GB2244331A

GB2244331A - Levelling vehicles such as caravans

Info

Publication number: GB2244331A
Application number: GB9110536A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Bulloch Thomson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-18
Filing date: 1991-05-15
Publication date: 1991-11-27
Also published as: GB9110536D0; GB9011182D0

Abstract

An apparatus for levelling a vehicle such as a caravan comprising an angle measurement device 1 and a segmented ramp 5. The angle measurement device 1 includes a base unit 2 having a lower 2a and upper 2b surface, the upper surface being adapted to receive or include a spirit level 3. The segmented ramp 5 comprises detachable layers 6 which decrease in length towards the top of the ramp. The base unit 2 is marked with markings which correspond to the layers 6 of the segmented ramp. <IMAGE>

Description

"Method and Apparatus for Levelling a Vehicle" This invention relates to a method and apparatus for levelling a vehicle, particularly but not exclusively a caravan.

Caravan pitches at caravan sites are seldom level, which necessitates some means of levelling the caravan across its width. Levelling the caravan along its length is achieved by a screw-threaded adjuster incorporated into the jockey wheel assembly attached to the front of the van chassis. The legs at each corner of the van are positioned so as to steady the van and not to level it.

To date, many caravan enthusiasts use spirit levels which merely indicate whether the van is level or not.

If the van is not level they must estimate the amount of packing required under one of the wheels, on either side of the caravan, in an attempt to level the caravan. Several attempts are regularly necessary before attaining a satisfactory levelling of the caravan.

Levelling the caravan, is extremely important particularly if the caravan contains a refrigerator which should be level to within 3 degrees for efficient operation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an angle measurement device, comprising a base unit having a flat lower surface and a curved upper surface, the upper surface being adapted to receive a spirit level.

Preferably, the base unit is marked, the marking corresponding with markings on the layers of a segmented ramp in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

Preferably, the spirit level is a unit which may be moved along the upper surface of the base unit.

Preferably, the base unit includes a wire which runs the length of the unit and movably secures the spirit level on the base unit.

Alternatively, the spirit level is integral with the upper surface of the base unit.

Preferably, the upper surface is convex.

Alternatively, the upper surface is concave.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a segmented ramp comprising layers of material, the layers decreasing in length towards the top of the ramp.

Preferably, the layers are marked sequentially.

Preferably, the upper surface of each layer is adapted to receive the lower surface of the adjacent layer, ensuring no lateral movement of the layers with respect to each other.

Most preferably, the upper surface of each layer and the lower surface of the adjacent layers are formed with corresponding shaped holes and dowels.

Preferably, the front edge of each of the layers is angled to enable a wheel to be rolled up the ramp.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of levelling a vehicle the method comprising locating an angle measurement device in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention on a flat surface on the vehicle, moving the spirit level across the base unit of the device until the spirit level indicates a horizontal condition, reading the marking on the device at that point, selecting the number of layers of a segmented ramp corresponding to that marker and positioning the ramp under an edge of the vehicle thus levelling the vehicle.

Alternatively, the method comprising locating an angle measurement device in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention on a flat surface on the vehicle, moving the spirit level across the base unit of the device until the spirit level indicates a horizontal condition, reading the marking on the device at that point, selecting the number of layers of a segmented ramp corresponding to that marker and positioning the ramp under an edge of the vehicle thus levelling the vehicle.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an angle measurement device in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a plan and end elevational view of a segmented ramp in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows an angle measurement device 1 comprising a base unit 2 having a flat lower surface 2a and a curved upper surface 2b, the upper surface 2b being adapted to receive a spirit level 3.

The spirit level 3 is an integral unit which may be moved along the curved upper surface 2b of the base unit 2.

In an alternative embodiment the spirit level could be integral with the base unit. In this way, merely the bubble would move without the need to move the spirit level.

The upper surface 2b is convex although the same effect could be achieved with a concave surface. The numbering from zero to 5 on the back wall 2c of the base unit 2 corresponds with numbering on the layers 6 of the segmented lamp 5 which may be used in conjunction with the angle measurement device 1.

