US1864047A

US1864047A - Expanding coach

Info

Publication number: US1864047A
Application number: US527145A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy E Lawhorne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-04-02
Filing date: 1931-04-02
Publication date: 1932-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1949-06-21

Description

June 21, 1932. R E LAWHORNE 1,864,047

"EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 SheetsmSheet 1 June 21, 1932.- R. E. LAWHORNE EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WIN June 21, 1932. R. E. LAWHORNE 1,864,047

EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 2 v 8 8 98 oz 0 0 0 1 53 L f! 10 7 103 7/ I 2 3 102 17 June 21, 1932. 4 LAWHORNE 1,864,047

EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 21, 1932 PATENT: OFFICE- ROY E. LAWHQBNE, OI SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA EXPANDING OOAGE Application filed April 2, m1. Serial Io. 527,145.

This invention relates to vehicle body constructions, and has for an object the provision of a body adaptedto be mounted optionally upon the chassis of an automobile or upon that of a trailer, and in which sleeping accommodations are provided.

Another object is to provide a body construction as described, which is adapted to be collapsed into compact form when traveling and to be extended into that position in which the sleeping accommodations may be used when the vehicle is at rest.

A further object is to provide an expanding coach or vehicle body as described, which is also provided with a storage compartment including a cabinet having a plurality of drawers, ice compartment, sink, and the like, thus providing space for the accommodation of the articles required during an extended tour or camping trip.

A further object is to provide a novel mechanism for moving the adjustable portions of the coach body to and from extended position.

A still further object is to provide a top adapted to rest upon the remainder of the coach body in compact arrangement when the body is collapsed, and means for raising the top to elevated position, as the coach body is expanded.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiments which are illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an expandprinciples of the present invention, and mounted upon a conventional trailer chassis. This figure shows the coach body in expanded arrangement, and a portion of the figure is broken away to disclose the interior construction.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but show ing the body collapsed.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal medial vertical sec ing coach constructed in accordance with the the interior of the bed 14. Preferably, eac

tional view taken through the coach body in expanded relation.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through the body in collapsed relation.

- Fig. 5 is an end elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 3, this view showing the coach expanded.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but with the coach collapsed.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing a slightly modified form of my expanding coach, this figure showing the expanding coach mounted upon a conventional automobile chassis, and showing the coach in expanded relation.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the coach body collapsed.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a coach body adapted to be collapsed for transportation, to exceedingly compact form, or to be extended when it is desired to employ the coach for sleeping, dressing, and the like. Sleeping accommodations are provided for at least two people, althou h accommodations for a greater number 0 persons may be rovided if desired. The coach is so deslgne that its, adjustable parts may be moved to or from extended position with the utmost ease and m a comparatively short space of time, and a cabinet is provided inside the coach, wherein a large variety and number of articles may conveniently be stored.

Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, show the expanding coach of the present invention mounted upon the chassis 11 of a trailer supported upon two 35 wheels 12, which are connected to the chassis 11 through the expedient of suitable springs 13 in the usual manner. The coach body comprises a bed-14, which is adapted to be secured upon the chassis 11 in a manner that will be readily understood by anyone skilled in the art to which this invention appertains.

The bed 14 comprises a floor 16, with front, side and

rear walls

17, 18, and 19, respectively, extending upwards therefrom. 'Preferably a section 21 of the rear wall 19 is hinged, as indicated at 22, to permit its being dropped to substantially the position illustrated upon Fig. 1, thereby permitting easier access to "m of the side walls 18 of the bed 14 is'cut away, as indicated at 23, to provide a suitable recess for the associated wheel 12, the adjacent portion of the floor 16 of the bed also being cut away for a distance suflicient to establish the, necessary clearance.

which the coach body is secured. This is the manner in which the apertures at the side edges of the coach body are closed in the modification illustrated upon Figs. 7 and 8.

Inasmuch as these partitions or mud guards, as the case might be, project for a material distance into the interior of the bed 14, I prefer to provide compartments 26 at the sides of the bed 14, extending preferably throughout the entire length thereof and containing these partitions or mud guards, thereby avoiding the necessity of permitting these portions of the coach to project into the interior of the bed 14 and interfere with the movements of a person or persons thereinside. Moreover. the compartments 26 may be provided with hinged lids 27, permitting access to the interior thereof. with the result that the compartments may be employed for the storage of food, tools. and the like.

