AU2005205843B2 - Tent structure for a camping vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: Bronte John Scholz Actual Inventor: Bronte John Scholz Address for Service: C/- MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: TENT STRUCTURE FOR A CAMPING VEHICLE Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2004905132 dated 9 September 2004 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me. I PatAU131 I Description Field of invention This invention relates to camping equipment and more particularly to foldable tents 5 for camping for mounting onto vehicles. Background of the invention There have been proposed in the past folding tent units which can be mounted onto a vehicle. Such units include a number of hoops or frames pivoted onto a base on the 10 vehicle and the frames supporting a tent structure. It is desirable that such a tent structure has a floor and that that floor be held smoothly onto the ground. Prior art tent frame systems have required that after erection of the tent frames the floor must be pulled out and pegged out separately and it is an object of this invention to provide an alternative arrangement of tent frame system for a camper trailer type 15 vehicle. Summary of the Invention In one form therefore the invention is said to reside in a tent frame assembly comprising a base and a plurality of frame members pivotally mounted to the base, 20 the base being adapted to be carried on a vehicle, the tent frame assembly characterised by at least one frame member adapted to pivot on the base from a stowed position to a position at which it extends to ground adjacent to the vehicle to tension a floor of a tent when mounted onto the tent frame. 25 It will be seen that by this invention one of the hoop members extends to the ground to hold the floor in position. Preferably the base comprises a substantially rectangular frame defined by sides and ends and the at least one frame member is pivotally joined to a support post on the 30 sides at one end of the substantially rectangular frame. 2 In one form of the invention the base may be adapted for mounting onto a trailer. Alternatively the base can be mounted onto a tray of a tray top vehicle or onto a utility vehicle. For either of these last two alternatives the base member can include fixed or removable support legs or jacks so that it can be lifted off the vehicle when it 5 is not required. The support legs may be such that once the tent is set up the base and tent can be supported by the support legs or jacks and the vehicle removed. In one preferred embodiment there may be at least three roof hoop members, that is, hoop members pivoting from the base which will support the roof of a tent and one 10 or two floor hoop members, that is, hoop members pivoting on the base and extending to one side or opposite sides of the floor of the tent. Each hoop member generally comprises a U-shaped member having side arms and a cross piece at the end of the side arms. The side arms may be made telescopic so that 15 after the hoop members have been put in place they can be extended to tension the tent as required. In one preferred form of the invention there may be first and second floor hoop members pivoting on the base and extending in use to either side of a floor of a tent. 20 A first floor hoop member may be adapted to extend to the floor adjacent to the vehicle and the second floor hoop member may extend to the floor away from the vehicle. The second hoop member may be slidably mounted onto one of the roof hoop members and arranged to extend to the edge of the floor away from the vehicle. 25 There may be provided a locking mechanism for the nearer floor hoop member so that after it has been put in place it can be locked into its position with respect to the base so that the floor of the tent on the side nearer the vehicle is held in tight against the vehicle. 30 There can be provided an arrangement to prevent over extension of the telescopic arms and in particular the second floor member. 3 In a further form the invention is said to reside in a tent assembly comprising a base, a plurality of frame members pivotally mounted to the base and a tent structure, the base being adapted to be carried on a vehicle, the tent frame assembly comprising at least three roof frame members and one or two floor frame members, the roof frame 5 members being mounted to the base to pivot on the base from a stowed position to an extended position to support the tent structure, the floor frame members being mounted to the base to pivot on the base from a stowed position to a position at which it or they extend to ground adjacent to the vehicle to tension a floor of the tent structure adjacent to the vehicle. 