The base unit 2 includes a wire 4 which runs the length of the unit 2 and movably secures the spirit level 3 on the base unit 1.

Fig. 2 shows the segmented ramp 5 comprising layers 6 of material, the layers 6 decreasing in length towards the top of the ramp 5.

The upper surface 6a of each layer 6 is adapted to receive the lower surface 6b of the adjacent layer 6, ensuring no lateral movement of the layers 6 with respect to each other.

This is achieved by the upper surface 6a of each layer 6 and the lower surface 6b of the adjacent layer 6 being formed with correspondingly shaped holes 7 and dowels 8.

The front edge 6c of each of the layer 6 is angled to enable a wheel to be rolled up the ramp 5. The layers 6 are connected by a wire (not shown) at the end opposite the edge 6c, ensuring that none is misplaced.

The angle measurement device 1 and segmented ramp 5 are used to level the caravan in accordance with the following method. The caravan is positioned on a caravan pitch where required, but not unhitched from the car or other vehicle which is towing it. The base unit 2 of the angle measurement device 1 is then placed on a flat surface in the van parallel to the caravan axle. The spirit level 3 is then slid along the base unit 2 until it indicates level and the number on the base unit 2 opposite the spirit level 3 at this point is noted. The caravan is then reversed about 18 inches from its original position and the segmented ramp 5 is placed on the caravan pitch at the original position of the caravan axle in line with the road wheel of the caravan which is required to be raised to level the van.The required number of layers 6 of the segmented ramp 5 are selected, according to the number noted on the base unit 2 when the spirit level 3 read level, and the caravan is returned to its original position, one wheel being rolled up the segmented ramp 5 to the desired height.

When the caravan is positioned in the desired location, on the segmented ramp 5, the caravan hand brake is applied and the vehicle unhitched. The caravan will now be level across its width and the angle measurement device 1 is set at zero and positioned orthogonal to the caravan axle. The telescopic screw on the caravan jockey wheel is now altered until the angle measurement device 1 reads level along the length of the caravan.

The caravan is now level both parallel and orthogonal to the axle.

The spacing between the numbers on the base unit 2 and the corresponding depth of the layers 6 are designed for a 6 foot 6 inch wide caravan, although the dimensions may be changed to accommodate different van width.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

"Claims"

1. An angle measurement device comprising a base unit having a flat lower surface and a curved upper surface, the upper surface being adapted to receive a spirit level.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the base unit is marked, the marking corresponding with markings on the layers of a segmented ramp as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 12.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the spirit level is a unit which may be moved along the upper surface of the base unit.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the base unit includes a wire which runs the length of the unit and movably secures the spirit level on the base unit.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the spirit level is integral with the upper surface of the base unit.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the upper surface is convex.

7. A device as claimed in Claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper surface is concave.

8. A segmented ramp comprising layers of material, the layers decreasing in length towards the top of the ramp.

9. A ramp as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the layers are marked sequentially.

10. A ramp as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein the upper surface of each layer is adapted to receive the lower surface of the adjacent layer, ensuring no lateral movement of the layers with respect to each other.

11. A ramp as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the upper surface of each layer and the lower surface of the adjacent layers are formed with corresponding shaped holes and dowels.

12. A ramp as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the front edge of each of the layers is angled to enable a wheel to be rolled up the ramp.

13. A method of levelling a vehicle, wherein the method comprises locating an angle measurement device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 on a flat surface on the vehicle, moving the spirit level across the base unit of the device until the spirit level indicates a horizontal condition, reading the marking on the device at that point, selecting the number of layers of a segmented ramp corresponding to that marker and positioning the ramp under an edge of the vehicle thus levelling the vehicle.

14. A method of levelling a vehicle, wherein the method comprises locating an angle measurement device as claimed in Claim 5 on a flat surface on the vehicle, noting the marking to which the spirit level corresponds, reading the marking on the device at that point, selecting the number of layers of a segmented ramp corresponding to that marker and positioning the ramp under an edge of the vehicle thus levelling the vehicle.