AU2016100464A4 - A slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A SLIDE-ON SELF-STANDING TRANSPORTABLE ACCOMMODATION UNIT FOR TRANSPORT BY A TRAY VEHICLE Abstract A slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle which is provided by a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit having a substructure extending below the main cabin wherein the substructure is formed between the floor of the main cabin and the spaced apart base of the unit to form an under floor cavity providing a storage and service space with at least one openable port accessible from external the unit.. en rl rl en U.' z en LA en rl I~J. en

Description

1 A SLIDE-ON SELF-STANDING TRANSPORTABLE ACCOMMODATION UNIT FOR TRANSPORT BY A TRAY VEHICLE Field of the Invention 5 [001]The present invention relates to a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle and in particular to a slide-on self standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle. [002]The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation and will be described hereinafter with reference to this o application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background of the Invention [003]A slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray 5 vehicle is a recreational vehicle that has a cabin structure as an accommodation unit that is transported on the tray of a driven vehicle. This tray can have side walls to form a tub effect. At a campsite the cabin can have legs. These legs are extended from the sides of the cabin or from side overhangs of the cabin relative the supporting tray of the vehicle. 0 [004] The idea of such vehicles is to be self-sufficient camping units that can be dismounted from the vehicle and form self-supporting upright accommodation units. This still allows the vehicle to be driven away from the campsite and the accommodation unit and allow it to operate merely as a means of transport of the people without having to always need to transport the accommodation unit. Further the 25 rear of the tray vehicle becomes reusable as a means of transport for other goods or recreation articles or day trip essentials. [005] However the accommodation unit needs to be self-sufficient. Therefore it needs to be able to have water supply and water control and water usage facilities and electricity supply and electricity control and electricity usage facilities as well as gas supply and 30 gas control and gas usage facilities. [006]These are all needed to provide sanitation, washing facilities, heating, cooking, lighting, entertainment, and communication. [007] This can result in a plurality of articles including: 2 a) Water tank, b) water taps, c) electric converter d) Electric battery 5 e) Electric power control box f) Gas bottle g) Gas regulator h) Gas cooking apparatuses i) Gas heating 0 j) etc [008] It is not possible to merely enlarge the accommodation unit as it is restricted by safe limitations of side and rear and front overhangs as well as restricted in height to remain within vehicle height restrictions and vehicle stability in crosswinds. Therefore to date all of these fixed articles have been mounted in internal cupboards or internal wall 5 or roof structures. [009] It can be seen that this placement of fixed articles provides a range of problems including: i. A mass of unusable cupboards as they already contain fixed items ii. A plurality of protruding and jutting edges 20 iii. A complexity of design and quantity of wall surfaces iv. An increase in weight due to increase in surface area of walls, cupboards, overhangs etc v. A limitation of available sizing of units as they need to fit in pre-made cupboards 25 vi. A complexity of surfaces creating dangerous injury causing edges vii. A plurality of protrusions and overhangs that cause abundance of shadowing and difficulty in lighting viii. A cramping of units which does not provide safe environment for units.

3 [0010] The present invention seeks to provide a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. 5 [0011] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention 0 [0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slide on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle which is provided by a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle having a raised floor while limiting overall unit height. [0013] It can be seen that the invention of a slide-on self-standing transportable 5 accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle provides the benefit of providing services and storage in an under floor cavity while still being transportable. [0014] Also according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle is provided by having steps over an under floor cavity providing accessible storage o behind steps while limiting overall unit height. [0015] The invention in particular forms provides a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle comprising: a main cabin having walls, a roof and a base forming a room and with an entrance doorway; a support structure for the unit including retractable ground engaging legs which support 25 structure in one support configuration allowing for self-supporting the unit in a useable upright configuration, while in a second transporting configuration allows the unit to be slid on or off a tray of vehicle and the support structure moved to allow the unit to have base of the unit supported by the vehicle and be transportable by the vehicle; and a substructure extending below the main cabin wherein the substructure is formed 30 between the floor of the main cabin and the spaced apart base of the unit to form an under floor cavity providing a storage and service space with at least one openable port accessible from external the unit.

