GB2268131A - Collapsible housing structures. - Google Patents

Abstract

The Structure, which may be a trailer caravan, comprises a number of panels c interlinked by hinges in such a way that they can be stowed onto a wheeled trailer b. The panels can be unfolded and interlinked so as to define enclosures at each side of the trailer body b, each supported by a leg arrangement e,f. Further panels are lifted and interlinked to form roof and end walls for a central section, which communicates internally with the side enclosures. A cable is linked to each side enclosure, whereby pulling on the pivotable support leg erects the side enclosure through the cable. <IMAGE>

Description

ImProvements relatina to CollaPsible Housina Structures This invention relates to housing structures which can be collapsed into a compact form, such as for transportation. This is particularly relevant to trailer caravans and the main, though not exclusive, objective of this invention is to provide a folding structure of a compact form which can be readily towed behind a vehicle and which can be assembled, as required, to form a caravan-type enclosure.

According to the invention there is provided a collapsible housing structure comprising a support base providing lower portions of side and end walls for the structure and having a collection of hingedly interlinked panels folded down onto the base and movable about their hinges to positions wherein the panels define a side enclosure which is pivoted to one side of the base and a main enclosure extending up from the side and end walls of the base and communicating with the side enclosure.

With this arrangement a compact structure can be formed by folding the panels down within the boundary of the support base. However, when the panels are extended and assembled to create one or more side enclosures which are pivoted out of the sides of the base, an enlarged living area is created by the interlinked side enclosure(s) and the assembled main enclosure. In the preferred arrangement, panels will be erected to create side enclosures on both sides of the base.

Ideally, a pivoted support leg arrangement will be provided for supporting the outer portion of the side enclosure. A particularly advantageous feature is to provide that parts of the support leg arrangement and the side enclosures are interlinked by a cable enabling the support leg arrangement to be used as a handle for pulling the erected side enclosure via the cable over from above the base to one side of the base. This substantially aids in the assembly and positioning of the side enclosures.

Preferably, a gas strut or other damping means is provided to cushion lowering of the side enclosure down to one side of the base.

Support members can be provided for holding panels in raised positions during stages of the assembly procedure.

If the structure is intended to be trailed behind a vehicle then it will be designed in the form of a wheeled caravan on a trailer body provided with a towing hitch. A stowage container section can advantageously be provided above the towing arm in front of the support base of the structure.

Various other preferred design features will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a rear view of a folding trailer caravan in its fully collapsed state; Figure 2 illustrates features of a leg support assembly for the trailer; Figures 3 to 16 show various stages of erection of a caravan structure from the folded state shown in Figure 1; and Figure 17 illustrates a caravan structure in its fully extended form.

Figure 1 shows the constructional details of a folding trailer caravan in the folded-down state. The product consists of a chassis (a), a trailer body (b) equipped with a set of folding panels (c), a pair of support frames (d), two leg assemblies (e) & (f) and two pairs of gas struts (g) to assist with the erection process.

The chassis (a), constructed from galvanised or otherwise rust-proofed steel or aluminium is provided with a proprietary hydraulically-damped tow hitch with auto-reverse mechanism and independent suspension achieved either with springs and dampers or with synthetic rubber torsion units (not shown). The trailer body (b) is to be constructed either (1) as a lightweight metal space-frame clad externally in GRP, aluminium sheet or other weatherproof material and internally with decorated board, or (2) as a number of panels of sandwich construction with appropriate substrates bonded to a foam core, bolted together and fixed to a rigid floor, or (3) as moulded GRP with foam core and interior decorated boards.

The folding panels (c) are moulded or vacuum-pressed and of lightweight sandwich construction provided with a fire retardant insulation foam core, a weatherproof external substrate, a decorated interior substrate and a protective edge trim. These panels are hinged to a support frame (d), to each other or to the trailer body, in such a way that when opened out they fix together to form a rigid weatherproof structure, using a range of joint-seals and/or plastic canvas covers. The structure then offers sleeping accommodation, storage, cooking and washing facilities within.

A leg assembly for supporting parts of the unit is illustrated in Figure 2. The primary stages of the erection process involve the use of the leg assembly. This assembly consists of a 'U' shaped tubular metal frame (h) hinged at points (j) to two lengths of metal tube of similar diameter (k) in such a way that the frame (h) can pivot up and down but not from side to side relative to tubes (k). Tubes (k) in turn pivot on pins inside a pair of brackets (1) which are fixed to the bodywork of the trailer. Hinged to, or rotating about, each tubular member (k) is a triangular flap (m) of steel, aluminium or plastic, with the right angle of the triangle adjacent to the fixing bracket (1).