Side sections

28 and 29 are hinged to the bed 14 for movement about axes extending longitudinally of the bed. Each of the

sections

28, 29 is connected by hinges 31 to the upper edge of the associated side wall 18. with the result thatthe axis about which each of the side sections may be swung outwards, lies substantially within the lower, outer corner of that section.

Each of the

side sections

28, 29 comprises an -outer wall 32, an upper wall 33, and end walls 34. thus leaving the interior open for the accommodation of a couch 36 of any suitable design, preferably a suitable coil spring mattress construction of such dimensions that it is adapted to be received within the side section and secured to the inner face of the outer wall 32. Hence, when the coach body is in collapsed relation, the couches 36 are disposed vertically, as illustrated upon Fig. 4, and when the coach is in expanded relation, with the

side sections

28 and 29 swung outwards to the position illustrated upon Fig. 1,

- the couches 36 are disposed horizontally. The

parts are so proportioned that each couch 36 is adapted to accommodate at least one person in reclining position, although the couches may be constructed wider if desired, so as to accommodate a greater number of persons.

The

side sections

28 and 29 are of such proportions that when the coach body is collapsed the inner edges of the top walls 33 and endwalls 34 of the two sections abut each 5 other, as clearly shown upon Figs. 2 and 4,

the combined width of the two side sections.

However, when the

side sections

28, 29 are swung outwards, the top 41 is elevated thereabove a suflicient distance to permit a person to stand erect upon the floor 16, without danger of striking his head against any portion of the top 41. The meansfor elevating the top 41 as the

side sections

28 and 29 are swung outwards, comprises a link 42 pivoted to the ends of the top 41 adjacent each corner by any suitable pivot pin 43. The lower end of each link 42 is pivoted by a pin 44 to one of the end walls 34 adjacent the inner, lower corner thereof, with the result that when the coach body is collapsed, the links incline downwards and inwards from the side edges of the top 41, as clearly shown upon Fig. 2. As the

side sections

28 and 29 swing outwards, however, the inner, lower corners thereof become elevated, swinging upwards and outwards to the position illustrated upon Fig. 1, thus causing the links 42 to be pushed upwards, elevating the top 41. Side curtains 46, preferabl provided with end curtains 47, are connecte along their upper edges to the side edges of the top 41 and along their lower edges to those edges 480i the top walls 33 of the side sections 28 and'29 which are uppermost when the side sections are extended. Moreover, the side curtains 46 are of such proportions that they are stretched relatively taut when the coach is fully extended.

Means are provided for swinging both

side sections

28 and 29 simultaneously to or from extended position. A tubular screw 51 is journaled in vertical position at one end, preferably-the forward endgof the bed 14 by means of a suitable journal 52 mounted upon the front walli17 of thebed 14 by a strap 53. Collars 54 and 56 hold the screw 51 against axial movement with respect to the journal 52, but permit free rotation of the screw. A crosshead 57 is threaded upon the screw 51 in such a manner that it is adapted to be moved up or down as a result of rotation of the screw 51 in the proper direction. Wings 58 extend upon opposite sides ofthe crosshead 57 and to each of the wings 58 a link 59' is pivoted, as by a pin 61. A bell crank 62 is pivotally mounted upon the bed 14 upon each side of the journal 52, by means of a suitable pivot pin 63 rigid with the bed 14. The outer end of one leg 64 of each bell crank 62, has the lower end of one of the links 59 connected thereto, as by a pivot pin 66, and the outer end of the other leg 67 of the bell crank has another link 68 pivoted thereto, as'by a pin 7 69. The opposite end of each of the links 68 their respective side sections, and at a point,

spaced from the axis of rocking movement thereof.

Thus, it may be seen that when the crosshead 57 is raised from the position indicated upon Fig. 6, it im oses tension upon the two links 59, causing th bell cranks 62 to be swung upwards and outwards in rotary movement about their respective pivot pins 63.

