AU2021104189A4

AU2021104189A4 - Support for Camping Appliance

Info

Publication number: AU2021104189A4
Application number: AU2021104189A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kevin Askham
Original assignee: Askham Nicole
Current assignee: Askham Nicole
Priority date: 2021-07-15
Filing date: 2021-07-15
Publication date: 2021-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-15

Abstract

A support 100 for a camping appliance (not shown) according to a first embodiment. The support 100 is in two parts 101,102, including a first part 101 and a second part 102. The first part 101 includes a mount 110 adapted to attach to a substrate 105 of the 5 camping vehicle, a spacer 130 adapted to space the appliance from the mount 110 and having a base end 132 from which the mount 110 extends, and a first coupling device 150 extending from a remote end 134 of the spacer 130 that is remote from the base end 132. The support 100 further includes the second part 102 that in turn includes at least one surface engaging member 172 adapted to rest on a planar surface (not shown), at 0 least one support point 174 adapted to securely support the camping appliance, a second coupling device 160 complementary to the first coupling device 150, the first and second coupling devices 150, 160 adapted to be releasably engaged such that the first and second parts 101, 102 are releasably engageable together. When engaged, the first part 101 supports the second part 102. The second part 102 is adapted to be attached to 5 and to support the camping appliance, relative to the surface engaging member 172, with the first and second parts 101, 102 engaged together or with the second part 102 resting on the planar surface. Fig. la 1/8 100 16010 1002 174 T-TRAY 170 172 A 130 150 180 132 110 105b 51 101 FIG 1a 176a 102 177 1184 02 176a1 112a 172 110,111 170 171 101 F 130 11 2a 112b FIG. 1b

Description

1/8

100 1002 16010

174

T-TRAY 170172

A 130 150

180 132 110 105b 51 101

FIG 1a

177 1184 176a 102 02 176a1

112a 172

110,111 170 171 101 F 130 11 2a

112b FIG. 1b

SUPPORT FOR CAMPING APPLIANCE FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to support for a camping appliance. More particularly, this invention relates to a support for a camping cooking appliance. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a support for mounting a camping appliance to a vehicle, such as a camping vehicle, caravan or camper trailer, where the camping appliance is a camp oven, grill or other cooking device.

BACKGROUND ART

The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion should not be assumed to relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but to assist in the inventive process undertaken by the inventor(s) and in the understanding of the invention.

Prior art arrangements for mounts for camping cooking appliances classically include slide-out frames and slotted mounts for a table or other support frame. Most frames for such purposes cannot be left in place, but must be retracted or removed for transportation or storage purposes.

An object of the present invention is to ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The invention according to one or more aspects may be as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided:

A support for a camping appliance, the support being in two parts and comprising:

a first part comprising: a mount adapted to attach to a substrate of a camping vehicle; a spacer adapted to space the appliance from the mount and having a base end from which the mount extends; and a first coupling device extending from a remote end of the spacer that is remote from the base end; a second part comprising: at least one support point adapted to securely support the camping appliance; a second coupling device complementary to the first coupling device, the first and second coupling devices adapted to be releasably engaged, such that the first part can support the second part; and at least one surface engaging member adapted to rest on a planar surface, the planar surface being any suitable flat surface, whereby the second part is adapted to be attached to and to support the camping appliance, with the first and second parts engaged together or disengaged so that the second part is adapted to rest on the planar surface.

In another aspect, the invention provides:

A method of installing a support for a camping appliance on a substrate for a camping vehicle, including the steps of:

mounting a first part to a substrate of a camping vehicle, the first part comprising a mount adapted to attach to the substrate, a spacer adapted to space the appliance from the mount and having a base end from which the mount extends and a first coupling device extending from a remote end of the spacer that is remote from the base end;

releasably engaging a second part to the first part by means of a pair of first and second coupling devices adapted to releasably engage to each other, the second part including:

at least one surface engaging member adapted to rest on a planar surface; and

attaching the camping appliance to at least one support point on the second part that is adapted to securely support the camping appliance with the first and second parts engaged together or with the second part resting on the planar surface, the second part being adapted to be attached to and to support the camping appliance relative to the surface engaging member.

