GB2457882A

GB2457882A - A levelling system for caravans and motor homes

Info

Publication number: GB2457882A
Application number: GB0803424A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wayne Dyer; Gilliam Dawn Dyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-26
Filing date: 2008-02-26
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-26
Also published as: GB0803424D0; GB2457882B

Abstract

A levelling system for caravans and motor homes comprises a spirit level (fig 27) and a combination of interlocking sections that form a height adjustable ramp (fig 21), the spirit level is calibrated to indicate the combination of interlocking ramps required to level a caravan or motor home. The spirit level is calibrated with a series of coloured dots or numbers that indicate the combination of ramp sections required to level the caravan, each ramp section has a coloured dot or number indicia (fig 21). During use the spirit level is placed on the floor inside the caravan or motor home parallel to the axle (fig 16), the displacement of the bubble will indicate the wheel that requires lifting and the required combination of ramp sections. The ramp sections are preferably made from lightweight strong rigid plastic, with a small incline on the front of each ramp. The wheel may be chocked in position by two chocks (fig 20) that clip onto the top section of the ramp or by using one chock and utilising the lip incorporated into the top ramp. A triangular marker (fig 18) may be placed on the ground to assist in the placement of the ramp.

Description

I

"EASY LEVEL" (For Caravans and Motor Homes) Back2round This invention relates to a levelling system for caravans and motor homes. When arriving at a caravan site and setting up on a pitch, the caravan or motor home should be sited so that it is level from side-to-side. On a caravan, the jockey wheel is used for levelling front-to-back, but there is no such system incorporated into a caravan or motor home for levelling from side to side (across the axle). Being level across the width of the caravan or motor home ensures effective waste water drainage and for safe and efficient operation of items such as the fudge.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, this invention incorporates a unique graduated spirit level and a set of ramps, both the level and the ramps being colour coded and numbered.

The advantage of this invention is that it is extremely easy to use and ensures efficient and effective levelling in a short space of time with minimised effort. The spirit level and ramps will be housed in a portable bag for ease of storage.

Once the caravan or motor home is sited in the preferred location invariably one side will be lower or higher than the other. The level is placed on the floor of the caravan or motor home in the direction it is to be levelled i.e. parallel to the axle. The level will then indicate which ramps are needed to lift the lower side of the caravan. The caravan or motor home is moved forward, the appropriate ramps are placed and then the caravan or motor home is moved back onto the ramps. Once located on the uppermost ramp the caravan or motor home will be level across the axle (side-to-side). The wheel can then be chocked with the chocks, or lip incorporated in to the smallest of the ramps supplied to keep the wheel securely in place.

The ramps are designed so that for use with a caravan they can be mounted either by use of the towing vehicle, or by use of a motor mover. The depths of the ramps have been designed specifically as motor movers have limited incline progression capacity.

The ramps can be manufactured in various length combinations depending on whether there is a requirement for fitting of a wheel lock. This can be addressed by increasing the length of the shortest ramp which in turn increases the length of each of the other ramps supplied (see table 1, page 6).

Ramps not required to level the caravan or motor home can be used for corner steady support or vehicle grip assistance when moving on wet ground.

The spirit level can also be used to assist with levelling front to back. The level would bepJacedontheflooratrightastOtheadef0r5PUseanthse0f caravan levelled by use of the jockey wheel.

Preferably the spirit level will be as small as possible but big enough so that it can be read easily. It will also be lightweight Preferably the ramps will be made from lightweight strong rigid plastic and be green in colour. They will have raised sections on the top surface and hollow sections underneath so that when placed on top of each other they sit firmly and rigidly in place. This allows for safe tyre progression up the ramp system. Additionally, each ramp is largely flat with only a small incline to allow tyre progression onto the flat pt

Detailed Description

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings:-Figure l,page 13-spintlevel,topview Figure 2, page 14 -spirit level, one side Figure 3, page 15-spirit level, other side Figure 4, page 16-spirit level, front view Figure 5, page 17 -spirit level, rear view Figure 6, page 18-spirit level, bottom view Figure 7, page 19-spirit level, end view Figure 8, page 20-spirit level, other end view Figure 9, page 21 -ramp system, one side Figure 10, page 22-ramp system other side Figure II, page 23-ramp system bottom view Figure 12, page 24-ramp system, front view Figure 13, page 25-ramp system, side view Figure 14, page 26-ramp system, top view Figure 15, page 27-triangular indicator Figure 16, page 27-placement of spirit level Figure 17, page 27-spirit level showing bubble movement and reading of gauge (colour coded and will also be number coded) Figure 18, page 27-placement of ramps once caravan or motor home moved Figure 19, page 27-caravan or motor home moved onto ramp system Figure 20, page 27-wheel chocked into position Figure 21, page 28-full ramp system, parts provided and individual ramps respectively Figure 22, page 28-constituent parts of the easy level system Figure 23, page 28-individual ramps (numbered and colour coded) Figure 24, page 29-underside of a ramp Figure 25, page 29-example of how a larger board could be split into two pieces Figure 26, page 29-example of ramp number and colour coding Figure 27, page 29-spirit level showing colour coded combinations Figure 28, page 30-ramp without toothed (ribbed) section on part of ramp used by wheel to progress up to the next ramp.

