CA1076624A - Utility unit for camper vehicles - Google Patents
Utility unit for camper vehiclesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1076624A CA1076624A CA314,784A CA314784A CA1076624A CA 1076624 A CA1076624 A CA 1076624A CA 314784 A CA314784 A CA 314784A CA 1076624 A CA1076624 A CA 1076624A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- utility
- unit
- door
- vehicle
- modular
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A modular utility unit is provided which is intended to replace a door on a van-type wheeled vehicle. The modular utility unit includes:
a utility-containing and appliance-containing unit having a facade, a base, a top, sides and an exterior surrogate door panel; utility appliances disposed within the modular utility unit; and clamps disposed within the modular utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel. When the door of the vehicle is removed, the clamps cooperate with a door frame of the vehicle for securing the utility unit within the vehicle. Releasing the clamps enables removal of the utility unit from the vehicle, and the door of the vehicle may then be replaced. Thus a van-type vehicle can be converted to a utility unit containing camper van merely by replacing one door thereof with the above described modular utility unit.
A modular utility unit is provided which is intended to replace a door on a van-type wheeled vehicle. The modular utility unit includes:
a utility-containing and appliance-containing unit having a facade, a base, a top, sides and an exterior surrogate door panel; utility appliances disposed within the modular utility unit; and clamps disposed within the modular utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel. When the door of the vehicle is removed, the clamps cooperate with a door frame of the vehicle for securing the utility unit within the vehicle. Releasing the clamps enables removal of the utility unit from the vehicle, and the door of the vehicle may then be replaced. Thus a van-type vehicle can be converted to a utility unit containing camper van merely by replacing one door thereof with the above described modular utility unit.
Description
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This invention relate~s to a ~odular utility unit for camL~er vehicles. ~ore particularly it relates to such a m~dular utility unit which is adapted to be selectively removably incorporated into a va~-type vehicle by attachment through existing loading doors.
There are numerous camper vehicles now available on the market, from the very expensive m~tor homes, to many simple tent trailer units.
One of the major disadvantages of these various types of camper vehicles is the lack of versatility of the unit, namely the fact that, due to the functional requirements of a camper, the vehicle cannot readily be used for other purposes. One of the more popula~ vehicles on which cam æ rs are constructed is the van, which is very often outfitted by the cwner with the appropriate camping equipment.
However, in the temperate zones, since camping is seldom a year-rDund activity, the owners of van-hased campers would find it extremely advantageous if the vehicle a~ula be quickly reconverted to its van mDde.
m ere is, therefore, a need for equipnent which will he used to convert easily a van-type of vehicle into a camFer van, and vice versa. In parti-cul æ there is a need to provide easy insta~lation of the main ooo1~ng, heatm g, ventilating, refrigerating and water supply oamponents.
; Accordingly, it is an object of a broad aspect of the present in-vention to provide a mDdular utility unit for a canper vehicle which can be easily installed and rem~ved.
An object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide such a m~dular utility unit which may he m~unted in a van type of vehicle using existing-loading dcorways bD acccmodate the unit.
An object of a further aspect of the present invention is to pro-vide such a nodul æ utili~y unit for a van which is adapted to oonform to the oonfigurations of a van doorway by replacing the door with such a - ; :
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modu]ar utility unit containing the desired appliances.
By one broad aspect of this invention, a modular unit is provided which is intended to replace a door on a vehicle, the utility unit compris-ing: a modular, appliance-containing unit having a facade, a base, a top, sides and a rear surrogate door panel; utility appliances disposed within the modular utility unit; and clamping means disposed within the modular util-ity unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel, the clamping means coopera-ting with a door frame of the vehicle when a door mounted in the frame is removed, whereby, when the clamping means is engaged, it secures the modular unit within the vehicle, with the surrogate door panel replacing the former door, and, when the clamping means is disengaged~ it enables removal of the modular utility unit from the vehicle and replacement with the original door.
By one variant, the utility-components comprise units requiring ex-ternal venting.
By a variation thereof the modular utility unit includes a range, a refrigerator, a heater, a gas light, a water heater, an exhaust shroud, a supply of fuel, water hook-up hoses and electrical outlets.
By another variant, the surrogate door panel is provided with vent-ing outlets for at least the appliances, the utility components and with sup-ply plugs for the water and electrical outlets.
