AU2020205321A1

AU2020205321A1 - Foldout travel trailer

Info

Publication number: AU2020205321A1
Application number: AU2020205321A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jeffrey Niemann
Original assignee: Badger Caravans Cc
Current assignee: Badger Caravans Cc
Priority date: 2019-07-16
Filing date: 2020-07-16
Publication date: 2021-02-04
Also published as: ZA202004365B

Abstract

A foldout travel trailer (10) is disclosed. The trailer (10) has floor, wall (12) and roof (14) panels and at least one of the panels comprises a substantially rigid combination panel (16). One side (16.1.1) of the combination panel (16) is pivotably mounted to the vehicle proximate the floor panel for pivoting movement between stowed and deployed positions of the combination panel. The combination panel (16) is cranked intermediate its ends to define contiguous first (16.1) and second (16.2) panel sections. The combination panel (16) is configured such that when in the stowed position, the first panel section (16.1) defines a wall panel of the trailer (10) and the second panel section (16.2) defines a roof panel of the trailer (10). The combination panel (16) is also configured such that when in the deployed position the first panel section (16.1) defines a floor panel of the trailer and the second panel section (16.2) defines a wall panel of the trailer. Figure 3 for publication 3/7 10 20 22 14 16.2 141 ----- ----- -12 16 .1 26' Figure 3

Description

3/7

10

20 22

14 16.2

141

---------- -12 16 .1 26'

Figure 3

FOLDOUT TRAVEL TRAILER FIELD

[001] This invention relates to a foldout travel trailer.

DEFINITION

[002] In the present description and claims, the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

BACKGROUND

[003] A foldout travel trailer is a vehicle that is trailed or towed by a motor vehicle, in which the trailed vehicle itself is anything from a trailer with an attached tent, through campers and camper trailers to a caravan and in which the accommodation capacity of the travel trailer can be increased by folding out of one or more panels or parts of the travel trailer.

[004] The term "travel trailer" is used in this broad sense in this specification, notwithstanding that the specific example used to illustrate the invention is a foldout caravan, which is a specific form of travel trailer.

[005] In this regard, a caravan, typically, is a wheeled, trailable vehicle that has floor, wall and roof panels that together define a basic, enclosed living space, the vehicle being trailable by a conventional motor vehicle, such as a motor car, pickup truck or SUV.

[006] In a foldout caravan, one or more substantially rigid panels are pivotably mounted to the floor panel for pivoting (or folding) between a stowed, folded-in position and erected, folded-out position. This is in contrast to collapsible caravans which typically have soft fabric side panels and a roof panel that can be raised and lowered between erected and stowed (collapsed) positions of the roof panel. In a foldout caravan, the rigid panels, when folded out, define the walls of the erected caravan and a roof panel is typically supported on the wall panels. In so-called A-frame foldout caravans, the folded-out panels define, in combination, the walls and roof of the folded out, erected caravan.

[007] The reference to prior art in the background above is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[008] According to the invention there is provided a foldout travel trailer comprising a wheeled vehicle with floor, wall and roof panels that, in an erected condition of the trailer, together define a substantially enclosed space: at least one of the panels comprising a substantially rigid combination panel; one side of the combination panel being pivotably mounted to the vehicle proximate the floor panel for pivoting movement between stowed and deployed positions of the combination panel; the combination panel being cranked intermediate its ends to define contiguous first and second panel sections; the combination panel being configured, when in the stowed position thereof for the first panel section to define a wall panel of the trailer and the second panel section to define a roof panel of the trailer; and the combination panel being configured, when in the deployed position thereof for the first panel section to define a floor panel of the trailer and the second panel section to define a wall panel of the trailer.

[009] The foldout travel trailer may include a cover which extends between the vehicle and the combination panel when in the deployed position to define a substantially enclosed space, the cover forming part of the roof and walls. The cover may include one or more windows, the cover being of a suitably durable and water impervious material such as canvas, tarpaulin, nylon, polyester or the like.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cover may be permanently attached to the foldout travel trailer.

