Abstract:
A telescoping jack strut stabilizing system for use on pick up truck campers structurally ties camper leveling jacks to camper body for increased stability is comprised of a small diameter tube and a large diameter tube telescopingly engaged to provide for adjustable length. Small diameter tube arranged for pivotal mounting to camper jack strut, and large diameter tube arranged for quick disconnect mounting to camper body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to pick up truck campers and more particular the jacking systems that level and support the camping unit when it is off loaded or removed from the bed of the pick up truck or host vehicle.  
         [0002]     Since the early 1950s camping has been an ever growing sport among families throughout the United States and the world. As a vacation form and as an industry, it has experienced vast growth spawning many variations and configurations of camping vehicles and requiring an ever-increasing need for more and more campgrounds.  
         [0003]     There are many types of family style camping units on the market today ranging from simple tents to trailer type fold out units, pick up truck campers and the more sophisticated 5 th  wheel type trailers that are towed behind pick up trucks in very much the same manner as the large cross country semi tractor trailer rigs. Motor homes are another form of camper that is becoming more prevalent on America&#39;s roads and campgrounds. Although there are many styles and sizes of camping vehicles as outlined above they all have a similar inherent problem. While being driven or towed on the roads and highways, they require some sort of suspension system to insure a smooth ride and proper handling, but while parked in the campsite this same suspension allows the camper to wobble and sway as the inhabitants move about inside. It is therefore, usually desirable to lock out the suspension system by blocking up or placing jack stands under the frame minimizing this unwanted motion while the camping units are parked. In the case of pick up truck campers, the springs of the host vehicle itself provides the suspension needed for highway driving. However, when the camper is positioned on the campsite the rocking or movement of the truck and camper due to the inhabitants moving around inside is usually considered quite annoying.  
         [0004]     A number of attempts have been developed and employed to provide solutions to this problem of unwanted motion. Wilson&#39;s “Fifth Wheel Stabilizer” U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,953 is a good example. Although this patent clearly addresses the specific problem of swing and sway or wobble in camper units as we have outlined, the invention is basically restricted to Fifth wheel style campers or units with a similar geometric configuration. DeJager&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,851 has also recognized the need to stabilize mobile structures however the invention outlined is of a substantially more permanent nature and does not really lend itself to a camper application or address the problems as outlined here-in. A 1965 Patent No. 3,186,570 outlines N. E. Brunnels “Camping body loading and unloading device”. Although this patent certainly addresses the “swing and Sway” problem, it involves a jack support system substantially more complex than the easily attached stabilizer unit outlined in the present invention.  
         [0005]     Most modern camping units are fitted or offer as an option, integral leveling jack stands on each of the four corners of the unit designed to not only level the camper but transfer the weight of the vehicle from the suspension system to the rigid jacks for the purpose of eliminating the rocking motion caused by the inhabitants inside. This system works well on many of the previously mentioned camper units such as trailer type campers, 5 th  wheel units and the self propelled motor home or bus type campers, because they are normally designed with a fairly low center of gravity where the under carriage of the units are close to the ground allowing for relatively short leveling or jack supports or in some cases, simple blocking up with wood blocks.  
         [0006]     Pick up truck campers however are somewhat unique in that in order to achieve the same stability as well as aid in the loading and off-loading of the camper unit from the pick up truck, they require a more specialized system. In reference to the physical characteristics of pick up truck campers, they are most commonly designed with an overhang in the back for entry to the camper. Aside from the narrow floor area, which is the portion of the camper unit that sets down into the pick up truck bed, the overhang area is the only part of the unit that is situated close to the ground with a low center of gravity. Shelves which extend above and out over the pick up truck bed sides used for gear stowage, and the structure which extends out forward and above the truck cab providing the sleeping area account for the majority of the overall volume of the unit which causes the camper to have the previously mentioned high center of gravity which is not conducive to good stability. While the camper remains in place on the host vehicle, with the vehicle continuing to support the primary weight of the camper unit, the jack stands mounted to each of the campers four corners can simply be lowered to the ground surface to a point where they relieve some of the load from the host vehicle virtually eliminating the rocking and swaying of the camper unit while in use. When the camper is off loaded from the bed of the pick up truck, which is commonly the case in camping situations and the entire load of the camper is supported by the jack stands, the jacking and leveling apparatus designed for these units is required to be considerably more substantial than the supports used on any of the other style camper previously mentioned. This is primarily due to the extended length of the support jacks required for off loading a pick up truck style camper, Pick up truck camper jacks are often battery powered, larger in diameter, and required to be longer especially on the forward end where they are mounted on the previously mentioned shelf which can be from 36″ to 48″ off the ground. The required extended length of these forward jack stands also contributes to their tendency to flex more at their attachment point to the camper body resulting in fatigue. It is therefore required that they be attached to the camper corner structure in a permanent or much more secure manner and that provisions be implemented to reduce this flexing as much as possible.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     According to the present invention, an adjustable length, quick disconnect jack strut stabilizing unit is provided for the purpose of stiffening an extended pick up truck camper jack support thus virtually eliminating movement between the jack strut and the body of a pick up truck camper unit. The proposed invention is comprised of two lengths of square steel tubing arranged one inside the other forming a telescoping member with variable length capability and a means for locking the two telescoping members to a specified length. A clamping ring attached to one end of the telescoping member is arranged for pivotally mating one end of the jack strut stabilizer unit to the lower part of a pick up truck camper jack strut. When not in use, the stabilizer unit is pivoted up and stowed along side and secured to the jack stand. The opposite end of the jack strut stabilizing unit is provided for with a means for quick and simple attachment to an anchor plate, which is permanently placed on the camper body at a predetermined location. Thus when the stabilizing unit is swung away from it&#39;s stowed position, it&#39;s opposite end connected to the anchor plate on the camper body and the telescoping tube sections locked to length, the jack strut stabilizing unit creates a cross bracing geometry between the camper body and the camper&#39;s jack strut, substantially reducing or eliminating the swaying motion and wobble created by the normal flexing of the extended jack struts when the camper unit off loaded from the pick up truck bed and occupied.  
         [0008]     In the preferred embodiment, the stabilizing units of the present invention are mounted to the two forward camper jack struts utilizing a clamping ring. Stabilizing units could also be mounted to the rear two camper jack stands if their extended length warranted. The stabilizer unit is pivotally attached to the clamping ring in a manner that allows it to be folded to an upright position parallel and directly adjacent to the camper&#39;s jack strut for stowage or when not in use. Provision is made for containment of the jack strut in the stowed position with a length of webbing strap fitted with a Velcro material which is fixed to the stabilizer unit and can be secured around a the camper&#39;s jack strut. In the process of off loading the camper from the truck it is necessary to extend each of the two forward and two back jack struts mounted to the camper; substantially transferring the load from the pick up truck to the four jack struts. At this point, the truck can be driven out from beneath the camper leaving it supported on the jack struts. After raising or lowering individual struts to achieve the desired height of the camper off the ground and level the camper unit, The Velcro retaining straps on the stabilizer braces are removed from the jack struts, the units are pivoted downwards, the telescoping lock devices on the stabilizer units are loosened and the units are telescoped out to the point where they can be mated to the previously mounted anchor plate on the camper body. The locking devices are then tightened fixing the length of the stabilizing units and forming the structural cross tie between the jack struts and the camper body minimizing movement and flexing of the camper jack struts.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The above summary and description as well as other objects features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherin  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of stabilizer unit according to the present invention  
         [0011]     FIG  1   a  shows locking knob details  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  shows detailed components of the Web strap  
         [0013]      FIG. 2   a  shows a top view detail of web strap, camper jack and stabilizer unit in stowed position  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  shows an elevation view of the round clamp and inside tube connection  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a front and side view of the anchor plate and fasteners  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of stabilizer unit mounted to camper  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     Referring now to  FIG. 1  stabilizer unit  10  according to the present invention comprises a cross tying brace provided for the purpose of limiting the flexing between a pick up truck camper and it&#39;s support jacks by structurally tying or mechanically linking the camper jack struts to the main camper body by triangulating the load forces. Stabilizer unit  10  being comprised of an outside tube  11 , inside tube  35 , locking device  21 , anchor plate  48 , round clamp  44  and web strap  27 .  
         [0018]     Outside tube  11  of stabilizer  10  to be fabricated from 1″ square steel tubing approximately 18″ in length. Outside tube  11  to have a squared end  12 , and a second exposed end herein referred to as angled end  13 , a face  14 , a back  15  and two parallel sides  16 . Relief angle  17  is provided on angled end  13  for the purpose of establishing clearance for easy installation and removal of clip  58  from pin  51  when hole  18  on angle end  13  in back  15  of outside tube  11  is placed over pin  51  mating outside tube  11  to anchoring device herein referred to as anchor plate  48  on camper  1 . Angle  17  on angled end  13  of outside tube  11  to be approximately 60 degrees formed by removing material from parallel sides  16  of angled end  13 . Tab  19  is welded to face  14  of outside tube  11  for the purpose of adding thickness and increase the effective threading depth of threaded hole  20  in outside tube  11 . Tab  19  and wall section of outside tube  11  to be thru drilled and threaded to accommodate threaded bolt portion  22  of locking device  21 . Tab  19  to be fabricated of ⅛ th ″ thick mild steel approximately ⅝ inches wide and 1″ long. Tab  19  to be positioned approximately 1″ from squared end  12  of outside tube  11  and substantially welded to face  14  of outside tube  11 . Locking device  21  is provided for locking Outside tube  11  to inside tube  35  thus fixing the desired length of stabilizer unit  10  subsequent to mating hole  18  of outside tube  11  to pin  51  on anchor plate  48 . Locking device  21  is comprised of threaded bolt portion  22  approximately 1″ long, and a knob  23  approximately 1.125″ in diameter. Locking length of stabilizer unit  10  is accomplished by turning knob  23  and threaded bolt portion  22  of locking device  21  in a clockwise direction which results in substantial contact between end of threaded bolt portion  22  of locking device  21  and side surface  40  of inside tube  35  substantially limiting sliding movement between outside tube  11  and inside tube  35 . Referring now to  FIG. 1   a . Retaining cable  24 , approximately 3″ long is provided to keep from loosing locking knob  23 . Retaining cable  24  to be arranged with a small loop at either end here in referred to as loop (a) and loop (b). Loop (a) to be formed at one end of retaining cable  24  utilizing a standard nicropress type sleeve. Loop (a) to be of a diameter to allow retaining cable  24  to be pivotally connected to center of knob  23  on locking devise  21 . Pivotal connection to be provided thru use of spacer (c) which maintains clearance for loop (a) between flat head screw type fastener (d) and the surface of knob  23  when fastener (d) passes thru spacer (c) and is threaded into threaded hole (e) in center of knob  23 . Loop (b) to be formed at the opposite end of retaining cable  24  utilizing a standard nicropress type sleeve. Loop (b) to be smaller in diameter and not requiring pivotal mounting is secured to plate  19  approximately at point  25  utilizing small screw  26 . Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2   a  Strap  27  is provided for the purpose of securing stabilizer unit  10  to camper jack stand  5  when stabilizer  10  is not being used as shown in dotted lines ( 35   s ) in ( FIG. 5 ). Web strap  27  is comprised of a length of web strapping approximately 15″ long and 1″ wide having an inside surface  28 , an outside surface  29 , and a strap slide  30  substantially fixed to one end. Web strap  27  outside surface  29  to be provided for with two mating components of Velcro strips  31  substantially fastened to the end opposite strap slide  30  on outside surface  29  of web strap  27 . (The exact spacing of Velcro strips  31  will be determined be the diameter of camper jack  5 .) Referencing now  FIG. 2   a  showing Velcro strips  31  positioned on outside surface  29  of web strap  27  in a manner allowing for end of strap  27  to be passed around camper jack  5  when stabilizer unit  10  is in the stowed  35   s  position (see  FIG. 5 ), passed through strap slide  30  then folded back to position where in first Velcro strip  31  component can be pressed on to second Velcro strip  31  component, securing stabilizer unit  10  in a position adjacent and parallel to camper jack  5 . Referring again to  FIG. 2 . Web strap  27  to be provided for with two mounting holes  32  through web strap  27 . Holes  32  to be located approximately 2½″ from strap slide  30  end of web strap  27  and provide for substantial mounting of web strap  27  to outside tube  11 . Web strap  27  to be secured with rivets  34  and washers  33  to side  16  of outside tube  11 . Web strap  27  to be attached to outside tube  11  where by holes  32  of web strap  27  intersect with longitudinal dimension of outside tube  11  at right angles and at a point on outside tube  11  approximately 2.5″ from angle end  13  of outside tube  11  measured from back  15  surface of outside tube  11 .  
         [0019]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 . Inside tube  35  provides geometry allowing for sliding fit between inside tube  35  and outside tube  11  providing stabilizer unit  10  with telescoping variable length capability. Inside tube  35  comprised of ¾″ square steel tubing approximately 18″ long.  
         [0020]     Inside tube  35  to be provided for with one squared end  36  and a first exposed end herein referred to as radius end  37 , a front surface  38 , a back surface  39  and two identical side surfaces  40 . Radius at end  37  of inside tube  35  to measure approximately {fraction (3/8)}″ provides clearance between end  37  of inside tube  35  and camper jack  5  when inside tube  35  is attached to the mounting bracket herein referred to as round clamp  44 . Clearance allows stabilizer unit  10  to be rotated from stowed  35   s  position to in use position  35  without interference between end  37  and outside diameter of camper jack  5  (see  FIG. 5 ). Side surfaces  40  of inside tube  35  to be provided for with two approximately {fraction (3/8)}″ diameter holes  41  at radius end  37 . Holes  41  provided to accommodate swivel bolt  42  when round clamp  44  is attached to radius end  37  of inside tube  35 . Moderate torque application of lock nut  43  to swivel bolt  42  insures rotational capability of round clamp  44  when attached to radius end  37  of inside tube  35 .  
         [0021]     Continuing reference to  FIG. 1  Round clamp  44  is provided for pivotal attachment of inside tube  35  of stabilizer unit  10  to camper jack  5  on camper  1 . Round clamp  44  to be generally circular in shape, fabricated of {fraction (1/8)} th ″ thick mild steel flat stock approximately 1″ wide. Round clamp  44  to be formed into a partial ring with an inside diameter of approximately 2¼.″ Tabs  45  extending out approximately 1″ from generally circular shape of round clamp  44  provide for pivotal mating of inside tube  35  to round clamp  44 . Tabs  45  of round clamp  44  to be provided for with inside clearance  47  of approximately {fraction (13/16)}″ (see  FIG. 2   a ) providing a straddle fit wherein inside surface of tabs  45  are fitted over side surfaces  40  of inside tube  35  at radius end  37 . Pivotal attachment of round clamp  44  to inside tube  35  is provided when holes  41  in side surfaces  40  of inside tube  35  are aligned with holes  46  in tabs  45  of round clamp  44  and wherein swivel bolt  42 , having a threaded length of approximately 1½″ is placed substantially through aligned holes  41  and  46  and secured with locking nut  43 . Locking nut  43  to be threaded onto protruding end of swivel bolt  42  and tightened to a point where round clamp  44  can be pivoted freely on radius end  37  of inside tube  35 .  
         [0022]     Reference  FIG. 5  Which shows anchor plate  48  mounted at a predetermined location on camper  2  providing easy and fast attachment and removal of stabilizing unit  10  to camper  2  body  
         [0023]     Reference  FIG. 4  Which shows details of anchor plate  48  wherein anchor plate  48  is comprised of fabricated ¼″ thick metal plate approximately 1″ wide and 2½″ long having a back surface  49 , front surface  50 , a pin  51  and four countersunk mounting holes  59 . Mounting holes  59  sized and configured to accommodate approximately {fraction (1/4)}″ countersink style screws  60  for attachment of anchor plate  48  to camper  2 . Pin  51  protrudes from approximate center of front surface  50  of anchor plate  48  and is provided to mate with hole  18  of outside tube  11  (see  FIG. 1 ). Pin  51  is approximately {fraction (3/4)}″ long and machined to provide a minor diameter  52  of approximately 0.375″ which extends outwardly approximately ½″ from the center of front surface  50  of anchor plate  48 , a major diameter  53  of approximately 0.625″ and a shoulder  54 . Major diameter  53  to extend over approximately {fraction (1/8)}″ of pin  51  length and is provided for the purpose of allowing pin  51  to be loosely fitted through counter bored hole  55  in plate  48  providing clearance allowing for moderate rotational movement of pin  51  without pin  51  pulling through counter bored hole  55  under load. A small thru drilled hole  56  approximately {fraction (1/8)} th ″ in diameter is provided and positioned approximately {fraction (1/8)}th″ from end  57  of pin  51 . Hole  56  provided to allow insertion of safety clip  58  insuring secure mating of stabilizer unit  10  to anchor plate  48  when hole  18  of outside tube  11  is placed over pin  51  on anchor plate  48  and clip  58  is placed through hole  56 .  
         [0024]     Referring again to  FIG. 5  to explain functional operation of stabilizer unit  10  where in prior to offloading camper  1  from pick up truck bed or host vehicle, camper jacks  5  are lowered to the point where they support total weight of camper  1  allowing host vehicle to be driven out from under camper  1 . Camper jacks  5  are then adjusted as required to lower and level camper  1  where-in stabilizer unit  10  which has been mounted on camper jack  5  using pivotal round clamp  44  is swung away from it&#39;s stowed position  35   s  adjacent to camper jack  5  by releasing Velcro  31  on web strap  27  allowing web strap  27  to be un threaded from strap slide  30 . Locking knob  21  is then turned counter clockwise releasing pressure from end of threaded portion  22  against side  40  of inside tube  35  allowing inside tube  35  to telescopingly slide freely inside outside tube  11  allowing for length adjustment of stabilizer unit  10  necessary for mating hole  18  in outside tube  11  to pin  51  on anchor plate  48  wherein hole  18  in back  15  of angle end  13  on outside tube  11  is placed over pin  51  of anchor plate  48  on camper face  2 . Clip  58  is then placed into small hole  56  in pin  51  insuring stabilizer unit  10  remains in positioned on anchor plate  48  until removal. Locking devise  21  is then retightened by turning knob  23  in a clockwise direction until end of threaded portion  22  of locking devise  21  makes substantial contact with side surface  40  of inside tube  35  where in outside tube  11  and inside tube  35  define a fixed length for stabilizer unit  10  tying camper jack strut  5  to camper  1  thus providing maximum support to camper jack  5 , reducing fatigue to jack mounting  6  and increasing overall stability of camper  1  while offloaded from pick up truck or host vehicle.  
         [0025]     While the invention here in has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes including materials composition and basic component cross sectional shapes may be made within the preview of the appended claims without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in it&#39;s broader aspects.