AU2017200858B2

AU2017200858B2 - Vehicle Veranda

Info

Publication number: AU2017200858B2
Application number: AU2017200858A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brett Vincent BELL
Original assignee: REFINED SANDS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: REFINED SANDS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-09
Filing date: 2017-02-08
Publication date: 2019-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-09
Also published as: AU2019236600A1; AU2019206051A1; WO2012151621A1; AU2021254582A1; AU2012253216A1; AU2024200114A1; AU2019236600B2; AU2017200858A1

Abstract

A veranda assembly for a caravan, trailer, houseboat or like vehicle or other portable accommodation has a cover which folds between a closed position at the end wall of the vehicle and a raised position above a floor extension adjacent the end wall which folds between a stowed position as part of the vehicle body and horizontal position outside the body forming a veranda. Versions with no cover are described in addition to a veranda kit for connection to an end of the vehicle body. In use the assembly may extend from either the front, rear or sides of the vehicle or portable dwelling. Figure 7 38 56 62 16 72 24-

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

Vehicle Veranda

This is a divisional of Application No. 2012253216, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns motor homes, trailers including caravans and houseboats, and particularly verandas for the same.

BACKGROUND

Occupiers of such vehicles always welcome extra accommodation area such as awnings or kitchen facilities which fold away. Some caravans have a rear wall which has a section capable of tilting to an inclined position in order to allow a body shell to slide horizontally thereby temporarily extending the caravan length which affords extra sleeping area.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The first apparatus aspect of this invention provides a vehicle having a body and a floor, sides and an end, wherein at least part of the end acts as a cover which moves between a closed position adjacent the sides to a raised position and a floor extension also adjacent the end folds between a stowed position as part of the body and a horizontal position outside the body forming a veranda.

The floor extension may be a floor panel to which is hinged a barrier, whereby the barrier is moveable between a stored position beside the floor panel and an upright position at the leading edge of the panel.

The barrier may be a panel, lattice, rail assembly or fence for the purpose of confining children, acting as a visual barrier, a wind deflector or floor boundary.

The floor panel may have support legs for reaching the ground or may merely rest on an underlying part of the vehicle or ties connected between the panel and the end.

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The vehicle body may have a pair of gates connected to the sides which fold between a stored position beside the floor extension and a working position in which they overlie the extension when in the horizontal or veranda position, thereby forming sides to the veranda.

For convenience, the gates may engage the barrier when the floor extension is deployed. The gates and barrier may be of equal height.

The entire end of the body may tilt to act as a veranda roof over the floor panel. Accordingly, frame members may support the sides of the body and the end may tilt on the frame members. When the front end of a trailer is modified in this way, the floor panel may overlie the A-frame and the floor load is supported by the A-frame. Additional or fail safe support is easily provided by a tie wire from the frame.

Access to the veranda is from the caravan interior and the veranda gates.

A cabinet or table may be optionally mounted to the veranda to fold up with the floor.

A removable fly screen or clear acrylic flexible sheet may extend across the veranda and roll up to be secured to the veranda roof using hook and pile tape for fastening. Operation of the moving parts could be mechanised mechanically or electronically. The second apparatus aspect of this invention provides a vehicle having a body with a floor, sides and an end, wherein a floor extension adjacent the end folds between a stowed position at or near the end and a horizontal position outside the body and the body has means to support the extension in the horizontal position.

The means may be the rear bumper when the extension is built at the rear of the body. Alternatively the means may be a pair of gates which fold between a stowed position next to the floor extension and a deployed position in which they support the floor extension.

Accordingly this version does not require a cover and may be sited at the rear of a caravan affording a seating area without a roof. Entrance to the elevated floor extension will be through the door. This modification is well suited to the rear of a caravan where the stowed parts can easily be immobilised in the stowed position until

2017200858 08 Feb 2017 they are made ready to be deployed, moreover they are not in an airstream or a splash zone which would coat them with dirt when travelling.

The invention may be made available as vehicles already modified by the inclusion of a veranda, as kits for retrofit and as assemblies suited for incorporation to various manufacturers vehicles during manufacture.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

1. The veranda self-supports during and after deployment and is applicable to a caravan, motorhome, 5^th wheeler, houseboat or portable building.

2. When stowed it subtracts little from the interior caravan space.

3. Same towing capacity vehicle suffices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings which are diagrammatic:

Figure 1 is a side view of the front end of a caravan.

Figure 2 is the same view as Figure 1 with the front end cover raised to the veranda position and the working parts shown in section.

Figure 3 is the same view as Figure 2 with the floor extension and barrier deployed.

Figure 4 is the same view as Figure 3 with one of the gates deployed.

