A PORTABLE SLEEPING ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a portable sleeping assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable sleeping assembly suitable for use when camping, although the scope of the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Camping is an outdoor recreational activity enjoyed by all members of the family. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan or motorhome for setting up shelter in an outdoor area. [0003] The setting up of a tent typically involves the erection of tent poles and tent canvas, tying down the rainfly to the tent poles and tent pegs, and then securing the tent using ropes and tent pegs. Setting up and packing away tents can be a time consuming process. If wet tents are packed up at the end of a camping trip, it may also be necessary to unpack, clean and dry out the tent components at home to prevent the development of mould and mildew. Moreover, tents may be prone to damage during severe weather conditions. For example, the canvas of a tent may become torn and/or blown away, and/or the tent poles may become broken during heavy storm and wind conditions. [0004] Some campers use canvas roof top tents which can be erected to define a sleeping quarter. However, the roof top tents are designed to be mounted to the roof top of a vehicle and accessed via a ladder, which can be difficult for children and elderly people. The mounting and dismounting of roof top tents at the required elevated position can also be time consuming, dangerous and labour intensive. The canvas of the roof top tents may also become damaged in rough weather conditions. In addition, canvas roof top tents can increase the aerodynamic drag on a vehicle resulting in worse fuel economy for the vehicle when the roof top tent is mounted to the roof of the vehicle. [0005] Caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes are also used for camping. However, caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes are bulky items which can be difficult to manoeuvre on the road. A caravan, camper trailer or motorhome would also require large storage space, which can be impractical for families living in apartments, townhouses and small houses. Moreover, it is difficult to take other large items in addition to a caravan or camper trailer when camping. For example, it would not be possible for a vehicle to tow a boat if the vehicle is already towing a caravan or camper trailer. It is also difficult to tow an item behind a motorhome. Due to the generally large and bulky nature of the motorhome, it would be difficult for the driver to view the towed item, for example, when turning corners and reversing. In addition, as caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes are typically not built for off-road usage, they cannot be taken on off-road camping trips. [0006] The present invention is directed an improved portable sleeping assembly, or a portable sleeping assembly which provides the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. [0007] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0008] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable sleeping assembly including a base for removably mounting to transport, one or more walls extending from the base, each wall including one or more rigid panels, and a roof from which the walls extend such that movement of the walls moves the roof relative to the base. [0009] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a portable sleeping assembly incorporated in a cover over a storage tray of a utility vehicle; the sleeping assembly including a base, one or more walls extending from the base, at least some walls including one or more rigid panels, and a roof from which the one or more walls extend such that movement of the one or more walls moves the roof relative to the base, and wherein the base is mounted over an opening of the storage tray thereby defining an enclosed storage compartment underneath the base of the sleeping assembly. [00010] Preferably, erection of the walls separates the roof from the base to define a chamber which can be utilized as a sleeping chamber.