Figure 29, page 30-alternative ramp with toothed (ribbed) section on entire top surface and incorporating lip.

Figure 30, page 30-alternative underside of ramp Figure 31, page 30-top view of ramp with toothed section on entire top surfce Easy level is a simple system which provides for easy levelling and comprises the following items;-A triangular piece of plastic (figure 15, page 27) A spirit level (figure 27, page 29) A set of six plastic ramps (figure 23, page 28) A set of two plastic chocks (figure 22, page 28) The set' is supplied in a holdall (not pictured) The six ramps are various lengths and depths which give lift combinations between 2 and 10 centimetres (figure 23, page 28). Each successive ramp will fit onto the lower ramp and be held firmly in place by the toothed (ribbed) design of the top and bottom of each ramp (figure 9, page 21; figure 24, page 29; figure29, page 30). More ramps could be included if a higher lift is required, but this would impact on the size of the spirit level bubble compartment.

The caravan or motor home is positioned (figure 15, page 27). The spirit level is placed on the floor inside the caravan or motor home parallel with the axle (figure 1 6, page 27). If the caravan or motor home is not level the bubble' of the spirit level will show displacement from absolute level. The spirit level has a series of graduated marks (figure 1, page 13; figure 2, page 14; figure 17, page 27). Whichever mark the outer edge of the bubble moves to then corresponds to a colour or number, or combination of colours or nwnbers (figure 17, page 27; numbers not shown).

Whichever side of the spirit level the bubble moves to it is the opposite side which needs to be raised. The ramps supplied are also number and colour coded, so whichever the combination identified by the spirit level is the combination of ramps required to bring the caravan or motor home level (figure 21, page 28). The plastic triangular marker is placed on the ground at the centre of the wheel to be raised (figure 15, page 27). The caravan or motor home is then moved forward and the ramp combination placed so that when the wheel returns to its onginal position it will be on the top ramp (figure 18, page 27). The caravan or motor home is moved back onto the ramps so that the centre of the wheel is in line with the triangular marker (figure 19, page 27). The caravan or motor home is now level and the wheel can be chocked in position either by using the two chocks supplied which clip onto the top ramp, or by using one chock and utilising the lip incorporated into the top ramp (figure 20, page 27).

Figure lion page 27 actually states that the combination of ramps required is red, blue and orange in the example shown, however it is the mark at the edge of the spirit level bubble which determines the ramp combination required so it should actually be red, yellow and orange. Additionally although not shown on the image the coloured dots would also be nwnbered in line with the number codes of the same coloured ramps. It does however demonstrate effectively how the system operates.

The reason for the spirit level and ramps being both colour coded and numbered is so that the system can also be used by persons with colour visual impairment It also ensures that the system is fun and easy to use.

I have tried two sets of ramps, one set with a 10cm section for tyre grip to progress to the next level and one set with a 12.Scms section. Both work, however the 12.5 section gives easier progression and control.

In order to accommodate the type of wheel lock now supplied with most new caravans the top ramp needs to be 4Ocms in length to give the degree of movement for the locking device to fit through the wheel i.e. maximum length required. However if this is not required the ramp lengths can be shorter (see table 2 below).

Below I have compiled a table with dimensions for each combination and it then simply a question of choosing which is appropriate for manuflicture (table I and 2).

The lengths below are the length of the top of each ramp, the bottom of each ramp will be 2cins longer as this 2cm section gives the angled rise for the wheel to progress up the ramp.

TABLE 1-40cm To Ramp 10cm for grip Dimensions 12.5cm for grip Dimensions Ramp I 400m x 200mm x Ramp 1 400mm x 200mm x ________________ 20mm ________________ 20mm Ramp 2 520mm x 200mm x Ramp 2 545mm x 200mm x ________________ 15mm ________________ 15mm Ramp3 S2Ommx200mmx Ramp3 545mmx200mmx ________________ 25mm ________________ 25mm Ramp 4 640mm x 200mm x Ramp 4 690mm x 200mm x ________________ 25mm ________________ 25mm Ramp 5 760mm x 200mm x Ramp 5 835mm x 200mm x _______________ 25mm _______________ 25mm Ramp 6 880mm x 200mm x Ramp 6 980mm x 200mm x ________________ 25mm ________________ 25mm TABLE 2-20cm too ramp 10cm for grip Dimensions 12.5cm for grip Dimensions Ramp 1 200mm x 200mm x Ramp 1 200mm x 200mm x ________________ 20mm ________________ 20mm Ramp 2 32Ommx200mmx Ramp 2 34Smmx200mmx ________________ 15mm ________________ 15mm Ramp 3 320mm x 200mm x Ramp 3 345mm x 200mm x ________________ 25mm ________________ 25mm Ramp 4 440mm x 200mm x Ramp 4 490mm x 200mm x ________________ 25mm ________________ 25mm Ramp 5 560mm x 200mm x Ramp 5 635mm x 200mm x ________________ 25mm ________________ 25mm Ramp 6 680mm x 200mm x Ramp 6 780mm x 200mm x _______________ 25mm _______________ 25mm I have constructed a crude prototype using a quality spirit level 40cm in length and have shown the system to work (table 3 below).