4 [0016] Preferably the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit further comprises a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle providing a raised floor in the order of 10 to 30 centimetres to form storage and service space in an under floor cavity while limiting overall unit height. 5 [0017] Preferably the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle has the main cabin of the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle has the substructure at one side with steps aligning with the entrance doorway extending over the under floor cavity providing accessible storage behind steps while limiting overall unit height and with an access to o the under floor cavity by an opening in the wall of the main cabin opposite the entrance doorway accessible only when the unit is in the self-supporting useable upright configuration. [0018] Also the invention provides a method of forming an improved slide-on self standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle including the 5 steps of: a) Providing a unit having four walls, a roof and a base forming a room with an entrance doorway; b) Providing a support structure in one support configuration allowing for self supporting the unit in a useable upright configuration, while allowing the unit to be slid 0 on or off a tray of vehicle and the support structure moved to a second non-support configuration allowing the unit to have base supported by the vehicle and be transportable by the vehicle; c) providing a raised floor to form storage in an under floor cavity while limiting overall unit height. 25 [0019] The method further can include the under floor cavity having access openings only accessible when the unit is in a self-supporting useable upright configuration. [0020] In one form the invention provides a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle including a unit having four walls, a 30 roof and a base forming a room with an entrance doorway; a support structure in one support configuration allowing for self-supporting the unit in a useable upright configuration, while allowing the unit to be slid on or off a tray of vehicle and the support 5 structure moved to a second non-support configuration allowing the unit to have base supported by the vehicle and be transportable by the vehicle; wherein the unit includes a floor of the unit spaced apart from the base to form a storage unit accessible from external the unit, further comprising a slide-on self-standing transportable 5 accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle providing a raised floor to form storage in an under floor cavity while limiting overall unit height. It further comprises a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle having steps over an under floor cavity providing accessible storage behind steps while limiting overall unit height wherein the unit includes four walls, a roof and a base forming 0 a room with an entrance doorway; providing a support structure in one support configuration allowing for self-supporting the unit in a useable upright configuration, while allowing the unit to be slid on or off a tray of vehicle and the support structure moved to a second non-support configuration allowing the unit to have base supported by the vehicle and be transportable by the vehicle; and providing a raised floor to form 5 storage in an under floor cavity while limiting overall unit height; wherein the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle can be substantially assembled with improving security including any one or more of the following: i. improvements in structure and assembly including construction in order 0 to minimise cupboards and protrusions and overhangs ii. Improvements in space efficiency iii. Improvements in space effective ness iv. Improvements in services provisions; v. Improvements in fixed article selectability 25 vi. Improvements in lighting vii. Improvements in services safety; [0021] It can be seen that the invention of a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle provides the benefit of [0022] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