Two lengths of tube (n) having an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the tubing used for frame (h) are fitted over the crossbar of frame (h) like a sleeve. They are prevented from excessive lateral movement by pins or flanges fixed to frame (h) at points (p), separated by plastic washers. To the short lengths of tube (n) are welded, (or otherwise attached in the form of a 'T' joint) two further tubes (q) of the same diameter.

These 'T' shaped members are thus able to rotate freely about the crossbar of frame (h). For stiffening purposes, the tubes (q) are connected by a cross member (r). Sliding inside tubes (q) are tubes (s) whose external diameter is slightly less than the internal diameter of tubes (q). The tubes (s) are held in position by tightening a pair of threaded levers (t) operating through a threaded nut and hole in the side of tubes (q) so as to apply sufficient pressure on tubes (s) to prevent further sliding. The heads of the levers (t) swivel at point (u) so that they can be made to lie flat. At the bottom of tubes (s) are fixed a pair of swivelling plates (v). The tubes below these plates taper to a spike. On one side of frame (h), there is a support arm (w) which pivots about its fixing point at (x).

The erection process proceeds as follows, commencing from the position illustrated in Figure 3. When all the components of the folding caravan are folded down for transit, the panels lie flat on top of the trailer body, with the uppermost component being the nearside leg assembly, whose fixing bracket (1) is bolted or otherwise permanently attached to the upper edge of the bodywork at point (y). A cord or wire (z) connects the crossbar of frame (h) at point (aa) with the outer edge of the uppermost panel at point (bb).

The erection process starts (Figure 4) by taking hold of the cross member (r) and pulling it upwards and outwards towards the near side of the trailer. This has the effect of causing the assembly to hinge at points (n), (j) and (1).

Simultaneously the flaps (m) fall into the vertical position and the bottom end of support arm (w) passes over a stop-block (cc).

As the pull towards the side of the trailer continues (Figure 5), the frame (h) reaches the vertical position, the flaps (m) become braced against the side of the bodywork, preventing the unit from hinging any further at point (1) and the cord (z) becomes taut. If desired, at this stage, the erector's hold on the leg assembly can be transferred from cross member (r) to the crossbar of frame (h) so that the direction of pull can be directed downwards as well as outwards.

With the leg assembly still able to pivot freely at points (n) and (5), further pulling on the crossbar of frame (h) (Figure 6) causes the cord to raise a bed base (dd) (together with a wall panel (ee) which is hinged to the bed base at point (ff) and clipped to it at point (gig)) into the vertical position. The bed base (dd) pivots through approximately 90C about point (hh) where it is hinged to the lower arm of support frame (jj). Support frame (jj) is in turn hinged to the side panel of the trailer body at point (kk).

If the downwards pull on the crossbar of frame (h) is continued, frame (h) will reach an approximately horizontal position (Figure 7) and the leg tubes (q) and (s) will have swung into an approximately vertical position, depending on how far tubes (s) have been extended. The plates (v) will have swivelled into an approximately horizontal position and the tapered ends of tubes (s) will be resting on the ground.

The support arm (w) will have engaged the stop-block (cc) thus preventing the bed base (dd) from travelling too far past the vertical. The bed base (dd) and the wall panel (ee) are prevented from falling backwards by the weight of the leg assembly operating through the cord or wire (z). At this point the levers (t) can be untightened, the spikes at the bottom of the legs (s) are driven into the ground where feasible and the tubes (s) slid up or down inside tubes (q) until the frame (h) is 5 or so below the horizontal. The levers (t) can then be re-tightened.

The outer roof panel (11) is rotated clockwise (Figure 8) about the point (mm) at which it is hinged to support frame (jj) through approximately 100" where it is held in place by a temporary stay or prop (nn) to prevent it rotating too far or collapsing back onto the trailer. The wall panel (ee) is unclipped from the bed base (dd) and rotated anticlockwise through approximately 80C about the point (ff) at which panel (ee) is hinged to bed base (dd).

The wall panel is held in place by a temporary stay or prop (pp) which connects the support frame (jj) to the edge of the wall panel (ee) and prevents it falling back against the bed panel (dd).

A quarter panel (qq) which is hinged at points (rr) to the support frame (jj) is lifted (Figure 9) through 90C towards the rear of the trailer, rotating about its hinge points, from its prone position on top of the trailer to a vertical position. An similar quarter panel at the front of the trailer is lifted into an equivalent position. The temporary prop or stay (pp) is now removed and the wall panel (ee) is allowed to drop into position on top of the front and rear quarter panels (qq). After removing the other temporary prop or stay (nn), roof panel (11) is rotated anticlockwise through about 15C until it rests against the sides of the quarter panels (qq) and the edge of wall panel (ee). The panels are then held in position by clips or catches at points (ff), (ss) and (tt) on the front and rear quarter panels (qq).This completes the assembly of the nearside bed compartment.