[00011] Preferably, the rigid panels provide improved insulation and protection against rough weather conditions. [00012] The sleeping assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly is pivotally mounted along one end of the storage tray such that the portable sleeping assembly can be lifted at an opposite end to allow access to the storage tray. [00013] A method of incorporating a sleeping assembly in a cover of a load tray of a utility vehicle; the method including the steps of; forming the cover to include a base element, a roof element and folding side walls and end walls, pivotally connecting at least some walls of the sleeping assembly to the base element, pivotally connecting at least some of the walls to the base element and the roof element, and wherein the base element is mounted over an opening of the storage tray thereby defining an enclosed storage compartment underneath the sleeping assembly. [0014] Advantageously, the one or more rigid panels provide for a stronger and more robust sleeping assembly. Moreover, the rigid panels provide improved insulation and protection against rough weather conditions, such as strong winds, hail, thunderstorms and the like. [0015] In one embodiment of the invention, erection of the walls separates the roof from the base to define a sleeping chamber. [0016] The transport may be a vehicle, trailer or a boat. The vehicle may be a caravan. The base may be mounted to the back of a truck or utility vehicle ("ute"), the roof of a vehicle, on top a trailer or inside a boat. [0017] In one embodiment, the portable sleeping assembly is configured for mounting to the storage tray of a pick-up truck or utility vehicle. [0018] Advantageously, as the storage tray of a utility vehicle is much lower than the roof of a vehicle, the portable sleeping assembly can be conveniently mounted to the storage tray at a manageable and safe height. The lower elevation of the mounted sleeping assembly also enables the sleeping assembly to be more accessible, for example by children and elderly people. [0019] The portable sleeping assembly may be pivotally mounted along one end to the storage tray such that the portable sleeping assembly can be lifted at an opposite end to allow access to the storage tray. The roof of the portable sleeping assembly may act as a tonneau cover for the utility vehicle when the portable sleeping assembly is in a collapsed position. In addition, the portable sleeping assembly may include a lock for locking a tail gate of the storage tray. [0020] Advantageously, the portable sleeping assembly does not interfere with the normal operation of the utility vehicle and can be permanently mounted thereon if desired. Accordingly, for frequent campers, the portable sleeping assembly can remain mounted to the utility vehicle between camping trips so as to eliminate the hassle of dismounting and remounting the sleeping assembly. Further, the dual purpose of the sleeping assembly roof provides a tonneau cover for the utility vehicle so that items stored in the storage tray of the utility vehicle is protected. Further, the portable sleeping assembly does not interfere with the ability of the utility vehicle to operate on off-road terrain and to tow other items such as boats and trailers. [0021] The base of the sleeping assembly may include a mattress and a support frame for supporting the mattress. The base may be seated on fixtures of the transport. Advantageously, the portable sleeping assembly is ready to use when erected. [0022] The portable sleep assembly may include a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls. Each of the side walls may include an upper rigid panel pivotally attached to a lower rigid panel. Each of the side walls may be foldable along a centreline so as to facilitate movement of the roof relative to the base. Each of the side walls may be pivotally attached to the roof along an upper edge and pivotally attached to the base along a lower edge. [0023] Each of the end walls may be pivotally attached to the roof or the base along one edge. One of the end walls may be pivotally attached to the roof along an upper edge and one of the end walls may be pivotally attached to the base along a lower edge. Each of the end walls may include a free edge such that the end wall can be folded along its opposite edge which is pivotally attached to the roof or the base. [0024] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a sleeping assembly, the method including removably mounting a base of the sleeping assembly to transport, extending one or more walls of the sleeping assembly from the base, each wall including one or more rigid panels, and moving a roof of the sleeping assembly relative to the base by moving the walls. [0025] One of the end walls may include a doorway for allowing a person to access the sleeping assembly. The doorway may include a door panel. One or both end walls may include a window. One or both side walls may include a window. [0026] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable sleeping assembly including a base, one or more walls extending from the base, each wall including one or more rigid panels, and a roof from which the walls extend such that movement of the walls moves the roof relative to the base. [0027] The base may be mounted to a vehicle, trailer, boat, caravan or any relocatable structure. [0028] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. [0029] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0030] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable sleeping assembly in a fully erected condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the portable sleeping assembly of Figure 1 in which the end walls are being collapsed.