By a further variant of this invention, the clamping means is pro-vided by a hollow housing having a slot on one side thereof, provided with securement means on the housing for mounting the housing within the modular utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel; a rotatable screw mem-ber mounted longitudinally therein; adjusting means secured to one end of the rotatable screw member; a travelling rail member disposed along the screw member; and a pivotable arm supported by the travelling rail member, the pivoting arm protruding from the slot and being adapted to pivot as a result of rotation of the rotatable screw member, thereby clamping the unit within ' 1076~Z~
the vehicle when the adjusting means causes the screw member to rotate in a predetermined direction.
By yet another variant, the clamping means comprises a hollow rec-tangular parallelpiped housing having a slot in one side thereof, and provided with securement plates transversely positioned at opposite ends thereof for mounting the housing within the modular utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel; a screw member mounted longitudinally therein, one end of the screw member being freely rotatably mounted at one of the housing, and the other end of the screw member being provided with an attached ad~usting means and a travelling rail member disposed along the screw member; and a pivotable arm supported by the rail member, the pivotable arm being adapted to protrude from the slot and to pivot as a result of rotation of the screw member.
By another aspect of this invention, a modular utility unit is pro-vided which:,is intended to replace removably an exterior door on a vehicle, comprising a self-contained modular utility unit having an interior utility module and an exterior surrogate door panel, the panel being correspondingly si~ed and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the door with the utility module being positioned within the vehicle and adapted to accomodate utility-components and utility-appiances thereat, corresponding external venting and external supply connectlon means prov~ded on the panel for such utility-components and utility-appliances, and releasable securing means for removably securing the unit within the vehicle.
By a variant thereof, the securing means include a housing mounted on the unit in proximity to the panel and operatively carrying an engagement arm adjustably movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the housing for removable securing engagement with an adjacent , . ;~
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portion of the vehicle, and means for adjustably moving the arm between such retracted and extended positions.
Thus, the unit of an aspect of this invention, replaces an exterior door at a corresponding door frame portion on the van or vehicle, and the sur-rogate door panel, which is an exterior panel, is correspondingly sized and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the replaced door, whereby to maintain the normal vehi-cle silhouette or outline, with the remainder of the unit being positioned within the vehicle.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a van vehicle outfitted with the utility unit of one aspect of this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front inside of the utility unit of an aspect of this invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear outside of the utility unit of an aspect of this invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clamping member used in se-curing the utility unit of an aspect of this invention to the van.
Referring now to Figure 1, a van 10 is shown. The usual van con-struction includes rear loading doors (not shown), or side loading doors and driven and passenger entry doors 11. The side doors may be of the hinge type or may be of the sliding type. The utility unit 50 of an embodiment of this invention is intended to replace either the rear or the side doors; as shown in Figure 1 it replaces a side loading door, by a surrogate door panel 60 which is part of the utility unit to be described hereinafter with reference to Figures 2 and 3. When the utility unit 50 is removed from the van, the original van door is replaced on the van.
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Figures ~ and 3 show dctails of the utility unit 50 of one embodiment of this in~ention. The utility unit 50 is made up of two basic components, the exterior surrogate door panel 60, and the interior utility module 70. The utility module 70 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes an enclosure having an interior facade 61a, top 61, sides 62 and base 63, within which are stove 71, furnace 72, refrigerator 73, electrical outlets 74, gas light 75, water heater (not shown) and water hook-up hoses 76. In addition an exhaust hood 711 is provided for disposing of cooking odors. Surrogate door panel 60 which is secured to the rear of utility module 70 is provided with suitable venting, namely 64 for the furnance 72, 621 from the exhaust hood 711, 65 for the refrigerator 73, and 66 for the water heater in the utility module 50. In addition surrogate door panel 60 includes access panel 67 to a cabinet for a propane bottle, as well as an electrical supply plug 69 and water supply~filler plug 68. It is understood that while the embodiment of the invention which is shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes a particular grouping of appliances, the scope of the invention could include any combination of appliances in varying configurations, e.g. air conditioning units, microwave ovens, etc.
The utility unit 50, including the surrogate door panel 60, is intended removably to replace the original van door. In order to install the utility unit 50, the original van door is removed, and is replaced by the .
utility unit 50, with the utility module 70 disposed within the van and the original van door now replaced by surrogate door panel 60. In order removably to secure the utility unit 50 in place, clamping means 80, partially shown in Figures 2 and 3 and to be descr~bed hereinafter in greater detail in Figure 4 are used. The utility unit is provided with height adjusting legs 77 depending from base 63 which permit the utility unit 50 to be supported on the van floor and to be levelled and stabilized inside the van.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, surrogate door .