.This causes the two links 68 to be thrust outwards, whereby the

side sections

28 and 29 are pushed outwards in pivotal movement about their respective axes at their lower, outer corners. When the crosshead 57 is drawn downwards, compression is, imposed upon the links 59, causing the bell cranks 62 to be] swung inwards, imposing tension upon the links 68, whereby the

side sections

28 and 29 are rocked inwards until their outerwalls 32 are disposed vertically and in alinement with the side walls 18 of the bed 14. Inasmuch as the top 41 is connected to the

side sections

28 and 29 by the links 42, as hereinabove described, the top will be raised and lowered simultaneously with extension and retraction, respectively, of the side sections hicle.

28 and 29. A guide rod 76 is connected at its upper end to the top 41 and extends downwards to have its lower end slidably disposed in the tubular screw 51, with the result that this rod serves as a guide to hold the top 41 directly over the central portion of the bed 14 during raising and lowering of the top.

Of course, when the top 41 is in fully raisedposition, it is retained against lateral movement with respect to the remainder of the coach body by means of the side curtains 46.

I prefer to provide means accessible at the rear end of the vehicle for operating the screw 51. Hence, a bevel gear 77 is secured to the lower end of the screw 51, and is engaged by another bevel gear 78 which is carried by a shaft 79 extending longitudinally of the ve- This shaft 79, which is journaled in suitable bearings 81, is adapted to receive a crank 82 at the after end of the vehicle, whereby rotation may be imparted to the crank 79, and through the expedient of the gears 78 and. 77, to the elevating screw 51.

Any suitable draft connection, such as a tongue 83, is rigidly secured to the forward end of the chassis 11 or the bed 14, whereby the trailer may be connected to any suitable towing vehicle.

Inside the coach body, and at the forward end of the bed 14, a cabinet 86 is constructed. This cabinet is provided with a plurality of drawers 87, preferably having snap catches 88, whereby the drawers are securely held closed except when the catches are released. Preferably, a sink 89 is formed at the top of the cabinet 88, and provided with a drain 91 leadingldownwards through the cabinet and throug the floor 16 of the bed 14. A refrigerator compartment 92 is also provided in the cabinet 86, and the ice pan 93 of the refrigerator 92 is also provided with a drain 94, which preferably leads into the drain 91 of the sink 89. The cabinet 86 is narrower than the bed 14 by an amount equal to the combined thickness of the two couches 36, with the result that when the

side sections

28 and 29 are folded inwards, the cabinet 86 will not interfere with the couches, and will thus permit swinging the side sections to fully collapsed position, as clearly illustrated upon Fig. 4.

Brackets are provided for supporting the

side sections

28 and 29 in extended position. At least one bracket 96 is provided for each side section, and each bracket 96 comprises a leg 97 which extends transversely of the outer wall 32 of the associated section, and is pivotally secured to the outer face thereof by means of a pair of alined straps 98. The upper end of the leg 97 extends beyond the upper edge of the side walls 32, and is provided with a finger 99 which extends angularly from the leg 97 to be removably receivable within a seat 101 in the form of a notch inthe side edge of the top 41, whereby the top 41 is pressed firmly down. upon that side section. Another leg 102 extends perpendicularly from the lower end of the leg 97, but in a plane perpendicular to that of the finger 99, so that when the finger 99 extends into the seat 101, the leg 102 extends in a plane parallel to that of the side Wall- 32. By pulling the leg 102 outwards from the'side wall 32 into perpendicularity therewith, 90 of rotation may be imparted to the leg 97, withdrawing the finger 99 from its seat 101, thereby releasing the top and placing the leg 102 in such position that when the associated side section is swung out wards, the leg 102 will engage the associated side w ll 18 of the bed 14, thereby providing a brac et for the support of the associated side wall. Preferably, an angularly extending brace-103 connects the leg 102 with the leg 97, to increase the rigidity of each bracket.

