Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for rigidly mounting a load, such as a utility tray or accommodation unit, to a vehicle. The apparatus also enables demounting of the load from the vehicle such that the vehicle is free for use without the encumbrance of the load or to enable the loads to be interchanged. Particularly, a drive mechanism is included in the apparatus to selectively draw the load and vehicle together for mounting or move them away from each other for demounting.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus for use in a vehicle assembly. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a mounting apparatus to mount a motor home to a vehicle. However, the invention is not strictly limited in its application to motor homes and may be applied to any situation where it is desirable to secure an auxiliary body to a vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Caravanning is a popular pastime. However, there are difficulties associated with towing a caravan behind a vehicle. In particular, inexperienced drivers may find the articulated nature of the caravan and vehicle presents difficulties in manoeuvring the caravan, especially backwards. Furthermore, accessibility of a vehicle and a towed caravan may be limited. A popular alternative is a motor home. However, there are, some distinct disadvantages associated with motor homes too. For example, once a suitable campsite base has been selected, if it is further desired to explore in the vehicle away from the campsite, the whole motor home must be packed up and the contents secured before the vehicle can be moved. This may be particularly inconvenient for small day trips from the campsite base. Another disadvantage is that the motor home incorporates a whole vehicle which is not able to be used for other requirements.  
         [0003]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which addresses the foregoing disadvantages or at least provides the public with a useful choice.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided, an apparatus for a vehicle assembly comprising a self propelled vehicle and a load mountable to the vehicle in a mounted position relative to the vehicle and being detachable therefrom, the apparatus incorporating a drive means that includes a clamp to clamp onto a predetermined fixed portion of the load, the clamp comprising two clamping portions, one movable relative to the other between a released position and a clamping position, the clamp also being selectively movable in use on a vehicle, relative to the vehicle, to draw the load towards the mounted position and to move the load away from the mounted position on the vehicle which is selectively drivable to move the load away from the mounted position on the vehicle.  
         [0005]     The apparatus is preferably slidably mounted to the vehicle and the apparatus is operable to overcome the frictional engagement between the load and the vehicle. In a preferred form of the invention, the apparatus is also operable to secure the load in the mounted position.  
         [0006]     In a most preferred form of the invention, the apparatus is also operable to draw the load towards the vehicle from a tripping position relative to the vehicle to the mounted position. A tripping means may also be provided to detect when the load is in the tripping position. Preferably, the apparatus is operable to allow for the load to be partially mounted on the vehicle by driving of the vehicle, with the apparatus becoming operable to draw the load to the mounted position on the load reaching the tripping position relative to the vehicle.  
         [0007]     The drive means is most suitably independent of the drive of the vehicle. Where the invention operates to also secure the load to the vehicle, a single drive means may be provided to move the load away from the vehicle and to secure the load in the mounted position.  
         [0008]     The clamp may be slidable relative to the vehicle. Furthermore, the clamp may be movable in the clamping position to move the load towards the mounted position. Preferably, the clamp is movable in the released position to move the load away from the mounted position.  
         [0009]     The two clamping portions of the clamp may comprise a forward clamping portion and a movable rearward clamping portion, the apparatus being such that when the rearward clamping portion is disposed in the released position and the predetermined portion of the load is moved adjacent to the forward clamping portion, the rearward clamping portion is driven by the drive means to be moved to the clamping position, whereupon the drive means moves the clamp and thereby the load to the mounted position. Furthermore, the apparatus may be operable such that when in the mounted position, selective operation of the drive means causes the forward portion of the clamping means to move rearwardly and thereby move the predetermined portion of the load away from the mounted position on the vehicle.  
         [0010]     In a most preferred form of the invention, the rearward clamping portion comprises a pivotally mounted toggle driven to rotate from the released position to the clamping position, such that on being further driven, the clamp is moved forwardly. A biasing means may be provided to bias the forward portion of the clamp rearwardly.  
         [0011]     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle assembly comprising a self propelled vehicle and a load mountable to the vehicle in a mounted position relative to the vehicle and being detachable therefrom, the vehicle assembly including the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.  
         [0012]     Preferably, the load comprises an accommodation unit. Alternatively, the load comprises a tray. The load may have a single axle and a plurality of struts to support the load when detached from the vehicle.  
         [0013]     In a preferred form of the invention, the vehicle is provided with a first guide means fixed thereto and the load is provided with second guide means fixed thereto to position the load in the mounted position relative to the vehicle wherein the first guide means is complementary to the second guide means. The guide means may be tapered to facilitate positioning of the load relative to the vehicle. Furthermore, the first and second guide means preferably each comprise elongate members.  
         [0014]     In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for a vehicle assembly comprising a self propelled vehicle and a load mountable to the vehicle in a fixed mounted position relative to the vehicle and being detachable therefrom, the vehicle assembly including a mounting apparatus incorporating a drive means, the load being mountable to the vehicle in part by driving the vehicle towards the load, the drive means being activated on the vehicle reaching a tripping position relative to the load whereupon the drive means is operable to draw the load further towards the vehicle to the mounted position.  
