Toy-hauling tent trailer

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to tent trailers specially adapted to perform additional functions. It relates more specifically to tent trailers adapted to transport and launch motorized “toys” such as jet skis, dirt bikes, snow mobiles, dune buggies, sand rails, all-terrain vehicles, quad runners and the like.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] Many areas suitable for riding snow mobiles, quad runners, and similar toys are remote, unimproved areas. The problem of transporting toys to the remote area and the problem of lodging at the remote area arise simultaneously. One solution has been “toy haulers,” which are conventional large travel trailers with hard sides and ceilings and floor area allocated for toys. One disadvantage of current toy haulers is the large size, which impacts zoning laws regarding storage in many neighborhoods and which may limit access to some remote areas. Another disadvantage is the high cost. Yet another disadvantage is the weight, which typically requires a large, expensive pickup truck to pull the toy hauler, especially in mountainous terrain.

[0006] Accordingly, what is needed is a toy-hauler at a lower cost and at a size that is compatible with zoning laws and narrow, unimproved roads. Also needed is a toy hauler that is light-weight.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention is a toy-hauling tent trailer, adapted to store and launch motorized adult riding toys such as jet skis, quad runners, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles and the like (hereinafter “toys”). The toy-hauling tent trailer comprises a trailer chassis and a tent, wherein the tent has an interior toy space in both the stowed and erected positions of the tent. The toy-hauling tent trailer may be folded closed to have a height under six feet for launching, transporting and storing toys. In erecting the tent, the tent unfolds by pivoting outer side and end panels upward to form additional roof in up to four directions, and by pivoting inner side and end panels downward to form additional floor space. One or more sections of the unfolded floor space may pivot further to serve as a ramp for loading and launching toys. The walls in the unfolded open position are at least partially tent walls, which may have doors and windows. A roof extension, an associated floor extension, and the tent material extending between them may be prefabricated as modular folding wall units, optionally with extendable frames. The center section of roof raises to provide adequate head room for standing. The floor has integral tie-down strips that also serve as flooring supports, or joists. In both the folded and unfolded state, the interior space is vented and drained to the outside. The interior space may contain one or more partitions separating the toy hauling space from a clean cargo space. The toy-hauling tent trailer may be used with the roof raised and the sides remaining stowed for carrying covered taller cargo.

[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the toy-hauling tent trailer will be apparent from the following more particular description of specific embodiments of the toy-hauling tent trailer, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIGS. 1A-C are top, side, and rear views of an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer in the erected position of the tent;

[0010] FIG. 2A is a view of the interior floor configured according to an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer;

[0011] FIG. 2B is a side view of an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer in the stowed position of the tent;

[0012] FIG. 2C is a rear view of an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer in the stowed position of the tent;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary toy being loaded into an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer in the erected position of the tent;

[0014] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view through the toy space of an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer in the stowed position of the tent;

[0015] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view through the toy space of an example of an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer in the erected position of the tent;

[0016] FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the floor space of an embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer showing an exemplary configuration of a grid of tie-down strips;

[0017] FIG. 5B is a transverse cross sectional view of an example of a tie-down strip for an exemplary embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer;

[0018] FIG. 5C is a longitudinal cross sectional view of an example of a portion of a tie-down strip for an exemplary embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer;

[0019] FIGS. 6A-C are top, side, and rear views of an alternate embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer in the erected position of the tent;

[0020] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1A is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in an erected position of the tent 160. Center roof section 102 may be a rigid web supported by extendable posts 150 (FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, center roof section 102 may be flexible tent material, such as canvas, nylon, cotton duck, or polyethylene, on a frame. The flexible tent material may be of different inner and outer layers, as is known in the art of tent making. Vent 104 in center roof section 102 may reduce the build up of fuel fumes in toy space 211 (FIG. 4A). In some embodiments, center roof section 102 may be made of several panels of different materials. For example, a translucent panel may be included as a sky light. Center roof section 102 is the top of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the stowed position of the tent.