Figure 5 is a perspective of a variant with the gates located in front of the floor extension and barrier and one deployed indicating how it supports the floor extension. The nearside part of the vehicle body is not shown for clarity.

Figure 6 is a perspective of the variant shown in Figure 5 after the floor extension and one of the gates have been deployed.

Figure 7 is a side view of the veranda when deployed with a cover.

Figure 8 is a diagram of a bifold floor extension (gates not shown).

Figure 9 is a diagram of a floor extension with bifold gates.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan of fold out floor extension supports on the A-frame.

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Figure 11 is a close up perspective of the floor extension support of Figure 10.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 show the sequence of deploying a variant veranda for regions where rain and insects are a problem.

Figures 15, 16 and 17 show the sequence of deploying a floor extension with a fold up barrier and gates.

Figures 18, 19 and 20 show the sequence of deploying a variant where the roof and barrier together form a cover to the end of the caravan.

Figure 21 shows a version in which the folding part of the floor is shortened to reduce lift weight. Rails and gates have been removed for clarity.

Figure 22 is a perspective of a variant.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In Figure 1, the front end 2 of the caravan 4 is enclosed by a sheet metal cover 6 attached by pivots 8 to the sides 10 of the caravan body. Behind cover 6 is an end wall 12 containing a door 14. Wings 16 project in front of end wall 12 as does the caravan floor 18. Floor 18 is supported on the chassis 20 by joints 22, one of which is located in front by end wall 12. Chassis 20 converges into A-frame 24 and hitch 26 is fixed to the leading end. Between the hitch and the joint 22 is a transverse failsafe bar 28.

An upstanding floor extension 30 is secured to the edge of floor 18 by hinge 32. Barrier 34 is fixed to the free end of floor extension 30 by hinge 36. Behind the floor extension and barrier lie a pair of gates 38, 40, each mounted on a wing 16 in order to swing forwards and backwards. In use the gates overlap in the stowed position.

In Figure 2, gas struts 42 on the wings 16 allow cover 6 to be raised to provide a roof over the A-frame. The raised cover gives access to the floor extension 30 and barrier 34 which are folded through 90D so that the extension rests on the failsafe bar 28, whereupon the barrier 34 is erected. Gates 38 and 40 are then swung forwards to lie parallel to the wings 16 as shown in Figure 4. A bolt 44 at each end of the barrier shoots into a keeper 46 in the corner of the adjacent gate thereby creating a space

2017200858 08 Feb 2017 outside the caravan where the occupants can sit or children play beneath a roof. This veranda is suitable for both the front end and rear end of a caravan.

Accordingly the load on the floor extension 18 is supported by failsafe bar 28. The variant shown in Figures 5 and 6 dispenses with the bar and is suited to the rear end of a caravan.

Gates 38, 40 are fixed to the wings 16 in front of the extension and barrier and have an angle bearer 48 fixed to the lower edge. The extension 18 is dimensioned to swing between the extended gates coming to rest on the bearers when deployed. In this variant the gates are in tension and cannot be used to access the veranda from outside the caravan.

Referring now to Figure 7, the cover 6 has an aluminium tube frame 52 and a window 54. Gates 38, 40 (one shown) are also constructed from tubular aluminium which hold plastic panels 56. There is a 50mm gap between the bottom of the gates and floor extension 30. The gates are mounted on stiles 58 which in turn are hinged to wings 16. Tubular ties 60 extend from the stiles to the mid point of the gates. The floor extension 30 is supported like a drawbridge by cable ties 62 fixed to wings 16. Each cable rests on a static pulley 64 supported on wing 16. Tension spring 66 is attached at one end to the caravan floor 68 next to floor extension 30 and at the opposite end to a flying pulley 70 acting on the cable between the static pulley and the wing. The springs pull both cables into descending loops which assist in raising and lowering the floor extension which may weight 40-50kg. Instead of springs 66 being in tension, they are replaced by wind-up springs of the rotating type used in garage door installations and are provided as an alternative.

In a variant, the cables are attached to a rise and fall flat carriage beside the door on low friction rails. The carriage is connected to the caravan floor by multiple side by side tension springs which allow tension to be adjusted. A frame 24 extends beneath the veranda and when parked is supported by screw jack 72.

Referring now to Figure 8, the extension may be made longer by dividing into two panels 74, 76 and hinging the barrier 34 to the panel 76.

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Referring now to Figure 9, the alternative is to incorporate the barrier 34 and the gates into a bifold assembly 78 in which the gates fold in the manner shown. Ties 62 and springs as shown in Figure 7 assist in deployment of the floor extension 30.

In Figures 10 and 11, the floor extension when lengthened may last longer if supported by radius arms 80. These have a hinge at one end, a screw jack 82 at the opposite end and a connector 84 which takes a locking pin 86.

Referring now to Figures 12, 13 and 14, the floor extension 30 has no barrier and instead acts as a base for tubular metal tent arch 88. This overlies the extension 30 until rotated into the upright position shown in Figure 13. Strut 90 swings to engage the body of the caravan. A fabric covering 92 is arranged like a tent over the arching strut and has plastic windows 94 to admit light.

Referring now to Figures 15-17, the floor extension 30, barrier 34 and gates 38, 40 are made as an assembly of panels which fold flat and stand upright, parallel to the end wall of the caravan body. Ties 62 allow the assembly to lie horizontally in drawbridge manner. The barrier 34 is made of a central trapezoidal panel 96 with two triangular panels 98, 100 one each side. The hinges allow the barrier and gate panels to be erected as shown in Figure 17.

Referring now to Figures 18-20, the floor extension 30 and cover 6 are both foreshortened so as to meet at the centre of the end of the caravan body. When both open outwardly to remain horizontal, the operator has access to the gates 38, 40 which also swing outwards and connect with the floor extension 30. The barrier 34 unfolds from the floor to complete the veranda as shown in Figure 20. The barrier has a narrow folding shelf 102 which acts as a table.

Likewise wings 16 have storage cabinets or folding shelves for convenience to keep articles for veranda use. The gap between the cover 6 and the top of the gates and barrier 32 is closed by fly screens 104.

In the version of Figure 21, the caravan floor projects beyond end wall 12 in order to make floor extensions 30 shorter and lighter. Wings 16 are longer and the pitch of roof cover 6 is increased. By this means the lift weight of the extension 30 and barrier

2017200858 08 Feb 2017 (not shown) is reduced from 74kg to approximately 40kg and tip weight to less than 20kg.

In Figure 22 the gates 38 are the same height as the sides of the caravan and support the floor and end wall 34 as in the other embodiments.

It is to be understood that the word “comprising” as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word “comprising” does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention, these modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention. For example, bar 28 may be fixed to the underside of the floor extension 30 instead of to the top of the draw bar. Cover 6 may have one or more windows.

The variants shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14 may in addition have a cover like that shown in Figure 7.

Instead of fly screens, the verandah may have transparent plastic panels which create a sealed space.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A vehicle in the form of a caravan, 5^th wheeler, motor home, portable building or houseboat, having a body and a floor, sides and an end, wherein a floor extension adjacent the end or adjacent the sides moves to a horizontal extended working position forming an elevated floor extension outside the body forming a veranda where occupants can sit or children can play, the elevated floor extension having a barrier hinged thereto and there being a gap above the top of the barrier, and a cover attached by pivots to the vehicle and defining a concave interior space behind the cover in a stowed position.
2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cover and floor extension are both panels which, in a stowed position, lie upright adjacent the body and which, when deployed in the working position, fold about a horizontal axis to form the floor extension.
3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle body has a pair of gates connected to the sides which fold between the stowed position beside the floor extension and the working position in which they overlie the extension, thereby forming sides to the veranda.
4. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the elevated floor extension is supported by ties extending between the floor and the body like a drawbridge.
5. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the gap separates the top of the barrier and the cover in the working position.
6. A vehicle as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the floor extension has an edge which is hinged to the body and an opposite edge which has an arch frame hinged thereto.
7. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the frame is operable to fold between the stowed position overlying the floor extension and the working position in which the frame is upright.

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8. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein the cover is in the form of a fabric wall which extends from the body to the frame.
9. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein a strut hinged to the frame extends from the frame to the body to maintain the frame upright.
10. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 2-9, wherein the extension of the elevated floor extension horizontally from the body allows side panels and the barrier to be unfolded from the stowed position overlying the floor extension to an upright position enclosing three sides of the extension.
11. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the barrier is hinged at both ends to the side panels and is divided into a central trapezoidal panel with an adjoining triangular panel hinged to each inclined edge of the central panel.
12. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 3-11, wherein the gates are bifold in operation.
13. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1-12, wherein the floor extension panel is bifold in operation.
14. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the floor extension is supported by a pair of radius arms which are hinged to the frame extending forwardly from the body and moveable toward a perimeter of the floor extension.
15. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the radius arms have a rise and fall screw adjuster for pressing a pad against the underside of the floor extension.
16. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 3-15, wherein the floor extension is upstanding in the stowed position and secured to the edge of the floor by a hinge.
17. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1-15, wherein the barrier is fixed to the free end of the floor extension by a hinge.
18. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 3-17, wherein a pair of gates lie behind the floor extension and the barrier and overlap in the stowed position.
19. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 18, wherein each gate is mounted on a wing in order to swing forward and backward.

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20. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1-19, wherein wings project in front of the end and gas struts on the wings allow the cover to be raised to provide a roof to give access to the floor extension..