CAMPING APPLIANCE

The camping appliance is preferably a cooking appliance or device, such as an oven, grill, barbeque, stovetop wok, frying pan, or the like. The support may be generic and adapted to accommodate or conform to the shape and structure of the particular appliance to be supported. The support may be purpose-built for a specific shape and model of camping appliance. The support is made up of at least two parts that are releasably engageable to each other, such that the first part may be permanently attached to the substrate and the second part attachable for use in which the second part is attached to the first part, or removable, either for storage or use on, for example, the planar surface.

The planar surface does not form part of the invention. The planar surface may be any suitable flat surface, such as the ground, a floor, a bench or a table.

CAMPING VEHICLE

The camping vehicle may be a dedicated camping vehicle, such as a camper trailer or caravan, or maybe a motorised vehicle, such as a four-wheel drive or off-road vehicle, that can be deployed for the purposes of camping. The substrate is preferably sturdy and presents an accessible preferably structural surface to which the first part can be mounted via the mount. For example, for a camper trailer or caravan, the substrate may be a draw bar, bumper bar or push bar. Where the camping is an off-road vehicle, the substrate may be part of the chassis or another rigid structure such as a bull-bar. In the case of a vehicle that may otherwise be deployed for non-camping duties, the mount may be removable for storage. However, preferably, the first part is adapted to be permanently mounted to the substrate, for example by being bolted or welded to the substrate of a dedicated camping vehicle, such as a trailer or caravan.

FIRST PART

Mount

The mount may be a clamp, bracket or other feature adapted to attach to the substrate. For example, where the substrate is a RHS beam, the mount may include an L-shaped or channel-shaped bracket adapted to fit over, under or beside the substrate. Advantageously, the mount may comprise clamping or bolting means that is not invasive to the structure and does not affect its structural integrity. For example, the mount may comprise a hood-like channel that is adapted to slide over the substrate and to be secured adjacent the substrates underside by fasteners such as a combination of nuts and bolts, for rigid and releasable attachment, but leaving the option for removal for replacement or maintenance. Alternatively, the mount may comprise a base, such as a plate, that is welded to one or more surfaces of the substrate for rigid and permanent attachment.

Spacer

The mount and the spacer may be unitarily and/or integrally formed, such that the mount extends from the base end, but is continuous therewith. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the base end may be releasably engageable to the mount, so that the mount may be semi-permanently or permanently attached to the substrate, for example presenting in and of itself a low profile relative to the substrate, and the spacer may form a separate third part adapted to be interposed between the mount and the second part in use. The connection between the base end and the mount may be articulated whereby to allow movement of the spacer relative to the mount to, in use, adjust the relative position of the second part compared to the mount. However, preferably, the spacer forms part of the first part.

The spacer may be in the form of a rod, beam or arm. Preferably, the spacer is a post. Preferably, the spacer is adapted to extend in an upright manner in use.

COUPLING DEVICES

The first and second coupling devices may include male and female components, such as a tongue and receiving slot, whereby the coupling device may be easily connected or disengaged by a sliding action of the first part relative to the second part. However, any

A mechanical combination of a male and female part is considered within the scope of the invention. Preferably, the male part includes at least one tongue adapted to extend through a complementary female slot. Advantageously, the male part may comprise an aperture to enable a removable padlock to be secured therethrough, so that the coupling device is lockable. Preferably, the coupling device includes a pair of prongs that extend in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the female parts include a pair of complementary slots formed in a plate that lies in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Remote end

The remote end may terminate in a plate. The plate may extend beyond a footprint of the spacer when viewed from a top plan perspective in at least one direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first coupling device may be formed on or in the plate. The first coupling device may comprise at least one slot forming the female component of the coupling device, preferably, the plate includes a pair of spaced slots extending parallel relative to each other. Preferably, the slots extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substrate.

The at least one slot may be a closed slot defining an elongate aperture. Alternatively, the slot may be open ended and be formed at one side or edge of the plate.

SECOND PART

The second part may include a frame or shell of structurally rigid construction, whereby the support point may be fixed in position relative to the second coupling device, with the frame or the shell interposed therebetween. Preferably, the at least one support point includes two or more support points adapted to fit the desired camping appliance. For example, the at least one support point may comprise four spaced feet, each advantageously located lowermost at corners of the second part.

In a particularly preferred form, the second part includes a panel made by folding a metal sheet into a permanent shape to form upstanding side flanges and at least one lower bearing surface forming the surface engaging member. The panel may comprise a pair of spaced parallel extending troughs interposed by a raised central section (when the second part is viewed from above). The underside of the central raised section may include the second coupling device on its underside surface in the underside recess or channel. The underside recess may be formed between the pair of spaced parallel extending troughs (being troughs when viewed from above, but ridges or proud formations when viewed from below the second part). The at least one lower bearing surface may comprise the pair of spaced parallel extending ridge formations that extend close to each side edge on the underside of the second part.

Preferably, the second coupling device is the male component of the coupling device and comprises at least one tongue extending downwardly from an underside surface of the central section. Preferably, the male component does not extend beyond the lowermost portion of the surface engaging member in use.

The at least one support point may comprise an upstanding flange with an attachment means for attaching the camping appliance thereto. Preferably, the attachment means includes an aperture formed in the flange and adapted to receive a secure fastener, such as a bolt or a padlock.

Alternatively, the at least one support point includes a rest for supporting the base or feet of the camping appliance and may be in the form of a channel or recess.

The surface engaging member is adapted to rest on a table or other flat surface for use or storage of the camping appliance when the second part is disengaged from the first part. Accordingly, the planar surface may be the ground, floor, table or bench, etc.

The second may further include accessory attachment means. The accessory attachment means may include an attachment device for securing a side table. The side table may be adapted to extend from the second part in cantilevered fashion. The attachment means may include an elongate tongue/slot combination, whereby one edge of the extension table includes a flange receivable in an elongate slot of the second part. The extension table may, in storage be kept in a recess defined by the second part.

The accessory attachment means may include a protruding rod or bar for hanging utensils. The utensil holder may unitarily and/or integrally formed with the panel.

A

It will be appreciated that any of the features described herein can be used in any combination, and that the invention as described in respect of the second aspect may have the specific features referred to above in respect of the invention as described in respect of the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Figure la is a perspective view of a support according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing an extension tray attached to one side thereto;

Figure lb is a perspective view of the support shown in figure 1 with the extension tray shown in a storage position;

Figures 2a-d are, respectively, top plan front elevation, side elevation and perspective views of a first part of the support according to the first embodiment shown in figure 1;

Figure 2e is a schematic view of the first and second coupling devices;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support according to a second embodiment not including an extension tray;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support including an extension tray and utensil holder according to a third embodiment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a support according to a fourth embodiment similar to the third embodiment, but having narrower channels in the second part;

Figure 6a-c, respectively, show a first part of the support of the third and fourth embodiments respectively shown in figures 4 and 5;

Figures 7a-d, respectively, show the first part shown in figures 6a-c, with figure 7a showing the first part and figure 7b showing a magnified view of a part of a first coupling device, and figure 7c and 7d showing detail of a mount of the first part to a substrate;

Figures 8a-c, respectively, show a support according to a fifth embodiment having an extension tray attachable by means of an elongate flange and slot combination;

Figure 9 is an underside perspective view of the support according to the fifth embodiment shown in figures 8a-c; and

Figure 10 is a magnified view of a coupling device show in figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Note for drawings: preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In describing the various embodiments of the invention, like features will be referred to using like references, with references for features of each embodiment generally preceded by 1, 2, 3, or followed by a Roman numeric sequence, such as i, ii, iii, etc. or an alphabetical sequence such as a, b, c, relative to the corresponding feature of the first embodiment. For example, a feature 10 of the first embodiment may represented as 110, 210, 310, (or n10), or 10a, 10b, 10c, (or lOx) or 10i, 10ii, 10iii, (or 10r) etc. in second, third and fourth embodiments, respectively.