[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the portable sleeping assembly of Figures 1 and 2 in which the side walls are being collapsed. [0034] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the portable sleeping assembly of Figures 1 to 3 mounted to the storage tray of a utility vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0035] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the portable sleeping assembly mounted to the utility vehicle shown in Figure 4 when the portable sleeping assembly is in its collapsed condition. [0036] Figures 6a to 6d shows the portable sleeping assembly of Figures 1 to 3 mounted to other forms of transport. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0037] Figure 1 illustrates a portable sleeping assembly 10. The portable sleeping assembly 10 includes a base 12 for removably mounting to transport (see Figures 4 to 6). The base 10 includes a mattress 14 and a support frame 16 for supporting the mattress 14. The portable sleeping assembly 10 further includes two end walls 18, 20 (only one shown), two side walls 22, 24 (only one shown) extending from the base 12, and a roof 26 from which the walls 18, 20, 22, 24 extend. The front end wall 18 includes a door 26 to allow a person to access the sleeping chamber within the sleeping assembly 10. The door 26 includes a window panel 28. The movement of the walls 18, 20, 22, 24 moves the roof 30 relative to the base 12 as explained in further detail below. [0038] As shown in Figure 2, the front end wall 18 includes a rigid panel pivotally attached via hinges to the base 12 along its bottom edge 40. In this manner, the front end wall 18 can be collapsed towards the base 12 as shown in Figure 2. When erected, the top edge 41 of the front end wall 18 can be secured to the roof 30 and/or the side walls 22, 24 via any suitable fasteners, such as clips, clamps, pins, nuts and bolts and the like. [0039] The rear end wall 20 includes a rigid panel pivotally attached via hinges to the roof 30 along its top edge 42. Accordingly, the rear end wall 42 can be collapsed towards the roof 30 in the manner shown in Figure 2. When erected, the bottom edge 43 of the rear end wall 20 can be secured to the base 12 and/or the side walls 22, 24 via any suitable fasteners, such as clips, clamps, pins, nuts and bolts and the like. The rear end wall 20 defines an opening 44 in which a window panel and/or insect screen can be fitted.
[0040] Each of the side walls 22, 24 includes an upper rigid panel 22a, 24a pivotally attached to a respective lower rigid panel 22b, 24b via hinges so as to allow each of the side walls 22, 24 to be foldable along the hinges. Each of the side walls 22, 24 is also pivotally attached via hinges to the roof 30 along an upper edge 32, 34 and pivotally attached via hinges to the base 12 along a lower edge 36, 38. [0041] As shown in Figure 3, once the front end wall 18 and the rear end wall 20 are fully collapsed, the side walls 22, 24 are folded inwardly to lower the roof 30 towards the base 12 to thereby collapse the sleeping assembly 10. Conversely, the sleeping assembly 10 is erected by unfolding the side walls 22, 24 to separate the roof 30 from the base 12, and erecting the end walls 18, 20 to define the sleeping chamber. [0042] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 the sleeping assembly 10 is incorporated in a cover of a storage tray 102 of a utility vehicle 100. The sleeping assembly 10 is mounted over an opening of the storage tray 102 at the rim or upper edges of the side walls enclosing the load bed thereby defining an enclosed storage compartment 104 underneath the mounted sleeping assembly 10. As can be seen from Figures 5, the roof 30 of the sleeping assembly 10 when the assembly is in its collapsed state, acts to form a lid of the utility vehicle's load space. Both when the lid comprising the sleeping assembly is closed, and when the sleeping assembly is erected, the base 12 of the sleeping assembly is supported within the side walls of the utility load bed at a depth sufficient to accommodate the collapsed assembly. Importantly, the arrangement allows for the sleeping assembly to be transported and erected without significant loss of the storage space below the base 12. [0043] As shown in Figure 5, the sleeping assembly 10 is pivotally mounted to the storage tray along one end 46 such that the sleeping assembly 10 can be lifted at an opposite end to facilitate access to the storage compartment 104, as is common in this type of utility vehicle when fitted with a load bed covering lid. The opposite end 48 of sleeping assembly 10 is supported by a pair of fixtures 106 (only one shown) extending from opposite side walls of the storage tray 102. [0044] Once the sleeping assembly 10 is collapsed and the rear end of the base 12 is seated on the pair of fixtures 106, the roof 30 of the sleeping assembly 10 acts as a tonneau cover for the utility vehicle 100. [0045] The sleeping assembly 