GB2148345A - Car-roof folding sleeping cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable platform providing a cabin base is formed in two or more parts (1 Fig. 3) and is mounted on upper runners 2 which are supported so as to be laterally slideable on lower runners 5. The lower runners 5 are mounted on a roof rack (9 Fig. 5), which is itself secured to a vehicle roof, by way of resilient means, e.g. springs (8 Fig. 5). For transit the walls and roof of the cabin are folded and sandwiched between the platform parts 1 which are secured together, the runners 5, 2 are fastened together, and the resilient means are clamped. In use, the platform is folded back so that the cabin is automatically erected, the runners are released and the platform slid sideways. Legs 17, 18 are attached to the corners of the platform and bear the weight of the platform when the resilient means are depressed by a weight exceeding the permitted loading of the vehicle roof. Screw means may be provided to depress the lower runners 5 clear of the upper runners (2 see Fig. 9) so that the vehicle can be driven away while the platform is supported by the legs 17, 18. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Car-roof folding sleeping cabin with self supporting rigid walls, ends and roof and which does not require either pivotal ribs or separate hinges, and to the method of mounting it.

This invention relates to a car-roof folding sleeping cabin with self supporting rigid walls, ends and roof and which does not require either pivotal ribs or separate hinges. This invention also relates to the method of mounting it.

A car-roof sleeping compartment is a known fabrication which provides such accommodation mounted on the roof of a motor car or other vehicle and which combines speed of erection and dismantling with the additional advantage of protection from the weather on a prepared solid platform well clear of the ground.

The normal form of such accommodation consists of a fabric tent mounted on the roof of a vehicle by means of a roof rack. The tent itself has to be carried on pivotal ribs and the lower extremities of the tent walls are attached to a platform which can fold in half. One such half is fixed to the roof rack and the other is free to rotate upwards and outwards to form a continuous extended platform with the fixed half. When the device is folded down the tent and ribs pivot in the manner of a perambulator roof and they are sandwiched between the two platform halves. As the upper half is rotated outwards, the tent erects itself. A second type of car-roof sleeping compartment consists of a single rigid platform the size of a car roof, with the base affixed to the roof of the vehicle.There is a slightly larger solid compartment roof connected to the base by limp fabric walls which can be extended upwards or folded down as the roof is raised or lowered by a worm gear. In the case of the folding platform the outside edge of the rotating half is supported by a ladder which gives access through a flap in the tent wall. Access to the single platform is also by a ladder and through a flap in the fabric wall.

In what follows the term 'lateral' means at right angles to the fore/aft axis of the carrying vehicle and 'longitudinal' means parallel to that axis.

According to the present invention there is provided a folding car-roof cabin with walls and roof of rigid plastic, or other suitable material, which though rigid are arranged to fold flat in sections on top of and within each other and to be sandwiched between the two or more sections in folded form of the supporting base.

The lower extremities of the walls are fixed to the external edges of the sections of the base. Each side wall is fabricated from one folding but continuous sheet and the ends and roof are also produced from one continuous sheet. Because of the rigidity of all the members which enclose the cabin, when the base, the walls and the ends and roof are suitably secured together in a watertight manner after erection, the whole box-like structure forms a self-supporting and impervious cabin, and pivotal rib support is not necessary.

When suitable plastic sheet is used, the sections are creased to fold and as these creases form integral hinges, no other form of hinging is necessary. The wall rigidity also allows the use of doors and windows of the type found in most trailer caravans. The platform is mounted on compression spring loaded lower runners which in turn support unattached upper runners. This arrangement allows the platform to slide laterally in relation to the roof rack on which it is carried. This allows space for weight supporting legs to be fixed to the four outside corners of the platform, clear of the vehicle sides, and adjusted to the height of the platform from the ground. The compression springs are manufactured to depress at above the weight of the unoccupied platform but slightly below the maximum roof weight limit for the carrying vehicle specified by its manufacturers.When the cabin is occupied and the roof limit exceeded the springs depress and the load is transferred to the supporting legs, and at no time can the pressure on the vehicle roof exceed that laid down. The system of runners is so designed as to allow the lower runners to come completely clear of the upper runners when the latter are held in position by the legs while the former depressed to a certain point by the operation of an elevating and lowering screw device. When the runners are completely free of each other, the vehicle can be driven away for use in the normal manner and later returned to its anchoring position. Access to cabin is under cover as it is by telescopic ladder through a trapdoor in the extended portion of the base.

With this invention most of the benefits can be conferred which normally attach to the use of trailer caravans or trailer tents, which require two vehicles in the outfit, whereas in this case only one vehicle is necessary.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying list and drawings which Figures 1 & 2 show in side and end elevation the cabin mounted on the carrying vehicle.

Figures 3 & 4 show in plan and section the base and upper runners.

Figure 5 shows the roof rack, shelf and mounting arrangement.

Figure 6 shows the side walls erect (solid lines) and folded flat (broken lines), and the creasing.

Figure 7 shows in section a side wall erected and the complementary gasketted flange on the roof.

Figure 8 shows a two leaf platform folded.

Figure 9 shows in greater detail the manner of mounting the upper runners. (N.B. For simplicity the slotted channels and channel cradles have been omitted from the other drawings).

Figure 10 shows base, ends and roof of a three leaf cabin, and the manner of the firstfoldings.

Figure ii & 12 show the plan of three leaf platform with side walls erect (solid lines) and with those walls folded flat (broken lines).

Figure 13 shows folding involved in a three leaf cabin.

Figure 14 shows in section a two leaf platform cabin with the flanges and the manner of folding.

Figure 15 shows in end elevation a cabin erected with the extension and the legs, and with the ground floor tent in position.

Figure 16 shows a telescopic leg fitted in screwed sockets, with the foot and the height adjustment holes for pins.

Figure 17 shows in section the roof of the extension.

According to the invention there is provided a platform with two halves 1 each roughly the width of the vehicle roof and of suitable length with the division running longitudinally or there is provided a platform with three sections 1 of the same size as just described with both divisions running longitudinally. In both cases the platforms are mounted to slide laterally and means are provided 4to secure each section of the platform to the other/s when the device is extended so as to form one rigid and solid extended platform in continuous shape. Angle 3(A) or channel 3(C) reinforcement is provided round the base sections edges which are not occupied by runners. The lateral sliding is achieved by the use of angle runners with one vertical and one horizontal face.In the case of the lower runners 5 the horizontal face is nearest the ground and in that of the upper runners 2 the horizontal face is furthest from the ground. The external edge of each vertical runner face runs against the horizontal face of its complementary runner and as each pair of runners faces the opposite way, longitudinal movement is not permitted while lateral movement is. The use of such angle runners permits the lower runners to move clear of the upper runners when desired.

Also provided is a rectangular frame which can be securely but detachably affixed to the vehicle roof to form a roof rack 9 and, optionally, there can be incorporated a framework shelf, 10, suspended from this rectangular frame but clear of the vehicle roof, which can carry a folding kitchen unit and other camping furniture. Fixed to the lateral members of the rectangular frame are the lower extremities of circular guide rods 8 and circular threaded members or studding 7, all of which runs through matching apertures in cradles 6 fixed suspended from the horizontal flanges of the lower runners and through similar apertures in the flanges themselves. The horizontal flanges of the upper runners are fixed to the underside of the platform in such a way that the vertical flanges run vertically downwards from the edges of the platform.In the case of two leaf platforms one upper runner fixed on each side of one leaf can be sufficient but where a three leaf is involved it is necessary to use two pairs of runners each running consecutively to provide a straight continuous upper runner 2 on each side across the central and one outer leaf of the platform.

The smooth circular guide rods are encircled by compression springs 8 trapped between the lateral members of the rectangular frame 9 and the underside of the cradles 6. The threaded members 7 carry nuts or threaded knurled wheels bearing against the upper faces of the cradles and these, in combination with the springs, form an elevating and depressing mechanism. The guide rods and threaded members are symetrically placed along the lower runners with, on each side, one central threaded member flanked by two compression spring guide rods (which would allow the most rapid adjustment of the height of the platform) or, on each side, one central compression spring loaded guide rod flanked near the ends of the runners by two theaded members (which would be less speedy but would permit fine adjustment of the level of the platform).Means are provided, in removable form, to tie the upper and lower runners together 2(A) and, in permanent form to ensure that the lower runners cannot ride clear of the guide rods and the threaded members. The purpose of the cradles 6 is to ensure that when the lower runners are positioned to permit the vehicle to be moved from under the suspended platform (which involves using the threaded members to depress the springs sufficiently to allow the runner vertical flanges to come clear of each other) there will still be no protrusion of the tips of the guide rods and threaded members above the lower runners to impede the movement of the vehicle.

The vertical flanges of the angle reinforcement 3(A) along the underside of the platform divisions descend from the very edges of the platform floor and, when the platform is extended, they seat against the neighbouring vertical flanges. Thus the pressure of these vertical flanges one against the other supports the platform in the horizontal position until the supporting legs can be fitted at the external corners. There are aligned apertures in these vertical flanges to take bolts and nuts 4 which bind the extended platform into one level rigid member.

