Expansible Camper

The invention relates to an expansible camper for incorporation in vehicles such as vans and panel trucks. More particularly it relates to a camper which makes use of both the roof of the vehicle and an interior ceiling panel whereby they are pivoted about separate opposed parallel axes on either side of the vehicle to provide means for mounting a covering or tent member with a resulting substantial expansion of available space for camping purposes as compared to that provided within the vehicle per se.

The use of campers combined with vans, panel trucks, and even station wagons has been increasing in popularity. Such vehicles are favored inasmuch as they can function as a first or second automobile by the owner and at the same time be used during vacations and weekends to provide comfortable camping facilities. A major problem of such campers is that it is difficult to arrange in the limited space provided adequate camping facilities without substantially disfiguring the vehicle or requiring a special attachment or accessory member or both. Various attempts have been made to meet this problem and although these have met with greater or lesser success, a need continues to exist which has existed for some time for a camper vehicle which appears and functions essentially as an ordinary vehicle and yet provides for substantial expansion of its available space when utilized for camping purposes. For examples of the current state of the art, particular attention is invited to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,400,968, 3,411,819, 3,454,020, 3,475,048, 3,659,893, 3,712,316, 3,713,687, 3,746,386 and 3,802,732.

A further camper unit of interest having certain similarities to the invention disclosed herein is the Romany Dormobile Camper picture and described in Popular Science, Sept., 1971, page 40.

The instant invention makes use of the roof of the camper vehicle, its underlying ceiling panel and space between them to provide for the expansion of the vehicle's space by pivoting both the roof and the ceiling panel about different axes along opposite sides of the camper. The roof is preferably raised in an arc of movement of between 45.degree. and 90.degree. and more usually about 75.degree. whereas the roof panel is pivoted about 180.degree. to provide a roof level deck approximately the area of the floor of the vehicle, if desired. The roof is held in its upright position by articulated struts and the ceiling panel is maintained in its open position by straps connected to the top of the open roof. A cover or tent also extends between the top edge of the open roof and the outward edge of the ceiling panel and provides in part support for the ceiling panel in its open position. A rod member, which is pivoted from a location near to where the ceiling panel is hinged, may be spaced above the end of the ceiling panel to provide additional interior volume with the tent and supporting straps being connected to such rod as well as the ceiling panel and the upper edge of the roof. The enclosure of the tent member which extends from the outer portion of the ceiling panel to the upper portion of the roof is thus substantially expanded.

The tent is carried together with the straps (which may be connected to the tent material) between the roof and ceiling panel when they are in their closed position. The rod for expanding the tent and the articulated strut for securing the roof may be carried above that portion of the ceiling member which surrounds the ceiling panel. When the roof and roof panel are in closed position, the vehicle is practically indistinguishable from a comparable vehicle not so modified. Nevertheless, the camping unit is capable of rapid expansion for camping purposes and securing for travel without difficulty and in a relatively short period -- a matter of a few minutes.

The camper unit in accordance with the instant invention is reasonably inexpensive and, in addition to its other advantages, permits the user to orient the vehicle either to maximize the cooling within the combined space provided by the vehicle and camping unit by positioning the vehicle so that the prevailing wind is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the camper or to minimize heat loss by placing the camper in a position whereby the open roof acts as a shelter from the prevailing wind for the tent member.

The foregoing summary of the invention refers to important objects, adaptabilities and capabilities of the invention. However, other significant aspects of the invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art as the description progresses, references being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camper vehicle in accordance with the invention with the camper portion opened;

FIG. 2 illustrates in a perspective broken view of the top of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 with the camper unit being opened;

FIG. 3 is a further broken view similar to FIG. 2 with the ceiling panel and tent supporting rod in their opened position;

FIG. 4 is a further broken perspective showing the torsion bar for the roof which is in its open position;

FIG. 5 is a broken sectional view of the roof and ceiling panel in their closed positions;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are broken detail views showing movements of the articulated strut which holds the roof in its upright open position;

FIG. 9 is perspective detail view of the ceiling panel and tent rod in their open positions;

FIG. 10 is a broken sectional view taken on lines 10 -- 10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is detail view showing the adjustable extension member for the supporting rods of the tent rod.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the camper vehicle of the invention with the roof removed; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational detail in section showing the hinge connection of the ceiling panel.

To understand the construction of the camper vehicle of the invention, process of making it and its use reference is first made to FIG. 1. Here it is seen that the van type body 15 of the camper vehicle has a covering member comprising a tent 16 which may include either forward or aft or both a screen 17 for ventilation and light. The ceiling panel 20 has been pivoted 180.degree. and is in its open position. A pair of poles 21 have been provided for the purposes of supporting the ceiling panel although, as will be later explained, they do not in fact provide the major support for the ceiling panel and are actually optional, serving more for reassurance of those who may be asleep or otherwise be supported on the deck which the open ceiling panel provides in the camper than for supporting purposes. As seen in FIG. 10, these poles have their upper ends each received by a recessed ring 22 may be, if desired, a threadable connection. Although not shown, the poles may be adjustably extensible to various lengths to allow for variations in the level of the underlying ground.

The primary means for supporting the ceiling panel 20 constitutes two or more straps 24, only the ends of which are visible in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the straps are firmly connected to the top edge of the roof 25 and extend first to a tent rod 26 to which they are also connected and finally to the outer edge of the ceiling panel where they are finally secured. FIG. 3 also illustrates a pair of articulated struts 27 which are pivotably connected to the roof by a hinge member 30 and, as best shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, on its opposite end each strut is connected by a hinge member 31 to one side of the camper vehicle's body. Each strut 27 includes an articulated joint 32 and a tubular slideable member 34 which is movable from the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 to that shown in FIG. 7 where it retains the strut in its extended position and rigidly secures the roof in its opened position. Also as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a dedent member 35 in each strut is resiliently urged upwardly to serve as insurance that slideable member 34 is not accidentally dislodged downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 7 whereby the roof might accidentally collapse. Each strut is provided on either side of a shorter side of the ceiling panel as illustrated in FIG. 12. For this reason to accommodate the struts, the length of the ceiling panel is made a few inches shorter than the roof. Also accommodated in the spaces at each end of the ceiling panel when closed are the supporting members for tent rod 26 which comprise rods 36 as seen in FIG. 9. The opening in the ceiling of vehicle 15 for the ceiling panel may be the same dimensions as the ceiling panel or less as indicated by dotted lines 28 in FIG. 12.

In actual practice rods 26 and 36 may be integral or separate, but in either event it is preferred that rods 36 be extensible and this is accomplished by an adjustable extension comprising a turnbuckle 37 which receives a threaded stud 41 extending rigidly from rod 36 and a further stud 42 extending rigidly from a hinged member 44 which is connected from its other end to a bar 15a that, in turn, is rigidly connected to the body 15. The studs are oppositely threaded so that by turning the turnbuckle, the effective length of rod 36 is extended or shortened as desired. This is used to make the tent taut and, additionally, may be utilized for levelling the ceiling panel within limits.

In FIGS. 9 and 13, it is to be seen that the ceiling panel is connected to bar 15a by means of an elongated hinge 45. A similarly elongated hinge 46 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is provided for the roof.

To urge the roof in its open position, a pair of torsion bars 47 are provided; each torsion bar 47 composed of a highly resilient metal has its lower leg 50 secured within the side portion of body 15 and its upper leg 51 secured within roof 25. The torsion portion 52 extends horizontally relative to the bar 15a. The torsion bars are of such strength that they contribute to the raising of the roof but cannot do so unaided.

To ensure that roof 25 is secured in a closed position, toggle-type securing members 54 may be provided as spaced along the outer roofs, one such securing member shown in FIG. 6.

In converting an ordinary van vehicle into a camper unit in accordance with the invention, it has been found practical to manufacture roof 25 from a portion 57 cut from the top of the vehicle which is then provided with reenforcement ribs 55. The interior paneling 56 is secured to the metal top portion 57 via ribs 55 and the space between the paneling and top portion is filled with styrofoam 60. By this means of manufacture the roof 25 constitutes a relatively strong component with comparatively good insulation. Ceiling panel 20 is manufactured in a similar manner, with the same advantageous results being provided with a framework 64 and upper and lower plies 62 and 61, the interior being filled with styrofoam 65.

The components which comprise roof 25 and ceiling panel 20 are next attached to the hinges 46 and 45, respectively, which are connected to bars 15a rigidly included in the vehicle's body 15, leg 50 of each torsion bar 47 being secured within the side of the body 15 and leg 51 within roof 25. Tent rod 26 is attached through its supporting rods 36 to bar 15a as are struts 27, their hinges and axes being proximate and parallel to the axis of the hinge 45.

In practice, to provide the additional space afforded by the camper as seen in FIG. 1, the toggle securing members 54 are first unlatched and roof 25 is raised to its desired upright position with struts 27 extended as shown in FIG. 7. Then slideable member 34 is brought to the position shown in FIG. 7 over and beyond the dedent member 35 thereby locking the roof in its upright position. Ceiling panel 20 is next moved 180.degree. about its hinge 45 which causes tent 16 to open and positions the straps 24 which, together with the tent, are carried between the ceiling panel and roof when in closed positions. Turnbuckles 37 are then adjusted as necessary and the poles 21 (which may be carried between the ceiling member and the roof with the tent and straps) are inserted and secured in recessed rings 22. However, as indicated previously, the actual support for the ceiling panel in the open position is provided by straps 24 together with tent 16.

The additional space and roominess of the camper achieved with the tent open as shown in FIG. 1 is remarkable and must be seen to be fully appreciated. Additionally, the space below the ceiling panel as seen in FIG. 1 is protected from the rain and may be utilized for numerous purposes which will occur to the experienced camper. If desired, this space may be surrounded by canvas or screening to provide a further space isolated from the outside elements.

As previously indicated, the van 15 may be oriented either to maximize the ventilation and cooling of the interior of the camper including the tent 16 or to minimize the same.

Although the preferred and currently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention has been set forth in the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of other adaptations and modifications which fall within the ambit of the following claims.