6 Brief Description of the Drawings [0023] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment / preferred embodiments of the invention will 5 now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a photographic example of a recreational vehicle in which the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of the invention can be transported on the tray of the vehicle; 0 Figs. 2 and 3 are two diagrammatic examples of a recreational vehicle in which the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of the invention can be transported on the tray of the vehicle, the first in Fig. 2 is a ute with side walls such as in Fig. 1 and the second has a rear flat tray without side walls; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic cross section of a slide-on self-standing transportable 5 accommodation unit of one embodiment of the invention for transport by a tray vehicle; Fig. 5 is an overhead view of a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 and a tray vehicle for extending under the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit 0 and transported on the tray of the vehicle; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic rear view of a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 for transport by a tray vehicle such as in Figs 1 and 2; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic rear view of a slide-on self-standing transportable 2 5 accommodation unit of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 for transport by a tray vehicle such as in Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic flow diagram of the method of providing an under floor cavity of a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 for transport by a tray vehicle; 30 Fig. 9 is a photographic rear view of a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 for transport by a tray vehicle showing the steps through an open doorway into the main cabin; Figs. 10 and 11 are two photographic rear views through rear access on opposite side to steps showing the under floor cavity of a slide-on self-standing 7 transportable accommodation unit of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 for transport by a tray vehicle; Figs. 12 and 13 are two photographic side views through side access showing the under floor cavity of a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of 5 the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 for transport by a tray vehicle; and Fig. 14 is a photographic rear view through rear access on opposite side to steps showing the water tank in the under floor cavity of a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 4 for transport by a tray vehicle. 0 Description of Preferred Embodiments [0024] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [0025] Referring to the drawings there is shown slide-on self-standing transportable 5 accommodation unit of an embodiment of the invention and particularly in Figure 4 there is shown a cabin structure 18 that is transported on the tray 23 of a driven vehicle 15 such as a recreational vehicle shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3. The cabin structure 18 can include a main cabin 31 that in a transport mode overlies the tray 23 of the driven vehicle 15. The cabin structure can also include an overhang 34 that in a transport 0 mode overlies the vehicle cabin 21 of the driven vehicle 15. [0026] At a campsite the cabin structure 18 has four circumferentially spaced legs 35 around the lower body 33 of the main cabin 31. These legs 35 are extended from the sides of the cabin 31 or as particularly shown in Figures 1 from side overhangs of the cabin 31 relative the supporting tray 23 of the vehicle 15. That is the lower body 33 of 25 the main cabin 31 can be narrower than the upper body 32 of the main cabin 31 such that the lower body 32 fits into the tray 23 of the vehicle with sides and the upper body 32 of the main cabin has side portions overhanging the sides of the tray 23 of the vehicle in order to maximise the internal space of the main cabin. A further front overhang 34 extends over the front cabin 21 of the vehicle. Therefore as shown in Fig. 30 3, the width of the tray 23 of the vehicle 15 X1-X2 is narrower than the width between the longitudinal alignment Z1 -Z1 of the pair of legs 35 on one side of the cabin 31 and the longitudinal alignment Z2-Z2 of the pair of legs 35 on the other side of the cabin 31. [0027] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, one form a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle having a raised floor while limiting 8 overall unit height This can be achieved in which a floor framework is made forming a substructure that maintains the floor of the main cabin that is spaced from the base of the main cabin 31 and within the lower body 33 of the main cabin and forms a storage and service space 41 in an under floor cavity. This portion is the part that overlies the 5 tray 23 of the vehicle when in a transport mode. [0028] It is not possible or feasible to merely add height to a slide-on as this will substantially increase the tippability and extend the height above allowed and tested safety heights. Therefore the height of the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle providing a raised floor in the order of 0 10 to 30 centimetres to form storage and service space in an under floor cavity 41 while limiting overall unit height of the main cabin 31. This range is important to provide the function while limiting height. If the height was increased by a metre the tipping effect is multiplied as the height of the main body pivots around the wheel suspension. If the height was less, the accessibility to the inner areas is not possible and the spacing and 5 ventilation of the services is not possible. [0029] Referring to Figs. 9 to 14, in this form of the invention of a slide-on self standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle there are steps over the under floor cavity providing accessible storage behind steps while limiting overall unit height. 0 [0030] Also the substructure has provided at one side with steps 47 aligning with the entrance doorway 39 extending over the under floor cavity 41 providing accessible storage behind steps while limiting overall unit height. [0031] There is also a rear access 45 with an access to the under floor cavity 41 by an opening in the wall of lower body 33 of the main cabin 31 opposite the entrance 25 doorway 39 accessible only when the unit is in the self-supporting useable upright configuration. [0032] There is a side access 46 with an access to the under floor cavity 41 by an opening in the wall of lower body 33 of the main cabin 31 accessible only when the unit is in the self-supporting useable upright configuration. 30 [0033] As shown in Fig. 8 the method of forming an improved slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle includes the steps of: 9 * providing a unit having four walls, a roof and a base forming a room with an entrance doorway; * providing a support structure in one support configuration allowing for self supporting the unit in a useable upright configuration, while allowing the unit to be 5 slid on or off a tray of vehicle and the support structure moved to a second non support configuration allowing the unit to have base supported by the vehicle and be transportable by the vehicle; " providing a raised floor to form storage in an under floor cavity while limiting overall unit height. 0 [0034] It can be seen that there is provided improvements in structure and assembly including construction in order to minimise cupboards and protrusions and overhangs. That is that each of the services of a gas bottle, or a generator, or battery, or electrical control system, or detectors no longer need to be individually boxed in quality woodwork or cupboards because they are in the main cabin on view. Instead by being included in 5 an under floor substructure cavity the units can be open in this area. [0035] This results in improvements in space efficiency because now space is not being lost on unnecessary woodworking or framing for aesthetics. The result is improvements in space effectiveness which is achieved because there are not a plurality of small box like cupboards protruding from the side walls that limit the o remaining amount of open spacing. [0036] In particular as most large objects like bedding or couches or sinks are rectangular the number of protrusions to include services limits the amount of rectangular open space. This is substantially overcome by removing the services and storage to the under floor cavity. This further provides substantial improvements in fixed 5 article selectability such as a bigger bed or bigger table or bigger couch or bigger bench space and therefore substantially provides an improved product. [0037] There are improvements in services provisions. Another great advantage of the under floor cavity by the substructure is that it is not necessary to have your services limited to the space of a cupboard whether preformed or limiting in size. 30 Therefore the user can select their preferred size of water tank, or gas bottle etc. Still further there is more ready access to these services for maintenance update or replacement at any time.