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1(~7~6'~4 panels 60 are mde of glass fibers in order to facilitate manufacture and to provide well fitting surrogate door panels.
Another embodiment of the present invention makes use of spare parts door units which can be obtained directly from the vehicle manufacture and which can be machined and outfitted with the desired features.
In order to secure the utility unit 50 to the van, the original hinged or door mountings of the van may be used. However, in a preferred em-bodiment of the present invention, a securing clamp 80 as shown in Figure 4, i8 used which permits easy mounting and securement as well as dismounting of the unit, with a minimum of adjustments and fittings necessary. The subject matter of Figure 4 is disclosed and claimed in a divisional application of the present application.
As shown in Figure 4, the clamping unit 80 includes a hollow rec-tangular parallelpiped housing 81, and securement plates 82, 83 transversely positioned at opposite ends thereof for securing the clamping unit 80 to the inside of utility module 70. While securement plates 82, 83 have been shown at the ends, lt is possible to include additional intermediate securement plates. Disposed within the housing 81 and mounted longitudinally thereof is screw member 84 which i8 freely rotatably mounted in aperture 841 at one end 85 of housing 81 and projecting through an aperture (not seen) in the other end 86 of housing 81 and which is there fitted with an adjusting nut 87.
Approximately half way down the length of screw member 84 and protruding out through slot 88 of housing 81 is pivoting arm 89 which is pivotally inter-connected to one end of tranvelling rail 90 by pin 901. Rail 90 includes plates 91, 92 each secured at one end to nuts 93, 94 which in turn are threaded about screw member 84. Thus, pivoting arm 89 is connected to travel-ling rail 90 by pin 901, which permits pivoting arm 89 to be retracted into the housing 81 to permit installation of the unit and to swing transversely out through slot 88 as a result of rotation of screw member 84. The extent .
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of the swinging motion of pivoting arm 89 is limited by engagement of the front faces 95 of arm 89 with the trailing edge 881 of slot 88 in housing 81.
Pivoting arm 89 is urged to the extended position by spring means 891.
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.~ curing c]~m~ 80 1l ~ou ted on ~he inside of utility nodule 70 in close pro~i~niLy to llr ~3ate door panel ~0, and one such clamp 80 is attached to the i3~side of each side wall 62 of utility ~dule 70 by securement plates 82, 83 through conventional fastening n~ans, such as, for e~ample, screws or rivets. Housing 81 of securing cla~p 80 is of suitable length to reach the facade 61a, but not to allow adjusting nut 87 to protrude beyond the facade 61a of u~ility module 70. An aperture 96 is provided on the facade 61a for access to the adjvsting nut 87. The side wall~ 62 of the utility modvel 70 are each provided with a slot 97 which allow pivDting arm 89 to protrude outwardly frcm withi~ the utility module 70.
Rotation of adjusting nut 87 cavses screw 84 to rotate, which in tvrn cavses travelling rail gO to travel longitvdinally along the housing 81. As the rail 90 moves, pivoting arm 89, which protrudes outside the modvlar unit 70, is urged to pivot. The outer end 98 of pivoting arm 89 thus swings forward in an arc as it is urged by the movement of screw 84 which is in turn oontrolled by rotation of adjusting nut 87. Pivoting arm 89 will arc until it abuts nut 93, at a position approximately perpen-dicular with hovsing 81.
Further rotatqon of adjusting nut 87, will cause pivDting arm to travel thr~ugh the aperture 96 in approxImately the same perpendicul æ
manner. m us, pivoting arm 87 may be urged against the door frame of the vehicle, as will be described hereafter.
When the utility unit 70 is mounted in the van, the end 98 of pivot-ing arm 87 is braced against the inside frame nembers ~not shown) of the van doorway. Tightening of adjusting nut 87 forcingly urges pivoting arm 89 against the inside frame members to the van doorway. Thus, the entire utility unit 70 is secured within the doorway, and is retained in this position by tightening of adjusting nut 87, which in turn effectively bra oe s the pivoting arms 89 against the frame of the van.
