WO1988000141A1

WO1988000141A1 - Collapsible and demountable camper

Info

Publication number: WO1988000141A1
Application number: PCT/AU1987/000189
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert William Thomas Edwards
Original assignee: Robert William Thomas Edwards
Priority date: 1986-06-30
Filing date: 1987-06-30
Publication date: 1988-01-14

Abstract

A collapsible and demounting camper (11) for mounting to the rear of a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of box-shaped portions (13a, 13b) for forming the base of said camper; a collapsible framework (17) for forming the sides and roof of said camper; and a cover (21) for covering said frame; said box-shaped portions being pivotally connected to each other and being adapted to be hingedly connected to said vehicle such that in a collapsed position said portions mutually engage each other in juxtaposition to define an enclosed casing for containing said frame and cover in their respective dismantled forms, and in an extended position said portions may be arranged essentially co-planar to define a base upon which said frame and casing is adapted to be disposed vertically for stowage at the rear of said vehicle, and said base with the said portions in an extended position is disposed horizontally for usage as a camper.

Description

"COLLAPSIBLE AND DEMOUNTABLE CAMPER'

THIS INVENTION relates to a self contained collapsible and demountable camper for mounting to the rear of a motor vehicle.

With the increasing popularity in the usage of four wheel drive vehicles for leisure and touring activities, greater consideration is being given to the selection of easily assembled and disassembled campers for use in conjunction with such vehicles. Although many meritorious designs of campers have been proposed in the past, most have included some kind of major disadvantage which has detracted from their wide acceptance. The most common disadvantages have involved inconvenient storage of the camper during travelling and the difficulty or complexity involved in assembling the same for use.

In the case of stowage, the camper is often incorporated into the design of a trailer for towing behind a vehicle. Such an arrangement is generally not practical when using a four wheel drive vehicle to travel to a location generally inaccessible to two wheel drive vehicles.

In other cases the camper is often incorporated into the design of a roof rack, but generally this is difficult to access by persons on the ground and is cumbersome to assemble and importantly disassemble. Additionally, effective sealing of the camper during stowage from dust and rain is often difficult to achieve unless an excessive amount of care is taken in disassembling and stowing the camper. Another problem with campers which are incorporated into the design of the roof rack or vehicle and which rely upon the body of the vehicle for support to facilitate assembly, is that these campers cannot be used in isolation from the vehicle, whereby it is necessary to disassemble and pack up the camper each time it is desired to move the vehicle.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a self contained, collapsible and demountable camper which is adapted to be stowed externally at the rear of a vehicle in such a manner as to protect the components thereof from the environment and which is designed for easy assembly and disassembl .

It is a preferred object of the invention to provide a self contained, collapsible and demountable camper which can be detached from the vehicle and be self supporting after full assembly thereof to permit separate use of the vehicle

It is another preferred object of the invention to provide a self contained, collapsible and demountable camper which can be pivoted away towards one side of the vehicle whilst attached thereto to permit access to the rear of said vehicle.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible and demountable camper for mounting to the rear of a motor vehicle comprising:-

a plurality of box-shaped portions for forming the base of said camper; a collapsible framework for forming the sides and roof of said camper; and a cover for covering said frame; said box-shaped portions being hingedly connected to each other and being adapted to be pivotally connected to said vehicle such that in a collapsed position said portions mutually engage each other in juxtaposition to define an enclosed casing for containing said frame and cover, and in an extended position said portions may be arranged essentially coplanar to define a base upon which said frame and cover may be erected to form said camper;

wherein said casing is adapted to be disposed vertically for stowage at the rear of said vehicle, and said base is adapted to be disposed horizontally for camper usage.

Preferably, said camper includes collapsible legs pivotally mounted to the bottom of said base so that in the extended position the legs may support the base in an elevated location in general alignment with the body of said vehicle and in the collapsed position the legs may be retracted into said base for stowage.

Preferably, said framework comprises a plurality of pairs of frame segments pivotally mounted to the interior of said base, each pair having a corresponding connector for interconnecting said pair of frame members when said portions are in the extended position so as to span said base from one box portion to another and support said cover from the base, and said frame segments severally being retractable into the confines of said casing for stowage when said box portions are brought into the collapsed position.

Preferably, in the collapsed position said casing provides a sealed compartment within which all the components of the camper may be stowed.

Preferably, said camper is mounted to said vehicle via a sub-frame, said sub-frame having a base portion fixedly mounted to the rear of said vehicle, and a pivotal wing portion which is fixedly attached to said camper, said wing portion being capable of rotation relative to said base portion about a substantially vertical pivotal axis disposed towards one side of the vehicle rear and a substantially horizontal axis disposed at an elevated position with respect to the ground, whereby rotation of said wing portion about said vertical axis is intended to permit access to said vehicle rear, and rotation of said wing portion about said horizontal axis is intended to permit said camper to be disposed in a prone position whence it may be unfolded to said extended position.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment thereof. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the sub-frame with the wing portion disposed in the locked position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sub-frame with the wing portion disposed in the prone position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sub-frame with the wing portion disposed in the prone position and being pivoted about a vertical axis away from the rear of the vehicle;

Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the collapsed position of the camper disposed vertically for fixed stowage to the rear of a vehicle with the sub-frame shown in dotted outline;

Fig. 6 shows the camper pivoted to the prone position to commence extension of the camper for usage; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the camper in the extended position depicting the base with the legs extended for support in the horizontal position and the framework erected within the base for supporting the cover;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the fully assembled camper with the cover fitted on the frames in their fully extended position and the vehicle disposed adjacent to the camper;

Fig. 9 is an end view of Fig. 8, but showing an annex fitted to the side of the camper;

The camper 11 essentially comprises two box-shaped portions 13a and 13b hingedly connected to each other, a plurality of collapsible legs 16a and 16b, pivotally mounted within recessed sections of the outer side of the box portions 13a and 13b respectively, a collapsible framework 17, and a cover 21.

The box portions 13a and 13b in the present embodiment comprise two halves which in the extended position mutually engage each other contiguously along meeting ends 22 to define a base for the camper. Each box portion has an upturned skirt 19 extending continuously about the three free ends of each box portion.- The skirt 19 extends marginally along opposite ends of the meeting end 22 of each box portion before terminating to define a pair of opposed marginal portions 23. The box portions are substantially identically configured so that the upper edges of the respective skirts mutually engage each other in juxtaposition when the box portions are brought into the collapsed position, thereby defining an enclosed casing as shown at Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. The box portions 13a and 13b are connected to each other sr 5E. pair of hinges 25, provided along the adjoining outer edges- of the marginal portions 22 of each skirt to allow the outer box portion 13b to pivot outwardly about a transverse axis relative to the inner box portion 13a.

A pivotal flap 27 is hingedly mounted to the side of one of the box portions, which in the present embodiment is the inner box portion 13a, adjacent to the meeting end 22 thereof. The flap 27 is of sufficient size to cover an opening 29 formed by the meeting ends 22 and marginal portions 23 when the box portions are disposed in the collapsed position, as shown at Fig. 6, so as to completely seal the casing.

The casing is mounted to the rear of a vehicle 31 via a sub-frame 33. The sub-frame 33 is provided with a base portion 35 which is fixedly connected to the longitudinal ends of the chassis (not shown) of the vehicle, and a pivotal wing portion 37 which is fixedly attached to the inner box portion 13a of the camper. The base portion 35 is provided with a pair of arms 39 which are attached to a transverse cross member 41 and extend outwardly in general alignment with the vehicle chassis for attachment thereto. The arms 39 are attached to the chassis by removing the rear bumper of the vehicle, drilling a plurality of transverse holes through, the longitudinal ends of the chassis and fixedly bolting the ends of the sub-frame to the chassis.

The cross member 41 extends approximately the full transverse extent of the vehicle and has incorporated therein at one end a square frame 43 which supports an upwardly extending brace 45 and a dual pivoting hinge arrangement 47 which interconnects the wing and base portions together. The wing portion 37 is provided with a generally triangular shaped frame 49 attached to the outer face of the inner box portion 13a, and has a pair of orthogonally disposed members 49a and 49b and an obliquely disposed member 49c. The members 49a and 49b are pieces of angle respectively attached to the vertical edge and the lower horizontal edge of the box portion 13a when in the vertical position shown at Fig. 5, and the member 49c is a piece of flat bar attached to the face of the box portion. The wing portion is attached to the dual hinge 47 proximate the junction between the orthogonal members and is capable of independent pivotal movement about two separate pivotal axes. One of these axes is a substantially vertical axis 51 through the dual pivot 47, and the other is a substantially horizontal axis 53, parallel to one of the orthogonal members 49b disposed horizontally. The dual pivot 47 comprises a boss and spigot arrangement 47a provided to allow rotational movement of the wing portion about the vertical axis, and a hinge 47b provided for allowing rotation of the wing portion about the horizontal axis. As shown at Fig. 4 of the drawings, the boss 47a is fixedly mounted to the base portion of the sub-frame at the junction between the cross member 41 and the square frame 43. A spigot (not shown) is fixedly mounted to one wing of the hinge 47b and is axially received within the boss portion to permit rotation of the spigot within the boss about the vertical axis 51. The hinge 47b is arranged so that its wing to which the spigot is attached is disposed in a generally horizontal plane and the other wing is fixedly attached to the horizontal orthogonal member 49b of the wing portion to permit rotation about the horizontal axis 53.