10 further includes a lock 50 for locking the tail gate 108 0 of the utility vehicle 100 so as to secure the storage compartment 104. [0046] When using the sleeping assembly 10, the sleeping assembly 10 is mounted to the storage tray 102 of a utility vehicle 100 by first pivotally connecting one end 46 of the base 12 of the sleeping assembly 10 to the forward end of the storage tray 102 via hinges. As noted above, the opposite or rear end 48 of the sleeping assembly 10 is seated on the pair of fixtures 106 provided in side walls of the storage tray 102. Additional camping equipment and supplies can be stored in the enclosed storage compartment 104 underneath the base 12 of the sleeping assembly 10. [0047] When setting up at the beginning of a camping trip, the sleeping assembly 10 can be erected by first unfolding the side walls 22, 24 to separate the roof 30 from the base 12. The end walls 18, 20 can then be erected and secured in place to set up the sleeping chamber. As the base 12 includes a mattress 14, the sleeping assembly 10 is ready to use once fully erected. One or more persons can access or exit the sleeping chamber via the door 26 of the fret end wall 18. [0048] When packing up at the end of a camping trip, the sleeping assembly 10 is collapsed by firstly collapsing the end walls 18, 20 as shown in Figure 2. The side walls 22, 24 are then folded inwardly as shown in Figure 3 until the roof 30 reaches its fully collapsed position as illustrated in Figure 5. [0049] Advantageously, the rigid panels of the walls 18, 20, 22, 24 provide for a stronger and more robust sleeping assembly 10. Moreover, the rigid panels provide improved insulation and protection against rough weather conditions, such as strong winds, hail, thunderstorms and the like. [0050] The sleeping assembly 10 can be easily mounted to the storage tray 102 of a utility vehicle 100 without interfering with the normal operation of the utility vehicle 100. For example, the utility vehicle 100 can still be used to safely stow other items such as a trailer or a boat, and drive on off-road terrain when the sleeping assembly 10 is mounted to the utility vehicle 100. The sleeping assembly 10 is also very compact when collapsed as shown in Figure 5 and does not require a lot of additional storage space. The storage tray 104 can still be used to store other items. The roof of the sleeping assembly 10 has dual purpose and can also be used as a tonneau cover when the sleeping assembly 10 is collapsed. Accordingly, the user may simply elect to have the sleeping assembly 10 permanently mounted to the utility vehicle 100 if desired.
[0051] As shown in Figures 6a to 6d, the portable sleeping assembly 10 can also be mounted to different transport such as the roof of a truck or lorry 200 as shown in Figure 6a. In this example, the sleeping assembly 10 may advantageously be used to provide a comfortable sleeping/resting chamber for a fatigue driver of the truck or lorry 200 once he has stopped at a safe location on the side of a road. [0052] As shown in Figure 6b, the portable sleeping assembly 10 can be mounted to the roof of a caravan 300 so as to provide an additional sleeping chamber when required. [0053] As shown in Figure 6c, the portable sleeping assembly 10 can also be mounted to a trailer 400. Alternatively as shown in Figure 6d, the portable sleeping assembly 10 can be mounted to a boat 500. [0054] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the roof 30 may be pivotally attached to the base 12 so as to define a triangular prism shaped sleeping chamber when the sleeping assembly is erected. [0055] In other alternative embodiments of the invention, one side of the sleeping assembly 10 (rather than the rear end 46) may be pivotally mounted to the storage tray 102 of a utility vehicle 100 via hinges. [0056] In further alternative embodiments of the invention, the sleeping assembly 10 may be mounted to the floor of the storage tray 102 of the utility vehicle 100, or similarly to the floor of a trailer. [0057] In further alternative embodiment of the invention, the roof 30 of the sleeping assembly 10 may act as a floor of storage tray 102 of the utility vehicle 100, or similarly the floor of a trailer such that the base 12 of the sleeping assembly 10 is mounted to the chassis of the utility vehicle 100 or trailer. [0058] In further alternative embodiments of the invention, the sleeping assembly 10 may have two or more levels/storeys. For example, two sleeping assemblies 10 may be mounted together so as to form a two storey sleeping assembly. The two sleeping assemblies mounted together may the same size. Alternatively, the sleeping assembly mounted on top may be smaller than the sleeping assembly below. [0059] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does I V not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. [0060] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. [0061] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.