[0011] In another embodiment, the cover may be detachable from the foldout travel trailer such that the cover may be folded up and stowed away when the combination panel is in the stowed position.

[0012] The foldout travel trailer may include a displaceable frame for supporting the cover. In one embodiment, the frame may be permanently mounted to the foldout travel trailer, the frame being collapsible when the combination panel is pivoted from the deployed position to the stowed condition. In another embodiment, the frame may be detachably secured between the roof and/or wall panels of the vehicle and the combination panel when in the deployed position.

[0013] The wall panels of the foldout travel trailer may include a plurality of windows and a door.

[0014] The first panel section may define a base for a bed, the mounted bed being stowed away when the combination panel in the stowed position and available for use when the combination panel is in the deployed condition.

[0015] The foldout travel trailer may include a plurality of fixtures integrated within the interior of the foldout travel trailer. The plurality of fixtures may include any one or more of storage space, seating space, a table, a television or the like.

[0016] The foldout travel trailer may include a displaceable exterior extension within a side wall panel, the exterior extension being slidably displaceable between a stowed position, where the exterior extension is stowed within the foldout travel trailer, and an extended position, where the exterior extension is slid out of the side wall panel.

[0017] The exterior extension may house additional fixtures. The additional fixtures may be one or more of a fridge, stove, sink, waste receptable or the like.

[0018] The foldout travel trailer may include an exterior storage compartment within any one of the wall panels of the trailer.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the foldout travel trailer may be in form of a caravan, where a section of a roof and wall of the caravan defines the combination panel.

[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, the foldout travel trailer may be in the form of a detachable canopy unit shaped and dimensioned to fit a truck bed of a pickup truck to form a temporary motorhome. In this embodiment, the foldout travel trailer may include a plurality of supports attachable to the first panel section and side wall panel of the canopy unit to provide additional support when the combination panel is in the deployed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foldout travel trailer in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, where a combination panel is in a deployed position;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the foldout travel trailer as seen in Figure 1 with the combination panel being in a stowed position;

[0024] Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the foldout travel trailer with the foldout panel being in the deployed position;

[0025] Figure 4 is a side elevation of the foldout travel trailer with the combination panel being in the deployed position;

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the foldout travel trailer in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, where the combination panel is in the deployed position;

[0027] Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the foldout travel trailer as seen in Figure with the combination panel in a deployed position; and

[0028] Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the foldout travel trailer as seen in Figure with the combination panel in the stowed position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The invention pertains to a foldout travel trailer. In Figures 1 to 4, reference numeral 10 refers to a foldout travel trailer in the form of a caravan. In Figures 3 to 7, reference numeral 100 refers to a foldout travel trailer in the form of a temporary motorhome.

[0030] The foldout travel trailer 10, 100 comprises a wheeled vehicle with floor, wall 12 and roof 14 panels that in an erected condition of the trailer, together define a substantially enclosed space. At least one of the panels comprises a substantially rigid combination panel 16 having one side 16.1.1 pivotably mounted to the vehicle by a plurality of hinges 18 for pivoting movement between stowed and deployed positions of the combination panel 16.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the combination panel 16 is mounted to the vehicle such that when the combination panel 16 is in the deployed position it is not level with the floor panel but slightly elevated to form a raised floor section defining a sleeping section.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, the combination panel 16 is mounted such that it is level with the floor panel when it is in the deployed position, thereby extending the sleeping section.

[0033] The combination panel 16 is cranked intermediate its ends to define contiguous first 16.1 and second 16.2 panel sections. When the combination panel 16 is in the stowed position, as shown in Figure 2, the first panel section 16.1 defines part of the wall panel 12 of the trailer 10, 100 and the second panel section 16.2 defines part of the roof panel 14 of the trailer 10, 100. When the combination panel 16 is in the deployed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, the first panel section 16.1 defines a floor panel of the trailer 10, 0 and the second panel section 16.2 defines a wall panel 12 of the trailer 10, 100.

[0034] The foldout travel trailer 10, 100 has a displaceable frame 20 for supporting a cover 22 which extends between the vehicle and the combination panel 16 when in the deployed position to define a substantially enclosed space, the cover 22 forming part of the walls and roof. The cover 22 is of a durable, water impervious material having one or more windows 24.

[0035] In this example, the displaceable frame 20 is collapsible and the cover 22 is permanently attached to the foldout travel trailer 10, 100.

[0036] The first panel section 16.1 defines a base for a bed (not shown), the mounted bed being stowed away when the combination panel 16 is in the stowed position and available for use when the combination panel 16 is in the deployed condition.

[0037] The foldout travel trailer 10, 100 further includes a plurality of fixtures (not shown) integrated within the interior of the foldout travel trailer 10(0). The plurality of fixtures includes any one or more of storage space, seating space, a table and a television.

[0038] The wall panels 12 of the foldout travel trailer 10, 100 includes a door 26.

[0039] As can be seen in Figures I to 3, the caravan 10 has an additional door 26 in a rear wall panel 12. The caravan 10 also includes an exterior storage compartment 28 within any one of the wall panels 12.

[0040] The caravan 10 has a displaceable exterior extension 30 within a side wall panel 12 which is slidably displaceable between a stowed position, where the exterior extension 30 is stowed within the caravan 10, and an extended position, where the exterior extension 30 is slid out of the side wall panel 12 of the caravan. The exterior extension 30 houses additional fixtures (not shown) in the form of any one of a fridge, stove, sink and waste receptacle.

[0041] The temporary motorhome 100 comprises a detachable canopy unit which is shaped and dimensioned to fit a truck bed 102 of a pickup truck 104. The motorhome 100 includes a plurality of supports 106 which are attachable to the first panel section 16.1 and side wall panel 12 of the canopy unit to provide additional support when the combination panel 16 is in the deployed position.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A foldout travel trailer comprising a wheeled vehicle with floor, wall and roof panels that, in an erected condition of the trailer, together define a substantially enclosed space: at least one of the panels comprising a substantially rigid combination panel; one side of the combination panel being pivotably mounted to the vehicle proximate the floor panel for pivoting movement between stowed and deployed positions of the combination panel; the combination panel being cranked intermediate its ends to define contiguous first and second panel sections; the combination panel being configured, when in the stowed position thereof for the first panel section to define a wall panel of the trailer and the second panel section to define a roof panel of the trailer; and

the combination panel being configured, when in the deployed position thereof for the first panel section to define a floor panel of the trailer and the second panel section to define a wall panel of the trailer.

2. The foldout trailer of claim 1, in which the foldout trailer includes a cover extending between the vehicle and the combination panel in the deployed position to define a substantially enclosed space, the cover forming part of the roof and walls.

3. The foldout trailer of claim 2, in which the foldout trailer includes a displaceable frame for supporting the cover.

4. The foldout trailer of any of the preceding claims, in which the foldout travel trailer includes a displaceable exterior extension within a side wall panel.

5. The foldout trailer of claim 4, in which the exterior extension is slidably displaceable between a stowed position, where the exterior extension is stowed within the foldout travel trailer, and an extended position, where the exterior extension is slid out of the side wall panel.

6. The foldout trailer of any of the preceding claims, in which the foldout travel trailer has a plurality of fixtures integrated within the interior of the foldout travel trailer.

7. The foldout trailer of claim 5, in which the exterior extension houses additional fixtures.

8. The foldout trailer of any of the preceding claims, in which the foldout trailer is in the form of a caravan.

9. The foldout trailer of any one of claims I to 7, in which the foldout trailer is in the form of a detachable canopy unit shaped and dimensioned to fit a truck bed of a pickup truck to form a temporary motorhome.

10. The foldout trailer of claim 9, in which the temporary motorhome includes supports attachable to the first panel section and wall panel to provide additional support when the combination panel is in the deployed position.