GB1603402A

GB1603402A - Trailer tents

Info

Publication number: GB1603402A
Application number: GB2236077A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FOUR PLUS Ltd
Current assignee: FOUR PLUS Ltd
Priority date: 1977-05-26
Filing date: 1977-05-26
Publication date: 1981-11-25
Also published as: NL7805681A; DK232578A; FR2391875A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TRAILER TENTS (71) We, FouR PLus LIWITED, a British Company, of Unit 4, Belgrave Industrial Estate, Honeywell Lane, Oldham, Greater Manchester, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement :- This invention relates to trailer tents.

According to the present invention there is provided a trailer tent comprising a trailer carrying (1) a pair of bed bases arranged to be moveable between a stowed position in which they overlie the central portion of the trailer and an operational position in which they extend laterally of the trailer, and (2) a tent comprising (a) canvas or like sheet material and (b) a collapsible framework comprising support members which are moveable between collapsed positions and positions where they support the sheet material in a manner such that movement of the support members to their sheet material supporting positions causes the tent to be erected into a configuration in which it envelops the trailer and movement of the support members to their collapsed positions causes the tent to adopt a collapsed configuration, a first of the support members being mounted on the trailer for pivotal movement about a transverse axis between its collapsed position and its position in which it supports the sheet mat erial and a second of the support members being secured to the bed bases so as to slide along the bed bases when moving between its collapsed position and its position in which it supports the sheet material.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried out reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure I is a perspective view of a trailer tent in accordance with the present invention with its framework in the configuration in which the sheet material is supported, Figure 2 is a side view of a part of the trailer tent of Figure I on an increased scale, Figure 3 is a side view of another part of the trailer tent of Figure I on an increased scale, Figure 4 is an end view of the trailer tent of Figure 1 with its framework in the collapsed configuration and partially stowed on the trailer, and Figure 5 is an end view of the trailer tent of Figure I with its framework in the collapsed configuration and com pletely stowed on the trailer.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures l to 3 thereof, the trailer tent comprises a trailer having a base 1 supported on a pair of wheels 2 (see Figures 4 and 5), one wheel being situated on each side of the longitudinal axis 3 of the trailer.

A tow bar 4 is fixed to the forward end of the base whereby the trailer may be towed by a suitable vehicle.

A box like structure 5 is affixed to the base I of the trailer along one side of the trailer.

A similar structure 6 is similarly affixed along the other side of the trailer. Each of the structures 5 and 6 includes metallic end frames 7 connected by longitudinally extending members 8.

A first bed base 9 is pivotally secured to the end frames 7 of structure 5 about pivot points 10. A second bed base 11 is pivotally secured to the end frames 7 of structure 6 about points 12. In Figure 1, the bed bases 9 and 11 are shown in their operational positions in which they extend laterally of the trailer base. The bed bases are supported in this position by suitable legs (not shown).

A collapsible framework is mounted on the trailer. The framework comprises a first support member comprising telescopic struts 13 joined at their first ends by a transverse member 14. The second ends of the struts 13 are pivotally secured to anchorage points 15 on the bed bases 9 and I I (see Figure 3).

The arrangement is such that the first support member can be pivoted about a transverse axis between a first position (as shown in Figure 1) in which it supports the canvas 32 of the tent and a collapsed position in which it lies on the bed bayes 9 and 11.

The transverse member 14 is foldable at locations 16 and 17 about axes which are substantially parallel to the struts 13 and this is effected by including at locations 16 and 17 spring assemblies of the type described in our copending patent application No. 6558/77. Serial No. 1 557 842.

The framework also comprises a second support member comprising telescopic struts 18 joined at their first ends by a transverse member 19. The second ends of each strut 18 terminate in a wheel 20 which is engaged in, and slidable along, a channel 21 provided along the edge of the respective bed base 9 or 11 (see Figure 3). Each channel 21 includes a well at its rearward end into which the wheel 20 can drop and thereby effectively retain the wheel at the rearward end of the channel. The arrangement is such that the second support member can be slidingly displaced between a first position (as shown in Figure 1) in which it supports the canvas 32 of the tent and a collapsed position in which the wheels 20 occupy positions at the forward ends of the channels 21 and the transverse member 19 rests on bed bases 9 and 11 adjacent to the rearward end of the trailer. The transverse member 19 is foldable at locations 22 and 23 about axes which are substantially parallel to the struts 18 and this is effected by including, at locations 22 and 23, spring assemblies of the type described in our copending patent application No. 6558/77. Serial No. 1 557 842.

The framework additionally includes a third member comprising four struts 24 linked at their first ends by a transverse member 25. The second ends of the outermost struts 24 are pivotally secured to the anchorage points 15. The second ends of the innermost struts 24 are pivotally secured to anchorage points 26 mounted on longi- tudinal members 8 of the box-like structures 5 and 6. The arrangement is such that the third support member can be pivoted about a transverse axis between a first position (as shown in Figure 1) in which it supports the canvas 32 of the tent and a collapsed position in which it lies on the bed bases 9 and 11. Each of the struts 24 carries a lug 29. In the case of the outer struts 24, a spring-based assistor 30 is operably connected between each lug 29 and the associated anchorage point 15. In the case of the inner struts 24, a gas-based assistor 31 is operably connected between each lug 29 and the associated anchorage point 26. The assistors 30 and 31 are arranged to urge the third support member towards its first position.

The transverse member 25 is foldable at locations 27 and 28 about axes which are substantially parallel to the struts 24. This is effected by including at locations 27 and 28 spring assemblies of the type described in our copending patent application No.

6558/77. Serial No. 1 557 842.

The framework as shown in 1 is in its configuration in which it supports the canvas 32 of the tent. The trailer tent is ready for occupation in this configuration.

If desired additional struts (not shown) may be located at the forward end of the trailer to further support the transverse member 14 and increase the headroom. Mattresses (not shown) may be placed on the bed bases 9 and 11 to form a sleeping area. If desired, this sleeping area may be separated from the remaining tent space by means of an inner tent (not shown) secured to the first and third support members. The box-like structures 5 and 6 form useful storage space to which access can be gained by a hinged lid 33 or by sliding doors 34 (see Figure 2).

The lids 33 may be cushioned so that they serve as seats in which case a collapsible back rest (not shown) may be provided.

The tent space to the rear of the trailer can be used as a cooking area.

When it is desired to move the trailer tent to another location, the tent can be readily collapsed and stowed in the trailer. Firstly, each of the telescopic struts 13 and 18 is retracted so as to detension the canvas 32.

That portion of the canvas depending from transverse member 19 is then folded back so that it overlies a part of the roof portion and each of the wheels 20 is manually lifted out of its associated well and displaced along its channel 21 towards the forward end of the trailer. The second support member slides along the channel under the influence of gravity and is displaced to its collapsed position. As a result of this forward movement of the second support member, there is a slight downwardly pivotting movement of the first support member which produces a transverse fold in the canvas 32 between members 25 and 14 and a similar fold between member 14 and the forward end of the trailer. Thereafter a slight manual pressure on the third member causes the first and third members to pivot about their anchorage points (against the action of the assistors 30 and 31) so that the canvas falls in the aforemention transverse folds and the first and third members occupy their collapsed positions. The framework is then in its collapsed configuration.

Bed base 11 can then be pivoted about pivot points 12 into a stowed position wherein it overlies the central position of the base 1 of the trailer (see Figure 4), the transverse members 14,19 and 25 folding at locations 16,22 and 27 to enable this to be effected.

Bed base 9 may then be similarly folded over bed base 11 into a stowed position (see Figure 5). The bed bases 9 and 11 are provided with abutments 35 which co-operate when the bed bases are superposed to prevent the canvas therebetween being unduly com pressed. The mattresses may be placed on top of the superposed bases and sundry items may be stowed in the box-like structures 5 and 6 and on the base 1 between these structures. A cooker unit (not shown) may be supported on retractable arms at the rear of the trailer. By locating the cooker on the rear of the trailer in this way, it is readily accessible without having to erect the tent or indeed uncouple the trailer from the towing vehicle. Thus the cooker can readily be used to prepare a hot meat during a break in a journey.

The trailer and the whole contents thereof may be covered by a protective sheet of suitable waterproof material.

The tent can be erected by the reverse of the above procedure. Thus bed base 9 is pivoted about pivot points 10 to its operational position (as shown in Figure ; bed base 11 is pivoted about pivot points 12 to its operational position; the first and third members are pivoted about anchorage points 15 with the help of the assistors 30 and 31 which at least partially overcome the weight of the framework and the canvas; the second member is slid along the channels 21 until wheels 20 engage in the wells in the channels 21; that portion of the canvas which had been folded back onto a part of the roof portion is pulled over transverse member 19 so that it depends from transverse member 19; and the telescopic struts 13 and 18 are extended to tension the canvas.

Thus the tent is automatically erected into a configuration in which it is ready for occupation as the support members are moved from their collapsed positions to their sheet material supporting positions. The presence of the spring assemblies in transverse members 14, 19 and 25 renders the framework tolerant to misalignments which may occur during erection of the tent. Such misalign- ment can, for example, occur when displacing the second support member to its sheet material supporting position if the struts 18 are not simultaneously slid along channels 21 to the rearward ends thereof.

However, such can readily be tolerated without causing damage to the framework.

The trailer tent of the present invention provides a large accommodation area longi- tudinally of the trailer without the need to use either a framework additional to that forming an integral part of the trailer tent or a separate piece of canvas for affixing to the tent subsequent to erection. Further the framework of the trailer tent can easily and quickly be erected even in windy conditions in spite of the large area of canvas involved.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS : 1. A trailer tent comprising a trailer carrying (1) a pair of bed bases arranged to be moveable between a stowed position in which they overlie the central portion of the trailer and an operational position in which they extend laterally of the trailer, and (2) a tent comprising (a) canvas or like sheet material and (b) a collapsible framework comprising support members which are moveable between collapsed positions and positions where they support the sheet material in a manner such that movement of the support members to their sheet material supporting positions causes the tent to be erected into a configuration in which it evelops the trailer and movement of the support members to their collapsed positions causes the tent to adopt a collapsed configuration, a first of the support members being mounted on the trailer for pivotal movement about a transverse axis between its collapsed position and its position in which it supports the sheet material and a second of the support members being secured to the bed bases so as to slide along the bed bases when moving between its collapsed position and its position in which it supports the sheet material.
2. A trailer tent as claimed in claim I wherein the first support member comprises a pair of substantially parallel struts joined at their first ends by a transverse member and pivotally secured at their second ends to the trailer, the transverse member being foldable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the struts.
3. A trailer tent as claimed in Claim I or 2 wherein the second support member comprises a pair of substantially parallel struts joined at their first ends by a transverse member and slidingly engaged with the bed bases at their second ends, the transverse member being foldable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the struts.
4. A trailer tent as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the framework includes a third support member which is mounted on the trailer for pivotal movement between a collapsed position and a position in which it supports the sheet material, which third support member comprises at least a pair of struts joined at their first ends by a tranverse member and pivotally mounted at their second ends to the trailer, the transverse member being foldable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the struts.
5. A trailer tent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and additionally including a resilient means tending to urge the framework to adopt the configuration in which it supports the sheet material.
6. A trailer tent as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said means is operably connected to said third support member.
7. A trailer tent as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 wherein said resilient means is in the form of a gas-based assistor.
8. A trailer tent as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein said resilient means is in the form of a spring-based assistor.
9. A trailer tent as claimed in claim 2 or any claim appendant thereto wherein the struts of the first support member are telescopic.
10. A trailer tent as claimed in claim 3 or any claim appendant thereto wherein the struts of the second support member are telescopic.
11. A trailer tent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bed bases are mounted so as to be pivotable between said stowed position and said operational position.
12. A trailer tent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support members are such that, when they are in their sheet material supporting positions, the tent is in a configuration in which it additionally envelops an area longitudinally of the trailer.
13. A trailer tent substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.