Figs. 7 and 8 show an expansible coach body 106 similar to that which has already been described, with theexception that instead of being mounted upon a trailer chassis, it is carried by the chassis 107 of a conventional automobile 108.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured to a chassis, side sections. extending longitudinally of said bed and hinged thereto for movement about their lower outer corners, eachof said side sections comprisng an outer wall, end walls,

and a top wall, and the inner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abut-ting each other when in collapsed position, means for supporting said side sections in extended position with said outer walls disposed horizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at least one of said sections, a top corresponding in width to the combined width of said side sections and adapted to rest upon said top walls when said side sections are in collapsed position, means for simultaneously swinging said side sections outwards to extended position, and a plurality of links for raising and supporting said top, each of said links being pivoted at one end to said top adjacent a. side edge thereof and at its other end adjacent an inner lower corner of one of said side sections.

2. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured to a chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hinged thereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said side sections comprising an outer wall, end walls, and a top wall, and the inner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abutting each other when in collapsed position, means for supporting said side sections in extended position' with said outer walls disposed horizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at least one of said sections, and means for swinging said sections to and from extended position, comprising cranks pivotally mounted at an end of said bed, a link pivoted to each crank and to the associated side section, a crosshead, a link connecting each crank to said crosshead, and means for moving said crosshead.

3. A vehicle body construction comprising a.bed adapted to be secured to a chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hinged thereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said side sections comprising an outer wall, end walls, and a top wall, and the inner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abutting each other when in collapsed position, means for supporting said side sections in extended position with said outer walls disposed horizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at least one of said sections, and means for swin ing said sections to and from extended position. comprising a vertical screw, a crosshead threaded thereon, links pivoted to opposite sides of said crosshead, a crank pivoted to said bed on each side of said screw, each of said links being pivoted to one of said cranks at one end thereof, a link pivoted to the other end of each of said cranks and to the associated side section, and means for turningsaid screw.

4. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured to a chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hinged thereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said side sections com rising an outer wall, end walls, and a top walfand the inner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abutting each other when in collapsed position,.means for su porting said side sections in extended position with said outer walls disposed horizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at least one of said sections, and means for swinging said sections to and from extended position, com rising a vertical screw, a crosshead threads thereon, links pivoted to opposite sides of said cross head, a crank pivoted to said bed on each side of said screw, each of said links being pivoted to one of said cranks at one end thereof, a link pivoted to the other end of each of said cranks and to the associated side section, adjacent the outer wall thereof at a point spaced from the axis of its movement, and means for turning said screw.

5. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured to a chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hinged thereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said side sections comprising an outer wall, end walls, and a top 7 wall, and the inner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abutting each other when in collapsed position, means for sup orting said side sections in extended position with said outer walls disposed horizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at least one of said sections, and means for swinging said sections to and from extended posit1on, comprising a vertically extending tubular screw it crosshead threaded thereon, links pivoted to opposite sides of said crosshead, a crank pivoted to said bed on each side of said screw, each of said links being pivoted to one of said cranks at one end thereof, a link pivoted to the other end of each of said cranks and to the associated side section, means for turning said screw, and a guide rod secured at its up er end to said top and slidably disposed within the bore of said tubular screw. 7 v

6. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured to a chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed beyond the upper edge of the wall, a detent 1 tion or to folded position substantia on the outer end of said leg receivable within a seat in the edge of said top to lock the top against the associated side section, and a second leg extending angularl from the first 5 mentioned leg, said bracket ing adapted to be swung with said second leg lying optionally adjacent the plane of said side wall or perpendicularly thereto in position to engage the side wall of said bed when the associated mside section is in extended position.

7. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed, side sections hin ed along their lower Y outer corners to the e ges of said bed and adapted to swing optionally to extendedlposiy in abutment with each other thereby defining a box-like structure, a top substantiall corresponding in size to the top of said ox-like structure and adapted to rest thereon, means 20 for raising said top when said sections are extended and for lowering said top onto said box-like structure when the sections are folded, and a bracket hinged to each of said side sections and adapted to swing optionally against the outer faces thereof, each bracket having a leg adapted to engage said bed when the associated side section is swung outwards, and each bracket having a finger adapted to engage within a notch in said top to clamp the top upon said box-like structure when th side sections are in folded position.

v In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. 55 ROY E. LAWHORNE.-