover the area perfectly with a small lip to cover the gap between the roof and the boot. 3 CAMPERVAN KIT The inside half of the bed 7 would be constructed from the same chosen material as the outer. It may have the hinging chair 15 in built for deluxe model or without for basic, the hinging chair could be supported by sliding lockable braces for variable backrest positions or by two folding braces 16 made from timber, metal, fiberglass or plastic that simply fold out and lock in place using a keyways or stopper blocks. The complete braces can then be folded up and the chair can then clasped flush 23 into one large sleeping platform 7. The support for the bed base is via the boot 9 at the rear 5 door and two legs 21 at the front these can be constructed from timber, metal, fiberglass or plastic with the preferred material being fiberglass for durability. The boot will be sealed from the inside and only accessed from a door 24 at the exterior of the vehicle. Under the bed base there is room for a water tank 8 and also free area for storage. The kitchen unit 1 containing a built in sink 2 and optional refrigerator 20 could be constructed from timber, metal, fiberglass or plastic it is designed around the remainder available room and the size of the fridge. The removable table 5 constructed from timber, metal, fiberglass or plastic will have a folding leg 4 that is also telescopic, when in place one side will clip 3 to kitchen unit and the other is supported by the leg. The storage for the table when it's not in use will be in-between the inner bed base and the kitchen unit 6. The clipping system will be generic so as the table can then be attached to the removable hinging stove unit separate to the vehicle. The hinging stove unit 13/14 constructed from timber, metal, fiberglass or plastic and will house gas bottle 29 and will fit many generic camping and motor home stoves 12. It can be used in three positions inside 13, hinged out 14 and removed separate of the vehicle.

Claims (5)

1. The rear hinging bed design with an upwards hinging boot as in figures 1 and 2. An extendable bed base platform that can be hinged 180, with supports constructed from rear seatbelt straps, flexible rope or wire and supported from the upper side. The side walls of the folding section constructed from a flexible waterproof material. The water proof material attached below/ inside the boot and inner sides of the vehicle, with molded or pressed strips to conform to these surfaces.

2. The rear hinging bed design is configurable for all vans and cars with an upwards hinging boot as in figures 1 and 2. The extendable bed base hinging 180 degrease. able to be stopped in any position within the 180 deg rotation, with the supports constructed from seatbelt straps, flexible rope, wire or hinging metal strap or bracket and support from the upper or lower side. The main bed structure constructed from wood, fiberglass, plastic or metal. The side walls of the folding section constructed from a flexible waterproof material, canvas, plastic or tarpaulin. With the attachment of the canvas above the hinging boot, slip on or fixed or attached below/ inside the boot fixed or removable with Clips, Velcro or similar for the removable and metal, fiberglass or plastic strips for the permanently fixed with a combination of these for either. With one or more windows in the flexible waterproof sides.

3. The internal layout, the incorporation of table and chair configuration as described in figures 1 to 3 in the accompanying drawings

4. The stove and table being able to be removed from the vehicle and then locked together creating a bush kitchen. 7

5. The rain cover for the boot preventing leakage to the internal area, constructed from plastic, tarpaulin or canvas and attached with clips, Velcro or elastic straps possibly with a combination and custom sewn pockets, sewn to cover the area perfectly with a small lip to cover the gap between the roof and the boot as in figure 2. Created by Justin Jay Maynard