At each external corner of the extended platform are telescopic legs which can be lowered or fitted and adjusted 19 to the height of the platform from the ground. If the legs are not attached to the platform then screwed sockets are provided at the corners to fit independent adjustable telescopic legs. Not shown on the drawings are angle struts which are or can be attached to the legs and the underside of the platform to form a completely rigid frame support for the sleeping compartment.

When the accomodation is folded down for transit the compression springs 8 are fully compressed and the fully tightened control nuts hold them like that. The upper and lower runners are secured together 2(A) and the folding sections of the cabin are also secured. Thus the cabin and the roof rack form one solid tightened down bulk and no movement is possible nor can any thumping be transmitted to the vehicle while travelling.

When the accomodation is required for use, the securing devices are removed and the outside section or sections of the platform are free to swing upwards and outwards. The folding sections of the walls and roof are pulled erect. The platform is raised to the required height using the elevating screw and the platform is then slid sideways until one longitudinal outside edge is just sufficiently far from the side of the vehicle to allow the fixing of one pair of supporting legs. With the three leaf or section platform it will be necessary to pin the upper and lower runners together, to prevent the cabin overbalancing, before the next operation of fixing the second pair of legs can take place. The legs are adjusted for height; when the pins are removed.

The purpose of the compression spring loading is as follows. With all securing devices removed the tops of the height adjusted legs have been fixed to the corners of the platform and the weight of the cabin is shared by the legs and the springs. The compression springs are manufactured to depress at slightly below the maximum roof weight specified by the manufacturers of the vehicle but above the weight of the cabin without occupants. As soon as the manufacturer's roof weight limit is exceeded on occupation of the cabin, the springs will depress but the legs, having flat feet or shoes, will not and thus any excess load is transferred to the legs. If there is any subsequent settlement the springs will again depress and the load sharing position be restored. It will be seen that with this safeguard at no time can the manufacturer's limit be exceeded, whatever the load.If the controlling nut/s on the threaded member/s is adjusted to take up any settlement, it follows that the platform will be securely anchored by the weight of the vehicle, apart from any pegging of the device to the ground.

When the controlling threaded nuts are wound down further, the lower runners will be depressed while the upper runners are held in position by the legs and, at a certain point, the runners will be brought clear of each other, to allow the vehicle with the lower runners attached to be driven out from under the suspended platform. The vehicle can then be used in the normal manner and later returned to its anchoring position.

It should be noted that the upper runners are fixed to the underside of the platform with slotted channel interposed. The upper runners have matching slots and the paired slots carry bolts and nuts. The upper runner, when the bolts are loosened, can be moved independantly in relation to the platform and this means that when the vehicle is returned to its anchoring position under the cabin, it is not necessary to position the vehicle precisely as small differences can be compensated for by moving the upper runners into position before again tightening the bolts. Height adjustment can be made with the elevating screw.

According to this invention the walls 11 and the ends and roof 12 of the cabin consist of continuous sections of rigid plastic sheet, scored and/or creased to allow their sections to fold flat and to be folded away within the folding sections of the floor of the compartment. A suitable material for the walls, ends and roof is polypropelene which is very tough, resistant to tearing and much used for products where the incorporation of an integral hinge is necessary. Plain flat sheet can be used but the invention envisages ideally the use of double walled sheet with flutes or vanes separating the two skins, the whole being integrally formed as part of a single extrusion process. The flutes give rigidity along the length of the sheet and the creased folds across it.The sheets consist essentially of a series of closed rectangular channels which, when folded across, trap stationary air and thus confer valuable insulation and anti-condensation properties to the cabin.

The creases (see Figures 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 & 14), which allow the enclosing sections to fold, also form integral hinges and, with the rigidity of the walls, any other form of hinging and pivotal rib support are obviated. With continuous sections and integral hinges, the risk of leaks and draughts is minmised. The rigidity of the walls allows the use of normal windows and ventilators such as are found in trailer caravans. Because of the impervious nature of plastic, the skin can be wiped dry or even folded down while still wet without the risk of permeation of damp when canvas or other fabric is used for similar purposes. Rot is no longer a factor.

The plastic sheet sections forming the side walls are fastened all along the bottom to the base sections of the platform (Figures 6, 7 and 13), up to points a little way short of the divisions between the sections of the base (Figure 8). There is a crease along the length of each wall just inside the line of fastenings. These creases allow walls to fold down from the vertical and lie horizontally on top of the base sections before the cabin is folded. There are further longitudinal creases at right angles to those just mentioned (Figures 6,7 and 13), which allow the base sections, with the walls attached, to fold across.Each wall requires two such folds, one on each side of the division, just inside the fastening points nearest that division (Figure 8) and the channels thus formed by the folded walls allow room for the folded end and roof sections also to be sandwiched between the leaves of the base when the device is folded. Similarly the end and roof continuous sections are creased to fold inwards and outwards (Figures 8 & 13) to form part of a multi-decked sandwich between the folded base sections. The bottoms of the side walls are so fastened as to ensure that when the walls are raised to the vertical (Figure 7) there is a sufficient overhang of end and roof to permit the fixing thereto of gasketted angle flanges against which the unattached peripheries of the walls can seat and be secured.The edges of the walls thus seating are reinforced by strong flat strips and bracing is provided at the upper corners of the cabin to make it a rigid and self-supporting structure. Lugs are fitted externally to these strips for the fixture of guy ropes in inclement weather.