10 In a further form the invention is said to reside in a camping unit adapted to be carried on a tray top vehicle or utility vehicle. The camping unit including an upright storage compartment and a lower storage compartment and the lower storage compartment having a fold out tent and tent frame assembly mounted thereon 15 wherein the combined lower storage compartment and tent and tent frame assembly is of less height than the upper storage compartment. The fold out tent and tent frame assembly may be as described above. The camper unit can include jacks to enable it to be lifted to such a height that the 20 vehicle can be driven away from underneath it. The upright storage is preferably forward of the lower storage compartments. The tent and tent frame assembly mounted onto the lower storage compartment may extend out to the rear of the tray top or utility vehicle or to one side of the utility or 25 tray top vehicle when erected. There may be further included and mounted onto the upright storage compartment a storage rack which extends in use over the cab of a vehicle onto which the camper unit is mounted. Such a storage rack may be adjustable in height to enable mounting 30 on different types of vehicle. Adjustability and height may be provided with telescopic legs which extend to the upright storage compartment. 4 In a further form the invention may be said to reside in a fold out tent adapted to be carried on a vehicle, the fold out tent including a tent frame assembly as described above. 5 In a further form the invention may be said to reside in a collapsible tent assembly adapted to fit onto a vehicle, the tent assembly comprising a plurality of U-shaped support members each having a cross piece and a pair of side arms, each U-shaped support member being connected to a base frame at opposite sides thereof, the connection being via pivoting means, the pivoting means allowing the U-shaped 10 support member to lie on the base frame in a stowed condition whilst allowing for the U-shaped support members to be rotated to form a frame for a floor and a roof of the tent assembly, whereby in use at least one U-shaped support member can be rotated below the level of the base frame to supply support for the floor of the tent assembly at least one U-shaped support member can be rotated above the level of the 15 base frame to provide support for the roof of the tent assembly. Brief Description of the Drawings This then generally describes the invention but to assist with understanding reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred 20 embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a trailer with a camper unit mounted onto it with a tent structure in a stowed position with a cover on it; 25 Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 but with the cover for the tent structure removed. For clarity the tent material is not shown; Figure 3 shows a first stage in the opening out process of the tent frame with a single line showing the outline of the tent; Figure 4 shows a next stage in the folding out process; 30 Figure 5 shows a final stage of the folding out process for a first embodiment of the invention; 5 Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of tent frame assembly mounted onto a trailer; Figure 7 shows a first stage in the fold out process; Figure 8 shows a next stage; 5 Figure 9 shows a further stage in which the first floor frame is in its final position; Figure 10 shows a still further stage; Figure 11 shows a further stage when all frames are lifted from the stowed position; 10 Figure 12 shows the completed erected tent; Figure 13 shows an alternative embodiment of tent and tent frame assembly on a vehicle in which the frame which specifically includes telescopic arrangements on each of the arms; Figure 14 shows detail of one embodiment of the mounting arrangement for 15 the various hoop members onto a support on the base of the camper unit; Figure 15 shows the embodiment of Figure 14 with the various hoop members in their final erected positions; Figure 16 shows one embodiment of camper unit adapted for mounting onto a tray top vehicle or utility; 20 Figure 17 shows the embodiment of Figure 16 with the tent in the opened position; Figure 18 shows one arrangement by which a tent frame member including a telescoping arrangement can be prevented from over extending; and Figures 19A, B and C show various views of an alternative embodiment of a 25 tent frame member including a telescoping arrangement to prevent over extension. Description of Preferred Embodiments Now looking more closely at the drawings and in particular the first embodiment 30 shown in Figures 1 to 5 it will be seen that a trailer 1 has a camper unit 3 supported on it and retained by suitable means (not shown). The camper unit 3 includes a flexible cover 5. 6 As can be seen in Figure 2 with the flexible cover removed the camper unit 3 includes a base 7 and a number of hoop or frame members in a stowed position on the base. The frame members include a first roof frame 9, a second roof frame 11, a first floor 5 frame 13 and a second floor frame 15. In Figure 2 the tent material is not shown to assist with clarity. All of the frame members 9, 11, 13 and 15 are pivoted on a support 17 which is on the end of the base 7. The actual opening arrangement is shown in various stages in Figures 3 to 5. In these 10 Figures a single line is intended to show the arrangement of the tent on the frames. It will be realised of course that in practice the frames are inside the tent and would not normally be seen from outside the tent. As can be seen in Figure 3 the first floor frame 13 has been raised to such an extent 15 that the length of tent material 19 which will, in the erected tent, be the floor has caused the second floor frame 15 to commence lifting. A portion of the tent 21 which in the finished assembly will form one side wall of the tent adjacent to the floor extends from the end of the first floor frame 13 back to the base 7. A portion of the tent 23 which in the finished assembly will form the other side wall of the tent 20 adjacent to the floor extends from the end of the second floor frame 15 back to the second roof frame 11. A further movement, as shown in Figure 4, of the first floor frame 13 has caused further movement of the second floor frame 15 and by tensioning a first portion of 25 the roof of the tent 23 one of the roof frames 11 has commenced lifting. As shown in the final assembled position in Figure 5 the first floor frame 13 is in a substantially vertical position adjacent to the trailer and the second floor frame 15 extends out to the outer side of the floor 19 to tension the floor. The tent designated 30 by the line 23 extends from the outer end of the floor 19 over the first and second roof frame members 9 and 11 and down to the base 7. An access door for the tent can be placed in the near vertical tent portion as shown by the arrow 25. 7 Figures 6 to 12 show a further embodiment of tent frame assembly according to the present invention. In this embodiment the trailer 31 has a camper unit base 32 mounted onto it. On one side of the camper unit base 32 is a pivot assembly 33 for 5 the various frames of the tent frame assembly. In this view the actual outline of the tent has been omitted for clarity. The detail of the pivot assembly for the tent frames in one embodiment is shown in Figures 14 and 15 and will not be discussed in detail with respect to this embodiment. The tent frames include a first roof frame 35, a second roof frame 36 and a third roof frame 37. Onto the third roof frame is slidably 10 mounted a slider and pivot 40 for a second floor frame 38 and pivoted onto the pivot assembly 33 is a first floor frame 39. As can be seen in Figure 7 the first floor frame 39 has been lifted which in turn lifts up the second floor frame 38. The second floor frame 38 pivots about slider 40 on 15 third roof frame 37. As can be seen in Figure 7 the first floor frame is pivoted on a link 41 mounted onto the pivot assembly 33 so that as it is moved towards the position shown in Figures 8 and 9 it is spaced slightly from the trailer. In Figure 8 it can be seen that the first floor frame 39 extends down nearly towards 20 the ground and the second floor frame 38 has lifted nearly vertically and this has caused the third roof frame 37 to commence lifting by pulling on the tent material 45. In Figure 9 it can be seen that the first floor frame 39 is substantially vertical and that further movement of the roof frame 37 has caused the second floor frame 38 to 25 extend out nearly horizontally and the second roof frame 36 to commence lifting. In Figure 10 the second floor frame 38 has effectively touched the ground but the floor of the tent 44 is not yet tight. In this process the first, second and third roof frames are all lifted but not yet in their final positions. 30 8 As shown in Figure 11 the first, second and third tent frames 35, 36 and 37 are in their substantially final positions but the floor 44 is not yet taut because the second roof frame 38 has not yet been slid out far enough along the third tent frame 37. 5 As can be seen in Figure 12 the slider 40 for the second floor frame 38 has been slid out along the third roof frame 37 and this has tensioned the floor 44 and all of the walls and roof of the tent 45. The use of a second floor frame 38 which slides out along the third tent frame 37 10 enables enough space to mount a door in the side wall of the tent as shown by the dotted line 46. Figure 13 shows a complete assembly of tent frames according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment telescoping arrangements are 15 provided on the legs of each of the frames. The reference numerals are the same as for the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 12 for corresponding items. In this embodiment the trailer 31 has a camper unit base 32 mounted onto it. On one side of the camper unit base 32 is a pivot assembly 33 for the various frames of the 20 tent frame assembly. The first floor frame generally shown as 39 includes an inner tube 50 and an outer tube 51 with the inner tube 50 telescoping within the outer tube 51 and a locking arrangement 53 for the telescoping action. By this arrangement the portion of tent wall 54 which extends from the base 32 to the ground immediately adjacent the tent can be sufficiently tensioned and different heights of ground can be 25 catered for. Similarly each of the roof frame assemblies 35, 36 and 37 includes telescoping arrangements 35a, 36a and 37a, respectively, to enable correct tension