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Accor~ gly, Lhc modular utility unit 50 is intended removably to replace an exterior door, e.g. at a corresponding door frame portion, on a vehicle, and constitutes an inherently self-contained modular utility unit having an interior utility module 70, including an interior facade, base, top and sides, and an exterior surrogate door panel 60. The panel is correspondingly sized and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the door with the utility module, e.g. facade, base, top and sides, being positioned within the vehicle and adapted to accommodate utility-components and utility appliances thereat, e.g. with corresponding external venting means and external supply connection means being provided on the panel for servicing such utility-components and utility-appliances.
Further it has releasable securing means for removably securing the unit within the vehicle, e.g. with such securing means including a housing mounted on the unit in proximity to the panel and operatively carrying an engagement arm adjustably movable from a retracted position with respect to the housing to an extended position with respect thereto for removable securing engagement with an adjacent portion of the vehicle, plus means for adjustably moving the arm between such retracted and extended portions.
In this manner, a utility unit 70 which contains appliances is provided. The utility unit 70 can be easily mounted in a van in lieu of the original van doors, and is provided with securement means for providing a universal mounting in the van and which is simple to install. Moreover, the utility unit 70 can just as easily be removed, and the original door or doors replaced.
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This invention relate~s to a ~odular utility unit for camL~er vehicles. ~ore particularly it relates to such a m~dular utility unit which is adapted to be selectively removably incorporated into a va~-type vehicle by attachment through existing loading doors.
There are numerous camper vehicles now available on the market, from the very expensive m~tor homes, to many simple tent trailer units.
One of the major disadvantages of these various types of camper vehicles is the lack of versatility of the unit, namely the fact that, due to the functional requirements of a camper, the vehicle cannot readily be used for other purposes. One of the more popula~ vehicles on which cam æ rs are constructed is the van, which is very often outfitted by the cwner with the appropriate camping equipment.
However, in the temperate zones, since camping is seldom a year-rDund activity, the owners of van-hased campers would find it extremely advantageous if the vehicle a~ula be quickly reconverted to its van mDde.
m ere is, therefore, a need for equipnent which will he used to convert easily a van-type of vehicle into a camFer van, and vice versa. In parti-cul æ there is a need to provide easy insta~lation of the main ooo1~ng, heatm g, ventilating, refrigerating and water supply oamponents.
; Accordingly, it is an object of a broad aspect of the present in-vention to provide a mDdular utility unit for a canper vehicle which can be easily installed and rem~ved.
An object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide such a m~dular utility unit which may he m~unted in a van type of vehicle using existing-loading dcorways bD acccmodate the unit.
An object of a further aspect of the present invention is to pro-vide such a nodul æ utili~y unit for a van which is adapted to oonform to the oonfigurations of a van doorway by replacing the door with such a - ; :
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modu]ar utility unit containing the desired appliances.
By one broad aspect of this invention, a modular unit is provided which is intended to replace a door on a vehicle, the utility unit compris-ing: a modular, appliance-containing unit having a facade, a base, a top, sides and a rear surrogate door panel; utility appliances disposed within the modular utility unit; and clamping means disposed within the modular util-ity unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel, the clamping means coopera-ting with a door frame of the vehicle when a door mounted in the frame is removed, whereby, when the clamping means is engaged, it secures the modular unit within the vehicle, with the surrogate door panel replacing the former door, and, when the clamping means is disengaged~ it enables removal of the modular utility unit from the vehicle and replacement with the original door.
By one variant, the utility-components comprise units requiring ex-ternal venting.
By a variation thereof the modular utility unit includes a range, a refrigerator, a heater, a gas light, a water heater, an exhaust shroud, a supply of fuel, water hook-up hoses and electrical outlets.
By another variant, the surrogate door panel is provided with vent-ing outlets for at least the appliances, the utility components and with sup-ply plugs for the water and electrical outlets.
By a further variant of this invention, the clamping means is pro-vided by a hollow housing having a slot on one side thereof, provided with securement means on the housing for mounting the housing within the modular utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel; a rotatable screw mem-ber mounted longitudinally therein; adjusting means secured to one end of the rotatable screw member; a travelling rail member disposed along the screw member; and a pivotable arm supported by the travelling rail member, the pivoting arm protruding from the slot and being adapted to pivot as a result of rotation of the rotatable screw member, thereby clamping the unit within ' 1076~Z~
the vehicle when the adjusting means causes the screw member to rotate in a predetermined direction.