The nearside bed compartment now has to be rotated anticlockwise through 90C to 100C about the point (kk) where the support frame is hinged to the side of the trailer body.

After disengaging the support arm (w) and allowing it to drop into the vertical position (Figure 11), the rotation of the bed compartment is initiated by raising the crossbar of frame (h) and connecting it to a point on the wire or cable (z) approximately half way up. Now, by pulling downwards on the crossbar (Figure 12), the nearside bed compartment will rotate anticlockwise through about 45 , stopping at the moment at which the feet of the leg assembly actually touch the ground. Hinged to the underside of the support frame (jj) at point (zz) and clipped to it at point (ccc) are a central roof panel (yy) and a roof extension panel (aaa) which is hinged to it at point (bbb) and clipped to it at point (ccc). These roof panels thus move into a vertical position as the bed compartment is rotated.At this stage, the top of the piston of each of gas struts (g) travels along the channel (uu) and engages in an adjustable stop towards the outer end of the channel. A spring (w) is designed to hold the gas strut in to the sides of the trailer body until this stage and ensures that it enters the channel at the correct angle and at the right moment.

If the bed compartment is now seized at point (ff) and pulled downwards, the top of the piston will move along the channel until it reaches the stop. At that point, the gas strut will start to operate, tending to resist the further anticlockwise rotation of the bed compartment, ensuring a soft landing on top of the leg assembly.

The stages described in Figures 4 to 13 are repeated mirror-fashion to achieve the assembly of the offside bed compartment (ww) and its positioning on top of the offside leg assembly (xx). With the erector standing at the rear of the trailer, the central roof panel (yy) (along with the roof extension panel (aaa) which is hinged to it at point (bbb) and clipped to it at point (ccc)) can be unclipped from support frame -(jj) and rotated anticlockwise about point (zz) where it is hinged to support frame (j;). The roof extension panel (aaa) is rotated 180C anticlockwise (Figure 15) about hinge point (bbb) to form a straight line, in section, with the roof panel (yy). Panels (yy) and (aaa) are then rotated further anticlockwise (Figure 16) until 'over-the-top' catches (or similar fasteners which can be attached loosely and then subsequently tightened) fixed to the edge of panel (aaa) at point (ddd) can be attached to fixing points on the top of the offside support frame at (eee).

The rear panel (fff) is hinged to rear walls (ggg) & BR< (hhh) of the trailer either side of the bottom part of a rear door (jj;). From the rear of the trailer the erector can now pull up the rear panel (fff) with the top part of the rear door (kkk) from its prone transit position to the vertical position in such a way that it supports the roof panels (yy) & (aaa) and fits between the rear ends of the support frames (111) & (mmm). A similar panel at the front of the trailer can be lifted into an equivalent position to support the front of the roof panels. The 'over-the-top' catches can now be tightened as can internal catches securing the front and rear panels to the support frames.

This will have the effect of pulling the bases of the bed compartments into the horizontal on both sides.

The spikes on the bottom of the legs can now be driven, where feasible, into the ground and each leg extension (s) is adjusted and secured with levers (t) so that each frame (h) is tight under the base of the bed compartment with the leg assembly thus providing maximum support.

Claims (9)

1. A collapsible housing structure comprising a support base providing lower portions of side and end walls for the structure and having a collection of hingedly interlinked panels folded down onto the base and movable about their hinges to positions wherein the panels define a side enclosure which is pivoted to one side of the base and a main enclosure extending up from the side and end walls of the base and communicating with the side enclosure.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, wherein the panels can be erected to create a side enclosure to both sides of the base.

3. A structure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a pivoted support leg arrangement is provided for supporting the outer portion of the side enclosure.

4. A structure according to Claim 3, wherein parts of the support leg arrangement and the side enclosures are interlinked by a cable enabling the support leg arrangement to be used as a handle for pulling the erected side enclosure via the cable over from above the base to one side of the base.

5. A structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein a gas strut or other damping means is provided to cushion lowering of the side enclosure down to one side of the base.

6. A structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, including support members for holding panels in raised positions during stages of the assembly procedure.

7. A structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 in the form of a wheeled caravan on a trailer body provided with a towing hitch.

8. A structure according to Claim 7, including a stowage container section provided above the towing arm in front of the support base of. the structure.

9. A collapsible housing structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.