The sub-frame is also provided with releasable locking means to lock the wing portion to the base portion in order to prevent rotation of the wing portion about one or - 7a -

the other of its pivotal axis. Accordingly, the locking merans comprises a pinning arrangement 55 at one side of the- sub-frame to prevent rotation of the wing portion about the horizontal axis 53 and a releasable latch mechanism 57 disposed towards the opposite side of the sub-frame to prevent rotation of the wing portion about

SUBSTITUTE SHEET the vertical axis 51.

The pinning arrangement 55 has co-operating parts comprising the brace 45, a pair of lugs 59 and a pin (not shown) . The brace 45 extends outwardly from the square frame 43 of the member at a location spaced from the cross member 41 in a generally vertical but inclined direction so as to intersect with a vertical plane incorporating the cross member 41 and the dual pivot 47. The brace 45 is terminated by a shank 60 at this point of intersection which is provided with a vertical aperture to receive the pin. The pair of lugs 59 are provided with corresponding coaxial apertures and are located along the orthogonal member 49a at a precise distance from the hinge 47 in order to enable the lugs to be located either side of the shank 60 at opposite ends of the aperture so that the apertures within the lugs may align with the aperture within the shank, when the orthogonal member 49a is' brought into the ^* vertical position by rotating the wing portion about the horizontal axis 53. Consequently in this position, the pin may be inserted through the aligned apertures, locking the wing portion to the brace 45, thereby preventing further rotation of the wing portion about the horizontal axis 53.

The latch mechanism 57 comprises co-operating components provided on the base portion and wing portion. These components include a releasable scissor mechanism 57a fixedly mounted to the base portion at an end opposite the dual pivot 47, and a receivable bar 57b fixedly mounted at the end of the orthogonal member 49b, at a distance from the vertical axis 51 commensurate to the distance of the scissor mechanism 57a from the axis. The scissor mechanism 57a comprises a pair of arms, one being 61a being fixed relative to the base portion and the other 61b being pivotably mounted thereto, whereby the arms co- operate to define a jaw 63 proximate the vertical plan incorporating the cross member 41 and dual pivot 47 in order to receive the bar 57b when the wing portion is rotated about the vertical axis 51 so that the orthogonal 49b is parallel with the cross member 41. The scissor mechanism 57a is arranged such that the arm 61b can pivot to open or close the jaws to receive the bar 57b selectively locking the wing portion so as to prevent rotation of the same about the vertical axis 51.

The collapsible legs 15 as previously described are pivotally mounted within recessed sections 41 provided on each of the outer faces of the box portions of the camper. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, two such legs are provided on the outer face of the box portion 13a and two such legs are provided on the outer face of the box portion 13b. In the case of the legs provided on the inner box portion 13a, these are pivotally mounted towards the top side of the casing as shown at Fig. 5 of the drawings, so as to pivot outwardly and support the casing in the horizontal position elevated from the ground as shown at Fig. 6 of the drawings. In the case of the legs provided on the box portion 13b, these are pivotally mounted towards the bottom of the outer face when the casing is in the vertical position as shown at Fig. 5 so as to pivot outwardly to support the outer end of the box portion in an elevated position with respect to the ground. Accordingly the box portions form the base on which the camper may be erected, when fully extended as shown at Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.

The framework 17 comprises two pairs 65a and 65b of L- shaped frame segments 67. Each frame segment is pivotally mounted at one end thereof to respective corners of the base formed by the box portions when disposed in their extended position. The pivotally connected rectilinear portions 67a of the frame segments constitute the uprights of the framework and the free rectilinear portions 67b of the frame segments constitute the horizontal bearers of the framework. One pair of frame segments have their connected portions 67a of a length greater than the length of the corresponding portions of the other pair to provide the top of the framework with a slight fall to one side. The longer rectilinear portions 67a are still of a length sufficient for each frame segment thereof to be accommodated within the confines of the base when pivoted into the proposed position as shown in dotted outline at Fig. 7 of the drawings. In this collapsed position, the free end portion 67b of the frame segments extend generally parallel to the longitudinal sides of the base and each are of a length less than the longitudinal extent of one box portion. In this manner, each frame segment may be collapsed into its box portion without extending beyond the confines of that box portion.

In order to facilitate interconnection of a pair of frame segments, one free end portion 67b of a frame segment in each pair is fitted with a sleeve 69 at its distal end which capable of axially sidable movement along the free end portion of the frame segment to extend beyond the distal end thereof and permit the distal end of the corresponding frames segment to be accommodated therein when the respective distal ends a pair of frame segments are aligned. Consequently, by interconnecting the frame segments of a pair in this manner, a generally U-shaped frame is provided for each side of the base. In order to stabilise the framework, a pair of cross braces 71 are fitted between opposite pairs of frame segments when in the erect position, thereby fixedly spacing the pairs of frame segments apart, in the manner shown at Fig. 7 of the drawings. The cover 21 is fitted over the framework and base when positioned in the fully extended positions respectively and secured by dome stud fasteners 73 or the like at appropriate locations around the base. The cover may be of a suitable flexible material such as plastic canvas of the like and any appropriate design having windows 55 and rollable flaps 57 to allow access and ventilation to the interior of the camper. Fig. 8 shows the camper in its fully assembled position.

By having the framework form a slight fall of the roof of the cover to one side of the camper, it is possible to attach an annex 75 to the camper in the manner shown at Fig. 9 of the drawings, whereby adequate height of the annex can be provided by adjoining it to the higher side of the camper.

Briefly describing the operation of the camper, in the collapsed position the box portions form a casing as shown at Fig. 5 of the drawings. Each of the box portions are maintained in juxtaposition by the fastening straps 24 at either side of the casing which may be unfastened together with release of the pinning arrangement 55 to allow extension of the casing to form the base when desired. For transport, the casing is firmly maintained in the stowage position at the rear of the vehicle by the provision of the sub-frame 33 and the locking means. The casing at this position effectively provides a sealed compartment within which all the components of the camper may be safely stowed, and which is free from the incursion of dust or rain.

When it is desired to use the camper, the pinning arrangement 55 may be released and the legs 15a extended from their recesses so that the casing and wing portion may subsequently be pivoted to the horizontal or prone position to rest in the position shown at Fig. 6 of the drawings. Next, the slap 27 may be unfastened to expose the hinges 25 and the opening 29 of the box portions. The fastening straps 24 may then be unfastened to enable pivoting of the outer box portion 13b relative to the inner box portion 13a about the hinges 25. The legs 15b are also extended to enable the outer box portion 13b to be positioned adjacent the inner box portion 13a to form the base as shown at Fig. 7 of the drawings.

Subsequently, the frame segments 67 interconnected to form each pair. In the majority of instances, the cover 21 will overlie the frame segments 67, whereby the respective pairs upon being interconnected may be partially extended and maintained in their erect positions by connecting the dome studs 73 to the outer side of the skirts 19. At this point, the camper may be entered and the stays 71 connected between pairs of frame segments to fix the pairs in their upright positions and complete the framework.

The camper is then in the fully assembled position and bedding may then be disposed within the base to allow sleeping within the camper.

The camper may eventually be returned to the collapsed position for stowage by performing the aforementioned assembly steps in the reverse order.

Normally, the camper extends rearwardly of the vehicle generally in the longitudinally direction thereof. In this position, however, access to the rear of the vehicle is usually prevented. Accordingly, in those occasions when separate access to the rear of the vehicle is desired, the camper may be assembled by releasing the releasable latch mechanism 57 in addition to the pinning arrangement 55 so that the camper may be pivoted about the vertical axis away from the rear of the vehicle prior to unfolding into the extended position. Consequently, the camper may be fully assembled in the manner described previously, whilst enabling access to the rear of the vehicle as desired.

On occasions where it is desired to move the vehicle separately of the camper, the camper may be simply detached from the vehicle by elevating the orthogonal member 49b attached to the hinge 47b of the wing portion, relative to the base portion so that the spigot connected to the wing of the hinge 47b is lifted out of the confines of the boss 47a. Consequently, the camper may be provided with a pair of additional legs (not shown) which may be extended to support the end of the camper which was previously connected to the base portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may subsequently be driven away without interference being caused to the camper.

It should be noted that the spigot is maintained within the boss portion 47a of the dual pivot 47 in the stowage position and is prevented from escaping therefrom by the provision of the pinning arrangement 55.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the particular embodiment herein described. For example, the framework may comprise pairs of frame segments which extend transversely of the camper rather than longitudinally. Similarly, other components of the camper can be modified in accordance with conventional design practice, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS defining the invention are as follows:-

1. A collapsible and demountable camper for mounting to the rear of a motor vehicle, comprising:-

a plurality of box-shaped portions for forming the base of said camper; a collapsible framework for forming the sides and roof of said camper; and a cover for covering said frame; said box-shaped portions being pivotally connected to each other and being adapted to be hingedly connected to said vehicle such that in a collapsed position said portions mutually engage each other in juxtaposition to define an enclosed casing for containing said frame and cover, and in an extended position said portions may be arranged essentially coplanar to define a base upon which said frame and cover may be erected to form said camper; wherein said casing is adapted to be disposed vertically for stowage at the rear of said vehicle, and said base is adapted to be disposed horizontally for camper usage.

2. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 1, including a plurality of collapsible legs pivotally mounted to the bottom of said base so that in the extended position the legs may support the base in an elevated location in general alignment with the body of said vehicle and in the collapsed position the legs may be retracted into said base for stowage.

3. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 1 or 2, wherein said framework comprises a plurality of pairs of frame segments pivotally mounted to the interior of said base, each pair having a corresponding connector for interconnecting said pair of frame members ,

when said portions are in the extended position so as to span said base from one box portion to another and support said cover from the base, and said frame segments severally being retractable into the confines of said casing for stowage when said box portions are brought into the collapsed position.

4. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 3, wherein said box portions fold out longitudinally to form said base in the extended position and said frame segments when interconnected extend longitudinally along said base, said pairs of frame segments being spaced apart transversely and being of different heights to suspend said cover in such a manner so as to provide said camper with a roof having a slight fall to one transverse side thereof, permitting an annex to be affixed to the other side of said camper.

5. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at any of the preceding claims, wherein in the collapsed position said casing provides a sealed compartment within which all the components of the camper may be stowed.

6. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 5, wherein said box portions each having an upturned skirt extending about the free ends thereof, said skirts adjoining each other at the junction between the meeting ends of said box portions to extend about the entire periphery of said base when said portions are in the extended position, said skirts being precisely configured so that they may abut together in juxtaposition when in the collapsed position to seal said casing.

7. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 6, wherein said box portions are hingedly connected to each other about a transverse axis by a pair of hinges disposed at opposite transverse sides of said camper at said meeting ends of said box portions adjacent the outer ends of the adjoining skirts.

8. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 7, wherein said box portions define an opening adjacent said meeting ends when in the collapsed position, said opening being closed by a pivotal flap mounted to the outer side of one box portion adjacent the corresponding one of said meeting ends.

9. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at any of the preceding claims, wherein said camper is mounted to said vehicle via a sub-frame, said sub-frame having a base portion fixedly mounted to the rear of said vehicle, and a pivotal wing portion which is fixedly attached to said camper, said wing portion being capable of rotation relative to said base portion about a substantially vertical pivotal axis disposed towards one side of the vehicle rear and a substantially horizontal axis disposed at an elevated position with respect to the ground, whereby rotation of said wing portion about said vertical axis is intended to permit access to said vehicle rear, and rotation of said wing portion about said horizontal axis is intended to permit said camper to be disposed in a prone position whence it may be infolded to said extended position.

10. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 9, wherein said sub-frame is provided with releasable locking means to independently lock said wing portion in a vertical position preventing rotation of said wing portion about said horizontal axis, and in a transverse position preventing rotation of said wing portion about said vertical axis.

11. A collapsible and demountable camper as claimed at claim 9 or 10 wherein said wing portion is capable of being detached from said base portion to separate said camper from said vehicle when in said prone position.

12. A collapsible and demountable camper substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings mutatis mutandis.