         [0015]     Any of the features described above in connection with the first and second aspects of the invention may have application to the third aspect set out above.  
         [0016]     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a vehicle assembly comprising a self propelled vehicle and a load mountable to the vehicle in a mounted position relative to the vehicle and being detachable therefrom wherein the vehicle is provided with a first guide means fixed thereto and the load is provided with second guide means fixed thereto to position the load in the mounted position relative to the vehicle, wherein the guide means are mutually cooperative to facilitate mounting of the load to the vehicle and the guide means are tapered to facilitate positioning of the load relative to the vehicle, the first guide means being of complementary shape to the second guide means when in the mounted position.  
         [0017]     The guide means may be of rectangular section and tapered in both dimensions of their cross-sections. Preferably, the first and second guide means each comprise a pair of spaced elongate members. In a preferred form of the invention, the members of the first guide means comprise bars of rectangular section and the members of the second guide means comprise channels, inwardly pen.  
         [0018]     In a most preferred form of the invention, the members of the first guide means are mounted to an upwardly facing surface of a trailing portion of the vehicle and the members of the second guide means is mounted to a downwardly facing surface of a leading portion of the load such that the leading portion of the load is mounted atop the trailing portion of the vehicle in the mounted position.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a vehicle and an accommodation unit for mounting to the vehicle;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the accommodation unit mounted to the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the respective vehicle-mounted and load-mounted portions of a preferred form of the apparatus in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of part of the vehicle-mounted apparatus in  FIG. 3  along the line A-A;  
         [0024]      FIGS. 5A, 5B  and  5 C are partional cross-sectional views showing the mounting operation of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 6A, 6B ,  6 C and  6 D are partial cross-sectional views showing the releasing operation of the apparatus in  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit associated with the apparatus of  FIG. 3  for controlling the operation of the apparatus. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , a vehicle  2  has a trailing portion  4  that includes an upwardly facing surface  6  on which is rigidly mountable an accommodation unit  8  to enable transport of the accommodation unit  8  by the vehicle  2 . The accommodation unit  8  includes a leading portion  10  having a downwardly facing surface  12  to which is attached a first portion  18  of a mounting apparatus  14 . A second portion  16  of the apparatus  14  is incorporated into the trailing portion  4  of the vehicle  2  to project through the upwardly facing surface  6  such that the second portion  16  is engageable with the first portion  18  of the accommodation unit  8 . When the respective first and second portions  18 ,  16  are brought together they enable rigid mounting of the accommodation unit  8  to the vehicle  2  for transport. Furthermore, the apparatus  14  enables disengagement of the accommodation unit  8  from the vehicle  2  thereby freeing the vehicle for use without the burden of the accommodation unit  8 . It will be appreciated that the accommodation unit  8  is merely an example of the type of units which may be mounted to the vehicle. For instance, an alternative unit may comprise a tray for receiving a tradesman&#39;s equipment or a courier&#39;s packages.  
         [0028]     The second portion  16 , which forms the drive means  20  of the apparatus  14 , includes a support bar  22  linked to the chassis of the vehicle  2  and a pair of spaced walls  24  depending from the bar  22 . The walls  24  are joined by floor  25  ( FIG. 4 ) from the support bar  22 . Each wall  24  has a bracket  26  attached thereto via bolts, such that a flange  27  on each bracket projects inwardly of the walls  24  to define a pair of spaced rails on which ride runners  28  of forward clamping portion  30 . The forward clamping portion  30  further includes upstanding abutments  31  linked by a rigid web  32 . A groove  29  formed in runners  28  receives a respective flange  27  to enable reciprocal sliding movement of the forward clamping portion  30  along the brackets  26  ( FIG. 4 ).  
         [0029]     Mounted between the runners  28  midway along their length is a pivot shaft  34  on which a rearward clamping portion, formed as toggle  36 , is pivotally mounted ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ). One end of the toggle  36  is mounted to the pivot shaft  34 . Near the opposite end, a levis pin  40  is mounted to enable pivotal movement of the toggle  36  relative to a clevis  38  also attached to the clevis pin  40 . The clevis  38  is mounted to an hydraulic ram  44  such that reciprocal movement of the ram  44  causes rotation of the toggle  36  relative to the forward clamping portion  30 . Extension of the ram  44  causes the toggle  36  to rotate upwardly toward the abutments  31  until a face  39  of the clevis  38  contacts the side of the toggle  36  intermediate the pivot shaft  34  and clevis pin  40  to arrest further rotational movement ( FIG. 5B ). This is the clamping position of the toggle  36 . From this position, retraction of the ram  44  causes the toggle  36  to rotate away from the clamping position to the release position shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6B .  
