US20190315260A1

US20190315260A1 - Platform System for Vehicle Interior with a Wheel Attachment

Info

Publication number: US20190315260A1
Application number: US16/378,454
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian Saunders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-02
Filing date: 2019-04-08
Publication date: 2019-10-17
Also published as: US10293731B2; US20170217350A1; US9809140B2; US20180244184A1

Abstract

At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be a disassemblable platform system in a pickup truck cab, or other vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a SUV or van that (after installation), comprises: a plurality of panels (generally, 40, as installed) relatively positioned to form a flat, raised rigid platform 41 in a pickup truck cab and that is elevated above lower seat cushions, where such panels include two rear panels 1,2 (i.e., in the rear seat area), a driver area panel 3, a passenger area panel 6, and a console area panel 42 between said driver area panel and said passenger area panel. The system further includes horizontal supports 43 that underlie at least some of said panels, such horizontal supports including at least two right-left horizontal support bars 44 (i.e., a horizontal support bar that is installed in a right-left direction defined by the vehicle); and panel-attached horizontal supports 45, each of which is attached to a panel to which it is dedicated.

Description

PRIORITY

This is a continuation application of and incorporates U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/805,039, filed Nov. 6, 2017, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/423,367, filed Feb. 2, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,809,140 on Nov. 7, 2017 and claims priority to and incorporates U.S. provisional application No. 62/290,534, filed Feb. 2, 2016.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is an interior sleeping platform for vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, SUV's, and the like. This interior sleeper may be supported by a part of vehicle's seats and/or occupant assist handles, inter alia. The sleeping system may allow perhaps one to two adults or two adults and a small child, or one adult and one big kid to sleep on the top of the platform. This sleeping device can take full advantage of space inside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the height and level of the whole system may be adjusted, perhaps from the inside. It can provide a comfortable sleeping environment to the users.
In recent years, the desire of sleeping inside of vehicles has become more popular, especially for travelers and road warriors. These people may like to sleep in the car when they are exhausted after a long drive. However, many common passenger automobiles may be unable to provide a comfortable place to sleep. Drivers can pull off to the side of the road and possibly sleep on the front seat. However, this can be uncomfortable and thus perhaps only adequate for short durations of sleep. Additionally, there may not be enough room for the average adult to sleep comfortably on the back seats. On the other hand, if the drivers and passengers want to have a good sleep, they might need to spend around $137 (the average price of a hotel room in the US in 2014) on a hotel room for one night of good sleep. For people who are tight on money, such as college students and young couples, $137 for one night of sleep may be problematic. A cheaper motel room may not provide a neat and tidy environment for exhausted people, especially for ladies and little kids. For drivers, a lack of good sleep might bring negative externalities to society, such as putting himself or herself at risk to have an accident and endangering others on the road as well.
There are few sleeping devices or solutions for vehicles in the current market, particularly many which present only types that exploit the exterior environment. For example, setting up a tent on the top of an automobile, or setting up a sleeping system in the bed of a pick-up truck, and connecting with a heavy trailer. However, all of these sleeping devices may be unable to provide users an economical, convenient and comfortable sleeping environment at the same time.
A sleeping device having a tent on the top of a car may be unable to adequately protect users from bad weather, such as snow, rain, and storm, as well as wild animal attacks. Sleeping in the bed of a pickup truck may not provide users enough space to sleep. The sleeping area may take up all the space of the bed area, leaving little room for travelers to put their belongings. Additionally, if met by an emergency situation, such as a wild animal attack, the user may be unable to drive away immediately. Remodifying vehicles can be expensive and time consuming, but the present invention may require no vehicle modifications and can be installed quickly. Travel Trailers and RV's might provide protection and comfortable sleeping space to users but may also incur high costs, burden of ownership, and additional safety risks inherent with any sort of towing.
Rudimentary or labor intensive sleeping apparatuses may be possibly available for automobile interiors. The sleeping environment with these devices may be, if even practical, inferior to that of the present invention, particularly when considering a multi-person situation. For example, within a typical four door automobile, the sleeping room available on back-seat devices may not be enough for a person who is taller than about 5.35 feet (from one door to the other side of the door), without extensive vehicle modification.
Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,424 Motor Vehicle Sleeper, issued to Martin A. Eiserman in 1980, this invention is a suspendable sleeping apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, having a passenger compartment with doors on opposite sides. The entire sleeping device is hammock-like and suspends between the doors and the seating area within the compartment. The sleeper is made with fabric, such as denim, which is used for supporting the user. The whole sleeping system is mounted for use with the connecting means interposed between the two doors and the body of the vehicle and with the stop members abutting against the outside of the vehicle at the joints between the doors and the vehicle body for supporting the sleeper body in the compartment.
However, this motor vehicle sleeper may not be useful for a common passenger vehicle. First, this sleeping device may be intended for a cab, such as that for a truck. Normally, the height of a cab in a truck is taller than that of a standard passenger vehicle. And the space that a cab provides may also be bigger. Therefore, if this device is utilized in a common passenger automobile, Eiserman's invention might sag too low and the user's body may touch the center console or the user might be very close to the ceiling of the automobile. Not only the height, but also the length of this sleeping device may be problematic. For an average adult male user, this sleeping system may not provide enough comfortable sleeping space for the user to sleep without bending his knees, neck and back. The entire device may use only fabric to support the user's body, which can be sub-standard sleeping ergonomics. This material may be too soft to support an average weighted user without providing a flat surface. The system is possibly a recipe for little to no sleep, perhaps accompanied with back and neck pains. For a heavy user, this sleeping device might be impossible to use. First, the durability of the fabric material is questioned; if the material is too weak, it may fail and cause injury. Second, the “two stop members” which may be abutting against the outside of the vehicle at the joints between the doors might damage the doors and its paint when a heavy user is sleeping and turning his or her body on this sleeping device. Furthermore, this device may not be able to be adjusted inside the vehicle when the doors are closed. So if the user wants to adjust the level of the sleeper, he or she must exit the vehicle to make an adjustment; it is very inconvenient. The other weakness of this device is that this sleeping system may not be used when any one of the two doors, or both of them, are opened or not closed tightly. If the user is sleeping on this device, and forgets to lock the door, someone else who opens the door could cause serious injury to the user. The entire sleeping system may lack standard safety protection and protocol.
Another suspendable sleeping apparatus for use in an automobile is called the Exterior-Anchored Automobile Hammock, issued in 2015, U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,203B2. The inventor is Hanson Eugene Ely. This device could be regarded as an updated version of Eiserman's Motor Vehicle sleeper.
Ely's exterior-anchored automobile hammock may provide a suspended apparatus inside of a four door small automobile, such as a sedan. This sleeping device may attach to the exterior of the automobile through a plurality of straps and anchors that may utilize the automobile's front and rear windshields, trunk and hood. Users may be required to set up the exterior-anchored automobile hammock. This hammock sleeper suspends over the automobiles interior with the front seats reclined.
However, although Ely's invention may allow users to lie longitudinally in an automobile, the support body may still be made with fabric or other materials which may not provide a flat and strong support surface to the users. It might cause back and neck pain to the users. Additionally, this prior device does not appear to work well for multiple users. Because the support body is made with soft material, when two users lay on this device at the same time, the central part of the support body may sag down. The two users may be forced to the middle part of the hammock. It might not be comfortable for the two users due to the sagged shape of material caused by weight. Besides, just like Eiserman's invention mentioned above, the durability of the material of the support body is questionable when multi users are using this sleeping device at the same time.
Because this prior device is designed specifically for “small sedans”, the larger area contained within a vehicle such as a 4-door pickup truck may have too large a supporting span length and area for Ely's hammock device to function with any form of practicality. Ely's device may not be pulled or stretched taut enough to overcome the immense center area sag forces, located far from any hammocking anchors.
Ely's device may cause damage to the paint and exterior finish on an automobile. Any fine dust or debris, an inevitable result of highway travel, which may be located under the device's supporting straps may scratch the paint due to an abrasive action caused by the variability of tensile forces within the straps while the user ingresses and egresses the device, or changes positions during use.
The Ely hammock may be hung inside of a small automobile with multi-straps running to the outside of the vehicle. Because part of the straps may be placed outside of the vehicle, on a rainy day, the straps may absorb and wick water along or through the straps from outside to inside the vehicle. Under certain conditions, the entire sleeping device may become wet and bring unpleasant experiences to the user.
Furthermore, because all of the buckles in the Ely device are on the outside of an automobile, users may have to adjust the height and level of the sleeping system from outside of the vehicle. The users may need a few tries to adjust the whole system to the level that they are satisfied. In a raining or snowing day, this adjustment system may be very inconvenient to the users. The systems' straps and buckles may also corrode and deteriorate whilst being constantly exposed to the harsh outside environment. Coastal users may experience a high degree of corrosion due to the oceans' salt spray, winter users may experience frozen buckles and straps, while ice and UV rays may make the straps brittle and potentially dangerous. Because the straps and buckles are exposed to the outside, the service life of these materials may be reduced and susceptible to tampering. It could cost users more money to protect and replace the materials.
Ely's exterior-anchored automobile hammock may be suspended right above the front seats and may require both front seats to be reclined. Therefore, it may be impossible for users to move from the sleeper to the driver seat and immediately drive away when user's life, safety, or property are threatened by emergency situations, such as wild animal attacks, inclement weather or threatening strangers.
