US3021852A

US3021852A - Car top tent

Info

Publication number: US3021852A
Application number: US805490A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman A Hoffman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-04-10
Filing date: 1959-04-10
Publication date: 1962-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1979-02-20

Description

Feb. 20, 1962 N. A. HOFFMAN CAR TOP TENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 1959 Norman .4. Hoffman INVENTOR. BY W and Feb. 20, 1962 N. A. HOFFMAN CAR TOP TENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1959 IN VEN TOR. 40%

Norman A. Hoffman BY QM m Bk Feb. 20, 1962 N. A. HOFFMAN CAR TOP TENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 10, 1959 Norman A. Hoffman, INVENTOR.

United States Patent 'Ofiice U 3,021,852 Patented F eh. 20, 1962 3,021,852 CAR TOP TENT Norman A. Holfman, 1202 Ft. Howard Ave., West De Pere, Wis. Filed Apr. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 805,490 9 Claims. (Cl. 135-1) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in construction, and more specifically to a novel car top tent.

Although numerous car top tents have been devised in For pletely solved. On the other hand, while the hingedly mounted type cover has proved to be very successful in that it merely requires the lifting of one end of the cover and the provision of a suitable prop, it has failed to provide the normal space requirements because of the limitations of the hinge.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a car top tent wherein the cover is hingedly connected to the base by means of an expansible hinge so that when the cover is pivoted from a position in sealed engagement with the base to an elevated position, the hinged end of the cover will also be elevated above the base so as to provide adequate space for a camper at both ends of the car top tent.

Another object of this invention is to provide a car top tent which may have the length thereof increased by the simple expedient of the base extension which is pivotally connected to the main base of the car top tent and is swingable to a position extending beyond the vehicle on which the car top tent is mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a car top tent which is so constructed whereby an auxiliary ground supported tent may be readily attached thereto in sealed relation so that the car top tent and the ground supported tent may combine as a single unit thus providing the additional space requirements of a camper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel car top tent which includes a base and a cover, the sides of the car top tent being formed by side flaps which extend between the sides of the base and the cover, the side flaps being normally stored within the base and having sealing gasket materials disposed along lower edges thereof for engagement between the cover and the base so as to form a seal between the two.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel mounting bracket for a car top tent, the mounting bracket being readily adjustable whereby it may be secured to all types of vehicles and adjusted to support the base of the car top tent in overlying relation with respect to the vehicle.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a vehicle which has mounted on the top thereof a car top tent which is the subject of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view similar to FIGURE 1 and shows the car top tent of FIGURE 1 in its open position and having attached thereto an extension tent;

FIGURE 3 is a rear view of the vehicle and car top tent with the car top' tent in its open state and the ground engageable tent disconnected therefrom;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIGURE 3 and shows the specific details of the car top tent and the connection between the car top tent and the ground supported tent;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of FIGURE 4 and shows the details of the base extension and the trap door formed therein;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 66 of FIGURE 4 and shows the details of mounting of the forward end of the car top tent and th general arrangement of the components thereof;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIGURE 1 and shows the specific manner in which the car top tent is mounted on the vehicle;

and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the mounting brackets for supporting the car top tent.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional type of vehicle 10 which, among other components, includes a top 12 having a rain gutter 14 extending about the sides thereof. Also, the vehicle includes a rear bumper 16. Mounted on the top 12 of the vehicle 10 is the car top tent which is the subject of this invention, the car top tent being referred to in general by the reference numeral 18.

The car top tent 18 includes a base generally referred to by the numeral 20 and a cover generally referred to by the numeral 22. As best shown in FIGURE 4, ,the base 20 includes a bottom wall 24 having upstanding side panels 26. The forward end of the bottom wall 24 terminates in an upwardly curved nose 28.

The cover 22 includes a top wall 30 and depending side walls 32. Also, at the forward end of the cover 22 the top wall terminates in a downwardly curved nose 34.

The rear end of the top wall 30 terminates in a generally downwardly curved portion 36.

The cover 22 is hingedly secured to the base 20 by means of a pair of hinges 38. The hinges are identical and each extends between a side 26 of the base 20 and a side 32 of the cover 22. Each hinge 38 includes 'a relatively short link 40 which is connected to the side 26 by means of a pivot 42. A relatively long length 44 is connected to the side 26 by means of a pivot 46. Pivotally connected to the short link 40 is a long link 48. The long link 48 is connected to the short link 40 by means of a pivot pin 50.

The

long links

44 and 48 are in crossed relation and are pivotally connected to each other by means of a pivot pin 52. The upper end of the longlink 48 is pivotally connected to the side 32 by means of a pivot pin 54. A second short link 56 is pivotally connected to the sides 32 by means of a pivot pin 38. The short link 56 is connected to the upper end of the long link 44 by means of a pivot pin 60. It will be readily apparent that the construction of the hinges 38 is such that when the cover 22 is swung upwardly from its closed position of FIGURE 1 to its elevated position of FIGURE 2, not only is the rear end of the cover 22 elevated as is the customary arrangement, but also the front end of the cover 22 is elevated above the base 20 so as to provide adequate foot room at the forward end of the car top tent 18.

Extending outwardly between the sides 26 and 32 are side flaps 62. As is best shown in FIGURE 7, each of the side flaps 62 is secured to the exterior of the side 26 and to the interior of the side 32. Carried by the side flaps 62 adjacent their intersections with the sides "26 are sealing gasket strips '64. When the cover 22 is in its closedposition, theside flaps 62 aredisposed within the hase20rand thejlower edges of the side 32 engage the sealing gasket strips 64 to forma seal between the cover 22 and the ,base .20.

Reference is now had to FIGURE 4 wherein it is showznthat the car-top tent 18 also includes a front flap fifiswhichissecuredtogthenose portions 28 and '34. The front 1121p .66 .Will also fold into the base 20 when the cover 22is-moved to its closed position.

At this timeitj s pointed out that each of the side flaps 62 includes a screened panel 68 for the purpose of admitting airinto the ear ltop tent 18. A curtain 70 is connected to the side flap 62 in overlying relation to the screened .panel about three edgesthereof by means of a slide fastener 72 so, that the curtain 70 maybe lowered and permit the entrance of light and air. During fair weather the curtain 72 maybe lowered below thescreen panel 68 and isrsupported in this position by straps 74. The front flap 6,6 also provided with asereen panel 76 and a-curtain 78.

, Suspended from the cover 22 is 'a shelf construction referred to generally by reference numeral 80'. The shelf construction is illustrated as including a pair of shelves 82 and84 which-aredisposed at different levels-and which are suspended from the cover 22 at the side thereof by means .of

suitableflexible hangers

86 and 88. When the cover .20.is swung to its closed position, the shelf assembly 8.0 merely collapses.

The-rear part of the base .20 isopened and there is connectedto the rear edge of the bottom 24 a base extension generally referred toby the numeral 90. The base extension 90 includes .a platform 92 which is connected to the bottom 24 :bymeansofa pa'irof hinges 94 the details of which .are bestillustrated in FIGURES 4and 5. It is to benoted that the base extension 90 maybe swung from a position forming an extension of the bottom 24 .to a

position-overlyinglthe bottom 24 within the base 20. The

platform 92 has .an entrance openlng :96 which is normally closed by a trap door 98. The trapdoor '98 is 'lookedjnplace by means of alatch-assemblYlOO. As is best .showmin FIGURE .4, thetrap door 98 swings upwardly and rearwardly .to its open position and is held in this .bya suitable brace 102.

' Extending downwardly from the rear portion 36 of the coyer;22 is a rear flap104. The rear flap =4has the lower edge thereof connected to the rear edge of the platform '92. vAs when the platform .92 is swung inwardly intojthe hase20, the rear flap 10 4 is also moved .into the b33820. further, therearflap 104 serves ,to seal the rear partof the base ltliandthe cover 22 against theentranoe of :water and other foreignmatter. The edgesof the rear flap .104 are-secured .tothe rear edges of the side flaps 62 and. cooperatetherewithto provide the desired seal.

P-ivotally connected to the rear parts of the;side 3 t2 of the cover 22 are .props 106. Each of the props 106is provided at the ,loiver end thereof with an opening which reeeivesa pin 108 carried by the base 20. When the cover. 22 isimoved ,10 an open position, it is merely necessarytoconneot the props ,lllti-to the pins 108.

When the cover .22 is in its lowered position, it isretained in this position :by means of a pair of pivotally mounted catches 110. The catches 110 engage pins 112 carried-by the cover ;22. The catches 110 also serve a dual function in that they retain props 106 in place alongsi-de-the'base 522 when .notjn use. This is best shown in FlGU'RE l.

It is to be noted that the .car top tent 18 is mounted on the wehicl'e top 112 ibymeans of a plurality of mounting supports which are referred to in; general by the reference numeral 114 and which are best illustrated in FIGURE 8. Each of the mounting supports 114 includes a curved base 116 having a rubber pad 118 on the underside thereof for engaging the vehicle top 12. Extending upwardly from the base 116 at the corners thereof are ears 120 to which there are pivotally connected first links 122 by means of pivot pins 124. The first links 122 have connected thereto extensions or second links 126. The first links 122 have elongated slots 1228 and the second links 126 have similar slots 1 30. Extending through the slots 128 and 130are fasteners'132 which are-used to vary the length of the The links are arranged in pairs and the upperends of the second links 126 are provided with aligned bores 134. The upper ends of two of the second links 126 are transversely spaced from the upper ends of the other two of the second links 126.

Secured to the underside of the bottom 24'is a plurality of transverse frame members 136. Each of the frame members 13 6 has connected to opposite ends thereof one of the. mounting supports 114. 'Each of the transverse frame members 1 36 will be disposed between the upper ends of the second'lin ks 126 and to which the second links 126 will be connected by means of a pin 138. From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the mounting supports 1 14 may 'be'readily adjusted to fit any type of vehicle top and to support the car top tent 18 in the desired relation thereto. The car top tent 18 is secured on the vehicle'top 12 by means of suitable clamps 142. Each ofthe clamps 142 includes an anchor member 144 carried by its associatedmounting support 114 and an elongated belt 146 which is threadedly engaged in the anchor member 1.44. Carried by the lower end ofthe bolt 146 is a rain gutter engaging member 148 which engages under the rain gutter 14 and serves .to pull the car 10;) tent 18 down onto the vehicle top 12.

It is lobe noted that the base '20 is of a suflicient depth for the supporting of a sleeping bag. If desired, either a sleepingjbag or thin mattress maybe stored therein. Also, conveniently stored within the base will be a ladder 150. The ladder 150, when in use, has the lower end thereof resting upon the rear bumper 16 of the vehicle 10 and a forwardly extending upper portion 152 seated in a socket 154 formed on the underside of thetbottom 24 at the rear thereof.

"The car top tent 18 in itself is sutficient for camping purposes. However, if his so desired, there may be attachedto the car top tent :a ground supported extension tent generally referred to byhthe numeral 154. The extension tent 154 may be of any desired .constructionand is-secured to the side flaps 62 and the rear flaps 104 by a slide fastener 156. "The junction between the extension tent 154 and the flaps 62 and 104fis closed by a flap 158, asjisjbest shown inF-IGURE 4.

'The f orego'ingjis considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, 'itfis notdesired to limit theinvention to the exactconstruction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the sc pe offthe invention as claimed.

Whatjis claimedas-new is .as follows:

-;1. A car toptent comprising a base, a cover, side'flaps extending between sideedges of said base and saidcoyer, a hinge connecting together said cover and said base, andcar top mounting supports ,forsaid base positioned in. spaced relation along opposite sides thereof, each of said supportsjincluding a seat member curved for seating on a vehicle :top, .a drip gutter engaging clamp adjacent said seat member, said supports each being extensible and provided .with means foradjusting the elfective'height thereof wherebysaid seat members may be properly positioned to support said base over car tops having different contours and including two pair of upstanding extensible and adjustable mounting supports, the supports of each pair .of supportsbeingpivotally secured together at their upper ends and to said tent base and pivotally secured to an arcuate top engaging base at their lower ends for movement about axes extending transversely of and spaced longitudinally of said arcuate base.

2. A car top tent comprising a base, a cover, side flaps extending between said base and cover, means mounting said cover to said base for movement between a collapsed position directly overlying said base and an extended position with one end thereof spaced vertically above said base and with said cover and side flaps defining a tent enclosure, said base being elongated and adapted to have one end positioned over the rear end of a car top, said one end of said base having an extension connected to said one end movable between the retracted position forwardly of said one end of said base and an extended position extending rearwardly of said one end of said base to project beyond the rear end of a car top to which said base is secured, an entrance opening in said base extension and said side flaps enclosing said base extension whereby said tent when erected encloses said base exten- S1011.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a trap door normally closing said entrance opening.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said tent includes a ground supported tent extension removably secured to the rear of said tent and adapted to enclose the ground area immediately rearwardly of the vehicle by which tent is supported.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said base extension is hingedly secured to said base for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of said base.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said mounting means comprises hinge means connecting the forward end of said cover to the forward end of said base. a

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said hinge means includes a pair of hinges extending between corresponding opposite side portions of said base and cover.

8. The combination of claim 7, said hinges each including means for elevating the forward end of said cover relative to said base.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said hinge means includes a pair of hinges extending between corresponding opposite side portions of said base and cover, each of said hinges including a pair of crossed links pivotally secured together at their midportions, one pair of corresponding ends of said links pivotally secured to said base and cover for movement about axes extending transversely of said tent and the other pair of corresponding ends of said links pivotally secured to corresponding ends of a pair of short links Whose other ends are pivotally secured to said cover and base for movement about axes extending transversely of said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,733,007 Dahl Oct. 22, 1929 1,984,681 Jackson Dec. 18, 1934 2,291,900 Jimmes Aug. 4, 1942 2,531,678 Gledhill Nov. 28, 1950 2,683,280 Martens July 13, 1954