         [0030]     The second portion  16  further includes guide means in the form of tapered members  56  that have a teflon coating on the opposed outer sides  58  to facilitate sliding engagement with the first portion  18 . A switch  90  located on one wall  24  ( FIGS. 3 and 5 A) is linked to a power source and activates the ram  44   
         [0031]     A helical spring  48  fixed between projections  50  respectively located on the floor  25  and one of the runners  28  provides sufficient resistance to sliding movement of the forward clamping portion  30  such that initial extension of the ram  44  ( FIG. 5B ) causes the toggle  36  to pivot upwardly toward the abutments  31 . In the absence of the helical spring  48 , initial extension of the ram  44  may cause sliding movement of the forward clamping portion  30  away from the ram  44  such that the pick up bar  74  is not moved to the clamping position. The spring  48  is also selected such that when in the mounted position, the resistance provided by the helical spring  48  is not sufficient to overcome the frictional engagement between the tapered members  56  and channels  70  to drag the forward clamping portion  30  away from the mounted position.  
         [0032]     An alternative to the helical spring  48  is shown in  FIG. 4  in the form of a resilient wire  52  located in the groove  29  between the runners  28  and edge of flange  27 . The resilient wire is formed with a curve ( FIG. 8 ) of sufficient length such that ends  54  project from the groove  29  to engage the ends of the runners  28  thereby retaining the resilient wire  52  within the groove during sliding movement of the forward clamping portion  30 .  
         [0033]     The first portion  18  of the apparatus  14  includes spaced channels  70  shaped complimentarily to the tapered members  56  to receive the tapered members  56  in frictional engagement. The channels  70  are mounted to a frame  72  including a pick up bar  74  for clamping between the abutments  31  and toggle  36  when in the clamping position, and striker plate  76  for actuating the switch  90 .  
         [0034]     Assembly of the first and second portions  18 ,  16  is achieved by manoeuvring the vehicle  2  relative to the accommodation unit, such that the tapered members  56  are received in the channels  70 . The rounded ends  57  of the tapered members assist with aligning the second portion  16  with the first portion  18  such that an angled or off-centre approach of the second portion  16  toward the first portion  18  will be corrected by the rounded ends coaxing the correct arrangement of the tapered members  56  within the channels  70 . Further insertion of the tapered members  56  into the channels  70  brings the striker plate  76  closer to the switch  90 . Upon a leading edge  78  of the striker plate  76  tripping the switch  90 , the ram  44  is activated to extend the arm  42  and cause upward rotation of the toggle  36  relative to the runners  28 . At the point that the ram is activated, the pick-up bar  74  is located in such proximity to the abutments  31  that the upward rotational movement of the toggle  36  captures the pick up bar  74  in a gap between the abutments  31  and toggle  36  in its clamping position ( FIG. 5B ). At this stage the striker plate  76  remains in contact with the switch  90  such that the ram  44  remains activated. Further extension of the ram  44  causes sliding movement of the forward clamping portion  30  such that the pick up bar  74 , and associated first portion  18 , moves towards a mounted position as depicted in  FIG. 5C . The ram  44  is deactivated when the switch  90  disengages the striker plate  76  by falling off a trailing edge  80 .  
         [0035]     Operation of the ram  44  to drag the first portion  18  to the mounted position causes the tapered members  56  and channels  70  to frictionally engage, thereby assisting to retain the first portion  18  in the mounted position relative the second portion  16 .  
         [0036]     The accommodation unit  8  is disengaged from the vehicle  2  by manually actuating ejection button  92  ( FIG. 7 ). Such actuation trips ejection button switch  93  and breaker switch  94  such that the solenoids  96  activate the ram  44  to retract ( FIGS. 6A, 6B ). Initially, retraction of the arm  42  causes pivotal movement of the toggle  36  away from abutments  31  thereby releasing the pick up bar  74  from clamping therebetween. As the ram is retracted, the forward clamping portion  30  is pulled toward the ram  44  along the brackets  26 , whereby the abutments  31  drag the pick up bar  74  of the first portion  18  in a rearward direction thereby breaking the frictional engagement of the tapered members  56  with the channels  70  ( FIG. 6C ). Rearward movement of the forward clamping portion  30  is arrested when one of the runners  28  trips the breaker switch  94  ( FIG. 6D ) thereby breaking the solenoid circuit. At this point, the first portion  18  is free of the second portion  16  so that the vehicle  2  can be driven away free of the encumbrance of the accommodation unit  8  and used for any purpose as the driver desires.  
         [0037]     It will be appreciated that the accommodation unit would include a number of support struts for stabilising the accommodation unit  8  when it is not engaged with the vehicle  2 . Preferably, the accommodation unit  8  further includes a manually operated brake acting on the wheels of the accommodation unit  8  to further prevent movement of the accommodation unit  8  when it is free of the vehicle  2 .