With one longitudinal edge of the cabin slightly clear of the vehicle side, the other longitudinal edge projects in cantilever fashion well clear of the other vehicle side, to form a roofed area. From the underside of this roof is supended an all-round fabric wall to enclose a ground floor living area. Optionally, the size of this ground floor living area can be increased by a sliding and folding extension roof (Figures 2, 15 and 17) which is housed in the channel reinforcement 3(C) which strengthens the lateral edges of the underside of that portion of the platform which roofs the living area. The extension roof is pulled out and unfolded and either with or without additional supporting legs, can be used to extend the fabric wall of the living area.

Access to the cabin itself is through a hinged trap-door in the extended portion of the platform i.e. in the 'roof' of the living area, and the trap-door is served by a hinged or telescopic ladder. This ensures that access from the vehicle to the ground floor living area and thence to the cabin is always under cover. By use of a similar extension roof and fabric wall on the other side of the vehicle a smaller kitchen or toilet compartment can readily be provided, also with covered access through the vehicle or across the space where the vehicle would normally stand in its anchoring position.

List of part numbers and description 1. Sections or leaves of base.

2. Upper runners (Angle) - with adjustment slots.

3(A). Angle reinforcement.

3(C). Channel reinforcement.

4. Securing bolts and nuts.

5. Lower runners (Angle).

6. Cradles (Channel or Bent Flats).

7. Elevating Screws with nuts or knurled wheels.

8. Smooth round guide rods encircled by compression springs.

9. Rectangular frame with securing arms.

10. Suspended shelf.

11. Side walls.

12. Ends and roof.

13. Gasketted Flanges.

14. Slotted Channel.

15. Bolts and nuts for securing upper runners.

16. Cradles (Channel) - See Figure 9.

17. Upper part of telescopic leg.

18. Lower part of telescopic leg.

19. Holes with pins to allow adjustment of height.

20. Threaded Sockets.

21. Flat shoes or feet.

22. Pegs to pin feet to ground.

23. Folding 24. Angle supportforfolding extension roof.

25. Trap door.

26. Telescopic or folding ladder.

27. Foursidedtentwall (fabric).

Claims (13)

1. A foldable cabin assembly adapted for mounting on a vehicle roof, said assembly comprising a roof rack securable to the vehicle roof and lower runners mounted on the roof rack by way of resilient means, a two-partfolding platform carrying foldable walls and roof ofthe cabin and mounted upon upper runners which are slideably supported upon the lower runners, and legs for attachment adjacent the periphery of the platform when unfolded so that the platform can be supported from the ground so that the permitted loading of the vehicle roof is not exceeded.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper and lower runners are in the form of complementary angled strips of substantially L-shaped cross-section, the upper runners having a downwardly directed limb and the lower runners having an upwardly directed limb.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein screw means are provided capable of depressing the lower runners against the bias of the resilient means so that when the roof rack is secured to a vehicle roof and the platform is supported by the legs, the lower runners can be depressed until they are clear of the upper runners and the vehicle can be driven away.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 including fastening means to releasably fasten the upper and lower runners to each other when required.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein two rigid cabin side walls and a single rigid section forming the roof and end walls of the cabin are fixed along the edges of the platform and are integrally hinged so as to fold flat sandwiched between the two parts of the platform.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein gasketted flanges are provided internally around the free edges of the section forming the roof and end walls of the cabin, against which flanges the side walls of the cabin can seat when raised.

7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the resilient means comprises at least one helical compression spring.

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a trapdoor is provided in one part of the platform.

9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the legs are adjustable in height, the platform is rectangular and sockets are provided at each corner of the platform into which the legs can be secured.

10. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a shelf is provided adjacent the roof rack into which shelf the legs and other equipment can be stowed.

11. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the upper runners are transversely adjustable relative to the platform by provision or respective channel sections between the platform and the upper runners and elongate slots in the channel sections and the upper runners whereby they are bolted together.

12. A vehicle having fitted to its roof a foldable cabin assembly as claimed in any preceding claim.

13. A foldable cabin assembly adapted for mounting on a vehicle roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, 14 and 16 or in Figures 10 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.