By yet another variant, the clamping means comprises a hollow rec-tangular parallelpiped housing having a slot in one side thereof, and provided with securement plates transversely positioned at opposite ends thereof for mounting the housing within the modular utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel; a screw member mounted longitudinally therein, one end of the screw member being freely rotatably mounted at one of the housing, and the other end of the screw member being provided with an attached ad~usting means and a travelling rail member disposed along the screw member; and a pivotable arm supported by the rail member, the pivotable arm being adapted to protrude from the slot and to pivot as a result of rotation of the screw member.
By another aspect of this invention, a modular utility unit is pro-vided which:,is intended to replace removably an exterior door on a vehicle, comprising a self-contained modular utility unit having an interior utility module and an exterior surrogate door panel, the panel being correspondingly si~ed and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the door with the utility module being positioned within the vehicle and adapted to accomodate utility-components and utility-appiances thereat, corresponding external venting and external supply connectlon means prov~ded on the panel for such utility-components and utility-appliances, and releasable securing means for removably securing the unit within the vehicle.
By a variant thereof, the securing means include a housing mounted on the unit in proximity to the panel and operatively carrying an engagement arm adjustably movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the housing for removable securing engagement with an adjacent , . ;~
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portion of the vehicle, and means for adjustably moving the arm between such retracted and extended positions.
Thus, the unit of an aspect of this invention, replaces an exterior door at a corresponding door frame portion on the van or vehicle, and the sur-rogate door panel, which is an exterior panel, is correspondingly sized and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the replaced door, whereby to maintain the normal vehi-cle silhouette or outline, with the remainder of the unit being positioned within the vehicle.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a van vehicle outfitted with the utility unit of one aspect of this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front inside of the utility unit of an aspect of this invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear outside of the utility unit of an aspect of this invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clamping member used in se-curing the utility unit of an aspect of this invention to the van.
Referring now to Figure 1, a van 10 is shown. The usual van con-struction includes rear loading doors (not shown), or side loading doors and driven and passenger entry doors 11. The side doors may be of the hinge type or may be of the sliding type. The utility unit 50 of an embodiment of this invention is intended to replace either the rear or the side doors; as shown in Figure 1 it replaces a side loading door, by a surrogate door panel 60 which is part of the utility unit to be described hereinafter with reference to Figures 2 and 3. When the utility unit 50 is removed from the van, the original van door is replaced on the van.
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Figures ~ and 3 show dctails of the utility unit 50 of one embodiment of this in~ention. The utility unit 50 is made up of two basic components, the exterior surrogate door panel 60, and the interior utility module 70. The utility module 70 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes an enclosure having an interior facade 61a, top 61, sides 62 and base 63, within which are stove 71, furnace 72, refrigerator 73, electrical outlets 74, gas light 75, water heater (not shown) and water hook-up hoses 76. In addition an exhaust hood 711 is provided for disposing of cooking odors. Surrogate door panel 60 which is secured to the rear of utility module 70 is provided with suitable venting, namely 64 for the furnance 72, 621 from the exhaust hood 711, 65 for the refrigerator 73, and 66 for the water heater in the utility module 50. In addition surrogate door panel 60 includes access panel 67 to a cabinet for a propane bottle, as well as an electrical supply plug 69 and water supply~filler plug 68. It is understood that while the embodiment of the invention which is shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes a particular grouping of appliances, the scope of the invention could include any combination of appliances in varying configurations, e.g. air conditioning units, microwave ovens, etc.
The utility unit 50, including the surrogate door panel 60, is intended removably to replace the original van door. In order to install the utility unit 50, the original van door is removed, and is replaced by the .
utility unit 50, with the utility module 70 disposed within the van and the original van door now replaced by surrogate door panel 60. In order removably to secure the utility unit 50 in place, clamping means 80, partially shown in Figures 2 and 3 and to be descr~bed hereinafter in greater detail in Figure 4 are used. The utility unit is provided with height adjusting legs 77 depending from base 63 which permit the utility unit 50 to be supported on the van floor and to be levelled and stabilized inside the van.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, surrogate door .
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1(~7~6'~4 panels 60 are mde of glass fibers in order to facilitate manufacture and to provide well fitting surrogate door panels.