to be placed onto the roof and to allow the hoop or frame members to be reduced in length for 30 storage within the base in the stowed position for transport. It will be particularly noted, however, that the third roof frame 37 has its smaller end 55 as an inner end 9 and a larger outer end 56. The second floor frame 38 is also telescopic so that correct tension can be placed onto the floor 44 and the tent wall 45. A locking arrangement (not shown in this illustration) can be used to ensure that the 5 first floor frame 39 is substantially vertical in its erected position. The locking mechanism may for instance be a hook extending from the pivot assembly 33. This is shown in Figure 15. Figures 14 and 15 show detail of the pivot area on the base of one embodiment of the 10 invention. The same reference numerals as used in relation to Figures 6 to 13 will be used in relation to this view. The base 32 has a pivot assembly 33 mounted on one side of it. A similar pivot assembly is mounted onto the base on the other side at the same end of the base. The pivot assembly 33 includes first, second and third pivot points 60, 61 and 62 and a locking pin 63. 15 The first roof frame 35 is pivoted on the pivot pin 60 and the second roof frame 36 is pivoted on the pivot pin 61. The third roof frame 37 comprises an inner smaller rod 55 and an outer larger rod 56. A locking mechanism 65 locks the amount of telescoping of the outer rod 56 on the inner rod 55. The slider 40 from which the 20 second floor frame 38 pivots on pivot point 67 slides on the larger rod 56 and can be locked by means of locking mechanism 68. The first floor frame 39 is mounted by a link 41 to the pivot assembly on pivot pin 62 and pivot pin 66 at its outer end. The first floor frame 39 includes a hook 25 arrangement 69 which slides on the frame 39 and can be engaged onto locking pin 63 on the pivot support 33 to lock the first frame substantially vertical and adjacent to the trailer in use. Figures 16 and 17 shows a camping unit on a tray top vehicle with the camping unit 30 being according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 10 In this arrangement the vehicle generally shown as 80 has a tray top 81 upon which is mounted the camper unit generally shown as 82. The camper unit 82 includes an upright forward storage compartment 83 with a side access door. This compartment is sufficiently large to carry a refrigerator or similar camping equipment. Behind and 5 lower than the upright storage compartment 83 is a lower storage compartment 84 which has access doors for storage of other camping equipment. On top of the lower storage region 84 is a base assembly 85 onto which is mounted a tent assembly 86. The tent assembly 86 is substantially the same as shown in the earlier illustrations and will not be discussed in detail. The camper unit 82 can be removed from the 10 vehicle by the use of jacks 88 to hoist the camper unit 82 to a sufficient height to enable the vehicle to be driven away. It will be noted that the rearward portion of the camper unit which includes the storage compartments 84, frame 85 and tent assembly 86 is of significantly less height 15 than the forward storage area 83. As the base 85 is of sufficient size to fit a double bed within the tent 89 as shown in Figure 17 then having the rearward portion lower than the front portion means that the bed is not too far off the ground. Extending from the upper end of the forward storage 83 is a pair of telescopic arms 20 90 and mounted onto the telescopic arms is a storage rack 92. As the camper unit can be mounted on tray top vehicles of different models the telescopic arms 90 can be extended so that the storage rack 92 fits over the roof of the vehicle 80. 25 Figure 18 shows one embodiment of an arrangement to prevent over extension of the telescoping frames and particularly the second floor frame. The same reference numerals will be used as in Figures 13 to 15 for corresponding items. 30 In Figure 18 the slide 40 has a pivot pin 67 upon which is pivoted the second floor frame 38. The second floor frame 38 consists of an outer rod 71 and an inner rod 72. A roll pin 73 is passed through the inner rod at its near end and a rope 74 extends 11 from the pivot pin 67 to the roll pin 73. The rope 74 prevents over extension when the inner rod is withdrawn from the outer rod so that the rods do not separate. Figures 19A, B and C show an alternative arrangement to prevent over extension. 5 The same reference numerals will be used as in Figure 18 for corresponding items. In Figures 19A, B and C a high tensile wire 75 is looped around the pivot 67 within the inner and outer rods 72, 71 and has a hook 76 at its opposite end. When the inner rod 72 is extended the roll pin 73 engages with the hook 76 and prevents over 10 extension so that the rods do not separate. Throughout this specification various indications have been given as to the scope of the invention but the invention is not limited to one of these but may reside in two or more combined together. The examples are given for illustration only and not for 15 limitation. 12