Ely's system is also “free-hanging” from straps and thus may be prone to a swaying action, similar to that of an actual hammock, due to its lack of being rigidly mounted to the vehicle or other firm object. This system may not be supported on three axes and thus may be subject to a number of motions. Further, the device may not be supported in any manner other than directly perpendicular to gravity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multi-person adjustable, disassemblable platform (sleeping) system for automobile interiors can be used to provide an adjustable, suspended, flat, raised rigid sleeping platform with a stable sleeping surface inside various sizes of automobiles. Embodiments of the multi-person adjustable platform sleeping system for automobile interiors may comprise an aluminum alloy frame which may be hung and supported with straps and hooks, and perhaps two posts for under-platform support. On the top of the frame there may be a plurality of panels that include, e.g., wood or polymer boards which may be wrapped with foam and carpeting or other covering material. Embodiments of the sleeping device may suspend over the lower seat cushions of the automobile, within its interior; it may require the front seats to be reclined, and the head rests of the two front seats may need to be removed and subsequently reinstalled in a backwards fashion. This sleeping system is, in particular embodiments, designed for multiple users and it may allow all of the users to sleep comfortably without forcibly bending their knees, back, or neck in uncomfortable positions. Embodiments can present a full-sized sleeping apparatus which may allow ample space for most people. Additionally, in order to bring more convenience to users, the multi-person adjustable platform sleeping system can be adjusted between a single-person version and multi-person version. In this way, when a single person is traveling, he or she may only need to set up half of the sleeping system and may have more space to put his or her belongings.
The present invention provides in some embodiments a suspended apparatus inside of a common automobile, such as pick-up trucks and SUVs. It may be used as a sleeping or resting platform or support for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, natural catastrophe evacuees, campers, and the like. It may also be used in lieu of, or as an additional “room”, for Travel Trailers and RV's. In other words, Travel Trailer (TT) owners can use the present invention instead of a costly TT when only 1 or 2 family members are traveling; a father and son could likely choose to go “Noteling” and use this system, versus the TT for their weekend fishing expedition due to the possible mobility, flexibility, simplicity, and cost effectiveness of the present invention. Many TT and RV owners may already own a full sized pickup truck and thus may conveniently already own a practical vehicle for a present invention. TT and RV owners can use the present invention to accommodate an extra guest or two on their next vacation. As their family size grows, the present invention can be used for extra space versus the extremely costly option of upgrading the family RV or TT.
This sleeping platform system may be disassemblable; certain embodiments, when installed, may comprise three main parts: a frame (perhaps aluminum alloy) that may include horizontal supports and be foldable and adjustable; a multi-panel platform (perhaps wood), perhaps wrapped with foam and/or carpet or the like (note that in certain embodiments, certain horizontal supports may be attached to, but not form part of, the panels to which they are dedicated); and non-horizontal supports (typically vehicle contacting), such as above-platform support supports (e.g., straps such as six coated S-hooks and nylon straps with adjustment members (such as a camlock)) and under-platform supports, which may include, e.g., cup holder support post and a driver-area post. Three of the above-platform supports may be connected with the head-rest support(s) of the back seats, two may be connected with the vehicle's side, occupant assist handles nearby the centerline of the vehicle. Another above-platform support may be connected with the assist handle of the front passenger side nearby the very front-right corner of the vehicle's interior. Additional above-platform supports may utilize the driver-side handle, which may be located nearby the extreme front-left of the vehicle's interior. Alternate non-horizontal, above-platform support options in keeping with the invention may also include various devices which may be hooked to the front dash area, such as the dash board's front lip at the interface of the front windshield and the dash; a small hook with a strap may be dangled and placed into the crevice between the window and the dash and the hook may be caught on the dash lip. In some embodiments, the strap may then lie atop the dash board, travelling from front-to-back, and may fall down towards the floorboard where something could be suspended, such as the present invention's frame. Devices may also be placed into the dash area, such as a crevice or small compartment for holding sunglasses or a wallet, which may allow for straps to be hung to rest. The steering wheel and steering console can also be used for support by resting or hanging straps or framing onto the steering wheel, console, or dash area. Suction cups on windows could also be used. In some embodiments, the front and/or rear cup holders may support one or more cup holder supports that act as under-platform non-horizontal supports in certain embodiments. These two supports can provide additional support and stability. On the edges of the frame, in some embodiments there may be six hanging rings, which can be used for connecting with the hanging hooks. After that, the users may place the platform on the top of the frame. After adjusting the level, height, and flatness, users may start using the present invention. Note that in certain embodiments, the platform support frame is only created upon assembly of frame components (e.g., horizontal supports, which may include panel-attached horizontal supports, and/or right-left horizontal support bars). Such frame may be suspended from above by vehicle contacting, above-platform, non-horizontal supports, and supported from below by vehicle contacting, under-platform supports (e.g., the driver area post and the cup holder post). Note that the driver area post may be necessary only where a vehicle has no driver assist handle to which a vehicle contacting, above-platform, non-horizontal support (e.g., a strap) can be attached.
The present invention can also be used to improve pet travel. For pick-up trucks, this sleeping system might be connected with the back of the truck's bed via the back window. Today, most pickup truck manufacturers may feature rear windows that slide open or roll down. In this way, users of the present invention may be able to conveniently travel with their pets and perhaps easily access them via the rear window opening. A doghouse, cathouse or outdoor pet-tent could be installed with an opening connected to the vehicle's rear window. The present invention can be an economical and convenient method of travel for pet owners. With this system, the users may not have to find a pet friendly hotel and spend extra money on a hotel stay.
It could also be safer and more humane for people to take their cats or dogs with them when while traveling. Keeping pets at other people's place or in a pet overnight care center could be another worry and expense for travelers, and often times can be very stressful for the animal. For overnight care, the average price for each night for one pet is about 65 dollars. For owners taking a one month trip, a pet sitter could cost them 2,000 dollars. Besides, the quality of pet care could be questionable. Pets may experience a tragedy while at overnight care centers. Also, things can occasionally go wrong when strangers have access to people's homes, and know their vacation schedule, while pet sitting for the family. Occasionally household items can get stolen or damaged, or people may overstay instead of briefly caring for the animal. People may not like strangers in their homes, especially when they are not home. People also may not like others caring for their loved and special pet. Thus the present invention may provide pet owners with a reasonable and affordable travel option; it may also increase the overall well-being of pets and make pet ownership more desirable and less of a burden because of this new and practical travel method.
The present invention may also be utilized simply as a stable platform, that might not even be used for sleeping. The platform includes several panels that are able to be connected tightly and may ensure the entire platform is stable and without large gaps (gaps may be prevented by interpanel compression devices, such as, e.g., heavy duty Velcro, or some type of latch, clamp, telescoping, lockable, panel-attached horizontal supports, tension strong straps, and/or temporary fastener). The solid red rectangles represent pieces of Velcro which might be placed under, atop, or between each piece of the platform and may ensure stability of the platform's surface.
Embodiments of the inventive technology offer practical and affordable sleeping environments within the interior cabin area of common passenger vehicles such as pickup trucks, vans, and SUV's. It was created in order to address people's frustrations regarding pricey hotels, or their tiredness of fussing with tents while camping. In certain embodiments, with absolutely no vehicle modifications, this system amazingly creates a comfortable sleeping area that is equivalent to the size of a queen bed.
With embodiments of the inventive technology, what was previously someone's daily commuter vehicle is now a medium through which individuals or micro families can travel, with a stowed system (whether stowed in the vehicle or elsewhere) that can be quickly deployed to create an interior sleeping compartment, basically converting the automobile into a new type of recreational vehicle that may be called a Mobile Travel Accommodation, or MTA. At present, embodiments of the inventive system are best suited for sport utility vehicles and four-door pickup trucks (Dodge Durango, Ford F-150/250, as but a few examples). This product possesses a sizable market opportunity, enjoys a meaningful competitive advantage, and creates significant value for consumers.
There are only a handful of lodging options available for the traveler. Soon will exist this entirely new alternative. Existing lodging solutions are either expensive and luxurious, as in a hotel or conventional Recreational Vehicle (RV), or flimsy and non-practical, as in an automobile backseat air-mattress.
With the emerging ZIMTA (zero increment MTA) industry, people can travel about and sleep with fewer financial and physical burdens. Hotels, tents, and RVs are traditionally the primary travel lodging options. Patrons of hotels are charged for each night of stay, which is an incremental form of pricing. Tent buyers, on the other hand, enjoy the economics of limitless nights for one price; a tent is a zero-increment camping option. RV ownership is laden with both tangible and non-tangible incremental burdens.
Embodiments of the inventive system are the only practical zero-increment mobile lodging option available. It effectively offers consumers an affordable type of quasi-RV experience. With the installation of this simple system, one now has an all-season and all-weather lodging option within the controlled environment of his or her own vehicle. It is more comfortable, safe, functional, affordable, and versatile than any other single alternative product.
This system, in certain of the many embodiments, comprises an aluminum alloy frame which is both hung by straps and supported from below by posts (e.g., cylindrical objects). Similar to an actual bed, above the frame is a platform (that may be soft padded) made up of panels. The platform, in certain embodiments, is wrapped with foam padding and carpeting, resembling a mattress, to a degree. While sleeping, occupants can extend their legs and arms without bending neck or back. In fact, in certain embodiments, multiple users can sleep comfortably. There are single-person and multi-person configurations. When a single person is traveling, he or she need only to set up about half of the system. For the most part, the initial products are one-size-fits-all.
Certain embodiments of the invention address a single manufacturable and marketable product that fits into full-size passenger pickup trucks with 4-doors, SUV's and vans. These vehicles have large interior compartments which make them ideal quasi-RV candidates.
When a single occupant is berthing, embodiments of this system are versatile in a way that allows for a noticeably reduced installation. In other words, the certain embodiments have two modes of operation, i.e., single and double-plus. If the user intends to arrange his or her NSS into its double-plus layout, the installation methodology will first entail the setup for a single occupant; afterwards, the system is laid-out for double occupancy. The components used to configure the double-plus system are therefore “add-ons”, or extensions to the single layout.
In certain embodiments, the platform rests at a level equal to, or above the vehicle's arm-rest and this zone actually becomes livable area or part sleeping platform. In total, in certain embodiments, occupants have a sleeping expanse roughly equivalent to the size of a Queen size bed. Maximum capacity will ultimately be left to the discretion of the user.
Another approach to assess berthing capacity is a comparison of the seeping expanse of certain embodiments of the inventive technology to that of a tent. No official industry standard exists that defines per-person tent dimensions, but most 2 and 4-person tents offer about 15 square feet of area per adult and half that to children. Accordingly, the sleeping expanse of certain embodiments of the inventive technology is equivalent to about a 2 or 3-person tent, but the usable living space is considerably greater. Also, the walls of the tent slope inward more dramatically than the walls of the truck. The effective interior space of an MTA is far greater than a tent with a similarly sized footprint. An average 2 or 3-person tent feels considerably smaller.
Embodiments of the inventive technology may offer the following advantages:

- Functional: Provides unquestionable berthing satisfaction.
- Level-able: Adjustable supports means the platform is always flat and level, and that it can be adjusted so that it is level.
- Operable: Anyone can install, adjust, remove, store.
- Manufacturable: Limited workmanship, labor, technology.
- Supply Chain: Easily sourced materials and few components.
- Safety: Shelled protective enclosure. Drive away in moments.
- Time Savings: Depart campsite quickly. No need to exit vehicle.
- Location Versatile: Lodge anywhere, anytime. No drives to hotels.
- Pet Friendly: No pet hotels. Easier to accommodate furry friends.

One quality of the platform system, in embodiments, is that it makes use of a pre-existing space at a moment in time when said space is not being actively utilized. In other words, what used to be nothing more than a parked pickup has now suddenly become someone's useful sleeping compartment. A new object need not be created or hauled. Purchasing an RV is the purchase of newly created space; another entity which needs to be maintained, stored, repaired and maneuvered about. It makes sense to insert a device into an everyday automobile which converts its unutilized space into something purposeful; people are thus reducing the non-productive-time of their existing assets.
One advantage of an in-truck system afforded by embodiments of the inventive technology, as opposed to a Roof Top Tent (RTT), relates to the center of gravity. The weight of a roof rack and tent in an off-camber situation is more prone to a roll-over event. Crew-cab pickup trucks undeniably serve as a well functioning berthing compartment.
The present invention may be easily disassembled from its installation mode, and dismantled or removed from the driver seat area. Considering user safety and convenience, the driver area panel might be foldable, slide-able, removable, rotatable, etc. In this way, the user or users may have additional sleeping space, but may also have fast and easy access to the driver's area in the event that occupants need to immediately drive away in an emergency situation.
The present invention may also provide conveniently connected support straps (a type of non-horizontal, above-platform support) on interior occupant assist handles of the vehicle. For connecting the platform to the handles, the strap may have two parts. The first part may comprise of a double sided Velcro strap member and possibly a camlock type of device, or other adjustable piece of connecting hardware. This member may be secured to the vehicle via a method of wrapping the Velcro about the handle. The second part of the connection system may simply be another strap member which may be permanently fastened or temporarily affixed to the frame and/or platform. When users set-up or install the sleeping system, they may simply connect these two parts together. And when they do not need the sleeper, they can quickly disconnect the two parts, remove or store the platform/frame, and possibly leave the Velcro and camlock part remaining affixed to the vehicle's handles. People may still use the handles in a normal fashion and this may enable the user to rapidly setup and breakdown the sleeper system.
One reason that the sleeping system may be composed of several individual panels, is so that it may easily be stored underneath the vehicle's backseats. Part of the stowed system (as opposed to installation mode) may extrude from beneath the seat into the floorboard area where a backseat occupant may place his or her feet while seated. Also, the size and weight of each panel should be manageable and safe for most male or female users. After the user or users separate the panels and frame sections, they can store the pieces beneath the vehicle's backseat and utilize the backseat area, and the entire vehicle, in a normal fashion. There may not be need to remove any parts from the automobile, thus the sleeping system may always be there when needed. It may not be necessary to laboriously and inconveniently store the sleeping system at a person's residence.
The present invention is designed, and may function similarly, to residential bed. A real bed may be comprised of a frame (perhaps metal), possibly a box spring platform (perhaps wood), and possibly a mattress, perhaps of a sponge-like material. The present invention may have a frame system which can support a sturdy platform, atop which may rest comfortable foam pad that may be upholstered. The sleeping system's physical design may be somewhat akin to that of a real bed in its purpose and the way it functions. Possibly similar to a residential bed, the frame of the current invention may first be assembled, then possibly the box platform and mattress may be laid atop. Also similar to a residential bed, the current invention may function to elevate a person above the ground. The sleeping system's frame may elevate the entire sleeping system above the vehicle's cold floorboard, and the lower seat cushions, thus possibly creating an air gap. The distance from the earth, along with additional insulating materials which may be provided by the systems platform may help occupants maintain body warmth. Third, the invention's padded and upholstered top may provide users with a comfortable and warm sleeping surface, perhaps even insulative, like a residential bed mattress, or a sleeping pad. These three points may provide an enhanced sleeping experience in comparison to sleeping in a tent or close to the ground and within a thin-shelled and non-secure fabric enclosure. A bed in someone's home may provide comfort, warmth and security by creating a flat, cushy, insulated sleeping surface, possibly within a hard-shelled, enclosed and insulated structure such as the home. Likewise, the present invention can provide a similarly comfortable and perhaps spacious sleeping surface within a hard-shelled, enclosed and insulated structure (the car).
Because the interior design of vehicles may vary, some vehicles may not have a middle storage console, nor cup holders in the middle center console area. For this situation, placing and adjustable support going to the vehicle's floorboard may be necessary. For example, a jackstand may function as an additional support or substitute supportive member for the device. Note that even when the platform system is used in vehicles without such console, the system may have a console area panel (it would be between the driver area and passenger area panels).
In some variations of the present invention, the seats themselves could be used to provide support upon the attachment or connection thereto of vehicle contacting, non-horizontal supports. The vehicle's front seats may be in a reclined position and can be adjusted up and down with powerful internal motors, or the like. Any part of the seat, seatback, headrest, or anything affixed to a seat, seatback, or headrest may be used as an adjustable component to provide support. The backseat, although possibly not adjustable, may also function to provide support for the sleeper system.
The multi-person adjustable platform sleeping system may allow the user to create extra headroom if so desired. This may involve reclined front seats, which may determine how much distance is between the surface of the platform and the ceiling of an automobile. Again, because the interior design of vehicles may vary, not all vehicle's front seats may be able to recline to an almost-flat position. Some vehicle's front seats may have a somewhat limited range of motion in terms of the degree, or extent to which the seatback is capable of reclining. These types of automobiles may provide considerably less headroom for users whom are laying or sitting on the top of this sleeping system. To provide additional headroom, a substitution of the panels may be utilized. The two rear panels have been replaced by a netting system. This netting system may compose of several adjustable straps and possibly a strong netting material. The seat's headrest is not covered by the netting material. In this case, the headrest and seatback may be used as vehicle provided support. In order to provide the flattest possible surface, the adjustable straps can be stretched taut and thus, may assist in supporting the user's body. In this way, the user may not only have extra headroom, but may also have a flat and spacious sleeping surface. The headrest, in this instance, may conveniently function as a pillow. The seatback may also extend up and through the system, not just the headrest.
Another possibility to create additional headroom in some vehicles may be to remove the center storage console from the vehicle, or perhaps design the sleeping system to morph around the center console. In this way, the majority of the sleeping system may rest lower in some vehicles and thus possibly create additional headroom for the sleeper system user.
In certain embodiments, the sleeping system could have sections which rest at different levels or elevations. In this way, the majority of the platform could rest in as low of a position as possible while other sections or an area may be raised slightly higher because of an underlying obstruction or obstructions. For example, the sleeping system's backseat area (rear panels) could rest at a lower elevation in comparison to the platform's forward-most area. The forward area of the vehicle may contain more elevated underlying obstructions such as the middle storage console, or possibly a seatback which may not recline. In this instance, the backseat area could provide more comfort due to the increased amount of available headroom. A ramp of pillows could be used to make the interface between the differently elevated pieces more comfortable for sleeping, or the lower sections could be raised up to form 1 large flat surface, albeit possibly with a more limited amount of headroom.
In an embodiment, the panels of the platform system that are suspended above the vehicles backseat area (the rear panels) may easily fold, rotate or slide away, possibly in a fashion similar to the driver area platform (platform in the area above the driver's seat rear cushion). The sleeping system may be configured in a manner which may allow easy access to the vehicle's backseat area. The system's frame system may be found in at least one embodiment. This may allow the 2 rear panels of the system to fold over 180 degrees and possibly come to rest atop the system's forward sections, The purpose of this folding area is to possibly allow the user easy access to the backseat area. This may be convenient because after an extended period of time sitting upright on the platform, some user's heads may be slightly crooked to one side, possibly due to the limited amount of headroom. The backseat area may now become a spacious and comfortable area if occupants wish to lounge about for extended periods of time, such as on a rainy day. In some variations, the exposed backseat area can be used as sort of a staging area while users are entering and exiting their sleeping compartment. In other variations, the exposed driver seat area may act as the sleeping compartment's staging area. For example, multiple occupants can simultaneously enter the sleeper via the vehicles backdoors. The process of entering may not be different than how one would normally enter the vehicle as a passenger. Once inside, and in a seated position on the backseat, occupants may easily take off their shoes and change into their sleeping attire. The occupant's belongings may be easily stored in the backseat and floorboard areas. Once an occupant is ready to transfer from the backseat onto the sleeping platform they may simply put their knees atop the backseat and form their body posture into a kneeling position and may easily “crawl up” and onto the sleeping platform, possibly similar to how a baby might crawl to get atop a pillow or parent. Once occupants are atop the sleeping platform they may simply fold down the 2 remaining platform sections to possibly create a spacious and clutter free sleeping platform which may now encompass almost the entirety of the vehicle's interior. However, not all embodiments include this feature.
The present invention may have a unique support device (a cup holder post) that may be designed to fit securely within the vehicle's cup-holder and support a panel (e.g., a console panel) thereabove. In some embodiments the lower end of the cup holder post may be placed inside the cup-holder. Once inserted, the wing nut may be screwed-down, which may cause the large conical-shaped washers to compress, or squeeze, the rubber element. The squeezing action may cause the rubber element to expand radially, thus possibly increasing its outside diameter. As the diameter increases, the rubber element may begin to radially press against the walls of the cup-holder. The lower end of the unit may comprise of a test plug. Connected to the top of the lower end may be an externally threaded coupling, to which the internally threaded cap may screw onto. A platform may then be affixed to or simply rest upon the top cap. The cap may then be screwed up or down to adjust the vertical height of the platform. The end result may be an adjustable support which can be firmly and quickly attached to the center console.
The bottom cap of a cup holder post may be with internal threads attached to the surface of the pluming test plug. The test plug is perhaps a hard plastic cylinder, similar to a pluming PVC pipe, perhaps with external threaded ends is screwed into the bottom cap. The top cap may screw on to the opposing end, as the threaded cylinder is perhaps screwed into, and out of, the end caps, on which the sleeping platform may be resting or affixed atop, and thus, may simultaneously move up and down.
The frame of the present invention might be capable of fitting within a wide variety of vehicles due to its adjustable design features. The center console in vehicles (between the driver and front passenger) may vary in size and shape, possibly depending on the vehicle's manufacturer, year, make, and model. The panels may be above the driver and front passenger seat. Some Areas may cover the center console area, while others may specifically be located above the center console's aft cup-holders, and still others may be located above the console's storage lid. Note that in certain embodiments, these three panels may be combined into one panel (e.g., a console area panel).
In one embodiment, the frame members may adjust around various sizes and positions of center consoles/cup-holders. Note that in certain embodiments, the frame is only created upon assembly of the system (instead of being a foldable component that is unfolded, fit into the vehicle, before it is supported and panels placed atop of it). Shown is how the size and shape of panels (7), (4), & (5) can change (indeed, in certain embodiments they are only one panel), while the platform's perimeter may remain unchanged. Certain supports (which make up the frame) that are telescoping, for example, may be used to achieve this function/ability. In one embodiment, a telescoping tubing could be used to expand or contract part of the framed areas around the center console. Multiple attachment points could be used in lieu of the telescoping tubing; in this way adjustments would be made to pre-determined positions, perhaps similar to adjusting a belt. There may be 3 positions which the user could select depending on the center console configuration of his or her vehicle.
In order to help to keep the sleeping platform firmly connected to the vehicle, any bars or supports generally, may have screw-out rubber stopper, or castor like devices. The purpose of these devices may be to provide lateral support for the platform and help keep the platform centered within the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 show multiple embodiments of the platform system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, one or more panels may attach to an automobile steering wheel, the attachment providing for a distribution of weight from the platform system unto the steering wheel.
In one version and as shown in FIG. 1-4, an attachment panel 23 may feature a steering wheel extension 2210, the steering wheel extension configured to attach to the steering wheel 2202. The steering wheel extension maybe attached to the steering wheel at one or more points, including the steering wheel circumference 2204 or portion thereof, the steering wheel spokes 2208, the steering wheel central body 2206, or the pivot engagement system of the steering wheel, which connects the steering wheel to the dashboard.
The steering wheel extension may also include a steering wheel rotation balancing mechanism 2604, so that force is applied equally or compensatingly to a both portion left of a steering wheel center of gravity and a portion right thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the steering wheel rotation balancing mechanism fixes the steering wheel with respect to a non-movable portion of the automobile, such as the driver's compartment floor 2601, ceiling, or wall. As such, the steering wheel rotation balancing mechanism may include a piston or bar 2600 that may be tightened in order to fix a length portion thereof or loosened to unfix the length portion. The length portion, ideally, extends from the compartment floor, ceiling, or wall to the steering wheel, including one or more portions thereof, such as the circumference or portion thereof, central body, spoke, or pivot engagement system.
The steering wheel extension may feature a steering wheel locking mechanism, which may include one or more tightening/loosening components, configured to change the position of the attachment by the steering wheel extension onto the steering wheel. In one embodiment, by changing the steering wheel extension's position vis-à-vis the steering wheel while keeping the steering wheel extension fixed vis-à-vis the attachment panel, the elevation and orientation in space, particularly of the portion of the panel system closest to the steering wheel extension, may be modified. In this manner, the users of the panel system may be able to ensure that the panel system is sufficiently parallel to the ground, thus providing for a more even sleeping surface.
The steering wheel extension may be rigidly or rotationally connected to a main body or edge of the attachment panel. The connection may be reinforced at multiple positions of the attachment panel, and in one variation, pass through the panel system to a second extension. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the steering wheel extensions is part of the main body of the attachment panel and is shaped or contoured and fitted to the steering wheel via a contoured portion 2500.
The steering wheel extension may be oriented in the direction of gravity or at an angle thereto from the attachment panel to the steering wheel, so that the weight load supported by the panel system flows downward unto the steering wheel, as in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the steering wheel extension must be rigidly disposed at a fixed angle of at an angle range of less than 10 degrees from the attachment panel. Optionally, the angle or angle range may be adjusted by a gear-gear system or a loosening/tightening mechanism so that a given angle or angle range can be set by the user but is otherwise fixed.
In an alternative embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel extension may be oriented in the direct of gravity or at an angle thereto from the steering wheel to the attachment panel, so that the weight load of the panel system pulls down on the steering wheel. In this embodiment, the steering wheel extension may be rigidly disposed, as above, or provide flexible attachment between the steering wheel and the attachment panel, as would be permitted by a cable or rope.
The steering wheel extension may include a suspension portion 2602 to enable dampening vis-à-vis the steering wheel and the attachment panel. The suspension portion may alternatively or additionally be placed between the attachment panel and the automobile floor.
The steering wheel is an option for suspending the sleeping platform. A rigid member of the platform can be placed directly onto the steering wheel and utilized as a support. Many steering wheels have a function that locks the wheel into a position when the vehicle's engine is turned off. Locking the wheel is often helpful when using the steering wheel as a sleeping platform support mechanism because a free-spinning wheel will have a tendency to rotate when a load is applied anywhere except directly at the wheel's center, top, or bottom. Rotation of a steering wheel while it's being utilized as a support causes the loads spatial position to change as the wheel turns. For example, say one of the platform's corners is suspended from the steering wheel by some manner of attachment at a position of 3 O'clock, and on the outside perimeter of the wheel. The wheel is now experiencing a right hand rotational force induced by the load moment and unless equal or greater counteracting forces exist the wheel will rotate causing the load to attachment point to move into a new position with neutral forces. When the attachment point of the platform onto the wheel changes position the supported platform may undergo an undesirable force change.
When the vehicle's steering wheel is used to help support a sleeping platform, the attachment point of the load onto to the steering wheel can be intentionally manipulated and so it inherently has some abilities to function as an adjustable support. If say a corner of the platform is supported by the steering wheel and it is desirable for the supported corner to be raised in elevation a number of options exist to perform this task. Some of the options available to create an upward force onto the supported area of the platform include moving where the load is attached to wheel into a higher position on the wheel. Another way to adjust the position is using the wheel's tilt function to raise the wheel and corresponding load attachment point. And, adjustments can be made with steering wheel's from the user unlocking the wheel's position, and then lock it into a different position of rotation. So if this user wants to induce an upward raising force to the supported corner he/she could turn the wheel a bit to raise the point at which the platform is attached onto the wheel. The vehicle's wheel can be thought of as a circle and if any point on the circle is selected, other than its center-point, the point will undergo a position shift if the circle is rotated.
A vehicle's steering wheel has many convenient places available to easily carry load from a raised platform sleeping device. Some of a steering wheels' convenient load bearing areas may include the wheel spokes, center area, or it's outside perimeter.
A vehicle's steering wheel makes as a sturdy support for a sleeping platform by nature of it's design which includes a high degree of strength in order help with it's ability to absorb energies from an impact to it during a vehicle collision.
The physical location of steering wheels is at a convenient place for helping support a raised platform sleeping system within a vehicle's passenger cabin compartment.

Claims

1. A disassemblable platform system in a vehicle interior comprising a plurality of panels relatively positioned to form a flat, raised rigid platform in a vehicle interior, the platform being elevated above lower seat cushions in the vehicle interior, the plurality of panels comprising at least one rear panel, a driver area panel, a passenger area panel, and a steering wheel attachment member, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a vehicle steering wheel.

2. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a perimeter of the vehicle steering wheel.

3. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a spoke of the vehicle steering wheel.

4. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a central body of the vehicle steering wheel.

5. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a pivot engagement system of the vehicle steering wheel.

6. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member including a balancing mechanism, the balancing mechanism connected to a first position of the vehicle steering wheel left of a vehicle steering wheel center of gravity and a second position of the vehicle steering wheel right of the vehicle steering wheel center of gravity.

7. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, additionally comprising including a balancing mechanism, the balancing mechanism connected to a first position of the vehicle steering wheel left of a vehicle steering wheel center of gravity and a second position of the vehicle steering wheel right of the vehicle steering wheel center of gravity.

8. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, additionally comprising a balancing rod, the balancing rod configured provide tension between the vehicle steering wheel and a floor, wall, or ceiling of the vehicle interior in order to prevent the vehicle steering wheel from rotating.