Referring to Figures la - 2d, there is shown a support 100 for a camping appliance (not shown) according to a first embodiment. The support 100 is in two parts 101,102, including a first part 101 and a second part 102. The first part 101 includes a mount 110 adapted to attach to a substrate 105 of the camping vehicle, a spacer 130 adapted to space the appliance from the mount 110 and having a base end 132 from which the mount 110 extends, and a first coupling device 150 extending from a remote end 134 of the spacer 130 that is remote from the base end 132.

The support 100 further includes the second part 102 that in turn includes at least one surface engaging member 172 adapted to rest on a planar surface (not shown), at least one support point 174 adapted to securely support the camping appliance, a second coupling device 160 complementary to the first coupling device 150, the first and second coupling devices 150, 160 adapted to be releasably engaged such that the first and second parts 101, 102 are releasably engageable together. When engaged, the first part 101 supports the second part 102. The second part 102 is adapted to be attached to and to support the camping appliance, relative to the surface engaging member 172, with the first and second parts 101, 102 engaged together or with the second part 102 resting on the planar surface.

A method of installing a support 100 for a camping appliance on a substrate 105 for a camping vehicle is also described and includes the steps of:

mounting a first part 101 to the substrate 105, the first part 101 comprising a mount 110 adapted to attach to the substrate 105, a spacer 130 adapted to space the appliance from the mount 110 and having a base end 132 from which the mount 110 extends and a first coupling device 150 extending from a remote end 134 of the spacer 130 that is remote from the base end 132; and

releasably engaging a second part 102 to the first part 101 by means of a pair of first and second coupling devices 150,160 that are adapted to be releasably engageable to each other.

In the method, the second part 102 includes:

at least one surface engaging member in the form of a pair 172 adapted to rest on a planar surface; and

The mount 110 comprises an inverted channel 111 that is adapted to fit over the substrate 105 being a standard RHS drawbar. The channel 111 has a pair of spaced arm sections 112a,b, each in the form of a flat rectangular plate 112a,b, when mounted lying in parallel vertical planes and bridged by an upper flat bridge member 114 lying in a horizontal plane and adapted to rest on a top flat surface of the drawbar 105. The arm sections 112a,b are sized such that they depend at their lower edge 115 lower than the

Q underside of the substrate 105. Each arm section 112a,b has a pair of spaced apertures 116 adapted to receive a pair of fasteners 115 whereby to clamp the mount 110 to the substrate 105 with the fasteners 115 extending beneath the underside of the substrate 105. Alternatively, the mount 110 may be permanently attached to the substrate 105 by welding.

Extending normally from the bridge 114 is the spacer 130 in the form of post. The spacer 130 is made from RHS and its base end 132 is welded to the upper surface of the bridge 114 to form a permanent fixment. The upper (in situ) remote end 134 of the spacer 130, is permanently fixed to an underside of a first coupling plate 152. The spacer 130 extends downwardly from an underside surface 155 of the first coupling plate 152 and is also permanently attached thereto. The first coupling plate 152 preferably includes downwardly bent side flanges 153 with rounded ends that are radiused to reduce the risk of a snag hazard. The first coupling plate 152 is mounted fixedly and in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 138 of the spacer 130.

The second part 102 includes a panel 170 formed from folded metal sheet material. The width of the first coupling plate 152 is dimensioned to span the width of a recess or inverted trough 171 of the panel 170 extending between the pair of spaced surface engaging members 172. The side flange 153 is positioned to follow a downward angle of an inner side wall 173 of the surface engaging members 172, so that the first coupling plate 152 can sit snugly within the recess 152.

The first coupling device 150 includes at least one aperture in the form of a closed slot 156 so that no feature of the first part 101 is proud or above a plane of an upper surface 154 of the first coupling plate 152. Therefore, the potential for a snag hazard is minimised when the first part 101 is disengaged from the second part 102 and the first coupling device 150 is on its own on the substrate 105.