Claims (20)

1. A tent assembly comprising a base, a tent frame assembly and a tent structure; 5 the base being adapted to be carried on a vehicle; the tent structure comprising a cover and a floor fastened to the cover, the cover being arranged to be carried on the base in a folded condition and be extended to form a tent with the floor adjacent to the base; the tent frame assembly comprising at least three roof frame members and at least one floor 0 frame member, the roof frame members being mounted to the base to pivot on the base from a stowed position to an extended position to support the cover of the tent structure, the floor frame member being mounted to the base to pivot on the base from a stowed position to a position at which it extends to ground adjacent to the vehicle in use to tension the floor of the tent structure adjacent to the vehicle in use; and 5 the base comprising two support posts, one each on a side at one end thereof and the at least three roof frame members and the at least one floor frame member being pivotally joined at each end thereof to respective support posts.

2. A tent assembly as in Claim I wherein the base comprises a substantially rectangular 0 frame defined by sides and ends, the support posts being on the sides at one end of the substantially rectangular frame.

3. A tent assembly as in Claim 2 wherein each frame member comprises a U-shaped member having side arms and a cross piece at the end of the side arms and the frame members being .5 pivotally attached to the respective support posts at an end remote from the cross piece.

4. A tent assembly as in Claim 3 wherein the side arms are telescopic so that after the frame members have been moved into place in use they can be extended to tension the tent structure as required. 30

5. A tent assembly as in Claim I wherein the at least one floor frame member comprises first and second floor frame members, wherein the first floor frame member in use extends to the floor adjacent to the vehicle and the second floor frame member in use extends to a side of the floor away from the vehicle. 35

6. A tent assembly as in Claim 5 wherein the second frame member is slidably mounted onto one of the roof frame members and arranged to extend to a side of the floor of the tent structure away from the vehicle. 13

7. A tent assembly as in Claim 5 further including a locking mechanism on the first floor frame member whereby after the first floor frame member has been put into position adjacent to the vehicle in use it can be locked into the position with respect to the base so that the floor of the tent structure on the side nearer the vehicle is held in tight against the vehicle. 5

8. A tent assembly as in Claim 6 wherein the second floor frame is telescopic and further including an arrangement to prevent over extension thereof.

9. A camping unit to be carried on a tray top vehicle or utility vehicle, the camping unit 0 including an upright storage compartment and a lower storage compartment and the lower storage compartment having a fold out tent assembly mounted thereon wherein the combined lower storage compartment and fold out tent assembly in a stowed condition is of less height than the upper storage compartment; the fold out tent assembly comprising a base, a tent frame assembly and a tent structure; 5 the base being on the lower storage compartment; the tent structure comprising a cover and a floor fastened to the cover, the cover being arranged to be carried on the base in a folded condition and be extended to form a tent with the floor adjacent to the base; the tent frame assembly comprising at least three roof frame members and at least one floor .0 frame member, the roof frame members being mounted to the base to pivot on the base from a stowed position to an extended position to support the cover of the tent structure, the floor frame member being mounted to the base to pivot on the base from a stowed position to a position at which it extends to ground adjacent to the vehicle in use to tension the floor of the tent structure adjacent to the vehicle in use; and '5 the base comprising two support posts, one each on a side at one end thereof and the at least three roof frame members and the at least one floor frame member being pivotally joined at each end thereof to respective support posts.

10. A camping unit as in Claim 9 further including jacks on the camping unit to enable it to 30 be lifted to such a height that the vehicle can be driven away from underneath it.

11. A camping unit as in Claim 9 wherein the upright storage compartment is forward of the lower storage compartment.

12. A camping unit as in Claim 9 wherein the fold out tent assembly is mounted onto the 35 lower storage compartment to extend out to the rear of the tray top or utility vehicle when erected.

13. A camping unit as in Claim 9 wherein the fold out tent assembly is mounted onto the lower storage compartment to extend out to one side of the utility or tray top vehicle when erected. 14

14. A camping unit as in Claim 9 further including a storage rack mounted onto the upright storage compartment and extending in use over the cab of a vehicle onto which the camping unit is mounted. 5

15. A camping unit as in Claim 14 wherein the storage rack is adjustable in height to enable mounting on different types of vehicle.

16. A tent and tent frame assembly, the tent comprising a built in floor, the tent frame 0 assembly comprising a base and a plurality of frame members pivotally mounted to the base, the base being adapted to be carried on a vehicle, the tent frame assembly characterised by at least one floor frame member mounted to and pivoting on the base from a stowed position over the base to an extended position in which it extends to ground adjacent to the vehicle in use to tension the built-in floor of the tent. 5

17. The tent and tent frame assembly as in Claim 16 wherein there are at least three roof frame members and first and second floor frame members.

18. The tent and tent frame assembly as in Claim 17 wherein the first floor frame member is 0 adapted to extend to the floor adjacent to the vehicle in use and the second floor frame member extends to a side of the floor away from the vehicle in use.

19. The tent and tent frame assembly as in Claim 17 further including a locking mechanism on the first floor frame member whereby after the first frame member has been put in place it can be 5 locked into its position with respect to the base so that the floor of the tent on the side nearer the vehicle is held in tight against the vehicle in use.

20. The tent and tent frame assembly as in Claim 17 further comprising roof frame members and wherein the second frame member is slidably mounted onto one of the roof frame members and 30 arranged to extend to a side of the floor away from the vehicle in use. 15