Another embodiment of the present invention makes use of spare parts door units which can be obtained directly from the vehicle manufacture and which can be machined and outfitted with the desired features.
In order to secure the utility unit 50 to the van, the original hinged or door mountings of the van may be used. However, in a preferred em-bodiment of the present invention, a securing clamp 80 as shown in Figure 4, i8 used which permits easy mounting and securement as well as dismounting of the unit, with a minimum of adjustments and fittings necessary. The subject matter of Figure 4 is disclosed and claimed in a divisional application of the present application.
As shown in Figure 4, the clamping unit 80 includes a hollow rec-tangular parallelpiped housing 81, and securement plates 82, 83 transversely positioned at opposite ends thereof for securing the clamping unit 80 to the inside of utility module 70. While securement plates 82, 83 have been shown at the ends, lt is possible to include additional intermediate securement plates. Disposed within the housing 81 and mounted longitudinally thereof is screw member 84 which i8 freely rotatably mounted in aperture 841 at one end 85 of housing 81 and projecting through an aperture (not seen) in the other end 86 of housing 81 and which is there fitted with an adjusting nut 87.
Approximately half way down the length of screw member 84 and protruding out through slot 88 of housing 81 is pivoting arm 89 which is pivotally inter-connected to one end of tranvelling rail 90 by pin 901. Rail 90 includes plates 91, 92 each secured at one end to nuts 93, 94 which in turn are threaded about screw member 84. Thus, pivoting arm 89 is connected to travel-ling rail 90 by pin 901, which permits pivoting arm 89 to be retracted into the housing 81 to permit installation of the unit and to swing transversely out through slot 88 as a result of rotation of screw member 84. The extent .
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of the swinging motion of pivoting arm 89 is limited by engagement of the front faces 95 of arm 89 with the trailing edge 881 of slot 88 in housing 81.
Pivoting arm 89 is urged to the extended position by spring means 891.
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.~ curing c]~m~ 80 1l ~ou ted on ~he inside of utility nodule 70 in close pro~i~niLy to llr ~3ate door panel ~0, and one such clamp 80 is attached to the i3~side of each side wall 62 of utility ~dule 70 by securement plates 82, 83 through conventional fastening n~ans, such as, for e~ample, screws or rivets. Housing 81 of securing cla~p 80 is of suitable length to reach the facade 61a, but not to allow adjusting nut 87 to protrude beyond the facade 61a of u~ility module 70. An aperture 96 is provided on the facade 61a for access to the adjvsting nut 87. The side wall~ 62 of the utility modvel 70 are each provided with a slot 97 which allow pivDting arm 89 to protrude outwardly frcm withi~ the utility module 70.
Rotation of adjusting nut 87 cavses screw 84 to rotate, which in tvrn cavses travelling rail gO to travel longitvdinally along the housing 81. As the rail 90 moves, pivoting arm 89, which protrudes outside the modvlar unit 70, is urged to pivot. The outer end 98 of pivoting arm 89 thus swings forward in an arc as it is urged by the movement of screw 84 which is in turn oontrolled by rotation of adjusting nut 87. Pivoting arm 89 will arc until it abuts nut 93, at a position approximately perpen-dicular with hovsing 81.
Further rotatqon of adjusting nut 87, will cause pivDting arm to travel thr~ugh the aperture 96 in approxImately the same perpendicul æ
manner. m us, pivoting arm 87 may be urged against the door frame of the vehicle, as will be described hereafter.
When the utility unit 70 is mounted in the van, the end 98 of pivot-ing arm 87 is braced against the inside frame nembers ~not shown) of the van doorway. Tightening of adjusting nut 87 forcingly urges pivoting arm 89 against the inside frame members to the van doorway. Thus, the entire utility unit 70 is secured within the doorway, and is retained in this position by tightening of adjusting nut 87, which in turn effectively bra oe s the pivoting arms 89 against the frame of the van.
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Accor~ gly, Lhc modular utility unit 50 is intended removably to replace an exterior door, e.g. at a corresponding door frame portion, on a vehicle, and constitutes an inherently self-contained modular utility unit having an interior utility module 70, including an interior facade, base, top and sides, and an exterior surrogate door panel 60. The panel is correspondingly sized and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the door with the utility module, e.g. facade, base, top and sides, being positioned within the vehicle and adapted to accommodate utility-components and utility appliances thereat, e.g. with corresponding external venting means and external supply connection means being provided on the panel for servicing such utility-components and utility-appliances.