[0021] Front roof extension 106 may be flexibly connected to center roof section 102. For example, a piano hinge may be used, with a flexible waterproof fabric covering to prevent rain from leaking inside the tent. In some embodiments, the connection may be made on the underside of center roof section 102, an inch or so inward from the edge, to give some rain protection without the need for a flexible waterproof fabric covering. Front roof extension 106 may be maintained in its erected position by any conventional erecting gear. For example, the latches used for extending and locking table leaves may be used. Braces will also serve the purpose. For further example, slotted braces secured with wing nuts on anchored bolts through the slots may allow the user to vary the slope of the front roof extension 106. In other embodiments, hydraulic or pneumatic struts may be used for braces. Front roof extension 106 may be a single panel or web. In some embodiments, front roof extension 106 may itself be a series of articulated panels that may unfold to cover a larger area. Such panels may be folded up, accordion-style, in the stowed position of the tent 160. The length of front roof extension 106 for stowing, whether a single piece or not, is limited by the height of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100. Front roof extension 106 is the forward face of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the stowed position. Accordingly, the length of stowed front roof extension 106 covers no greater distance than from the top of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 to the trailer chassis 120. Front roof extension 106 has edges not connected to center roof section 102. Front roof extension 106 engages tent material 113 along those edges.

[0022] Rear roof extension 108 may be configured the same as front roof extension 106 as to the sizing, erecting gear, tent material attachment, and embodiments having accordion-style extendable panels. In a particular embodiment, the rear roof extension 108 may have a license plate holder, brake lights, and running lights on the outside surface.

[0023] Side roof extension 107 may be configured the same as front roof extension 106 as to the sizing, erecting gear, tent material attachment, and embodiments having accordion-style extendable panels. Side roof extension 109 may also be configured the same as front roof extension 106 as to the sizing, erecting gear, tent material attachment, and embodiments having accordion-style extendable panels. The length of side roof extension 109 may be less than the length of the trailer frame 120 to accommodate a door 114 (FIG. 1B). A second side roof extension 137, similar to side roof extensions 107 and 109, may be used on the same side of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 but on the other side of the door.

[0024] FIG. 1B shows a side elevation view of an exemplary toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the erected position. Trailer chassis 120, has trailer hitch 118, wheels, and a frame which defines the bottom perimeter of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 and the floors 210 and 212 (FIG. 2A) within. Lower side walls 110 may be rigidly attached to frame 120 and may include a front lower sidewall as well. Side extension panels 107, 109, and 137 need not be as long as aft roof extension 108 in embodiments 100 with lower side walls 110 because the side extension panels 107, 109, and 137 need only be long enough to reach the top of the lower side wall in the stowed position (FIG. 2B). In other embodiments, the side extension panels 107, 109, and 137 may overlap the lower sidewalls 110. In some variations of such embodiments, the side extension panels 107, 109, and 137 may overlap the lower sidewalls 110 all the way to the bottom edge of trailer chassis 120.

[0025] Door 114 may be sized to be operable in the stowed position of the tent 160 (FIG. 2B). In the erected position of the tent 160, door extension 115 completes the closure of the door opening. Door extension 115 may be flexibly connected to door 114. In other embodiments, door extension 115 may slide, or telescope, down into a hollow door 114, or may be detachable to be stowed. In a variation of the telescoping door extension 115, the door extension 115 and a door frame may be attached to a center roof section 102 and may telescope together as the tent 160 is erected or stowed. Side roof extensions 109 and 137 may provide a gap above door 114, as shown. This permits operating the door 114 in the stowed position of the tent 160, because the roof extension panel 109 does not fold over the door 114. In a particular embodiment, where use of door 114 is not desired in the stowed position, side roof extension 109 may extend to the front end of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100, thereby providing a roof over the door 115. In yet another embodiment, side roof extension 109 may have its own articulated end roof extension which may be stowed without extending the length of side roof extension 109 but which may be erected to extend over the doorway. In some embodiments, the door may be located on the front, rear, or other side of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100. In some other embodiments the door 114 may be located,elsewhere on the side of toy-hauling tent trailer 100. In a particular embodiment, there may be no door 114.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, door 114 and door extension 115 may be made of tent fabric and connected by a zipper to allow use of just door 114 in the stowed position. In another particular embodiment, wherein the tent walls 134-135 extend down to the chassis 120, the door may be in tent wall 134-135, and not usable in the stowed position.

[0027] Center roof section 102 may be supported by extendable posts 150. The posts may be extended by telescoping and locking with a transverse pin or similarly effective lock at each telescoping joint. In a variation of the telescoping post 150, the posts may be pneumatically extended and retracted. In various alternate embodiments, the supports for center roof section 102 may be one or more scissor jacks, may be posts that are extended by adding additional sections using interlocking tapered joints, or may be posts extended by folding out and locking articulated sections. Embodiment 100 uses four corner posts, but other arrangements will occur to those skilled in the art of tent-making. For example, in a particular embodiment, the center roof section 102 may be supported by external bowed crossing struts.

[0028] Tent walls 126 and 112, depend from the previously described roof extension 108 to engage rear floor extension 124. Floor extensions 124 folds out from the stowed position (FIG. 2B) on flexible connections, such as hinges, in a manner similar to erecting roof extensions 106-109 and 137, but are folded downward from vertical positions. (FIG. 4B). Floor extension 124 may be detached from tent walls 126 and 112 and further lowered to serve as a loading and launching ramp for toys (FIG. 3). Tent wall 126 may be equipped with a vertical zipper to allow the wall 126 to be opened for loading and launching toys. In some alternate embodiments, the ramp 124 and opening wall 126 may be on a side of the toy-hauling tent trailer 126. Rear floor extension 124 may have a high traction surface on the top side of the ramp 124 (FIG. 3). In a particular embodiment, the ramp 124 is a metal grating having an opening sufficient to let mud, snow, and debris fall through. In an embodiment, ramp 124 may comprise one or more tie-down strips. In an embodiment, floor extensions 124, 122, 138, and 132 may be supported by cables depending from posts 150.

[0029] Tent wall 134 depends from side roof extension 109 to engage side floor extension 132. Tent wall 134 extends around the ends of side roof extension 109 to enclose the exterior perimeter of the extended space between side floor extension 132 and side roof extension 109. Tent wall 135 is similarly configured between side roof extension 137 and side floor extension 133. Tent wall 113 is also similarly configured between front roof extension 106 and front floor extension 122. Front floor extension may be braced against the trailer chassis 120 with brace 116. Other floor extensions may also be braced. Side floor extensions 138 and 132 may be braced against lower side walls 110 using braces 130 (FIG. 1C). In some embodiments, braces 130 brace against the chassis 120 or the ground. Rear floor extension 124 may be braced against the ground. The chassis 120 may include leveling equipment for erecting the toy-hauling tent trailer 100.

[0030] In embodiment 100, tent walls 126, 112, 134, 135, 136, and 113 are made of tent fabric. For example, canvas, cotton duck, nylon, or polyethylene may be used, as well as any of the modern specialized tent fabrics. In an alternate embodiment, the tent walls 126, 112, 134, 135, 136, and 113 may be made of articulated accordion-style panels.

[0031] FIG. 1C shows a rear elevation view of exemplary toy-hauling tent trailer 100. Vent 104 and drain 140 are open to the toy space 211 (FIG. 4A) in both the erected and stowed positions of the tent 160. Side floor extensions 138 and 132 are flexibly connected to the tops of the rigid lower side walls 110. In some embodiments, there are no lower sidewalls 110 and side floor extensions 138 and 132 are flexibly connected to the chassis 120. In a particular embodiment, side floor extensions 138 and 132, with lockable articulated panels, may be erected at a level lower than the chassis 120.

[0032] FIG. 2A shows a plan view of an exemplary center floor section 210 and 212. The floor 210 of toy space 211 may be separated from floor 212 of the clean cargo space by a partition 214. Exemplary drain 140 may be used to discharge water and mud that drips from toys after use. It may also be used when washing out the toy space with a hose. In some embodiments, the drain 140 extends entirely across the rear end of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100. In a particular embodiment, drain 140 may be a plurality of individual drains.

[0033] FIG. 2B shows a side elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the stowed position of the tent 160. Rear floor extension 124, or ramp 124, is shown folded up to its stowed position. Rear roof extension 108 is shown folded down to form the rear wall of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the stowed position of the tent 160. Tent walls 126 and 112 may be stowed between and still attached to rear floor extension 124 and rear roof extension 108. The rear of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 may be opened in the stowed position to load or launch a toy. Side wall extensions 109 and 137 are shown folded down to form a top portion of the sidewall of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the stowed position of the tent 160. Door extension 115 (FIG. 1B) has been stowed within or behind door 114. Front floor extension 122 has been folded up and front roof extension 106 folded down over it to form the front wall of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the stowed position of the tent 160. In the stowed position of the tent 160, the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 is short enough, usually no more than six feet high, to comply with zoning ordinances regarding stored vehicles.

[0034] FIG. 2C is the rear elevation view of the tent 160 in the stowed position. Center roof section 102 is roof of the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 in the stowed position of the tent 160. Vent 104 and drain 140 are operable during stowage to prevent fuel fumes from accumulating in the toy space 211 above floor 210 (FIG. 4A).

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a toy 301 (a jet ski) being loaded into the toy-hauling tent trailer 300 in the erected position of the tent 160. As shown, the toy 301 is being loaded by rolling the toy 301 up ramp 124 on the toy's custom trailer. Within the toy-hauling tent trailer 300, the toy's separate trailer may be attached to tie-down strips 502 (FIG. 5), the trailer then serving as a holding fixture for the toy. In many embodiments, the toy 301 may be loaded without its own trailer. Many toys 301 have their own wheels. In a particular embodiment, a jet ski 301 may be launched from the toy-hauling tent trailer 300 directly into the water by backing the trailer down the loading ramp at a dock facility until the ramp 124 may be lowered to be partially in the water. The toy may then be slid out of the toy-hauling tent trailer 300 and into the water. In some embodiments, the ramp 124 or the floor 102 may comprise holding fixtures such as boat bunk glide-ons or bunk pads. In variations of these embodiments, the boat bunk glide-ons and bunk pads may be configured to be attachable to tie-down strips 502 (FIG. 5). In other embodiments, other holding fixtures adapted to a particular toy or type of toy may be integral to the floor 210 or ramp 124 or may be attachable to tie-down strips 502.

[0036] FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view through the toy space of an exemplary embodiment the toy-hauling tent trailer 400 in the stowed position of tent 160. Side roof extension 404 may be stowed on the outside of toy-hauling tent trailer 400 to form an upper portion of the outer side of the toy-hauling tent trailer 400. Side floor extension 408 may be stowed inside the toy-hauling tent trailer 400, placed to allow room for the tent wall 406 to be stowed between the roof extension 404 and the floor extension 408. Brace 410 is folded against floor extension 408 in the stowed position of tent 160. The space above floor 210 and below center roof section 102 is the toy space 211.

[0037] In some embodiments, roof extension panel 404 may overlap a portion of lower side wall 110. In such an embodiment, the posts 150 (FIG. 1B) or modular wall units 420 may be extended to raise center roof section 102 without unfolding the modular wall units 420. As the center roof section 102 is raised, roof extension panel 404 moves vertically upward, keeping tent wall 406 contained between roof extension panel 404 and floor extension panel 408. In such a configuration, taller cargo may be carried inside the toy-hauling tent trailer 400.

[0038] FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment the toy-hauling tent trailer 400 in the erected position of tent 160. Roof extensions 404 may pivoted up to their erected positions and floor extensions 408 may be pivoted down to their erected positions, thereby extending tent walls 406. Note that raising center roof section 102 by extending posts 150 (FIG. 1B) will necessarily accomplish some of this pivoting. Braces 410 are shown braced against the chassis 120.

[0039] In some embodiments, each set of roof extension 404, connected tent wall 406, and floor extension 408 may be formed as a modular folding wall unit 420. The modular folding wall unit 420 may be prefabricated for installation on a variety of lower side walls 110 or chassis 120. The modular folding wall unit 420 may incorporate the function of extendable posts 150 (FIG. 1B) in a frame for the modular folding wall unit 420. The frame may further provide flexible attachments to the roof extension 404 and the floor extension 408. Thus, the walls and ends of a toy-hauling tent trailer 400 could be fabricated as appropriately adapted modular folding wall units 420, attached at the edges which meet at the corners of the chassis frame 120. A center roof section 102 could then be attached to the plurality of modular folding wall units 420 and the center roof section 120 would be raised when the modular folding wall units 420 were erected.

[0040] FIG. 5A shows an exemplary embodiment of floor 210 comprising an exemplary grid of tie-down strips 502 and flooring panels 510. The flooring panels 510 can be made of wood or synthetic flooring. The tie-down strips 502 provide points of attachment for tie-down strap hooks 520 (FIG. 5C) which may be used to prevent the toy 301 (FIG. 3) from moving around in the toy space when the toy-hauling tent trailer 100 is being towed. The tie-down strips 502 additionally serve as floor joists for the center floor section 210, supporting flooring panels 510 and supported by attachment to the chassis 120 (FIG. 1B). Each tie-down strip 502 comprises a plurality of tie-down bars 504. In a particular embodiment, the tie-down strips 502 may be oriented transversely, rather than longitudinally, as shown. In various alternate embodiments, the tie-down strips 502 may be shaped, may interconnect, and may be of various sizes.

[0041] FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional elevation view of an exemplary tie-down strip 502. Tie-down strip 502 comprises a channel 514 bounded by inner wall surfaces 516 and base 517. Tie-down bars are attached within the channel 514 and fixed to the inner wall surfaces 516. Flanges 512 extend from the base 512 to support flooring panels 510. Flooring panels 510 may be attached to flanges 512. For example, a plurality of screws 518 may attach flooring panel 510 to flange 512. Other conventional methods of attachment are also contemplated.

[0042] The channel 514 and flanges are sized and shaped to put the top surfaces 506 of the channel walls flush with the top surfaces of the flooring panels 510. In a particular embodiment, the top surfaces 506 may be finished or coated to create high-friction surfaces. In some embodiments, the tie-down bar 504 may be below the top of the channel 514. The flanges 512 and/or the base 517 may be adapted to be attached to the chassis 120 and to serve as floor joists. For example, attachment flanges 512 for bolting or welding, adapted to a particular chassis 120, may extend from the base 517. In an alternate embodiment, the channel 514 does not have a constant depth, but slopes downward to a drain 140 to allow water dripping from the toy 301 (FIG. 3) to drain from the channel 514. In another alternate embodiment, floor 210 may be slightly sloped to enable channels 514 of constant depth to drain floor 210.

[0043] FIG. 5C shows a cross section view through the longitudinal center line of a tie-down strip. The channel 514 may be sized to enable a conventional tie-down hook 520 to engage the tie down bar 504.

[0044] FIG. 6A shows a top plan view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer 600. Front and rear roof extensions 106 and 108 have side extensions 601, 602 and 603, 604, respectively. These side extensions 601-604 fold out when erected to engage side extension panels 107, 109, and 137 to make a larger roof. Floor extension panels 124 and 122 are similarly configured.

[0045] FIG. 6B shows a side elevation view of the alternate exemplary embodiment of the toy-hauling tent trailer 600. This embodiment lacks lower side walls 110 (FIG. 2B). The floor extensions 124, 132, 133, 122, and 138 attach to the chassis 120. Tent walls 113, 134, 135, 136, and 128 extend downward from the roof extensions to engage their respective floor extension panels.

[0046] The foregoing description has described selected embodiments of a toy-hauling tent trailer. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to selected embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, as limited only by the appended claims, various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the lower side walls 110 may comprise tie-down strips 502. Likewise, a truck chassis may be substituted for a trailer chassis 120.