10 [0038] With the substantial limitation of protrusions there is a substantial increase in open space and therefore a substantial improvement in lighting. The lights on the roof all walls are able to illuminate the wide open areas and not be casting shadows as was usually the case with the plurality of small box like cupboards protruding from the side 5 walls. Overall this means that better single lights can be used rather than the costs of multiple small lights on a range of services. The effectiveness and efficiency of the lighting is substantially improved. [0039] There are improvements in services safety by having the services in the under floor cavity the services of gas, electricity electronic control systems, batteries, o power systems can all be much more safely located away from tampering and away from usual access. Further there is no need for enclosing and therefore the services are ventilated better and increase the heat shedding or insulation of the Also by being away from the normal living accommodation there is less likelihood of accidental damage by physical contact, water accident etc. 5 [0040] It is clear that the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit provides the substantial advantage over other slide-on accommodation unit of allowing the multitude of services to be removed from the plurality of cupboards or built ins in the internal space of the main cabin which results in massive increase in weight, increase in sharp corners, increase in dead space due to awkward enclosures, limitation of open 0 planning of space and limitation of available free space for fixed rectangular objects such as beds, couches, refrigerators, sinks etc. Instead all of the services of water, electricity, gas, batteries, electronic controls can be in the under floor cavity ad merely have wiring or piping to the necessary location in the main cabin in a sleek, space efficient, not design limited format. 25 Interpretation Embodiments: [0041] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in 30 connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be 11 apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [0042] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example 5 embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are 0 expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 5 [0043] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following 0 claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Different Instances of Objects [0044] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different 25 instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details 30 [0045] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

12 Terminology [0046] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the 5 invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as 0 limiting terms. Comprising and Including [0047] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary 5 implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising' are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 0 [0048] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. 25 Scope of Invention [0049] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within 30 the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

13 [0050] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 5 Industrial Applicability [0051] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation industries.

Claims (5)

1. A slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle comprising: 5 a. a main cabin having walls, a roof and a base forming a room and with an entrance doorway; b. a support structure for the unit including retractable ground engaging legs which support structure in one support configuration allowing for self supporting the unit in a useable upright configuration, while in a second 0 transporting configuration allows the unit to be slid on or off a tray of vehicle and the support structure moved to allow the unit to have base of the unit supported by the vehicle and be transportable by the vehicle; c. a substructure extending below the main cabin wherein the substructure is formed between the floor of the main cabin and the spaced apart base of 5 the unit to form an under floor cavity providing a storage and service space with at least one openable port accessible from external the unit.

2. A slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle providing a o raised floor in the order of 10 to 30 centimetres to form storage and service space in an under floor cavity while limiting overall unit height.

3. A slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the main cabin of the slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle has the 25 substructure at one side with steps aligning with the entrance doorway extending over the under floor cavity providing accessible storage behind steps while limiting overall unit height and with an access to the under floor cavity by an opening in the wall of the main cabin opposite the entrance doorway accessible only when the unit is in the self-supporting useable upright configuration. 30 15

4. A method of forming an improved slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit for transport by a tray vehicle including the steps of: a. Providing a unit having four walls, a roof and a base forming a room with an entrance doorway; 5 b. Providing a support structure in one support configuration allowing for self supporting the unit in a useable upright configuration, while allowing the unit to be slid on or off a tray of vehicle and the support structure moved to a second non-support configuration allowing the unit to have base supported by the vehicle and be transportable by the vehicle; 0 c. providing a raised floor to form storage in an under floor cavity while limiting overall unit height.

5. A method of forming an improved slide-on self-standing transportable accommodation unit according to claim 4 wherein the under floor cavity has access openings only accessible when the unit is in a self-supporting useable 5 upright configuration. 0