Further it has releasable securing means for removably securing the unit within the vehicle, e.g. with such securing means including a housing mounted on the unit in proximity to the panel and operatively carrying an engagement arm adjustably movable from a retracted position with respect to the housing to an extended position with respect thereto for removable securing engagement with an adjacent portion of the vehicle, plus means for adjustably moving the arm between such retracted and extended portions.
In this manner, a utility unit 70 which contains appliances is provided. The utility unit 70 can be easily mounted in a van in lieu of the original van doors, and is provided with securement means for providing a universal mounting in the van and which is simple to install. Moreover, the utility unit 70 can just as easily be removed, and the original door or doors replaced.
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Claims (8)
1. A modular utility unit intended removably to replace an exterior door at a corresponding door frame portion on a vehicle, said utility unit comprising: a modular, utility-component and appliance-containing, unit having an interior facade, a base, a top, sides and an exterior surrogate door panel, the surrogate door panel being correspondingly sized and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the door with the remainder of the unit being positioned within the vehicle utility appliances disposed within said modular utility unit in proximity to said surrogate door panel, and clamping means cooperating with the corresponding door frame portion of said vehicle for removably securing said modular utility unit within said vehicle.
2. The modular utility unit of claim 1, wherein said utility-components comprise units requiring external venting.
3. The modular utility unit of claim 2, wherein said appliances comprise a range, a refrigerator, a heater, a gas light, a water heater, an exhaust shroud, a supply of fuel, water hook-up hoses and electrical outlets.
4. The modular utility unit of claim 3, wherein said surrogate door panel is provided with venting outlets for at least said appliances and said utility-components, and with supply plugs for said water and electrical outlets.
5. The modular utility, unit of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said clamping, means comprises a hollow housing having a slot on one side thereof, provided with securement means on said housing for mounting said housing within said modular utility unit in proximity to said surrogate door panel; a rotatable screw member mounted longitudinally therein; adjusting means secured to one end of said rotatable screw member; a travelling rail member disposed along said screw member; and a pivotable arm supported by said travelling rail member, said pivoting arm protruding from said slot and being adapted to pivot as a result of rotation of said rotatable screw member, thereby clamping said unit within said vehicle when said adjusting means causes said screw member to rotate in a predetermined direction.
6. The modular utility unit of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said clamping means comprises a hollow rectangular parallelpiped housing having a slot in one side thereof, and provided with securement plates transversely positioned at opposite ends thereof for mounting said housing within said modular utility unit in proximity to said surrogate door panel; a screw member mounted longitudinally therein, one end of said screw member being freely rotatably mounted at one end of said housing, and the other end of said screw member being provided with an attached adjusting means and a travelling rail member disposed along said screw member; and a pivotable arm supported by said rail member, said pivotable arm being adapted to protrude from said slot and to pivot as a result of rotation of said screw member.
7. A modular utility unit intended to replace removably an exterior door on a vehicle, comprising a self-contained modular utility unit having an interior utility module and an exterior surrogate door panel, the panel being correspondingly sized and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space normally occupied by the door with the utility module being positioned within the vehicle and adapted to accommodate utility-components and utility-appliances thereat, corresponding external venting means and external supply connection means provided on said panel for such utility-components and utility-appliances, and releasable securing means for removably securing the unit within said vehicle.
8. The modular utility unit of claim 7 wherein the securing means include a housing mounted on the unit in proximity to the panel and operatively carrying an engagement arm adjustably movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the housing for removable securing engagement with an adjacent portion of the vehicle, and means for adjustably moving the arm between such retracted and extended positions.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA314,784A CA1076624A (en) | 1978-10-30 | 1978-10-30 | Utility unit for camper vehicles |
| CA329,243A CA1069565A (en) | 1978-10-30 | 1979-06-07 | Utility unit for camper vehicles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA314,784A CA1076624A (en) | 1978-10-30 | 1978-10-30 | Utility unit for camper vehicles |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1076624A true CA1076624A (en) | 1980-04-29 |
Family
ID=4112749
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA314,784A Expired CA1076624A (en) | 1978-10-30 | 1978-10-30 | Utility unit for camper vehicles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1076624A (en) |
-
1978
- 1978-10-30 CA CA314,784A patent/CA1076624A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |