US3019803A

US3019803A - Auto camper

Info

Publication number: US3019803A
Application number: US5231A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas L Moody
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-01-28
Filing date: 1960-01-28
Publication date: 1962-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1979-02-06

Description

T. L. MOODY AUTO CAMPER Feb. 6, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1960 mmvron I Arm/mm,

Feb. 6, 1962 T. L. MOODY 3,019,803

AUTO CAMPER Filed Jan. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5'6 \lifi 47 X x 'in 2a 5; I 43 INVENTOR. THO/VH1 Z. M000) Feb. 6, 1962 Filed Jan. 28, 1960 T. L. MOODY AUTO CAMPER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 MMM {Ma Feb. 6, 1962 -r. L. MOODY 3,0

AUTO CAMPER Filed Jan. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MW M United States Patent C 3,019,803 AUTO (IAMPER Thomas L. Moody, 348 Warren Road, Hathoro, Pa. Filed Jan. 28, 196i Ser. No. 5,231 8 Claims. (Q1. 135-4) The present invention relates to an auto camper, and is concerned primarily with improvements directed to simplicity and sureness of operation together with low manufacturing cost.

At the present time, a large portion of the vacationing American public requires the use of camping facilities, and particularly an enclosure in the nature of a tent. Many camping kits have been provided; however, most of the known equipment along, this line is designed for storage in and assembly with trailers. This factor in itself prohibits the use of such equipment in a large number of cases because of the trouble and inconvenience attending. the use of trailers.

The present invention is directed primarily at the provision of a camping kit that is designed to be stored away While not in use on the top of a conventional automobile, but which may be extended and erected in usable position with a minimum effort and making use of the automobile as a supporting element. Known devices falling within this category have heretofore been unduly complex and expensive, and for this reason have met with Y an auto camper of the character indicated, a supporting framework that is secured to the top of an automobile and which is designed to receive the camper in a compact state and from which the camper is extended into erected position with the supporting framework acting as a support for the enclosure.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an auto camper of the type noted, a supporting framework that is adjustable to fit car bodies of varying dimensions.

Another highly important object of the invention is to provide, in an auto camper including a supportingframework of the type noted, a collapsible enclosure frame that is pivotally mounted on and connected to the sup porting framework at one end (preferably the rear) of the latter. This enclosure frame comprises several elements which are adapted to be folded into a compact condition and tied down to the supporting framework. It is also adapted to be'swung rearwardly on the pivotal connection and then unfolded into an erected position.

Still another important obiect of the invention is to provide, in an auto camper of the oharacterindicated, a. pivotal connection between the supporting framework and the enclosure frame which will accommodate variations in the heights of the cars on which the camper might be assembled. This feature is of importance because it is do 'rable that the campers be standardized and yet be susceptible of use with just about any make or style of automobile.

Another obiect of the invention is to provide, in an auto camper of the character aforesaid, an enclosure frame comprising a plurality of rectangularly shaped frame elements which are pivotal-1y connected together and which are covered by canvas or a comparable fabric to complete the enclosure.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention are associated with the details of these frame elements, the manner in which they are assembled, and the manner in which they are folded into a compact condition or unfolded into an erected position.

The invention therefore comprises a low-cost campers kit consisting essentially of a supporting framework adapted to be mounted on the top of anautomobile body "ice and to which the pivotal connection at its rear end and enclosure frame comprise a plurality of rectangularly shaped frame elements pivotally connected and covered by fabric.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view depicting the up er portion of a car body and showing the auto camper of this invention mounted thereon, with the enclosure frame swung rearwardly but illustrated in its compact condition in phantom outline;

FIGURE 2 is another perspective showing the enclosure frame in erected position but with the canvas or fabric omitted.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic View looking from the rear and illustrating the manner in which the side frame elements are swung into erected position;

FIGURE 4 is another diagrammatic view similar to FIGURE 3, but taken in a direction normal thereto, illustrating how the end elements are swung into erected position;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan View of the supporting framework per se, and depicting in broken lines different adjustment positions;

FiGURE 6 is a detailed top plan view of the rear end of the supporting framework and the front end of the enclosure frame that is pivotally mounted thereon;

FiGURE 7 is a detailed vertical section through the pivotal connection between the supporting framework and enclosure frame, being taken about on the plane represented by the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevation of the pivotal connection depicting the manner in which an automobile body of low height is accommodated;

FIGURE 9 is a detail illustrating a pivotal connection that is used throughout the enclosure frame;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, being taken on a plane normal thereto;

FIGURE 11 is a detail illustrating a pivotal connection that is used in incorporating a top frame element into the construction and which top frame element includes a ridge pole. This view is taken as a section through a side bar of a horizontal frame element;

FlGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of the connection shown in FIGURE 11;

FEGURE i3 is a top plan view of the connection shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 14 isa detailed section taken about on the plane represented by the line Ll-14 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective of the camper in erected position before the end flaps are folded into effective position;

FIGURE 16 is another perspective looking from the rear showing the rear end flaps in effective position; and

FEGURE 17 is another perspective from the front illus trating the front flaps in effective position.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, an automobile body is illustrated in FIGURE 1 and referred to in its entirety by the reference character B. It is to be clearly understood that the particular body B illustrated is not a limitation on the invention, and the camper hereof may be used with just about any conventional type of car body. This car body ordinarily would include a roof or top 1% having exposed or free side edges 11 on the opposite sides thereof.

Referring for the moment more particularly to FIG- URE S, a supporting framework which is mounted on the top 10 is therein illustrated, and referred to in its entirety by the reference character S. The supporting framework S comprises a front crosspiece 8 that is made of any material that is conveniently available, such as wood or metal, and which preferably is of the rectangular cross section illustrated.

Side bars

12 and 13 have their front ends secured to the crosspiece 11 in any well-known manner which will afford a fixed connection. These

side bars

12 and 13 preferably take the form of metallic rods of circular cross section. A rear adjustable crosspiece 14 is formed with passages 15 which slidably receive the

side rods

12 and 13. A central strut 16 has its front end fixedly secured to the front crosspiece 11 in any desired manner; and its rear end extends beyond the rear ends of the

side bars

12 and 13 and is formed with a slot 17 opening into the end thereof. This central strut 16 is also formed with a series of spaced apertures 18 any one of which is adapted to receive a bolt 19, which also passes through a hole formed in the rear crosspiece .14. A nut 26 is threaded on the bolt 19 and maintains the assembled relation.

It is evident that the rear crosspiece 14 maybe adjusted to fit the size of the top of any particular car on which the camper is to be mounted.

Referring now again more particularly to FIGURE 1, a plurality of S-shaped fastening members '21 areishown as securing the supporting framework S in position on the car top 10. Each of these fastening members 21 has an upper hook portion 22 which engages one of the

side bars

12 or 13, and a lower portion 23 which engages a side edge 11 of the top 10. In this position, the central strut 16 will ordinarily lie flat on the exposed surface of the car top A tie-down strap 24 is shown as being interposed between the supporting framework S and the car top 10, and is adapted to assume the broken-line position of FIGURE 1 in tying down the-enclosure when folded into a compact state on the framework S. One end of the strap 24 carries a buckle 25 which is used in a well-known manner to effect the tie-down.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE'Z, the enclosure frame is referred to in its entirety by the reference character E, and comprises a plurality of frame elements. Each of these frame elements is generally of rectangular formation and is preferably made of metallic tubing which is lightweight and yet will afford the strength and rigidity which is essential to a structure of this type. Thus the enclosure frame E comprises a horizontal frame element a made up of a piece of tubing that is bent into a U-shaped

formation providing sides

26 and 27 and an end 28. It will be noted that the end 28 is joined to the

sides

26 and 27 by bends 29. Extending between the

sides

26 and 27 at points spaced from the front ends thereof is a crosspiece 30 the ends of which are secured to the

sides

26 and 27 in any well-known manner, such as by welding. The free ends of the

sides

26 and 27 are anchored to a cross strut 3-1 which preferably is of rectangular cross section.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 6, 7, and 8, the cross strut 31 is shown as formed with a slot 32 that is slightly elongated for a purpose to be later described. A pivot pin is designated 33; and at a point spaced from its lower end has fixedly secured thereto a collar 34 which engages the upper face of the central strut 16 of the'supporting framework S. The lower portion of the pivot pin 33 is threaded as shown at 35, and screwed onto this threaded portion is a wing nut 36, there being a washer 37 interposed between the nut 36 and the lower face of the strut 16. It is evident that his arrangement of the collar 34 and nut 36 provides for mounting the pivot pin at an appropriate place in the slot 17.

A sleeve 38 has a bore 39 which receives the pivot pin 33 and carries a forwardly extending ear 40 to which is pivotally connected, as by a horizontal pin 41, a pair of complemental ears 42 that extend forwardly from the cross strut 31. The pivot pin 33 also passes through the elongated slot 32.

The construction described immediately above provides for pivotally mounting the enclosure frame E on the supporting frame S on a vertical axis so that it may be swung around from a compact position on top of the car into the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 in which it is about to be unfolded into an erected position. Moreover, variations in the heights of the ears on which the camper is mounted are accommodated due to the fact that the sleeve 38 may move vertically on the pivot pin '33 with the elongated slot 32 accommodating the difference in heights while assuring that the erected height of the camper is constant.

A side frame element 0 comprises a lower side bar 43, a rear end bar 44, a front end bar 45, and a ridge pole 46. These

parts

43, 44, 45, and 46 define a rectangular frame element that is pivotally mounted on the side 27 of the horizontal frame a by the pivotal connection shown in FIGURES 11-14, inclusive. However, it will be noted that each of the end bars 4 4 and 45 are of a two-piece construction which renders the side frame element 0 in its collapsible condition about the side 27. Inasmuch as these'two-piece constructions are duplicates, only one of them is described in detail as illustrated in FIGURES 11-14, inclusive. Thus, the end bar 44 is shown as being made up of

sections

47 and 48. The section 47 adjacent to its lower end is formed with a pair of spaced

ears

49 and 50. These ears have aligned openings 51 which pivotally receive the side 27. Beyond the

ears

49 and 50 and at its 'free end the section 47 is provided with a shoulder 52.

The lower section 48 has a U-shaped strap 53 secured to its upper free end by a pin 54. This strap is located between the

ears

49 and 50 and passes about the side 27. It is evident that both the end-bar sections 47 and '48 are pivotally mounted on the side 27 and are in pivotal relation with respect to one another, with the pivotal movement in one direction being limited by the shoulder 52. With this arrangement, the

sections

48 and 47 may be moved upwardly towards one another to assume a collapsed condition, yet downward movement beyond the fully extended position is prevented by the shoulders 52. Moreover, when the camper is in erected position, the ridge pole 46 assumes a position substantially midway and over the horizontal frame a.

A second side frame element is referred to in its entirety by the reference character 0?, and comprises a metallic tube that is bent into a. U-shaped formation providing a side bar 55 and end bars 56 and 57. The free end of each of the end bars 56 and 57 is secured to the side 26 by a pivotal connection of the type shown in FIG-

URES

9 and 10. Inasmuch as these pivotal connections are duplicates and are repeated in other places throughout the construction of the enclosure frame, only one of them is herein described in detail. Thus, the free ends of the end bars 56 and 57 are shown as each having a U-shaped strap 58 secured thereto by spaced cross-pins 59 the ends of which may be riveted or secured in any known manner to achieve a permanent connection. The straps 58 pass around the side 26 to achieve the pivotal connection by the end bars 56 and 57 and the side 26.

A lower side frame element 1 is shown as comprising a metallic tubular member of U-shaped formation providing a bottom bar 60 and end bars 61 and 62, with the upper ends of the latter pivotally connected to the sidebar 55 by connections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

Another lower side frame element is designated g, and comprises a metallic tubular member fashioned into the U-shape providing a bottom bar 63, end bars 64 and 65 which are pivotally connected to the side bar 43 by pivotal connections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

A front frame element is designated h, and comprises a metallic tubular member of U-shape providing a bottom bar 66 and

vertical bars

67 and 68 which are pivotally connected to the crosspiece 30 by pivotal connections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

A rear frame element is referred to inits entirety by the reference character 2', and comprises a metallic tubular U-shaped piece providing a bottom bar 69 and

vertical bars

70 and 71, with the upper ends of the latter being pivotally connected to the rear crosspiece 28 by pivotal connections of the type shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

In erected position, front and rear end cross braces extend between the" lower corners of the end frames and the lower corners of the lower side frame elements. These cross braces are designated 72, 73, '74, and 75. Each of these cross braces has a pivot such as shown at 76 at its inner end which is carried by a swivel ring 9 on one of the vertical bars where the end frames join, and a hook 77 at its outer end to engage one of the bottom bars of the lower side frame elements.

A piece of any desired fabric, such as canvas or a comparable material such as plastic, is permanently secured over the several side frame elements and is designated 78. The connection of the fabric to the side frame elements may be achieved in any well-known manner, such as by stitching. Secured to the front edge of this fabric piece 78 are a plurality of diamond-shaped sections 7? which are adapted to be folded rearwardly over the main body of the fabric in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 15 when the enclosure is to be stored away in a compact condition, but which may be folded into the effective position shown in FIGURE 17 when the enclosure is erected. Likewise, a plurality of diamond-shaped sections 80 are, integrally joined to the rear edge of the main body of the fabric 78, and are folded back thereover in the manner depicted in FIGURE 15 when the enclosure is not to be used, but which may be folded into the position of FIGURE 16 when the enclosure is to be used. An end flap or curtain is shown at 81 as being secured to the rear crosspiece 28 by curtain rings 82 in a well-known manner, and may constitute the rear-door entrance to the enclosure. If desired, this construction may be duplicated for the front end frame h.

Operation While the manner of using the auto camper of this invention is believed to be obvious from the illustration of the drawings and description of parts given, it may be briefly outlined as follows.

It will be assumed that the supporting frame S is secured to the car top by the fastening members 21, and the enclosure frame is folded into a compact condition and tied down onto the supporting framework S by the strap 24. When the auto camper is to be used, the strap 24 is first released at the buckle 25 and let fall into the position of FIGURE 1. The enclosure frame E is now swung rearwardly about the pivot pin 33 into the position of FIG- URE 1. From this position, the front and rear end frames h and i are first swung downwardly in the manner depicted in FIGURE 4 so that the bottom bars 66 and 69 supportingly engage the ground surface. This action may be accompanied by some movement of the sleeve 38 on the pivot pin '33 to accommodate any discrepancies between the relative height of the ground surface and the car top. The side frame elements a, c, d, f, and g are then swung outwardly into their erected positions in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. In this position, the bottom bars 60 and 63 will engage the ground. The several cross braces 72, 73, 74, and 75 are then hooked into their effective positions to a completely erected position of the framework. The front fabric flaps 79 are then folded over into the position of FIGURE 17 and the rear flaps 80 into the position of FIGURE 16. The camper is now in erected position and is ready for occupancy.

When it is to be stored away in a compact condition on the car top, a procedure which is the exact reverse of that described is carried out.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms, and devices illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework, means for securing said framework to the top of an automobile, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted on one end of said supporting framework and on a vertical axis, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frame element having a pair of sides, a rear end and a cross strut at its front end, a crosspiece spaced from said strut, a front end frame element pivotally mounted on said crosspiece, a rear-end frame element pivotally mounted on said rear end, side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lower side frame elements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, hooked crosspieces extending from the lower corners of said end frame elements to the corresponding corners of said lower side frame elements when said enclosure frame is in an erected position, and fabric covering said various frame elements.

2. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework comprising a front end crosspiece, side bars having their front ends fixedly secured to said front crosspiece, an adjustable crosspiece carried by said side bars, a central-strut having its front end fixedly secured to said front crosspiece, and means for detachably connecting said strut to said adjustable crosspiece; means for securing said framework to the top of an automobile, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted on one end of said supporting framework and on a vertical axis, a plurality of frame elements included in said enclosure frame, said frame elements being pivotally connected, and fabric covering said frame elements.

3. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework comprising a front end crosspiece, side bars having their front ends fixedly secured to said crosspiece, an adjustable crosspiece carried by said side bars, a central strut having its front end fixedly secured to said front crosspiece and having a slot opening onto the rear end of said strut, means for detachably connecting said central strut to said adjustable crosspiece, means for securing said framework to the top of an automobile, a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said central strut, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted on said pivot pin for swinging movement thereabout and vertical movement therealong, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frame element having a cross strut at its front end, a pair of sides and an end, said cross strut being formed with a central elongated opening, a sleeve pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on the front edge of said cross strut and having a bore in alignment with said opening, said vertical pivot pin being received in said aligned opening and bore, side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lower side frame elements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, an end frame element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric covering said various frame elements. I

4. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted to extend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing said framework to the top of an automobile extending longitudinally thereof, a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supporting framework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of said supporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for vertical movement along said pin and for swinging movement about the axis of said pin to a position rearward of the automobile at a selected height within the limits of said pin, a plurality of frame elements included in said enclosure frame, said frame elements being pivotally connected for erection on the ground behind the automobile, and fabric covering said frame elements.

5. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted to extend longitudinally of an automobile,

means for securing said framework to the top of an automobile extending longitudinally thereof, a vertical pivot pin upstanding at the rear end of said supporting framework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of said supporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for vertical movement along said pin and for swinging movement about the axis of said pin to a position rearward of the automobile at a selected height within the limits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frame element having a cross strut at its front end, a pair of sides and an end; side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lower side frame elements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, an end frame element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric covering said various frame elements.

6. in an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted to extend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing said framework to the top of an automobile extending longitudinally thereof, a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supporting framework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of said supporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for movement vertically along said pin and for swinging movement about an axis of said pin to a position rearward of the automobile at a selected height within the limits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frame element having a cross strut at its front end, a crosspiece spaced from said strut, a front end frame element pivotally mounted on said crosspiece, a

pair of sides and an end; side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lower side frame elements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, an end frame element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric covering said various frame elements.

7. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted to extend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing said framework to the top of .an automobile extending longitudinally thereof, a vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supporting framework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of said supporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for movement vertically along said pin and for swinging movement about the axis of said pin to a position rearward of the automobile at a selected height within the limits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frame element having a cross strut at its front end, a pair of sides and an end; said strut being formed with a central elongate opening, a sleeve pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on the front edge of said strut and having a bore in alignment with said opening, said vertical pivot pin being engaged in said aligned opening and bore, side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sides and including lower side bars, lower side frame elements pivotally mounted on said lower side bars, an end frame element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric covering said various frame elements.

8. In an automobile camping kit, a supporting framework adapted to extend longitudinally of an automobile, means for securing said framework on the top of an automobile extending longitudinally thereof, a' vertical pivot pin upstanding from the rear end of said supporting framework, an enclosure frame pivotally mounted at the rear end of said supporting framework on said vertical pivot pin for movement vertically along said pin and for swing ing movement about the axis of said pin to a position rearward of the automobile at a selected height within the limits of said pin, said enclosure frame including: a horizontal frame elementhaving a cross strut at its front end, a pair of sides and an end; side frame elements pivotally mounted on said sides and 'includinglower side bars, one of said side frame elements having sectional end bars pivotally mounted on one of said sides with the upper sections carrying a ridge pole adapted to be positioned over said horizontal frame when said enclosure frame is in an erected position, lower side frame elements pivotally mounted on said "lower side bars, an end frame element pivotally mounted on said end, and fabric covering said various frame elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS