WO2009156727A1

WO2009156727A1 - Caravan trailer with a demountable pod

Info

Publication number: WO2009156727A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/001588
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan M. Harrison; David A. Harrison
Original assignee: Purple Line Limited
Priority date: 2008-06-25
Filing date: 2009-06-25
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: EP2303633A1; AU2009263966A1; GB0822765D0; GB0811603D0; GB2461325A

Abstract

A caravan trailer (10) comprising a trailer assembly (14) and a pod (12), the trailer assembly comprising a chassis (18) having wheels (22) and a tow bar (24); wherein the pod (12) is releasably mounted on the chassis (18) and wherein the assembled caravan trailer (10) has a maximum vertical height of less than 1.8 m and an unloaded weight of 750 kg or less.

Description

CARAVAN TRAILER WITH A DEMOUNTABLE POD

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to small caravan trailers.

As is well known, caravan trailers provide homes which can be moved by hitching the trailer to a motor vehicle and towing the caravan to a desired location. A caravan trailer is constructed by forming a chassis, typically of a box-section construction, and building upwards to form the pod that provides living space.

Caravan trailers come in various shapes and sizes. The term 'small caravan trailer' is used herein to refer to a caravan trailer having a maximum height of less than 1.8 metres, and typically a weight from 200 kg to 750 kg. This contrasts with regular caravans which typically weigh about 1200-2000 kg. Small caravan trailers are typically no wider than the average car, having a maximum width of about 1.8 to 2 metres and being relatively easy tow, even when acted on by cross-winds or turbulence from lorries. One version of a small caravan is known as a 'teardrop' caravan because the shape of the pod resembles a teardrop.

Caravan users want their investment to last as long as possible and there is a large market for caravan covers to protect the caravan from the elements as they are too large to store in a standard garage. These can be expensive and are not an ideal long-term solution.

Theft of caravans has now reached epidemic proportions, and many users employ expensive security systems in an attempt to deter thieves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention are specified in the independent claims. Preferred features are specified in the dependent claims. The invention provides a small caravan trailer in which the pod can be easily and quickly demounted from the trailer assembly by a user. In a preferred embodiment no special tools are needed. The pod is sufficiently portable to be readily carried by able-bodied people. Because of its compact size, the pod may readily be removed and stored in a garage or similar structure, either with or without the trailer assembly.

Although caravan structures are known in which a camper top is detachable from a trailer, for example CA 985717, DE 4342349, DE 2523137 and GB2338685, all of these caravans are large and have pods not suitable for manual carrying or storage in a conventional garage. Moreover special tools and lifting gear will be required for assembly or disassembly, unlike the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The trailer assembly, with the pod removed, may be used as a general trailer with or without a box. Alternatively the trailer assembly may be modified with bolt-on components for specialised uses such as carrying mountain bikes, quad bikes, motorcycles or skis, or for marine use such as for carrying a dinghy and general load carrying such as furniture or waste disposal. The invention therefore provides a flexible system which can be used for caravanning but which can readily be modified to provide a trailer for other uses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows different views of a caravan trailer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the caravan trailer of Figure 1 with the pod separated from the trailer assembly; and

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate details of the caravan trailer of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The small caravan trailer 10 shown in Figure 1 is of the teardrop type, with a caravan pod 12 mounted on a trailer assembly 14 having wheels 22 and a tow bar 24. In this example the pod 12 is a teardrop pod. The height of the trailer 10 (the combined pod 12 and trailer assembly 14) is less than 1.8 metres, and the weight of the trailer 10 is less than 750 kg, which is the maximum permissible weight for unbraked trailers in the UK.

Access to the inside of the pod 12 is provided by doors 16. The wheels 22 are mounted for rotation on an axle 28 and protected by mudguards 26. These features are of course known per se from conventional small caravan trailer designs.

The present invention differs from conventional small caravan trailers in that the pod 12 is releasably secured to the chassis 18 of the trailer assembly 14. In this example the pod 12 is secured to the chassis 18 by means of clip assemblies 38 which allow a user quickly and easily to release the pod and demount it from the trailer assembly 14 without the use of tools. It will be understood that other - A -

releasable securing means could be used instead of the illustrated clip assemblies.

The pod 12 is of a size and weight to allow it readily to be carried by people, and in some embodiments can be readily carried by two people, and then to be stored in a garage or other secure area. The trailer assembly 14 may also be stored in a garage if desired. The small caravan trailer may therefore readily be protected from the weather when not in use, and away from the attention of thieves or vandals.

In this example the trailer assembly 14 includes a locker box 20 for general storage or for storing items such as gas bottles or a leisure battery for the pod 12. The locker box 20 may also house connections for an electrical hook-up with a towing vehicle, for example via the vehicle's towball, in a manner known per se. It may connect the electrics inside the pod 12 with the electrics of the towing vehicle and allow the pod 12 to be powered by the towing vehicle. The pod may be releasably connected to the electrics in the locker box 20, or other electrical connection from a towing vehicle, by means of a suitable plug and socket arrangement (not shown).

In this example, the locker box 20 has an inward facing surface that is curved to fit the lower front face of the pod 12. This makes it easier for a user to locate the pod 12 in the correct place for the clip assemblies 38 to be used to secure the pod to the chassis. The inward facing surface of the locker box 20 may also be used, when the pod 12 is demounted, to provide a location for items such as bicycles or motorcycles carried by the trailer assembly 14. For example, the surface may include one or more grooves to receive a bicycle tyre, or its shape may be modified by an adaptor to receive a motorcycle tyre. Thus the inward facing surface of the locker box 20 may provide a front wheel 'locate and lock' function.

The pod 12 is provided with one or more ground supports, for example legs 30. In this example the pod 12 has four legs 30, which can be extended from a retracted position as shown in Detail A of Figure 3a, to an extended position as best shown in Detail B of Figure 3b. The extended legs 30 are used to support the pod 12 above the trailer assembly when the pod is separated from the chassis. This allows the trailer assembly 14 to be removed from or inserted under the pod. The legs 30 may be made extendable by means known in the art per se, for example a screw mechanism operated by a swivelling handle, in the manner of raising or lowering a conventional jockey wheel.

At least two opposed legs 30 are laterally adjustable to provide a gap wide enough to allow the trailer assembly 14 to be wheeled between them when the pod 12 is stood on its legs. In this example, each leg 30 is mounted on a slidable cross member 50 and is provided with a grab handle 32. The user adjusts the lateral distance between opposed legs 30 by pushing or pulling on the grab handles 32.

To assemble the caravan trailer 10 , starting from the separated pod 12 and trailer assembly 14 shown in Figure 2, a user wheels the trailer assembly 14 under the pod 12 until the clasp members 40 on the chassis 18 are located below corresponding catchplates 42 on the pod 12. The front legs 30 of the pod are spaced sufficiently far apart by the user to permit the wheels 22 and mudguards 26 to pass between them, as best shown in Detail C of Figure 3c.

With the trailer assembly 14 suitably positioned under the pod 12, the user lowers the legs 30 so as to bring the pod 12 down to rest on the chassis 18 with the front end of the pod 12 resting on the inward facing surface of the locker box 20, which functions as a cradle member for the pod. The clip assemblies 38 (as shown in Detail D of Figure 3c or Detail B of Figure 4b) are then used to releasably secure the pod 12 to the chassis 18 of the trailer assembly 14. In this example each clip assembly is of a design well known perse, comprising a catchplate 42 on the pod, with an integral catch member 44, and a mounting plate 48 on the chassis 18. The mounting plate 48 has a clasp member 40 which is pivotally mounted to a clip member 46. To secure the clip assembly, the clip member 46 is pivoted to allow the clasp member 40 to be located around the catch member 44. With the clasp member 40 engaged, the clip member 46 is then pivoted back to provide a secure engagement between the clasp member 46 and the catch member 44. The clip assembly has an over centre clamp action so that force is required to open it, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidental opening. For added security, the clamp assembly 38 may be provided with a lock.

Once the pod 12 is mounted on the trailer assembly 18, the user may push the opposed front legs 30 closer together for transport. The legs 30 may optionally be locked or secured in position after suitable adjustment.

To demount the pod 12 from the trailer assembly 14, the above steps are reversed.

It will be understood that other clip designs, or other types of releasable fastening means, may be used to releasably secure the pod to the chassis. While the invention has been illustrated with respect to the use of four fastening means it will be understood that other numbers of fastening means could be used.

Referring now to Figure 4, the trailer assembly 14 is provided with a lighting board 34 which will be connected to a vehicle's power supply via a cable (not shown) that will connect via the vehicle's towball in a manner known per se, either directly or via a connection in the locker box 20 as previously described. The lighting board 34 is movable between a raised position (Figure 4a) and a lowered position

(Figure 4b). In the raised position the lighting board 34 is disposed in front of at least part of the pod and displays light clusters 52 and a number plate 54. In the lowered position, the lighting board 34 is below the chassis 18 and the pod 12.

With the lighting board 34 in the lowered position it will not make contact with the pod 12 when the trailer assembly 14 is withdrawn from or inserted under the pod

12.

The ability to move the lighting board to the lowered position provides other benefits. For example, when the trailer assembly is used without the pod, having the lighting board in the lowered position allows a ramp to be positioned at the back of the trailer assembly to allow items to be pulled or wheeled on board the trailer.

In this example, the lighting board 34 is pivotally secured to the chassis 18 by hinges 36, as best shown in Detail A of Figure 4b and Detail C of Figure 4a. However it will be understood that other arrangements could be used to provide for height adjustment of the lighting board; for example the lighting board could be slidably mounted in relation to the chassis and could be slid up or down and secured in position by suitable clamping or clip means.

The invention provides a caravan trailer which can readily be converted into a regular trailer by a user without the use of tools. The pod can readily be carried by able bodied people, and may be stored in a garage either with or without the trailer assembly.

Claims

1. A caravan trailer comprising a trailer assembly and a pod, the trailer assembly comprising a chassis having wheels and a tow bar; wherein the pod is releasably mounted on the chassis and wherein the assembled caravan trailer has a maximum vertical height of less than 1.8 m and an unloaded weight of 750 kg or less, wherein the pod is provided with a plurality of legs on which the pod stands when demounted from the chassis and in which the legs are attached to the pod such that the legs remain attached to the pod when the pod is mounted on the chassis.

2. A caravan trailer according to Claim 1 wherein each leg is adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position and in which the legs are arranged to support the pod when in the extended position.

3. A caravan trailer according to Claim 2 in which the legs are arranged to be stored in the retracted position.

4. A caravan trailer according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the legs are located externally from the pod in the retracted position.

5. A caravan trailer according to Claim 4 in which the legs locate on sides of the pod in the retracted position.

6. A caravan trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein at least two legs are laterally adjustable to provide a gap between them sufficient to allow the trailer assembly to be removed from or inserted under the pod when the pod is stood on its legs.

7. A caravan trailer according to Claim 6 in which each leg is mounted on a slidable cross member to enable a user to adjust the distance between laterally opposed legs.

8. A caravan trailer according to Claim 7 in which each slidable cross member is arranged to slide into and out of the pod to adjust the distance between laterally opposed legs.

9. A caravan trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the pod is demountable from the chassis without the use of any tool.

10. A caravan trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the pod is releasably mounted on the chassis by means of clips.

11. A caravan trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer assembly is provided with a lighting board.

12. A caravan trailer according to Claim 11, wherein the lighting board is movable between a raised position in which it is level with at least part of the pod, and a lowered position in which it is below the pod.

13. A caravan trailer according to Claim 12, wherein the lighting board is pivotally mounted to the chassis.

14. A caravan trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the pod is a teardrop pod.

15. A method of assembling a caravan trailer comprising a trailer assembly and a portable pod, the trailer assembly comprising a chassis having wheels and a tow bar; the method comprising manually moving and releasably mounting the portable pod on the chassis and wherein the assembled caravan trailer has a maximum vertical height of less than 1.8 m and an unloaded weight of 750 kg or less, the method further comprising standing the portable pod on a plurality of legs on which the pod stands when demounted from the chassis and the method comprising maintaining the legs attached to the pod when the pod is mounted on the chassis.

16. A pod for a caravan trailer assembly as specified in Claim 1, the pod having releasable fastening means for engaging with corresponding features on a trailer assembly.

17. A trailer assembly for a caravan trailer as specified in Claim 1 , the trailer assembly having releasable fastening means for engaging with corresponding features on a pod as specified in Claim 16.

18. A caravan trailer substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

19. A trailer assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

20. A pod for a caravan trailer substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

21. A method of assembling a caravan trailer substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.