TABLE 3-spirit level bubble movement/reauired lift Spirit Corresponds Level to lift bubble required of;-Movement ___________ 2mm 20mm 3.5mm 40mm 5mm 60mm 6.5mm 80mm 8mm 100mm Variations and Options The system can be adapted to provide higher degrees of rise by adapting the length of the spirit tube of the spirit level and by using a greater number of ramps, which would obviously be longer.

It can also be adapted for use with twin axle caravan and again this would mean using longer ramps as both wheels would need to rest on the uppermost ramp.

Suirit level Below are some ways in which the numbering and colour system on the spirit level could be varied- 1. The coloured dots on the side of the level will also be numbered to correspond with the colours and nwnbers on the ramps. The fact that they are also numbered means that they can be used by anyone with a colour visual impairment 2. The coloured dots and numbers can be shown on both sides of the level so that either side can be used. If only on one side then level would have to be rotated as only one side could be used.

3. The actual graduated marks on the level could be coloured and each mark numbered. The ramps in this case would have coloured dots on the side. If the spirit level bubble moved to the mark coloured say yellow then all the ramps with a yellow coloured dot would need to be used to gain the correct lift (each ramp would have between 1 to 6 coloured dots on it). If the spirit level bubble moved to mark 3 (also the yellow coloured mark) then all the ramps with the number 3 on them would need to be used to gain the correct lift (ramps would have between I to 6 numbers on them).

4. The marks on the spirit level could be numbered and a label attached to the level showing mark I = ramp 1 coloured red; mark 2= ramps 1 and 2 coloured red and green etc. Ramps Below are some ways in which the design of the ramps could be varied slightly and also the colour and numbering system on each ramp;- 1. The grooved section of the ramp could extend along the entire top surface of each ramp (figure 31, page 30). This would necessitate ramps I through to 5 having a small lip which clips into the grooves of the ramp underneath (figure 29, page 30). The depth of the lip (A) would be the same depth as the raised teeth of the ramp (I have used a measurement of 5mm for this in arnving at the final ramp dimensions, but obviously this can be altered). Ramp 6 would not have this lip as it will always be the bottom ramp. If this variation was adopted the ramp combinations would be as below,-Lift required Ramp combinations 20mm (mark! on spirit level) 6 30mm (mark 2 on spirit level) 2,6 40mm (mark 3 on spirit level) 1,6 50mm (mark 4 on spirit level) 1,2,6 60mm (mark 5 on spirit level) 1,3,6 70mm (mark 6 on spirit level) 1,2,4,6 80mm (mark? on spirit level) 1,3,4,6 90mm (mark 8 on spirit level) 1,2,4,5,6 lOOmm(mark9 on spirit level) 1,3,4,5,6 Obviously the ramps could be numbered the other way round so that ramp 6 (longest ramp) becomes ramp 1, ramp 5 becomes ramp 2 etc. 2. The colour and number coding for each of the ramps could be on the side rather than on the top surface.

3. The underside of each ramp can have ribbing at greater intervals (figure 30, page 30).

4. The incline section of each ramp could be grooved to provide greater tyre grip. I0

Key For Paues 27 and 29 Paue 27 Figure 15-Move caravan into desired spot Mark centre of wheel position with coloured triangle.

Figure 16 -Place spirit level on floor of caravan.

Figure 17-Read gauge to determine combination of levelling boards required. (In this case red, blue and orange).

Figure 18-Move caravan forwards and stack boards acoordingly. The thangle marks the wheel position.

Figure 19-Move caravan back onto stack of levelling boards. * **

Figure 20-Place chocks in position to prevent further movement. * S.

Pacie29 S..

: *::* Figure 24-The underside of the plastic levelling board is nbbed so that it interconnects with the other boards securely.

Figure 25-The large board comes apart for easy storage.

Figure 26-Each board is numbered and has a different colour.

Figure 27-The spirit level is colour coded to indicate the correct board combination to use to level the caravan or motorhome. /1