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| United States Patent
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4,109,954 |
| Wall |
August 29, 1978 |
Expandable camper apparatus
Abstract
An expandable camper apparatus for use with a pick-up truck, the
apparatus including a false floor for the pick-up bed with storage
space therebeneath in which is stored a hinged, foldable floor
member for a tent. To use the apparatus, the floor member is
essentially removed from the pick-up bed, unfolded, and becomes the
floor of a large tent constructed adjacent to the rear of the
pick-up truck.
| Inventors: |
Wall; Richard E.
(Phoenix, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
05/744,731 |
| Filed: |
November 24, 1976 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
296/161 ;
135/88.13 |
| Current
International Class: |
B60P
3/34 (20060101); B60P 3/32 (20060101); B60P 003/30 () |
| Field of
Search: |
296/23A,23G,26,24
135/1A,3A,4A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Goodman; Philip
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for use with a pick-up truck having a pick-up bed, said
apparatus including:
(a) a platform constructed and arranged to extend above and parallel
to said pick-up bed and having a storage space therebelow and above
said pick-up bed;
(b) a foldable floor member constructed and arranged for storage in
said storage space in its folded state and being slidably mounted
for entry and exit from said storage space from the rear of said
pick-up truck;
(c) said foldable floor member comprising three panels, a middle one
of said panels having hinges on both of its sides connected and
arranged with the others of said panels so that a second of said
panels folds flat against said middle panel and the third of said
panels folds flat against said second panel on axes in the direction
of the long axis of said pick-up bed, all of said panels presenting
a flat floor when unfolded; and
(d) tent frame members constructed and arranged for placement upon
said foldable floor member and adapted to receive tenting materials
when said foldable floor member is in its unfolded state.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 including height-adjustable support
means constructed and arranged for supporting said flat floor member
to a selected height.
3. Apparatus for use with a pick-up truck having a pick-up bed, said
apparatus including:
(a) a platform constructed and arranged to extend above and parallel
to said pick-up bed and having a storage space therebelow and above
said pick-up bed;
(b) a foldable floor member constructed and arranged for storage in
said storage space in its folded state and being slidably mounted
for entry and exit from said storage space from the rear of said
pick-up truck;
(c) said foldable floor member comprising multiple panels hingedly
connected and constructed and arranged, when in its unfolded state,
to comprise a flat floor member.
(d) a mechanical quick-disconnect means between said foldable floor
member and said truck.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to expandable campers.
More particularly, the invention concerns an expandable camper
apparatus for use with a pick-up truck.
In a further aspect, the invention concerns an expandable camper
apparatus which includes a foldable floor member (for a tent) which
is stored in its folded position underneath a false floor of the
pick-up bed.
In the past, the useable area of a camper, most often a pick-up
utility vehicle, has been limited to the size of the bed of the
truck, with some overhang possible. On some present campers, it is
possible to raise and lower the roof and expand the sides.
Furthermore, except for shell campers, i.e., mere covers over the
pick-up bed, most campers presently lose cargo capacity and utility
for ordinary use.
Furthermore, except for shell campers, most present campers are very
heavy and require heavy-duty vehicles or extra suspension systems
and special tires.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to provide for an
expandable camper which is not only adapted for simplicity in
construction and floor expansion greatly beyond the size of the
truck bed, but provides also for the solution of the other problems
hereinbefore mentioned with respect to the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to
provide an improved apparatus for expandable campers.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of an
expandable camper apparatus which is lightweight and may be expanded
in many directions.
Still another object is to provide an expandable camper apparatus
which leaves the interior of the camper substantially intact for
utility and cargo purposes when not being used for recreational
purposes.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an
expandable camper apparatus of the above type which allows storage
under a false floor.
Even another object is to provide an expandable camper apparatus in
which the expanded portion can be disconnected and reconnected to
the vehicle.
Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision
of an expandable camper apparatus of the above type which is
efficient in its manner of operation, relatively inexpensive to
manufacture, and having a high degree of durability and
servicability.
Briefly, to accomplish the desired objectives of the present
invention in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment
thereof, there is provided an expandable camper apparatus for use
with a pick-up truck. The apparatus includes a false floor or
platform mounted on the pickup bed and extending above and parallel
to the pick-up bed. The platform has a storage space underneath the
false floor portion and above the pick-up bed. A foldable floor
member in its folded state is stored in the storage space and
slidably mounted for entry and exit from the storage space from the
rear of the pick-up truck. This foldable floor member consists of
multiple panels hingedly connected in the direction of the long axis
of the pick-up bed. The apparatus includes tent frame members for
construction and placement upon the foldable floor member when it is
in its unfolded state, i.e., when it is removed from the storage
space, and opened to make a flat floor member to receive the tent
frame members. The tent frame members are adapted to support tenting
materials thereupon to provide a tent which may be either connected
or disconnected to the camper vehicle. The apparatus further
includes multiple height adjustable support members or stanchions
for elevating the foldable floor member when in its unfolded state
to a selected height, most normally the height of the floor of the
pick-up bed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further and more specific objects and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection
with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an artistic view in perspective of the preferred
embodiment of the expandable camper apparatus of the present
invention, shown with all parts set up for its fully expandable use
in connection with the pick-up truck and shell camper;
FIG. 2 is an artistic view in perspective of the platform or false
floor member of the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present
invention, showing the same in position on a pick-up bed, partially
broken away to better illustrate on preferred construction;
FIG. 3 is an artistic view in perspective illustrating the foldable
floor member of the present invention to show its entry and exit
from the storage space of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the foldable floor member
of the present invention pulled out sufficiently from the storage
space of the present invention to allow the use of height-adjustable
support members thereunder;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 except showing the
foldable floor member removed from its storage space to its greatest
extension and being unfolded atop the height-adjustable support
members of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in perspective illustrating the hinge
arrangement between the foldable floor member and the pick-up truck;
FIG. 7 is an artistic view in perspective of the preferred
embodiment of both the lifter mechanism of the present invention
shown in connection with a shell camper and the extended foldable
floor member of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the foldable floor member of the present invention, especially
illustrating the hinge arrangement between the panels thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, in which the reference numerals
indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1
illustrates the results when the presently preferred apparatus of
the present invention is used. Illustrated are pick-up truck 21,
shell camper 22, foldable floor member 23, height-adjustable support
members 24, and tent 25 mounted on foldable floor member 23. The
tent 25 is constructed of frame members 26 supporting tenting
material 27. The tenting material 27 may be placed in conventional
ways to butt up against the shell camper and enclose the entire
expanded area.
With particular reference to FIG. 2, pick-up 21 truck having pick-up
bed 28 is illustrated. Platform or false floor 29 is shown in place
in pick-up bed 28. Platform support structure 30 is shown in
breakaway and supports platform 29. Storage space 31 is seen to be
located between platform 29 and the floor 32 of pick-up bed 28.
With particular reference to FIG. 3, the rear of pick-up truck 21 is
shown. Platform 29 is in place and is a false floor for the pick-up
bed 28. Shown located in storage space 31 is foldable floor member
23 in its folded state, shown partially out of its storage space 31.
Foldable floor member 23 is slidably mounted in conventional ways on
floor 32 of pick-up bed 28.
With particular reference to FIG. 4, foldable floor member 23 is now
seen in a position partially removed from storage space 31 and
foldable floor member 23 is shown supported by height-adjustable
support members 24, which may be of conventional types.
With particular reference to FIG. 5, the pick-up bed 28 is shown
with foldable floor member 23 entirely extended therefrom except for
its hinged attachment with the floor 32 of pick-up bed 28 by way of
hinges 33. Foldable floor member 23 consists of a center panel 34, a
righthand panel 35, and a lefthand panel 36. Left-hand panel 36 is
shown in its final position fully unfolded and resting upon height
adjustable support member 24. Right-hand panel 35 is shown partially
unfolded and on the way to its final position opposite and in line
with panel 36. It will be seen by those skilled in the art, at this
point, with reference to FIG. 1, that foldable floor member 23 in
its unfolded state will function as a floor for tent 25.
With particular reference to FIG. 6, an enlarged view of a hinge 33
is shown. Hinge 33 consists of upper hinge part 37, which is a fixed
in a conventional manner to center panel 34 of foldable floor member
23, lower hinge part 38 which is affixed in a conventional manner to
the floor 32 of pick-up bed 28, and removable hinge pin 39. It is
seen that foldable floor member 23 can be connected or disconnected
at will in a hinged manner merely by the removable and insertion as
desired of removable hinge pin 39 in a conventional manner.
With particular reference to FIG. 7, there is shown an enlarged view
of pick-up truck 21 and shell camper 22. Shell camper 22 is shown in
an elevated position and normally occupies a lower position more
nearly adjacent pick-up bed 28. The shell camper 22 is shown as
having been raised by lifter mechanism 40, of a conventional type
(such as spring-loaded hinged folding arms or telescoping lifters
raised by wench, electrically or hydraulically).
With particular reference to FIG. 8, there is shown more clearly the
hinge attachements between the panels 34, 35 and 36 making up the
foldable floor member 23. The hinge attachment 41 between panels 34
and 35 is a double hinge construction consisting of upper hinge
member 42 attached in a conventional way to panel 35 at 43, lower
hinge member 44 attached to panel 34 at 45 in a conventional way and
center member 46 connecting the double hinge and attached only to
hinge pins 47 and 48. It is seen that this double hinge arrangement
allows right hand panel 35 to open and come to rest in line with and
closely adjacent (with slight spacing) with center panel 34 and then
panel 36 may open around conventional hinge 49 and similarly come to
rest adjacent and in line with center panel 34.
Thus it is seen that the expandable camper apparatus of the present
invention enables the utilization of a pick-up, preferably with
shell camper, to expand from its original dimension within the wheel
wells, tailgate, and front of the bed of the pick-up to three times
or more of the original floor area of the camper. Further it is
seen, by reason of the apparatus of the present invention, such
expansion, by reason of the foldable floor member of the present
invention, may be enabled with apparatus stored conveniently under
the floor of the pick-up bed and thus enable the user not to lose
the utility of the pick-up for cargo. It is further seen that the
height-adjustable support members of the present invention may be
stored within storage space 31 either in front of or aft of the
wheel wells of the pick-up truck, or both. Further it is seen that
an extremely largely tent may be constructed upon the foldable floor
member of the present invention and that, in such expanded position,
the tent can be disconnected from the truck bed and be left in a
stationary position, free standing.
Various changes in the device herein shown for the purpose of
illustration will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. Such
modifications and variations, while not explictly denoted in the
foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiment, do not
deviate from the teachings of the present invention and are intended
to be included in the spirit and scope thereof, and the scope of the
present invention is intended to be limited only by a fair
interpretation of the following claims.
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