The second coupling device 160 comprises at least one male component in the form of a tongue 162 that extends downwardly and proud of the underside 175 of the recess 171. Preferably, the coupling device 150,160 comprises pairs of complementary tongues 162 and slots 156 that are adapted to engage and disengage by a simple mechanical motion performed by an operator. The simple mechanical motion may

1 ( include linear downward motion required to locate protruding parts in receptive recesses, which may respectively be lugs in holes. Alternatively, the simple mechanical motion may include rotation and/or twisting and/or sliding. Preferably, the first coupling device 150 includes an elongate slot 156 extending parallel to the flange 153 and located in the first coupling plate 152, and between the outer periphery of the post 130 and the side of the first coupling plate 152. The slot 156 is offset from the centre of the first coupling plate 152, being closer to one end 157 thereof, so that a portion 158 of the first coupling plate 152 near a remote end 159 of the slot 156 may be inserted in a gap feature 164. Therefore, the first and second coupling devices 150,160 are simply mechanically releasably engageable.

The tongue 162 is t-shaped or F-shaped, having a main elongate flat tongue section and

a lateral arm 167 extending from one side of the main section intermediate its length to define a gap 164 at the tongue's attached end between the underside 475 of the panel 170 and the lateral arm 167.

The support 100 further includes a separable side tray 180 that is sized to be stored by resting on an upper surface 179 of the inverted trough 171 and within the boundaries of the second part 102 as shown in Fig. lb. The boundaries of the second part 102 are defined on the sides of the panel 170 by a pair of upwardly folded side walls 176. The side walls 176 include a pair of spaced peaks 177 that together with apertures formed therein provide the support points 174 at each end of the side walls 176. The side walls 176 preferably lie substantially in respective upright planes. One of the side walls 176a has at least one tray tongue receiving slot 178 extending substantially horizontally. The tray 180 includes on one side edge 181 thereof at least one complementary tongue 182 adapted to be inserted into the at least one tray tongue receiving slot 178 and to suspend the tray 180 in a substantially level and horizontal position on one side of the second part 102 in cantilevered fashion as shown in Fig la. Accordingly, the at least one complementary tongue 182 is L-shaped with an upturned arm 184 that provides the leading edge to be inserted into the at least one tray tongue receiving slot 178.

The second embodiment in the form of a support 200 shown in Fig. 3 is essentially the same as the first and second parts 101,102 of the support 100 of the first embodiment

1 1 sans the tray 180, and corresponding slots 178 and tongues 182.

The third embodiment in the form of a support 300 shown in Fig. 4 is similar to the support 100 of the first embodiment, which differences compared to the mount 110, the tray 180, and corresponding slots 178 and tongues 182, and the addition of a utensil holder 390 extending from a surface engaging members 372, noting that the utensil holder 390 will be useful when extending clear and proud when the second part 202 is mounted on the first art 101, and not when the second part 102 is resting on the planar surface.

The mount 310 comprises a universal clamp 311 formed in two separable parts, namely a fixed L-shaped bracket 312 and an attachable L-shaped plate 313. The bracket 312 has an upper flat member 314 fixed to a base end 332 of a spacer post 330, for example by welding. The member 314 has an upturned flange 317 bearing apertures 318. The upturned flange 317 extends from and above the flat member 314. At a lower section 312b of a downwardly depending arm 312a are a pair of long holes 316 that enable variable placement of the plate 313 relative to the bracket 312 to accommodate different sized and shaped substrates 105.

The L-shaped plate 313 is identical in shape to the bracket 312, but inverted. Small bolt fasteners adapted to extend through the apertures 316,318 may used to clamp the plate 313 onto the bracket 312 around a substrate 105 in a tight fixed relationship.

The support 300 has a tray 380 option. The tray 380 includes a single elongate curved tongue 382 extending substantially the length of a side 381 of the tray 380, in this context "substantially" being at least about 70%, and preferably about 80%, of the length of the side 381. A complementary and mutually engageable flange 378 is formed on an outer face of a side wall 376 of the second part 302. The tongue 382 is adapted to hook around the flange 378 to support the tray 380 substantially level and horizontal in cantilevered fashion.

Turning to the fourth embodiment shown in Figs. 5 - 7d, there is shown a support 400 that is very similar to the support 300, but has narrower surface engaging members 472 whereby to accommodate a broader inverted trough 471 there between and a correspondingly broader first coupling plate 452. A spacer post 430 is rectangular in

12, cross-section whereby to present a broader side wall 436 than an end wall 437. The corners 435 joining the side and end walls 436,437 are radiused or bevelled to minimise wear and potential for injury.

As seen in Fig. 6c, a mount 410 comprising clamp components 412,413 is adjustable to clamp to a variety of different sized substrates 105. The L-shaped bracket 412 has long holes 416 at its lower end that can accommodate engagement to the opposed L-shaped plate 413 where the latter's height relative to the bracket 412 can be varied. Correspondingly, the free plate 413 has long holes 419 at its upper end that allow the shafts of fastener bolts 415 to slide linearly within the long holes 416,419 in the process of adjusting the relative height of the plate 413 to the bracket 412 to adjust to the substrate 105, prior to being tightened so that the mount 410 is fixed in position on the substrate 105. The plate 413 is effectively identical to the bracket 412, but vertically inverted, so that the plate 413 has a downwardly depending flange 420 in which is provided a pair of spaced circular apertures 421, being diagonally opposed mirror image of the small circular apertures 418 in an upturned flange 417 of the bracket 412 fixed to a base end the spacer post 430. The upturned flange. The 417 extends laterally either side of the support post 430 at the base end 432.

The mount 410 is adjustable to accommodate different sized substrates 105,105b, as depicted in Figs. 7c-d. In the case of the smaller substrate 105b, vertically spaced fasteners 415a,b are located vertically closer to together as permitted with respective vertically aligned long slots 416a,b to firmly trap the substrate 105b against movement in the mount 410.

In accordance with the note for drawings above and with reference to Fig. 2e where like components are ascribed like reference numerals, the first coupling plate 452 includes a pair of spaced open-ended slots 456 at one end of the first coupling plate 452. The open-ended slots 456 are adapted to receive a pair of complimentary tongues 462 depending downwardly from an underside 475 of the inverted trough 471. The tongues

462 are t-shaped or I--shaped, having a main elongate flat tongue section and a lateral

arm 467 extending from one side of the main section intermediate its length to define a gap 464 at the tongue's attached end between the underside 475 and the lateral arm 467.

The gap 467 is sufficient in width (between 2 - 7mm, preferably 2.5 - 3.5mm) and length (between 10 - 30mm, preferably 15 - 20mm) to receive an adjacent portion 458 in a zone of the first coupling plate 452 adjacent the slots 456 and linearly in line therewith, so that the adjacent portion 458 is adapted to be trapped in the gap 464 when the adjacent portion 458 is slid into the gap 464 to engage coupling devices 450,460 of the fourth embodiment.

As a security measure to discourage unauthorised lifting of the second part 402 from the first part 401 by sliding the tongue 462 out of the slot 456, there is provided a downwardly depending tab 451 with an aperture 451a that is positioned to register with an aperture 466 of the tongue 462. A padlock or other security device may be inserted through both apertures, the tongue aperture 466 and the tab aperture 451a.

With regard to the fifth embodiment shown in Figs. 8a - 10, as indicated in the note for drawings above, like features are referred to using like numerals. Fig. 10 in particular shows detail of coupling devices 550,560 and is similar to the fourth embodiment. A downwardly depending tag 551 is provided as one arm of an L-shaped bracket, in respect of which another horizontal arm 551b of the bracket is fixed to an underside surface 555 of a first coupling plate 552.

Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

In the present specification, terms such as "apparatus", "means", "device" and "member" may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an "apparatus", "means", "device" or "member" or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall

11A within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an "apparatus", "assembly", "means", "device" or "member" is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

In the present specification, the phrase "and/or" refers to severally or any combination of the features. For example, the phrase "feature 1, feature 2 and/or feature 3" includes within its scope any one of the following combinations: Feature 1 or feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 and feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 or feature 2 and feature 3; feature 1 and feature 3 or feature 2; feature 1 and feature 2 and feature 3.

The meaning of descriptive, precise or absolute terms such as "flexed", "normal", "parallel", "horizontal", "vertical" or "fully" includes the preceding qualifier "substantially or almost", unless the context or contrary is expressly indicated.

Qualifying relative terms, such as "relatively", "sufficiently", "near", "almost" or "substantially", may be taken to indicate a variation in an absolute value of between 00 and 10° or between 0% and 10%, relative to the absolute value. For example, "near horizontal" may be taken to mean any orientation between 00 and 100 relative to the horizontal.

Where the word "for" is used to qualify a use or application of an object term, the word "for" is only limiting in the sense that the device or component should be "suitable for" that use or application.

In the present specification, the term "integral" means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term "integrally formed" means formed of the one body without post-forming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, "integrally formed" and the similar term "unitarily formed" mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be

1U considered in a particular orientation, which will usually be apparent from the context.

The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features and components of each of the embodiments of the invention described in the detailed description and/or depicted in the accompanying drawings may be interchangeable as required, with regard to functional equivalency and compatibility. A feature or component described with reference to one but not all embodiments, if functionally and dimensionally compatible as an addition with another embodiment herein described, or substitutable with a corresponding feature or component of that other embodiment in relation to which it has not been expressly described, should be read as a potential addition or substitution to that other embodiment and as being within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in considering a feature or component that is described in relation a particular embodiment but may be omitted from the embodiment without losing the functionality characterising the invention and without departing from the scope of the invention, unless the context and expressions used in describing the embodiment imputes that the feature or component is essential to the invention as broadly described, the omittable feature or component may be read as not being included in the embodiment.

1A

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A support 100 for a camping appliance, the support being in two parts 101,102 including:

a first part 101 including:

a mount 110 adapted to attach to a substrate 105 of a camping vehicle;

a spacer 130 adapted to space the appliance from the mount and having a base end 132 from which the mount extends; and

a first coupling device 150 extending from a remote end 134 of the spacer that is remote from the base end;

a second part 102 comprising:

at least one support point 174 adapted to securely support the camping appliance;

a second coupling device 160 complementary to the first coupling device, the first and second coupling devices adapted to be releasably engaged, such that the first part can support the second part; and

at least one surface engaging member 172 adapted to rest on a planar surface, the planar surface being any suitable flat surface, whereby the second part is adapted to be attached to and to support the camping appliance, with the first and second parts engaged together or disengaged so that the second part is adapted to rest on the planar surface.

2. The support as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the spacer 330 is a post and the mount 310 is an adjustable clamp having:

an L-shaped bracket 312 with elongate fastener-receiving slots 316; and

a complementary L-shaped plate 313 attachable to the L-shaped bracket,

the L-shaped plate height-adjustable relative to the L-shaped bracket to accommodate different sized substrates.

1'7

3. The support as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacer has a remote end 134 remote from the base end and the first coupling device 150 includes:

a first coupling plate 152 mounted fixedly and has an upper surface extending in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 138 of the spacer; and

at least one aperture in the form of a slot 156 so that no feature of the first part is proud or above the plane of the upper surface 154 of the first coupling plate.

4. The support as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the second part includes a planar panel 170, the second coupling device includes a tongue 162 that depends downwardly from an underside 175 of the panel 170, whereby the tongue is receivable in the slot and defines a narrow gap 164 between a lateral arm 167 of the tongue and the underside of the panel whereby the gaps is adapted to receive an adjacent portion 158 in a zone of the first coupling plate adjacent the slot and linearly in line therewith, so that the adjacent portion is adapted to be trapped in the gap when the adjacent portion is slid into the gap to engage coupling devices.

5. A method of installing a support for a camping appliance on a substrate for a camping vehicle, including the steps of:

at least one surface engaging member adapted to rest on a planar surface; and

attaching the camping appliance to at least one support point on the second part that is adapted to securely support the camping appliance with the first and

15R second parts engaged together or with the second part resting on the planar surface, the second part being adapted to be attached to and to support the camping appliance relative to the surface engaging member.