AU2016101991A4 - Collapsible Living Volume above a Movable Roof Caravan - Google Patents

Abstract

Design aspects of two well-known products namely a pop-top caravan and a car rooftop tent are combined to significantly increase the living space of a pop-top type caravan when parked and in use. The movable pop-top roof of the caravan is lifted and the collapsible living volume above it is erected when the caravan is parked and in use, providing additional living space that is accessed from inside the caravan through a manhole in the movable pop-top roof of the caravan. The erected living volume is collapsed and the movable pop-top roof is lowered and locked into position before the caravan is towed or stored. The movable roof of the pop-top tent is sufficiently strong to support the collapsible living volume and to support any additional loads like occupants and equipment. Figure 5 Figure 6

Description

2016101991 15 Nov 2016 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT

COLLAPSIBLE LIVING VOLUME

ABOVE A

MOVABLE ROOF CARAVAN

The invention is described in the following statement 1 2016101991 15 Nov 2016

COLLAPSIBLE LIVING VOLUME ABOVE A MOVABLE ROOF CARAVAN

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the addition of a collapsible living volume above a caravan with a movable roof to increase the caravan living space when the caravan is parked and in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An important consideration in caravan design is to have adequate living space when the caravan is parked and in use whilst keeping the caravan short and light for ease of towing and fuel efficiency. Fitting enough beds for a family with kids is especially a problem. Over the years many concepts were introduced to temporarily increase the caravan living volume when the caravan is parked, by e.g. sections sliding out horizontally (for example Australian Patent 2003200720), foldout tents etc. Mostly these concepts do not increase the living volume by a significant amount, and they increase the footprint of the caravan, making it sometimes difficult to fit into a designated campsite.

[0003] Another consideration in caravan design is to minimize the aerodynamic drag when is towed. To reduce the aerodynamic drag the roof height of some caravans are lowered. In many cases the roof height is lowered to such an extent that a person cannot stand upright in the caravan anymore. To overcome this some caravans are fitted with a moveable roof section that can be lifted when the caravan is parked, allowing a typical adult person to stand upright in the caravan and increasing the internal caravan volume. In Australia these caravans are called “pop top” caravans. The movable roof section is then lowered again before the caravan is towed or stored. The roof that lifts is typically connected to the caravan with a canvas, vinyl or a fabric insert. Many different concepts are used to assist in lifting the roof and keeping it in the lifted position, including manual, mechanical-, hydraulic-, pneumatic- and electrical systems. In most instances the movable roof in its lifted position is 2 2016101991 15 Nov 2016 not designed to support any more than its own weight plus some additional equipment like an air conditioner and/or, solar panels installed on the movable roof section.

[0004] A need exists for significantly increasing the caravan volume when the caravan is parked and in use whilst maintaining a lower total height of the caravan to reduce aerodynamic drag when the caravan is towed.

[0005] By combining design aspects of two well-known products namely a pop-top caravan and a car rooftop tent, the living space inside a pop-top caravan can be significantly increased when parked and in use, whilst keeping the caravan small when it is towed and stored.

[0006] This invention concerns the addition of a living volume or a plurality of living volumes installed on top of a movable roof of a caravan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In this invention said living volume is a hard top rooftop tent type comprising a rectangular base, a rectangular roof that covers the base, a canvas, vinyl or a fabric insert that connects the perimeters of the base and the roof and a mechanism to lift the roof of said living volume when said caravan is parked and in use, and lower the roof of said living volume when said caravan is to be towed or stored.

[0008] Said living volume is not limited to the hard top rooftop type tent, but can be any other type of collapsible living volume, including a clamshell type rooftop tent.

[0009] Said living volume will typically be a room for sleeping purposes when erected and will typically be fitted with a mattress or a plurality of mattresses on the base of said living volume. The roof of said living volume, when erected, will by default be high enough for an adult person to sit upright on the mattress. 2016101991 15 Nov 2016 3 [0010] The base of said living volume and said caravan movable roof may be integrated into a singular piece.

[0011] Access to said living volume is from inside said caravan, via a ladder through an opening or manhole in said caravan movable roof that coincides with an opening in the base of said living volume. Additional access to said living volume may be from outside said caravan by using a ladder.

[0012] Said caravan movable roof, on which said living volume is installed, is lifted to a predetermined height such that a typical adult person can stand upright in said caravan when said caravan is parked and in use. Said caravan movable roof is lowered and locked into position when said caravan is towed or stored.

[0013] Said caravan movable roof is lifted electrically by a plurality of vertical linear actuators. Limit switches stops the movable roof in its completely lifted position. Said linear actuators also lower said movable caravan roof when said caravan is prepared for towing or storage, or in high-wind conditions.

[0014] To assist with lateral stability when said movable roof is lifted a plurality of additional telescopic supports are installed.

[0015] In an alternative design, a linear actuator and a telescopic support may be combined into a single part.

[0016] Other means of lifting the caravan movable roof may also be used, including manual, mechanical, other electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic systems. 4 2016101991 15 Nov 2016 [0017] Said movable roof lift system must have sufficient strength to lift and lower said caravan movable roof, including the weight of said living volume and any equipment inside said living volume or on roof of said living volume.

[0018] Said movable roof lift system must also have sufficient strength to support the additional static and dynamic weight of occupants inside said living volume when said caravan is parked and in use. Said movable roof lift system may be assisted with other means to support the weight, including but not limited to a mechanical locking system.

[0019] Said caravan movable roof must have sufficient strength to support said living volume above said caravan movable roof. Said caravan movable roof must also have sufficient strength to support occupants and equipment inside said living volume.

[0020] A canvas, vinyl or a fabric insert connects the perimeters of said caravan with said movable roof, similar to normal pop-top caravans.

[0021] Said caravan must be sufficiently strong or strengthened in the areas where said movable roof lift system is connected to said caravan to support static and dynamic loads of said living volume as well as occupants inside said living volume, as well as external loads such as wind.

[0022] Said caravan must be sufficiently supported by caravan supports on the ground surface when said caravan is parked and in use. This is to limit the shaking movement of said caravan when occupants move inside said living volume, as well as supporting said caravan in high wind conditions. Said caravan support system can be, but not limited to, either manual, mechanical, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic jacks or any combination of these.

[0023] Said living volume can be added to a new or used caravan. 2016101991 15 Nov 2016 5 [0024] Adding the collapsible living volume to a used pop-top caravan will typically require replacing the existing pop-top roof with a movable roof of adequate strength. The caravan walls and floor may require strengthening to support the weight of the new movable roof, the collapsible living volume and any additional loads like the weight of occupants of said living volume. Said caravan may also require fitment of appropriate caravan supports.

[0025] This invention can be used in the following configurations: Firstly when said caravan is towed, said caravan movable roof is lowered and said living volume is collapsed.

Secondly when said caravan is parked, said caravan movable roof is lifted and said living volume is erected. This is the typical mode when the caravan is in use. Thirdly when said caravan is parked, said caravan movable roof is lifted and said living volume is collapsed. This mode can be useful to use the caravan facilities with enough headroom inside said caravan, whilst not requiring access to said living volume. Fourthly when said caravan is parked, said caravan movable roof is lowered and said living volume is erected. This mode can be useful in high wind conditions, when the wind force on said caravan can be reduced by lowering its total height.

Advantageous effects of Invention [0026] 1. Said living volume significantly increases the usable space inside a caravan when erected.

[0027] 2. When collapsed said living volume adds very little extra height to said caravan.

[0028] 3. Said living volume is quick to erect and collapse. 2016101991 15 Nov 2016 6

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] This invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention which :- [0030] Figure 1 is a dimetric view of the invention, with said caravan movable roof lifted and said living volume erected.

[0031] Figure 2 is the same dimetric view of Figure 1, with hidden lines showing inner details.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a dimetric view of the invention in towing configuration, with said caravan movable roof lowered and said living volume collapsed.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a dimetric view of the invention with said caravan movable roof lifted and said living volume collapsed.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a dimetric view of the invention with said caravan movable roof lowered and said living volume erected.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a dimetric view of a variation where said living volume is a clamshell type rooftop tent. 2016101991 15 Nov 2016 7

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Figure 1 shows said caravan 1 with said movable roof 3 in a lifted position. Said living volume with the base 5, the roof 7 and the fabric insert 6 is shown in its erected configuration. The fabric insert 2 between said caravan and said caravan movable roof, as well as the caravan supports 10 are also shown in Figure 1.

[0037] The manhole 4 in said caravan movable roof, said caravan movable roof lift and support system 9 and said roof lift system 8 are shown in Figure 2.

Claims (5)

1. What is claimed is the addition of a collapsible living volume above a caravan with a movable roof, where said living volume is a hard top rooftop type tent, where said caravan movable roof is lowered and said living volume is collapsed when said caravan is towed or stored and said caravan movable roof is lifted and said living volume is erected when said caravan is parked and in use, where said caravan, said movable roof and its lifting and support system is of sufficient strength to support the additional weight of the living volume as well as people occupying the living volume and where said living volume can be accessed from inside said caravan

2. The addition of a collapsible living volume above a caravan with a movable roof of claim 1 wherein the base of said collapsible living volume and said movable roof is integrated into a singular component.

3. The addition of a collapsible living volume above a caravan with a movable roof of claim 1 wherein the living volume is a clamshell type rooftop tent.

4. The addition of a collapsible living volume above a caravan with a movable roof of claim 1 wherein access to said living volume is from outside the caravan.

5. The addition of a collapsible living volume above a caravan with a movable roof of claim 1 where said living volume is a plurality of living volumes.